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.