2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

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DevinBergquist
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Location: Southern California

2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by DevinBergquist »

2015 was a good year and I had a great time herping with some close friends. My herping year, as usual, started off in Southern California. From there I took a few short weekends in Nevada and Utah. I then spent about 5 days in Costa Rica, it was not a herping trip, but a vacation with my wife. We did, however, have some memorable wildlife experiences. After that it was back to California. I then took a 5 day trip with a few friends to Southern Sonora, Mexico, with a day and a half pit stop on the drive there/back in Arizona. I managed to get back down to Arizona for one more, quick weekend trip towards the end of the season. This will be a photo post without much commentary, but let me know if you have any questions. I hope you enjoy.

First Snake of 2015 in January.

ImageCoastal Rosy Boa by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSan Diego Gopher Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSan Diego Gopher Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRed Diamond Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRed Diamond Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageGranite Night Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRosy Boa by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRosy Boa by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageLarge-blotched Ensatina by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageCalifornia Mountain Kingsnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRed Diamond Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRed Diamond Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRed Diamond Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Pacific Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr


Then off to Costa Rica for a few days

ImageGreen Basilisk by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageWhite-faced Capuchin by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageIguanas by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpectacled Caiman by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageStrawberry Poison-dart Frog by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRed-eyed Tree Frog by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRed-eyed Tree Frog by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageBoa Constrictor by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageBrown Wood Turtle by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImagePink-bellied Litter Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpider Monkey by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageEyelash Viper by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageGreen and Black Poison Dart Frog by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr

My favorite wildlife experience of the year was seeing this wild Puma in Costa Rica.

ImageWILD PUMA by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr


Back in the states the snakes were really starting to move.

ImageCalifornia Mountain Kingsnake 1 by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageCalifornia Mountain Kingsnake 3 by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageCalifornia Mountain Kingsnake 2 by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImagePile of Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Pacific Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Pacific Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr


Utah

ImageDesert Horned Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageStriped Whipsnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageStriped Whipsnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr


Nevada

ImageDesert Horned Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageDesert Horned Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageBanded Gecko by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageLong-nosed Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageLyre Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSidewinder Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageWestern Diamondback Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImagePair of Coachwhips by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRegal Ring-necked Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRegal Ring-necked Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageBanded Gila Monster by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageBanded Gila Monster by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageDesert Tortoise by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageDesert Tortoise by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr


California

ImageLyre Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageLeaf-toed Gecko by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageLeaf-toed Gecko by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageBaby Desert Tortoise by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Rubber Boa by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageDesert Horned Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageDesert Rosy Boa by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMohave Desert Sidewinder by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr


Off to Mexico. I love Heloderma, so naturally our main target for this trip was the Beaded Lizard. We ended up doing pretty well and found 5 alive.
On our first day in Mexico I was hiking up a wash and saw our first Beaded Lizard hanging out, it was a thrill. Sorry about the picture overload, I was pretty excited.

ImageMexican Beaded Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican Beaded Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican Beaded Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican Tree Frog by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageParrot Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageLeaf-toed Gecko by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican Leaf Frog by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpiny Tailed Iguana by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageUndescribed Night Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageLowland Burrowing Treefrog by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageBeaded Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpiny Tailed Iguana by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican West Coast Indigo Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican West Coast Indigo Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageBeaded Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageCoachwhip by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageWest Mexican Coral Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageWest Mexican Coral Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSinaloan Desert Tortoise by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled Racer by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpeckled Racer by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican West Coast Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican West Coast Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageTree Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageThornscrub Hook-nosed Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSinaloan Milk Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr


Back in Arizona for a few days.

