Top 10 Herp Photos of 2006
Eastern Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) - TX: Tyler Co - 7 May - in
situ - I spotted this snake basking on a log as I drove past. I got
out an stalked up on it with my 100 mm Macro. This photo is about a 2/3
crop. I never caught the snake.
Diamondback Watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer) - TX: Kimble Co; South Llano
River - 3 September - I caught this watersnake while drifting down the river
searching for map turtles. This is one of two photos of this snake to make
this list. I shot this one with my 17-55 wide angle zoom off a tripod at a
low shutterspeed.
Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) - KS: Barton Co - 23 April
- I spotted this collared lizard basking on a rock while hunting milksnakes in
central Kansas. It never ran or even moved. Shot with my 100 mm
macro and fill flash.
Northern Blacktail Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) - TX: Brewster Co;
Alpine - 28 July - this was one of several blacktails that I photographed this
year. I found this one a road cut early in the morning. He
cooperated nicely.
Sierra
Gartersnake (Thamnophis couchi) - CA: Tulare Co; Kern Plateau - 2 June -
in situ - this snake was spotted by Marla exactly as seen in this photo.
It felt quite secure in the crack (was probably sleeping) and allowed me to get
a full frame shot with my 100 mm macro & fill flash.
Trans-Pecos Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) - TX: Val Verde Co; Juno
Road - 14 October - this photo was taken in my yard - we caught the snake on a
rainy night while searching for TX alligator Lizards. 100 mm macro and
flash.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) - TX: Jeff Davis Co;
Musquiz Canyon - 24 June - This rather uncooperative snake was found crossing
the road after midnight. I chased him around on the roadside for several
minutes before I finally got him to coil up for a shot. The results were
better than anticipated - 100 mm macro & flash.
Diamondback Watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer) - TX: Kimble Co; South Llano
River - 3 September - I caught this watersnake while drifting down the river
searching for map turtles. This is the second of two photos of this snake
to make this list. 100 mm macro & flash.
Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) - CA: Tulare Co; Kern
Plateau - 31 May - These guys were running all over the rock outcrops.
This one was shot using my 100 mm macro as he skylined himself.
Sierra
Nevada Salamander (Ensatina eschscholtzii platensis) - CA: Tulare Co;
Trail of 100 Giants - 1 June 2006 - I rolled this big salamander from under a
log in a meadow in a Sequoia forest. This is one of favorite salamanders.
100 mm macro and flash.
Honorable Mention -
Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii) - CA: Inyo Co; Inyo Mts - 6 June -
this lizard was sitting right out into the middle of the road.
Unfortunately, it did not allow a close approach - this shot was taken with my
100 mm macro, fill flash only, and is about a 1/3 crop - hence the graininess.
But it was such a cool pose, I decided to include it here.