2013 B (142 images)

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One final photographic blitzkrieg through the Southwest before returning, once and for all, to my home in Alaska. Lots of snakes, lots of scenery, lots of miles.
  • Southern Black Racer - Coluber Constrictor Priapus - A young individual found under a cardboard box behind a parking lot in Crystal River, Florida.

  • Southern Black Racer - Coluber Constrictor Priapus - A young individual found under a cardboard box behind a parking lot in Crystal River, Florida.

  • Self portrait, sub-zero along Eagle River.

  • Eagle River, Alaska as temperatures drop below zero for the first time this winter.

  • Eagle River, Alaska as temperatures drop below zero for the first time this winter.

  • Winds push billows of snow off peaks along Eagle River Valley, Alaska.

  • Moon over Polar Bear Peak, Eagle River Alaska.

  • Ice forms along the Eagle River, Alaska.

  • Frost coats grasses along the Eagle River, Alaska.

  • Erek holds a Valley Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi) found while fishing.

  • Valley Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi)- Found hunting newts and trout and salmon smolt in a small stream in the mountains of Western Oregon.

  • Rough-skinned Newt - Taricha granulosa - My first newt, several were found crawling out of this mountain stream in Western Oregon. This species is highly toxic if eaten and its only predator, the Garter Snake, is more or less immune.

  • Coast Gartersnake - <br /> Thamnophis elegans terrestris - A red individual from near the ocean in the Bay Area of California. This area is known for its very blue Red-Sided Garter Snakes (Thamnophis Sirtalis Infernalis) which, unfortunately, eluded me.

  • Mexican Hognose Snake - Heterodon nasicus kennerlyi - These guys take playing possum to new levels. Try flipping them over, and they flip right back. Try closing their mouth and they open it right back up. This was my first hognose and getting it to look alive for at least one photo was the biggest challenge.

  • Mexican Hognose Snake - Heterodon nasicus kennerlyi - These guys take playing possum to new levels. Try flipping them over, and they flip right back. Try closing their mouth and they open it right back up. This was my first hognose and getting it to look alive for at least one photo was the biggest challenge.

  • Mexican Hognose Snake - Heterodon nasicus kennerlyi - These guys take playing possum to new levels. Try flipping them over, and they flip right back. Try closing their mouth and they open it right back up. This was my first hognose and getting it to look alive for at least one photo was the biggest challenge.

  • Long-Nosed Snake - Rhinocheilus lecontei - A praticularly beautiful specimen from Southeaster Arizona. When night falls in the desert this beautiful snake emerges from burrows to feed on sleeping whiptail lizards. Whiptail lizards are lightning fast by day, but like many diurnal lizards become completely dormant at night, making them easy prey even for the relatively slow-moving Long-Nosed Snake.

  • Long-Nosed Snake - Rhinocheilus lecontei - A praticularly beautiful specimen from Southeaster Arizona. When night falls in the desert this beautiful snake emerges from burrows to feed on sleeping whiptail lizards. Whiptail lizards are lightning fast by day, but like many diurnal lizards become completely dormant at night, making them easy prey even for the relatively slow-moving Long-Nosed Snake.

  • Chihuahuan Hook-Nosed Snake -<br /> Gyalopion canum - One of two species of hook-nosed snake whose range barely extends into the U.S. in Southern Arizona.

  • Chihuahuan Hook-Nosed Snake -<br /> Gyalopion canum - One of two species of hook-nosed snake whose range barely extends into the U.S. in Southern Arizona.

  • Mohave Rattlesnake - Crotalus scutulatus - In my experience these rattlers are faster and much more aggressive even than their cousin the Western Diamondback. Their venom is widely known to be more deadly, with neurotoxic properties, though recent studies suggest the Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes in some parts of Southern Califonia are even worse. I encountered two on this trip. The first was simply uncontrollable, and this one ony held for a few photos before becoming too agitated to work with.

  • Rock Rattlesnake - Crotalus lepidus - One of the three tiny, beautiful montane (mountain) rattlesnakes that live in high altitude rockslides of the "Sky Island" mountain ranges of Southern Arizona. Smaller than garternsnakes, their rattles counds more like an insect buzzing than a rattlesnake.

  • Rock Rattlesnake - Crotalus lepidus - One of the three tiny, beautiful montane (mountain) rattlesnakes that live in high altitude rockslides of the "Sky Island" mountain ranges of Southern Arizona. Smaller than garternsnakes, their rattles counds more like an insect buzzing than a rattlesnake.

  • Rock Rattlesnake - Crotalus lepidus - One of the three tiny, beautiful montane (mountain) rattlesnakes that live in high altitude rockslides of the "Sky Island" mountain ranges of Southern Arizona. Smaller than garternsnakes, their rattles counds more like an insect buzzing than a rattlesnake.

