Your most significant find in 2015
Moderator: Scott Waters
Your most significant find in 2015
Reading this forum lately makes it seem as if no one here is actually doing any herping. From looking at the new database entries I know that this is not true. People have been finding all sorts of interesting herps throughout the state, some of them very early for the season, others in greater numbers than usual for this time of the year.
So, please share what - to you - is your most significant find of this year so far. Significant does not necessarily mean best or most beautiful or most desirable. I.e., it need not be a Rosy Boa or a San Francisco Gartersnake. Just today I found some plain ol' Southern California toads breeding in a small pool of run-off water near our house where no breeding has taken place for at least 3 years (in the pool, not the house ). To me (though not necessarily Nicholas, we'll find out tomorrow, I guess), that was significant, in some way more significant than our lifer Lyre Snake we found earlier this month under AC in area where they are fairly common.
Here's one of the mating pairs in amplexus:
026 by robertohess, on Flickr
Notice that there are already large tadpoles, as well. At least in my experience, this is very early in the year. Must be the unusually warm January and February we have had.
Habitat:
024 by robertohess, on Flickr
OK, so you guys are next. You could just post pictures, but it would be great to hear a bit of the story behind the pictures, too.
Thanks.
Robert
So, please share what - to you - is your most significant find of this year so far. Significant does not necessarily mean best or most beautiful or most desirable. I.e., it need not be a Rosy Boa or a San Francisco Gartersnake. Just today I found some plain ol' Southern California toads breeding in a small pool of run-off water near our house where no breeding has taken place for at least 3 years (in the pool, not the house ). To me (though not necessarily Nicholas, we'll find out tomorrow, I guess), that was significant, in some way more significant than our lifer Lyre Snake we found earlier this month under AC in area where they are fairly common.
Here's one of the mating pairs in amplexus:
026 by robertohess, on Flickr
Notice that there are already large tadpoles, as well. At least in my experience, this is very early in the year. Must be the unusually warm January and February we have had.
Habitat:
024 by robertohess, on Flickr
OK, so you guys are next. You could just post pictures, but it would be great to hear a bit of the story behind the pictures, too.
Thanks.
Robert
- MarcLinsalata
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Re: Your most significant in 2015
I guess mine would be a lifer I found literally one month ago during one of those rainy days. I'm not really an amphibian person but I've been giving it a whirl with the rain we've been getting and my itch to road cruise. With nothing but some free time, a quick glance at some range maps and Google Earth habitat I ventured into SD County one rainy day, and hit my goal three times that night before finally just driving home. Considering it usually takes me several attempts to reach my goals, these were rewarding because all of a sudden, BOOM, they were there...............
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Re: Your most significant in 2015
I have yet to see anything bigger than a westen fence lizard this year... but Christmas eve I got my lifer Red Belly newt, and a few days before that an 18 in SD SAL in Summitt valley. I'm mostly only going for 'significant' stuff this year... hence all the skunks...
Re: Your most significant in 2015
For me it was the rosy boa I dug up by surprise in a rodent hole. I was doing some flipping and ended up with a rather fruitless day. Eventually I was getting desperate for anything (which I am sure is a feeling we all have had). So heading back to the car I decided to re-flip a random board that was not in a special place/near an outcrop like the rest. Upon flipping I saw what looked like a head disappear into a hole (I thought of an alligator lizard honestly). Wanting to grab it, I guessed where the "lizard" path underground was taking place and socked the ground. To my surprise I saw the tail end of a rosy boa! Quickly I tried to grab the tip of it's tail. This is when my dilemma presented itself, the dirt surrounding the tunnel collapsed! See, I was wearing gloves and couldn't feel if I was actually getting a hold of the snake. So disgustingly I had to use my mouth and bite off the dirt encrusted glove in my free hand in order to gain my sense of touch. End of the story with my free hand I uncovered some dirt to see that the boa was right about to choose to take a crossroad within the tunnel before I grabbed it. It was a gross boa covered in cysts and a chewed up tail. But I still thought it was pretty in its' own right (or at least I tell myself that). Looks like living in an outcrop is way better than living with angry rodents for such a slow slug snake.
- Kent VanSooy
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Re: Your most significant in 2015
For me, it's been this....I didn't find it or photograph it, but I was there, does that count ?? Check out the tongue especially !
