Rainbow at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Otero County, New Mexico
Northern Black-tailed Rattlesnakes (Crotalus molasses molossus). These snakes was engaged in a courtship dance near the campground bathroom at 2:30 a.m. while I was on a “nature call”. The two snakes were entwined and with the rostral third of their bodies raised off the ground. I could not believe my eyes. I have never seen this before. I am not in the habit of taking photo equipment with me in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom so I ran to the car. By the time I returned the snakes were laying side by side as pictured here. I had spoiled the magic moment for them. What an unforgettable sight. Otero County, New Mexico
This is one of the snakes engaged in the courtship dance. Otero County, New Mexico
Couch’s Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus couchii), female. A brief shower near dusk brought out the toads. Otero County, New Mexico
Couch’s Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus couchii), male. Otero County, New Mexico
Red-spotted Toad (Bufo punctatus). Otero County, New Mexico
Great Plains Toad (Bufo cognatus), Otero County, New Mexico
Texas Crevice Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus poinsettii axtelli)
Desert Striped Whipsnake (Colluder taeniatus taeniatus)
Chihuahua Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus tetanus scitulus). Otero County, New Mexico
Next stop was White Sands National Monument in search of Bleached Earless Lizards and Little White Whiptails.
White Sands National Monument with afternoon storm clouds. Otero County, New Mexico
Storm clouds building over dunes of White Sands National Monument
Interdune habitat of Bleached Earless Lizard and Little White Whiptail, White Sands National Monument
Bleached Earless Lizard (Holbrookia maculata ruthveni) at White Sands National Park
Little White Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gypsi) with its impressively long tail. White Sands National Monument
Beautiful cirrus clouds above the Organ Mountains. Dona Ana County, New Mexico
Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus schottii), Dona Ana County, New Mexico
Organ Mountains at sunset
Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis exsanguis), Dona Ana County, New Mexico
Round-tailed Horned Lizard (Phyrnosoma modestum), Dona Ana County, New Mexico
Juvenile Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Cotalus atrox), Dona Ana County, New Mexico
Chihuahuan Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus tetanus scitulus), female. Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, Texas
Chihuahuan Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus tetanus scitulus), male. Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, Texas
Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis exsanguis), Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, Texas
A storm was fast approaching on the last afternoon of our trip so we headed back to the car and started down the road when I spotted my lifer Desert Box Turtle (Terrapene ornate luteola) walking on the roadway.
Of course the brief rain resulted in our last rainbow of the trip overlooking El Paso, Texas.
The New Mexico adventure was a great trip. Thirty seven species of herps were identified and most accompanied by photographs. I will leave you with this photo of sunset at City of Rocks State Park, New Mexico.
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