Death Valley!

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zeevng
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Death Valley!

Post by zeevng »

Alright guys,
It's time once again for my once a year appearance, asking for sage counsel and advice! :D

2016 is in it's third month, and I still haven't had a chance to herp! I've been working like crazy, as well as moving and a bunch of other stuff.
I'm finally gonna be free this weekend, and my girlfriend very much wants to go to Death Valley to catch the super bloom of wildflowers that's going on right now. I'm fine with it, as it gets me back out into the desert! :thumb:

I've only been to Death Valley once before, and that was in August, if I remember correctly. I found a couple sidewinders while cruising the main roads, but didn't see much else.
Does anyone have any experience herping out there, at this time of year? I'm going to be coming from, and returning to, Santa clarita, and will be traveling along the 14, the 395, and the 190 both ways, so if anyone knows good spots along that route either, that would be great.

It looks like it's going to be in the low 70's and high 60's in the evening, and mid to high 70's during the day. Seems promising!

Any advice is much appreciated! :beer:

Here first are the Sidewinders from last time, and then some gratuitous shots from MNP! My last post was asking for advice for MNP, and I just realized I never posted these. I can't find most of them, but here's a few I uploaded to my Facebook. :)

Sidewinder! :)
Image10341498_10152266834664300_8241780639229838730_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr

More Sidewinder!
Image10373745_10152266833539300_7890581018317923846_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr

And some more!
Image10259992_10152241611819300_7988811137110682053_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr

And now some Mojave National Preserve Herps! :D
Image10313492_10152266834774300_3182334659978874642_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr
Image10294462_10152266834479300_6181134008088086807_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr
Image10366192_10152266833889300_7357040273639077726_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr
Image10374514_10152266833834300_7274879987534652478_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr
Image10337718_10152266833804300_8912368611404770979_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr
Image10365967_10152266832819300_4616837191189674673_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr
Image10169262_10152241611644300_4966666040675337582_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr
Image10171663_10152241611539300_7207527022070981714_n by eryx jhoni, on Flickr



And there we are!
So, thanks in advance for the help! If you don't want to post any locations or tips publicly, feel free to email me [email protected]!

Happy Herping,
Zeevng
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zeevng
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Re: Death Valley!

Post by zeevng »

BUMP for any last minute advice! :thumb:

Heading out in a few hours, first herping trip of the year!

:beer: :thumb: :beer:
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Porter
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Re: Death Valley!

Post by Porter »

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Porter
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Re: Death Valley!

Post by Porter »

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zeevng
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Re: Death Valley!

Post by zeevng »

Thanks! That's the road I found my Sidewinders on last time!
Duly noted, I'll be touching nothing but my camera! :D

I'll report back here if I find anything interesting! :thumb:
:beer:
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Re: Death Valley!

Post by Porter »

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daniel
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Re: Death Valley!

Post by daniel »

Good luck, and please take some time to enjoy the wildflower bloom! I was hoping to make it out there sometime this month myself (actually for the flowers more than the herps), but unfortunately will not be able to. So be sure to post some "habitat shots" for us (me ;)) as well!
hellihooks
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Re: Death Valley!

Post by hellihooks »

this early in the year... late afternoon cruising should be best. good luck :thumb:
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ricrabt
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Re: Death Valley!

Post by ricrabt »

Early march is tough for the northern deserts....enjoy the flowers.....
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zeevng
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Re: Death Valley!

Post by zeevng »

My optimism notwithstanding, I got pretty well skunked! :lol:

The landscapes were, of course, breathtaking, and the superbloom suitably impressive.
A couple of lizards, including some too-fast-to-photograph Fringe toed lizards in the dunes, and plenty of signs of snakes, mostly tracks, some very fresh.

It rained on our way in, getting me excited for our chances, but no!

At one point, while driving a dirt road looking for Phyrnos, I saw some very fresh snake tracks, and we got out and followed them for a while. This guy was obviously playing with us, as we kept finding fresh tracks, including RIGHT OVER OUR FOOTPRINTS as we walked back to the car, but we couldn't find it. :lol: :|

All in all, a great trip, just not for herping.

Thanks everyone for the advice, and always,
Happy Herping!



EDIT: @ricrabt, I notice we're both from the SCV! If you're ever looking for someone to herp with, let me know, I've explored the areas around us pretty well! :thumb: :beer:
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ricrabt
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Re: Death Valley!

Post by ricrabt »

I sent you a pm. Pm me back.
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