It was 52F at noon today here in central Illinois, but the band of wind and snow racing across the plains reached us in early afternoon. Now the wind is roaring all around the house, and by the glow of the Christmas lights outside I can see the snow flying sideways. A perfect night for a little Hot Stove Herping.
2012 goes into the record books as Not Too Bad. It was going to be hard to top 2011 in terms of trips and lifers under normal circumstances, but changes at work and family stuff sucked up a lot of free time that I used to take for granted. All the same I managed to see some cool herps.
I’ve been out to southern California a few times, but the timing was never great. That changed in late March, when a merry band of herpers converged on the San Diego area….
I got out there a little early, so I headed out to a nearby roadside park and hiking area just to poke around and maybe shoot some lizards.
Mission accomplished – I saw quite a few Sceloporus occidentalis longipes:
This cute little serpent was off to the side of the trail, and I was pleased that my first California rattlesnake was one I spotted all by my baby self. Crotalus mitchelli pyrrhus, my first Speckled Rattlesnake.
I’m not pleased with this shot but it does illustrate how Specks often match their surroundings, as if they sprang from the very rocks and soil around them.
The next morning a layer of ground fog covered the coastal sage. We met up with Jeff Lemm to flip some artificial cover and take data on what lies beneath. As a side note, everyone knows that field herping is a serious business.
Alex flips something cool while Jeff and Shaun look on:
‘Twas a beautiful California Whipsnake, Coluber lateralis lateralis:
Jeff takes some data and the whipsnake gets its very own PIT tag:
Nearly everything on this trip was a lifer for me, so I was pleased to see it all, even the stuff local herpers consider RFCs (Regular Faunistic Components). Here’s a San Diego Nightsnake, Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha klauberi:
A hefty Southern Pacific rattler, Crotalus oreganus helleri
Coastal sage habitat shot:
My first Striper Cal King:
After many years of reading board-flipping accounts on FHF by Fundad and other SoCal herpers, it was a treat to be flipping boards and finding Cal Kings and other cool stuff.
Herper Bling!
Mystery lep – probably in the Bramble Hairstreak complex.
A patch of coastal cholla (Opuntia prolifera). I got a big kick out of visiting all these new (to me) habitats.
What else lives in coastal sage habitat? How about the Coastal Patchnose, Salvadora hexalepis virgultea?
An adult California Whipsnake, in habitat.
Crotalus ruber, out on the crawl:
San Diego Banded Gecko, Coleonyx variegatus abbotti:
Baja California Lyresnake, (or T. b. vandenburghi, I’m not sure)
Western Toad, Bufo boreas halophilus, found under a roadside rock.
Alex flipped a big mama Coastal Rosy Boa, Charina trivirgata roseofusca
We got a peek at the iguana recovery breeding facility that Jeff designed and maintains. Here he is with Gitmo, a majestic specimen of Cyclura nubila, the Cuban Rock Iguana.
We also got a look at the captive recovery and head-starting program for the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog, Rana muscosa.
Back to herping, near sunset we found several more Red Diamond Rattlers, rapidly becoming one of my favorite crotes:
Crotey goodness.
A good-looking Pituophis catenifer annectens:
After sunset, we decided to do a little toad-hunting in a dry riverbed. Like Speckled Rattlesnakes, Arroyo Toads blend in very well with the surrounding substrate.
Arroyo Toad, Bufo californicus.
These lycosid spider-mom-taxis are always interesting to see.
The following morning we headed up into the mountains to look for mountain kings.
Another lifer along the way, and far from water – Pseudacris hypochondriaca:
Success! Lampropeltis zonata pulchra.
Shaun found this juvie:
We found a few more:
Gopher Snakes were also present, despite the chilly elevation.
The Z Crew reigned triumphant.
The next morning we went out with Kent and Steve to work some boardlines.
We walked up on this basking helleri near an old house foundation.
It was also a good day for SoPacs under plywood.
And Cal Kings too.
Marisa taking time out to smell the flowers:
Later that afternoon we met up with Fundad and walked a field close to the border. Here’s a good looking striped Cal King from there:
In situ helleri:
A beauty:
Super nice Elgaria. I hadn’t seen a Gator Lizard since I was a kid growing up near LA.
Those aren’t all for CJ. That night we celebrated our success and made plans for crossing into Mexico in the morning.
I’ll pick up that portion of the tale in the next Hot Stove Herping installment.
-Mike
Hot Stove Herping, Part One
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Mike Pingleton
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
I think I'm a west coaster stuck in the southeast. Maybe it's because I was born in Tacoma, Washington...I don't know. I do know I love the color of the critters out west, the terrain, the Colorado/Utah/New Mexico/Arizona air, the beautiful Rockies...
Nice post, Mike!!!
DDD
Nice post, Mike!!!
DDD
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
Yet another great installment by the great Pingleton.
Great stuff, Mike! Lots and lots of cool herps. Can't go wrong in Southern California!
Great stuff, Mike! Lots and lots of cool herps. Can't go wrong in Southern California!
Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
Very nice Mike! Love the ruber and SD helleri - I got to see some myself this year! Those pulchra look very nice - I would've traded the boas we saw to see those! SoCal is one of my fav places to visit - lots of rattlesnakes, hiking in beautiful weather, and I got to meet some nice SoCal herpers
I look forward to the rest of your posts - especially Baja
I look forward to the rest of your posts - especially Baja
- Ross Padilla
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
Great post, Mike. Love the Cal kings!
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
Enjoyable! Tamara and I will make it westward one day soon I hope. We've only made it as far as Kansas and Oklahoma while herping so far.
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
As always, Mike, sooper-dooper. dick
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
I loved this post. So many beautiful creatures. The crotes are my favorites. Am also happy to have a new witty acronym (RFCs) to throw around. Looking forward to the next installment.
- Josh Holbrook
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
Is it that time of year again already? Excellent.
Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
Looks like a trip I would've loved to join you guys on! That first ruber is a beaut! I would like to spend more time in SoCal sometime. I hope you are staying warm in this blizzard.
Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
I think CJ ended up taking that many margs down. Great pics of a wonderful trip, it was a superb way to start the season.
Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
I'll see if I can get my sister in Phoenix to make room for you next year when I'm there.Raymond McConnell wrote:Enjoyable! Tamara and I will make it westward one day soon I hope. We've only made it as far as Kansas and Oklahoma while herping so far.
- Chris Smith
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
Awesome!
-Chris
-Chris
- Mulebrother
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
A welcome post in this miserable cold.
- bushmaster W30
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
For sure. I always enjoy the "Hot Stove Herping" series durring the cold months of winter.Mulebrother wrote:A welcome post in this miserable cold.
Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
A post with a little bit of everything, and all of it thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks, Mike!
Gerry
Gerry
- Mike Pingleton
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Re: Hot Stove Herping, Part One
thanks, everyone! I appreciate the comments.
-Mike
-Mike