And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 1)

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Porter
Posts: 2418
Joined: March 19th, 2011, 7:43 pm

And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 1)

Post by Porter »


And Then, I found Myself in Washington...



ImageDSC_0995-2 by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr

ImageDSC_0979-2 by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr

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It's hard to find good slime these days.... And these kids had the hookup :thumb:

ImageDSC_0098-2 by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr

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To Be Continued...








:mrgreen:
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technoendo
Posts: 112
Joined: December 13th, 2014, 5:27 pm

Re: And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 1)

Post by technoendo »

Great to see the processed photos from this trip, well done! You rocked Washington Porter! My favorite was the northwestern alligator lizards in the foothills of the snow covered cascade mountain peaks around us. We were looking for amphibs near cold mountain streams/falls. I was confident it was far too cold for reptiles, but the 2 lizards popped out from under rocks as they were flipped proving me wrong! Even in the cold they were both active and alert, biting first and asking questions later.

Today I was crossing the cascade mountain pass coming home from a friend's wedding, decided to flip a few boards, and uncovered 3 baby northwestern alligator lizards and a large adult. All but this fellow bolted down a nearby hole as I readied my camera to get some in-situ photos. I'd estimate this one is 2.3 inches long from snout to tail.

ImageP1155783.jpg by Ian Garrison, on Flickr
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Porter
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Re: And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 1)

Post by Porter »

technoendo wrote:Great to see the processed photos from this trip, well done! You rocked Washington Porter! My favorite was the northwestern alligator lizards in the foothills of the snow covered cascade mountain peaks around us. We were looking for amphibs near cold mountain streams/falls. I was confident it was far too cold for reptiles, but the 2 lizards popped out from under rocks as they were flipped proving me wrong! Even in the cold they were both active and alert, biting first and asking questions later.
Awesome little gator :thumb: I have to say these are the coolest looking Alligator Lizards I've seen so far. They look similar to the ones we have down here in the Central Valley when they're babies. But the ones up North seem to retain that childhood beauty :mrgreen: pattern and markings are super cool.

Ian knew where to find these :beer: We went out to scope some basking snakes and I told him I'd really like to see Salamanders and a gator if possible. Ian's not really a salamander guy... So he said, "I'm not really a salamander guy..." :lol: So, then I start intricately describing some perfect habitat where we would be able to find salamanders in hopes it might spark up some memory of where he might have seen the right conditions and know where to go. Ian starts thinking and goes, "hmmmmm...yeah, I know a couple areas we could check that sound like what your describing. So we drive out to this forest trail and I wanna say with either the first or second thing flipped, Ian flips his lifer rough skinned newt :mrgreen: :thumb: Talk about awesome facking teamwork mates :beer: We didn't find anything else because it was way too cold at the lower levels of the trail. If I remember correctly we found ice beneath the moss.

...and like he said, he had the spot on lock for the gators and knew right where to go. As we're driving out there I saw this perfect little moist area for salamanders and I'm like, "dude!! Right there! ...that's perfect for em. Exactly what we're looking for." So, we loop back around and start alittle flipping and pop pop...gator gator. As we all know, habitat conditions fit for one herp is also good for another. I was just as surprised as him to be honest. It was freezing! and the spot we were heading that was good for gator that Ian knew of was just right up the road but covered in snow, Washington is freaking weird like that... Nafis was telling me I was there at the worst time because I just missed salamander breeding migration and it still hadn't warmed up enough for mountain reptiles and frogs. Everything was dry AF but I lucky got some rain and even some sun while I was there. I'm sure Gary was surprised and he did say he thought Red-legged hoppers would be possible where I told him I was searching and I scored 3 of em :thumb:

Ian also knew of the best Mexican grub dive in town and we feasted after a long cold frozen day of herp searchin :beer:

Ian you should plug your vid you showed me to the post if you have time... 8-)

Something interesting about those alligator lizards... they were missing toes and fingers from frostbite :o :crazyeyes: Nevertheless, tough little critters and it didn't seem to inhabit their running or climbing ability. Here's a few extra shots:



ImageDSC_0192-2 by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr

ImageDSC_0199-2 by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr

ImageDSC_0181-2 by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
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Kelly Mc
Posts: 4529
Joined: October 18th, 2011, 1:03 pm

Re: And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 1)

Post by Kelly Mc »

The synergy of flower bud, thorns and tranquil serpent is a beautiful scene
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Soopaman
Posts: 924
Joined: March 18th, 2012, 7:34 pm
Location: Houston, Texas

Re: And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 1)

Post by Soopaman »

Some nice photos from Washington. I especially like the in situ of the garter in the blackberry bush! Apropos for the species!
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Kelly Mc
Posts: 4529
Joined: October 18th, 2011, 1:03 pm

Re: And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 1)

Post by Kelly Mc »

There's photography around these parts that is definitely Art. At least what looks like art to me!
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