- Brian Hubbs
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Being the great and awesome herper that I am, and given my 150 years of experience in the field, there isn't much left in the West that I haven't seen. However, this month I finally saw a stupid, common lizard that had eluded my attention for decades. In fact, without the Database, I would still be ignoring it. Well, to make a long story long, I finally saw this Black-tailed Brush lizard while i was photographing utas and spinys. Yay!
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
my best find of the year turned out to be a gator from kings county. Apparently it is an official county record according to Robert Hansen
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Hell... I think my side blotch from Kings was a Co record... that county needs a ton of work...mattg wrote:my best find of the year turned out to be a gator from kings county. Apparently it is an official county record according to Dr.Fisher.
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
i dont mean for the database i mean ever like no one in history has ever found onehellihooks wrote:Hell... I think my side blotch from Kings was a Co record... that county needs a ton of work...mattg wrote:my best find of the year turned out to be a gator from kings county. Apparently it is an official county record according to Dr.Fisher.
- Steve Bledsoe
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Here's my meager "Most Significant Find" so far for 2015. I found this adult Western Black-headed Snake under a cover board at one of our newest study sites in Mission Viejo in Orange County. It's the first Tantilla I've ever seen near the coast. The habitat is primarily grasslands. It's also one of only 5 in our database from Orange County - this one, 3 records from Mike Pecora, and one from Fundad.
- SlitheringHuman
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Great finds from everybody! As for me, I have been stuck at home with (a) schoolwork, and (b) the flu.
Hope to be out there soon, this post is making me jealous and restless.
Hope to be out there soon, this post is making me jealous and restless.
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
For me it's these 3.
My first flipped Rosy boa from San Diego County
IMG_3013 by ryancarter951, on Flickr
2 coastal rosy boas sharing a crack.
IMG_3301 by ryancarter951, on Flickr
My first rock flipped Lyre Snake.
IMG_3244 by ryancarter951, on Flickr
My first flipped Rosy boa from San Diego County
IMG_3013 by ryancarter951, on Flickr
2 coastal rosy boas sharing a crack.
IMG_3301 by ryancarter951, on Flickr
My first rock flipped Lyre Snake.
IMG_3244 by ryancarter951, on Flickr
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Yeah... I realize that... great find! It's like the 10 in Varigated Skink I saw right on the beach, in Santa Cruz (which eluded me, so no proof) EVERYONE says... NO Gilberti in SC county... I look for him every time I go back...mattg wrote:i dont mean for the database i mean ever like no one in history has ever found onehellihooks wrote:Hell... I think my side blotch from Kings was a Co record... that county needs a ton of work...mattg wrote:my best find of the year turned out to be a gator from kings county. Apparently it is an official county record according to Dr.Fisher.
- Kent VanSooy
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Since Ryan is posting ( ), he gets the credit for finding and photo'ing that crazy ruber. You're having a great year so far Ryan!
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
This a Godzilla Slender I found, and my best find of the year, thus far
- yoloherper
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Found a few of these sagebrush lizards while scouting some spots in Colusa county but it took me 3+ hours to finally get a voucher for naherp.
This was actually one of a few species I was hoping to cross of from Colusa so it was nice to get it done in February.
Brian, that slender is ridiculous!
-Elliot
This was actually one of a few species I was hoping to cross of from Colusa so it was nice to get it done in February.
Brian, that slender is ridiculous!
-Elliot
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
This was my most significant find this year. Found in January along with another.
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Arboreals; definitely my favorite gummy. Especially so, when they get beefy and megacephalic. This was the beefiest individual I've found, and measured 6 1/4" tl with a svl of 3 3/8". He was patternless too, which I much prefer to the spotted individuals. Can't speak to it's "significance", but definitely my favorite of the year. Found last month, hunkered down with his little lady.
Untitled by Mo'o, on Flickr
Untitled by Mo'o, on Flickr
Untitled by Mo'o, on Flickr
Untitled by Mo'o, on Flickr
- shredsteban
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
My most significant find for this year is nothing special. Just your typical "cheater" boa. But it was my first flipped boa. I've seen many boas road cruising, on the crawl, in holes and halfway out of holes. But this one was special to me because my first snake of 2015 was my first ever flipped boa.