  • Rock Rattlesnake - Crotalus lepidus - One of the three tiny, beautiful montane (mountain) rattlesnakes that live in high altitude rockslides of the "Sky Island" mountain ranges of Southern Arizona. Smaller than garternsnakes, their rattles counds more like an insect buzzing than a rattlesnake.

  • Texas Horned Lizard - Phrynosoma cornutum - This thorny eater of harvester ants has a large range in Texas and New Mexico and just barely makes it into Southern Arizona, where this one was found.

  • Thunder storms forming over Southern Arizona.

  • Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - Crotalus Atrox - Extremely common throughout much of the Southwest, I see more of these snakes in Arizona than any other. Because they are also fairly agressive, they are responsible for many of the venomous snake bites in the U.S. each year. An icon of the Southwest, the desert just wouldn't be the same without them.

  • Sonoran Gopher Snake - Pituophis catenifer affinis - Gopher Snakes put on a great show. When confronted, they do their best to convince predators that they are rattlesnakes, coiling up, hissing really loudly. Sometimes they even make a sort of mooing sound, as this one did, hence their other name, Bullsnakes. This one was particularly bent on killing the camera.

  • Sonoran Gopher Snake - Pituophis catenifer affinis - Gopher Snakes put on a great show. When confronted, they do their best to convince predators that they are rattlesnakes, coiling up, hissing really loudly. Sometimes they even make a sort of mooing sound, as this one did, hence their other name, Bullsnakes. This one was particularly bent on killing the camera.

  • Sonoran Gopher Snake - Pituophis catenifer affinis - Gopher Snakes put on a great show. When confronted, they do their best to convince predators that they are rattlesnakes, coiling up, hissing really loudly. Sometimes they even make a sort of mooing sound, as this one did, hence their other name, Bullsnakes. This one was particularly bent on killing the camera.

  • Dusk over the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona.

  • Windmill in Arizona.

  • Black-Necked Garter Snake - Thamnophis cyrtopsis - An especially pretty species of garter snake from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Like most garter snakes, they tend to live near water where they eat frogs, fish and earthworms.

  • Black-Necked Garter Snake - Thamnophis cyrtopsis - An especially pretty species of garter snake from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Like most garter snakes, they tend to live near water where they eat frogs, fish and earthworms.

  • Black-Necked Garter Snake - Thamnophis cyrtopsis - An especially pretty species of garter snake from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Like most garter snakes, they tend to live near water where they eat frogs, fish and earthworms.

  • Black-Necked Garter Snake - Thamnophis cyrtopsis - An especially pretty species of garter snake from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Like most garter snakes, they tend to live near water where they eat frogs, fish and earthworms.

  • Saddled Leaf-Nosed Snake - Phyllorhynchus browni - A cousin of the Spotted Leaf-Nosed Snakes which I see often in California, this species occurs only in Arizona and Northern Mexico. Like their relatives, they are believed to feed mostly on banded geckos and their eggs and are strictly nocturnal.

  • Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - Crotalus Atrox - Extremely common throughout much of the Southwest, I see more of these snakes in Arizona than any other. Because they are also fairly agressive, they are responsible for many of the venomous snake bites in the U.S. each year. An icon of the Southwest, the desert just wouldn't be the same without them.

  • Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - Crotalus Atrox - Extremely common throughout much of the Southwest, I see more of these snakes in Arizona than any other. Because they are also fairly agressive, they are responsible for many of the venomous snake bites in the U.S. each year. An icon of the Southwest, the desert just wouldn't be the same without them.

  • Long-Nosed Snake - Rhinocheilus lecontei - When night falls in the desert this beautiful snake emerges from burrows to feed on sleeping whiptail lizards. Whiptail lizards are lightning fast by day, but like many diurnal lizards become completely dormant at night, making them easy prey even for the relatively slow-moving Long-Nosed Snake.

  • Long-Nosed Snake - Rhinocheilus lecontei - When night falls in the desert this beautiful snake emerges from burrows to feed on sleeping whiptail lizards. Whiptail lizards are lightning fast by day, but like many diurnal lizards become completely dormant at night, making them easy prey even for the relatively slow-moving Long-Nosed Snake.

  • Couch's Spadefoot - Scaphiopus couchii - When the rains fall in Arizona, thousands of these toads emerge from the soil and go in search of mates and food. They lay eggs wherever water has pooled up. The eggs hatch in less than two days and tadpoles become toadlets in about a week. After a month or two of rainy nights, the toads bury themselves and sleep for 8-10 months.

