Hello everyone! Though I’m more of an accidental herper, I thought I’d share my end-of-the-year post with you all. Just a side note, any animals that were handled for photo purposes were released. Also if I got any of the ID’s wrong, please let me know. (Warning, some non-herp shots included.)
The first snake of the year was found stretched out on a dirt road and was holding up traffic (thankfully). I moved it out of the way so people could pass and it could survive.
Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Nearby habitat shot.
Superstition Mountain Wilderness by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Next were a pair of horned lizards found on the same day/same location.
Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma solare) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma solare) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
This Yuma phase Kingsnake was found not too far from my home.
R000520 by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
A couple common lizards for Southern Arizona…
Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
A decent-sized Gophersnake near the house.
Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
More local lizards.
Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Sonoran Spotted Whiptails (Aspidoscelis sonorae) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Tiger Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
These herps were found while on vacation. The Gophersnake was incredibly docile and one of the larger ones that I’ve seen in awhile.
Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Me & a Gophersnake by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
This Collared Lizard was fun to shoot, it would occasionally rush the camera when it saw its reflection in the lens.
Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
A couple environmental shots for fun.
S001126 by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
The Teepees by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
A couple more sonoran desert finds.
R000588 by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Red-backed Whiptail (Aspidoscelis xanthonota) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
A trip to one of our infamous ‘Sky Island’ mountain ranges was also successful.
Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Black-necked Gartersnake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
And finally our monsoon season got into full swing, bringing out the amphibians.
Saguaro & Lightning by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Sonoran Desert Toad (Incilius alvarius) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Red-spotted Toad (Anaxyrus punctatus) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Red-spotted Toad (Anaxyrus punctatus) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Sonoran Desert Toad (Incilius alvarius) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Things are starting to cool off and dry out around here, but the rattlesnakes are moving. I found this one without a rattle. Not sure if it was due to an old injury or congenital…
Wester Diamondback sans rattle (Crotalus atrox) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Wester Diamondback sans rattle (Crotalus atrox) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
And one that strayed into my yard.
Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
The rest of the images below are non-herp pics that I took throughout the season. Hope you all enyoy!
Mammals:
White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
M000238 by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Birds:
Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Invertebrates:
Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Scorpion under UV light by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Beyer's Jewel Scarab (Chrysina beyeri) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Zuni Click Beetle (Alaus zunianus) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Giant Desert Centipede (Scolopendra heros) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
walkingstick by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
walkingstick by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Hubbard's Small Silkmoth Caterpillar (Sphingicampa hubbardi) by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
Good night everyone!
Baboquivari Star Trails by Tonia Graves, on Flickr
2013 End of Year post
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Tonia Graves
- Posts: 212
- Joined: December 8th, 2011, 2:40 pm
- Location: Tucson, AZ
Re: 2013 End of Year post
Looks like a pretty good year to me! Nice pics, that time lapse is really cool! Thanks for posting.
- Carl Brune
- Posts: 488
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:22 am
- Location: Athens, OH
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Re: 2013 End of Year post
Nice post. That red-baked whiptail is really cool, almost looks exotic.
Re: 2013 End of Year post
Some beautiful pictures there! The time lapse is awesome!
Re: 2013 End of Year post
Love the last time lapse and the lightning pic!
That walking stick is cool too!
-Kris
That walking stick is cool too!
-Kris
- AndyO'Connor
- Posts: 1019
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:14 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: 2013 End of Year post
I'll echo fondness for the lightning and star trails shots! Some really nice animal shots as well. That red-backed whiptail DOES look like some of the central/south american species. Your tiger whip doesn't look like a tiger whip from what I can tell, looks too spotted in between the stripes, although they are really variable across their range and I haven't been to that area.
- Tonia Graves
- Posts: 212
- Joined: December 8th, 2011, 2:40 pm
- Location: Tucson, AZ
Re: 2013 End of Year post
Thanks everyone for the kind comments so far. I'm really not that great with Whiptail ID's, so the Red-backed could be something else.... Not sure if they change coloration during breeding season like some of the other lizards do here.
Re: 2013 End of Year post
The scorpion looks like a giant hairy scorpion.
- Rich in Reptiles
- Posts: 494
- Joined: November 30th, 2012, 7:45 am
- Location: Missouri
Re: 2013 End of Year post
Wow! Every shot looks awesome!! LOVE the star trails!!
Re: 2013 End of Year post
Great Shots!!! Hope you don't mind if I borrow "Baboquivari Star Trails" for my next desktop background. Thanks, Art
Re: 2013 End of Year post
The scorpion looks like a giant hairy scorpion.
The scorp is Vaejovis spinigeris, not Hadrurus arizonensis.
-Kris
The scorp is Vaejovis spinigeris, not Hadrurus arizonensis.
-Kris
- ThamnElegans24
- Posts: 406
- Joined: November 23rd, 2010, 6:44 pm
- Location: Mesa, Arizona
Re: 2013 End of Year post
Great stuff!
- Tonia Graves
- Posts: 212
- Joined: December 8th, 2011, 2:40 pm
- Location: Tucson, AZ
Re: 2013 End of Year post
Thanks for the ID Kris!azatrox wrote:The scorpion looks like a giant hairy scorpion.
The scorp is Vaejovis spinigeris, not Hadrurus arizonensis.
-Kris
- Tonia Graves
- Posts: 212
- Joined: December 8th, 2011, 2:40 pm
- Location: Tucson, AZ
Re: 2013 End of Year post
I don't mind as long as you give me credit!ADCIII wrote:Great Shots!!! Hope you don't mind if I borrow "Baboquivari Star Trails" for my next desktop background. Thanks, Art
- Will Wells
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Re: 2013 End of Year post
Wow, I really like your herp and insect photos. The star trails shot is really spectacular!
- Mike Pingleton
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- Location: One of the boys from Illinois
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Re: 2013 End of Year post
wow! great photos!
-Mike
-Mike