IMG_9640 by shredsteban, on Flickr
IMG_9640 by shredsteban, on Flickr
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Haven't found much yet it 2015. I did work hard yesterday to get photos and video of this Kopsteins Bronzeback.
GoPro on a pole that I duct taped to a branch to get high enough for the shots.
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GoPro on a pole that I duct taped to a branch to get high enough for the shots.
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- shredsteban
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Very creative Lou! Really good shots too
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Nothing too crazy on my end....
Feb 28
Feb 28
- shredsteban
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Zach_Lim wrote:Nothing too crazy on my end....
Feb 28
LOL...*facepalm*
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
I'm gonna take this opportunity to drop a short thread The only significant find was finding myself looking for significance... Anyhoo... Macro practice
Tree Sunset by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Lady Birds by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Leaf by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Tree Frog by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Slender Salamander by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Slender Salamander by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Western Skink by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
buzzard by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Squirk by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Squirk by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Squirk by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Squirk by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Sunset by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Sunset by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Tree Sunset by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Lady Birds by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Leaf by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Tree Frog by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Slender Salamander by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Slender Salamander by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Mountain Gartersnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Western Skink by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
buzzard by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Squirk by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Squirk by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Squirk by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Squirk by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Sunset by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Sunset by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Beautiful shots, all.
I've had some nice herp sightings in CA so far this year, though none of them quite rise to the level of significant. My most significant CA encounter this year has been this:
Mountain Lion, Puma concolor by J. Maughn, on Flickr
Unlikely enough, I think, to at least count as an honorary herp.
JimM
I've had some nice herp sightings in CA so far this year, though none of them quite rise to the level of significant. My most significant CA encounter this year has been this:
Mountain Lion, Puma concolor by J. Maughn, on Flickr
Unlikely enough, I think, to at least count as an honorary herp.
JimM
- Brian Hubbs
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Here kitty kitty...
- Calfirecap
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Maughn chops, Yummmm
- Kevin Price
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
I'm to the point where my lack of luck is becoming downright alarming. I've seen ONE live snake this year, (a red coach xing the street 50 yrds from my house) despite going out frequently since Jan. I've basically seen desert nights, SB's, Fence swifts and YB spinys.... no HL, no collards, no chucks, no whips... not even a Zebra tail, despite working IN THE GRANITE Mts every day this year.
I think the improbability of this happening, and continuing, is becoming more and more significant, as each day passes...
I think the improbability of this happening, and continuing, is becoming more and more significant, as each day passes...
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Jim,
Maybe, it's just to early in the year to find much in the high desert While this year is warmer than usual, this is probably more true for coastal areas where Santa Anas warm the air. Plus nighttime temps are mostly still in the low 40's low in the high desert, which should keep snakes underground or at least under rocks where they are not readily seen.
In fact, Nick and I had thought about heading to the high desert (JT) for the first time this weekend, but conditions just don't look right to me yet, with highs barely getting into the mid-eighties on Sunday. The freaky thing with the high desert is that next thing we know, it'll be too hot and too late to go there. It's a small window to work with, at least for daytime herping. Road cruising is different, of course.
I hope for you, and also us, that conditions will improve soon. Give us a holler when it's time and we might come out and look for specks with you.
Robert
Maybe, it's just to early in the year to find much in the high desert While this year is warmer than usual, this is probably more true for coastal areas where Santa Anas warm the air. Plus nighttime temps are mostly still in the low 40's low in the high desert, which should keep snakes underground or at least under rocks where they are not readily seen.
In fact, Nick and I had thought about heading to the high desert (JT) for the first time this weekend, but conditions just don't look right to me yet, with highs barely getting into the mid-eighties on Sunday. The freaky thing with the high desert is that next thing we know, it'll be too hot and too late to go there. It's a small window to work with, at least for daytime herping. Road cruising is different, of course.
I hope for you, and also us, that conditions will improve soon. Give us a holler when it's time and we might come out and look for specks with you.
Robert
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Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Nope... not it. everyone else up here are finding specks in numbers, along with everything else. just one of those statistical improbabilities (like winning the lotto) that happen, I guess...
That... or I need to cut my winter's coat of hair and beard off... yeah... that's probably it...
That... or I need to cut my winter's coat of hair and beard off... yeah... that's probably it...
Re: Your most significant find in 2015
Well, in that case, yeah, maybe you need to cut all that hair off so you have unobstructed vision.