  • Black-Tailed Rattlesnake - Crotalus molossus - A rattlesnake I've wanted to see for a long time, this beautiful species tends to live in rocky, mountainous areas.

  • Black-Tailed Rattlesnake - Crotalus molossus - A rattlesnake I've wanted to see for a long time, this beautiful species tends to live in rocky, mountainous areas.

  • Black-Tailed Rattlesnake - Crotalus molossus - A rattlesnake I've wanted to see for a long time, this beautiful species tends to live in rocky, mountainous areas.

  • Black-Tailed Rattlesnake - Crotalus molossus - A rattlesnake I've wanted to see for a long time, this beautiful species tends to live in rocky, mountainous areas.

  • Sonoran Desert Toad - Incilius alvarius - The largest toad native to the United States, these big guys have skin secretions that are used by some to induce intense hallucinations. They have been wiped out in California by the use of pesticides and conversion of desert habitat into farmland. They remain common through most of Southern Arizona, and this was the first of many I saw on my 2013 monsoon trip.

  • 130729-N-DR144-618 - Gerad Fox, a graduate student at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, works with a Black Pakistani Cobra known affectionately in his lab as "Rupert the Friendly Cobra."

  • 130729-N-DR144-572 - Gerad Fox, a graduate student at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, works with a Black Pakistani Cobra known affectionately in his lab as "Rupert the Friendly Cobra."

  • 130729-N-DR144-547 - Gerad Fox, a graduate student at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, works with an Indian Cobra.

  • 130729-N-DR144-520 - Graduate Student Eric Gren places venom in a centrifuge after it was extracted from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Gren, working under Professor of Biology William K. Hayes, is studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-503 - Graduate Student Eric Gren collects venom after it was extracted from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Gren, working under Professor of Biology William K. Hayes, is studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-475 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Mohave Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-462 - Graduate Student Eric Gren collects venom after it was extracted from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Gren, working under Professor of Biology William K. Hayes, is studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-456 - Graduate Student Eric Gren, left, collects venom after it was extracted from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake by Professor of Biology William K. Hayes, right, at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Gren and Hayes are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-446- Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Mohave Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-434 - Graduate Student Eric Gren collects venom after it was extracted from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Gren, working under Professor of Biology William K. Hayes, is studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-423 - Graduate Student Eric Gren collects venom after it was extracted from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Gren, working under Professor of Biology William K. Hayes, is studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-418 - Graduate Student Eric Gren holds venom extracted from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Gren, working under Professor of Biology William K. Hayes, is studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-413 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-412 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-390 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-347 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-341 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes handles a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake prior to venom extraction at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-316 - Graduate Student Eric Gren holds venom extracted from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Gren, working under Professor of Biology William K. Hayes, is studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-289 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-252 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-227 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-175 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-166 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes extracts venom from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-151 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes handles a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake prior to venom extraction at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-137 - Professor of Biology William K. Hayes prepares to extract venom from Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Hayes and his graduate students are studying venom variability in several species of rattlesnake native to the western United States. Their research suggests the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake may have the widest variability of venom of any rattlesnake and that in parts of its range, its venom may rival the more well-known Mohave Rattlesnake in toxicity.

  • 130729-N-DR144-073 - Handling guide posted at the entrance of Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation venomous snake room.

  • 130729-N-DR144-019 - Gerad Fox, a graduate student at Loma Linda University's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, works with an Inland Taipan in the center's venomous snake room. Inland Taipans, also known as Fierce Snakes, are widely considered to be the deadliest snake on earth based on standard measurements of the toxicity of their venom on mice.

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Red Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus - Coachwhips are America's fastest snakes. In lifestyle and behavior they are similar to the African Black Mamba. Unlike their African counterparts, however, they are completely harmless. But they do have a big attitude and will not hesitate to draw blood. This snake was at the top of my must-see list when I moved to San Diego and it was a thrill to finally see one alive. Because they are large and active during the day, they are often killed crossing roads and before finding this one alive, I had seen more than a dozen that had been killed by careless (or uncaring) motorists. Brake for snakes, people!

  • Baja California Lyresnake - Trimorphodon biscutatus lyrophanes - Nocturnal hunter of rock piles and escarpments.

  • Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake - <br /> Chionactis occipitalis annulata - These beautiful little snakes swim across and under the sand, erupting periodically to terrorize and devour small insects like the sand worms in Beetlejuice.

  • Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake - <br /> Chionactis occipitalis annulata - These beautiful little snakes swim across and under the sand, erupting periodically to terrorize and devour small insects like the sand worms in Beetlejuice.

  • Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake - <br /> Chionactis occipitalis annulata - These beautiful little snakes swim across and under the sand, erupting periodically to terrorize and devour small insects like the sand worms in Beetlejuice.

  • Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake - <br /> Chionactis occipitalis annulata - These beautiful little snakes swim across and under the sand, erupting periodically to terrorize and devour small insects like the sand worms in Beetlejuice.

  • Dropping down into the desert for an evening of reptile hunting.

  • Spotted Leaf-Nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus decurtatus.Feeds on banded geckos and their eggs.."Secretive - at one time thought to be very rare, until Laurence Klauber discovered that they were common after finding them on paved desert roads at night in 1922.".I find them that way too. Very common, but exclusively nocturnal.

  • Spotted Leaf-Nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus decurtatus.Feeds on banded geckos and their eggs.."Secretive - at one time thought to be very rare, until Laurence Klauber discovered that they were common after finding them on paved desert roads at night in 1922.".I find them that way too. Very common, but exclusively nocturnal.

  • Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko - Phyllodactylus nocticolus - An acrobatic, boulder-dwelling gecko whose range barely extends into the United States from Baja. They squeak when disturbed.

  • Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko - Phyllodactylus nocticolus - An acrobatic, boulder-dwelling gecko whose range barely extends into the United States from Baja. They squeak when disturbed.

  • Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko - Phyllodactylus nocticolus - An acrobatic, boulder-dwelling gecko whose range barely extends into the United States from Baja. They squeak when disturbed.

  • Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko - Phyllodactylus nocticolus - An acrobatic, boulder-dwelling gecko whose range barely extends into the United States from Baja. They squeak when disturbed.

  • Red Diamond Rattlesnake - Crotalus Ruber - Warming itself at dusk. Much less agressive than the Western Diamondback I encountered in Arizona a few days earlier, "rubers" have are known to be pretty laid back rattlesnakes.

  • Red Diamond Rattlesnake - Crotalus Ruber - Warming itself at dusk. Much less agressive than the Western Diamondback I encountered in Arizona a few days earlier, "rubers" have are known to be pretty laid back rattlesnakes.

  • Painted Desert, Northern Arizona.

  • Painted Desert, Northern Arizona.

  • Painted Desert, Northern Arizona.

  • Painted Desert, Northern Arizona.

  • Painted Desert, Northern Arizona.

  • Painted Desert, Northern Arizona.

  • Painted Desert, Northern Arizona.

  • Painted Desert, Northern Arizona.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Badlands and ancient trees in Petrified Forest National Park.

  • Saguaro cacti in at nightfall in Southern Arizona.

  • Saguaro cacti and rolling hills in Southern Arizona.

  • Saguaro cacti in Southern Arizona.

  • Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - Crotalus Atrox - Moving at sunset, high temperatures made this snake very fast and agressive.

  • Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - Crotalus Atrox - Moving at sunset, high temperatures made this snake very fast and agressive.

  • Saguaro cacti in Southern Arizona.

  • Saguaro cacti in Southern Arizona.

  • Saguaro cacti in Southern Arizona.

  • Regal Horned Lizard - Phrynosoma Solare - Basking at sunset in the Southern Arizona desert.

  • Regal Horned Lizard - Phrynosoma Solare - Basking at sunset in the Southern Arizona desert.

  • Regal Horned Lizard - Phrynosoma Solare - Basking at sunset in the Southern Arizona desert.

  • Regal Horned Lizard - Phrynosoma Solare - Basking at sunset in the Southern Arizona desert.

  • Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard<br /> Uma Notada<br /> <br /> In the sand dunes of Imperial County, California.

  • Rosy Boa - Lichanura trivirgata - Female found crawling in a rocky wash.

  • Cholla shadows in Anza Borrego Desert.

  • San Diego Gopher Snake - Pituophis catenifer annectens - The most commonly encountered snake on the coastal side of the mountains.

  • Rosy Boa - Lichanura trivirgata - Phantoms of the rocky hillsides. This is another young male from another locale on the desert side of the coast range.

  • Rosy Boa - Lichanura trivirgata - Phantoms of the rocky hillsides. This is another young male from another locale on the desert side of the coast range.

  • Headed for the desert out of San Diego.

  • Rosy Boa - Lichanura trivirgata - Phantoms of the rocky hillsides. This is a yearling male from the desert side of the coast range.

  • Sidewinder -Crotalus cerastes - Sidewinding. From the low desert where it is sandy and hot. These snakes are very common and very photogenic.

  • Sidewinder -Crotalus cerastes - From the low desert where it is sandy and hot. These small rattlesnakes are very common and very photogenic.

  • Rosy Boa - Lichanura trivirgata - Phantoms of the rocky hillsides. This is an old female from the desert side of the coast range. She has very light coloration and many scars, probably from a lifetime of encounters with rodent mothers trying to stop her from eating their babies.

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