ImageTiger Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSaddled Leaf-nosed Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageBlack-tailed Rattlesnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSonoran Mountain Kingsnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageRegal Ring-necked Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageOrnate Box Turtle by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageOrnate Box Turtle by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageCrevice Spiny Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageCollared Lizard by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageOrnate Box Turtle by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican Spadefoot by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageCouch's Spadefoot by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican Hog-nosed Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageMexican Hog-nosed Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSonoran Mountain Kingsnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageDesert Kingsnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageDesert Kingsnake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr


Some habitat shots along the way

Arizona:

ImageSouthern Arizona by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSouthern Arizona by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageArizona Sunset by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr

Mexico:

ImageHecho Cactus - Sonora, Mexico by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr

ImageHabitat - Sonora, Mexico by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageHabitat - Sonora, Mexico by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageHabitat - Sonora, Mexico by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSonora, Mexico by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr

California:

ImageOcotillo by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr
ImageSpring in the Canyon by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr

My last snake of 2015 in California was this neonate Lyre Snake

ImageNeonate Lyre Snake by Devin Bergquist, on Flickr



For those of you that made it all the way through, I hope you enjoyed some of the photos. Hopefully 2016 will be a good one.


Devin
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Steve Barten
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by Steve Barten »

Epic, post, what a year you had. Outstanding photography too, really enjoyed it.
One photo was better than the next, it's hard to pick favorites.
Loved the Mexican indigo and all the Lampropeltis.
Congrats on the puma sighting, what a thrill that must have been.
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TravisK
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by TravisK »

I am loving this EOY/YIR post. Great list and awesome photography!
Brian Eagar
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by Brian Eagar »

Dude this has to be the most epic year end post I've ever seen.
I'm so jealous of your year on so many levels.
Congrats on seeing and photographing so many amazing animals and places in 2015!
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Muchobirdnerd
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by Muchobirdnerd »

2015 kilt. Great post.
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DevinBergquist
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by DevinBergquist »

Steve Barten,

Thank you, it really was an awesome year. The Mexican Indigos were definitely impressive, the one in this post was just over 6ft and thick. The Puma was special for sure.
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DevinBergquist
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by DevinBergquist »

Travis,

Thank you very much.
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DevinBergquist
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Location: Southern California

Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by DevinBergquist »

Hey Brian,

How have you been? You had a good year yourself. We still need to get out herping together sometime.

Thanks a lot man, it really was an awesome year, got to see a few species that I grew up dreaming about. Hopefully 2016 is even better.
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DevinBergquist
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by DevinBergquist »

Thanks Jim, it was a great year. I am looking forward to an upcoming trip in 2016, should be a good one.
sjohn
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by sjohn »

Just wonderful.
ChadHarrison
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by ChadHarrison »

Insane post. Entirely too many cool things to single out; however, I am shocked at the lack of love for the Thornscrub Hooknose. I'll happily be the only applause; spectacular find.
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DevinBergquist
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by DevinBergquist »

Thank you very much SJohn
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DevinBergquist
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by DevinBergquist »

Chad,

Thanks for your comments. The Thornscrub Hooknose was definitely a welcome find. I haven't seen one in Arizona yet, but was excited to find one in Mexico.
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Rancorrye
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by Rancorrye »

Amazing post, Devin. I found myself constantly looking forward to your posts on Flickr throughout the year. Loved the stuff from Mexico. Hopefully we will run into each other in Utah one of these days.

Rye.
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MattSullivan
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by MattSullivan »

pretty solid year dude. nice job
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Soopaman
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by Soopaman »

Great year, man. I love all the Mexico stuff, and the black-faced Z's.
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DevinBergquist
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by DevinBergquist »

Thanks, Rye. I also enjoyed your Flickr throughout the year. I especially liked all the Southern Utah stuff, I love that area. You'll have to let me know when you'll be down in Southern Utah, Nevada, California, or Arizona and we'll see if we can meet up. I might end up in North Utah (Provo area) for a few days in spring for my little brothers college graduation, I'll let you know if I do.
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DevinBergquist
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by DevinBergquist »

Thanks Matt, It was definitely a fun year. Hopefully 2016 will be better. I have a few cool trips planned, I hear you do as well.
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DevinBergquist
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Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Post by DevinBergquist »

Thanks for your comments, Kyle. Mexico was probably my favorite herp trip to date, I've got a pretty cool trip planned this year, hopefully I can top it.
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