Learning a few things from an expert

[desertanimal]

Kathy's own Bill has been out this way of late, and we've been having fun times cruising for critters. He's taught me a few things, and I him.

This wasn't our first find, but I didn't like my photos of our first find, which was a neonate western diamondback. It was meters from I-10 so we temporarily collected it (I have a license), and saved it for a later photoshoot and released it a bit further from the freeway. Our second find was this guy. We ran around like goofs trying to stop it from getting off the road with our feet.

While we were photographing the desert hairy scorpion, a solifugid showed up. Now it's hard enough to keep one arachnid hostage, but two is a bit ridiculous. So I threw down my hat hoping it would stay. It hid there for 10 minutes until we were ready for it. Bill got a really nice photo of the animal itself, but I wasn't happy with mine so this is what I have to show.

Then a nice, adult Mojave. Angry as all get out. It started coiling when we were at the distance you see here. When we approached it started flailing and thrashing and hissing and striking. Even Bill couldn't keep it on the hook.

He did manage to move it off the road though. And here it's tracking him like a heat-seeking missile as he walked around to the other side of the spot where he put it down.

We also found two neonate Mojaves, only one of which we stopped to photograph.

This is one of my favorite pictures I took, but I don't know why.

We were able to do a comparative photoshoot with the neonate Mojave and Western diamondback.

And one of the best things about going herping with a buddy, is that you can get pictures of the people involved.

And if you go with a buddy like mine, your buddy can provide you with some pretty nice photos of yourself.

To be continued . . .

 

[desertanimal]

Another vanity photo. But how can I help it? It looks like it was taken in a studio rather than lying on the road.

We went out another night, too, but didn't find too much. I did however, introduce my buddy to Ethiopian cuisine. Man, I love Ethiopian cuisine.

We did find one baby western diamondback that was very cute.

We took a few pics.

And then Bill wanted to set up a photo of it in its "natural habitat," so he collected some broken glass from where we were standing and posed it. The snake, which was very chill, started tongue-flicking to figure out what the heck was going on.

We also found a neonate gopher snake. Pretty little thing.

And did a western banded gecko photoshoot. This is how you try to get a gecko to pose better.

Gecko with Bill in background.

Plain old gecko.

I certainly learned a few things about reptile photography, and I also had great company. I hope you enjoyed half as much as I did!

 

[dionythicus]

I wish I could have been there!! Looks like you had so much fun!!

I love Ethiopian food, too. Yummers.

 

[vetusvates]

Stephanie, to say those are beautiful pics is an absurd understatement.

My favorite non-closeup pic is the dark curve, with the curve sign and 45mph speed limit.
Aesthetically, the dark and reflectors, snake, and sign...are very very pleasing.

 

[VickyChaiTea]

Oh wow! You found so much. You are braver than me to get that close to those venomous boogers! Also, I had no idea geckos that looked like that lived in the US. Interesting.

Soooo many baby snakes!

 

[desertanimal]

We really did have fun!

My favorite non-closeup pic is the dark curve, with the curve sign and 45mph speed limit.
Aesthetically, the dark and reflectors, snake, and sign...are very very pleasing.

I was proud of that one. It was a shot that Bill wanted for a presentation, so we both shot it, but he'll probably actually be using mine. I just put the camera on the car door and tried to hold still for a half second exposure. That one came out.

Vicky, I'm a total chicken compared to Bill. I only got close to the really calm ones.

 

[diamondlil]

Thank you for sharing your herping trip, amazing photos of your finds, and of you two having such a great time!

 

[Momto3boys]

Wow I am JEALOUS!!! Looks like you guys were having an awesome time and lots of nice finds!

I have the same Panasonic camera

 

[Jessicat]

Steph, you look GREAT! Totally in your element.

This whole thing is so awesome, I wish we could favorite threads.

 

[martin-bernstein]

I am really enjoying these photos! Thanks for sharing. Wish I lived near the desert. So many awesome creatures. So you write that you have a license to collect/handle diamondbacks? Is a license required to handle all wild venomous snakes? How does one acquire a license? Do you take a course to learn how to handle them?

 

[desertanimal]

I am really enjoying these photos! Thanks for sharing. Wish I lived near the desert. So many awesome creatures. So you write that you have a license to collect/handle diamondbacks? Is a license required to handle all wild venomous snakes? How does one acquire a license? Do you take a course to learn how to handle them?

Nope. It's not specific to the venomous snakes and it's not to protect the person. It's a hunting license required to collect or "molest" native wildlife. You probably have the same types of rules in NY. In AZ, you're not supposed to catch a lizard without a hunting license if you're over the age of 18.

 

[Chip]

Love those photos. That one of the road at night is worth framing! Great job!

 

[martin-bernstein]

Nope. It's not specific to the venomous snakes and it's not to protect the person. It's a hunting license required to collect or "molest" native wildlife. You probably have the same types of rules in NY. In AZ, you're not supposed to catch a lizard without a hunting license if you're over the age of 18.

That's interesting. I was not aware of that. Thanks.

 

[Teddy Roosevelt]

That's interesting. I was not aware of that. Thanks.

Yeah, in AZ all you need is a small game hunting license and everything (barring protected animals, obviously) herp-related is yours to molest as necessary

 

[desertanimal]

Yeah, in AZ all you need is a small game hunting license and everything (barring protected animals, obviously) herp-related is yours to molest as necessary

Yes, and I had never known until this year that for all of my post-18-year-old life, I was breaking the law with every snake and lizard I caught! :sidestep:

 

[ssssinful-1]

Awesome shots! Makes me want to head out to the desert here in Utah and see what I can see.

 

[Leew]

That was really great Desertanimal. I really enjoyed looking at your pictures.

 

[Irish Eyes (Mrs.Z)]

Beautiful photos! My fav is that angry rattlesnake tracking Bill. I think that one is magnificent.

I enjoyed every single photo and the narrative. Just out of curiosity, what was it that you learned about photographing herps from Bill? What did he learn from you? Maybe I can learn something if you share the wealth .

 

[kathylove]

Great photos!

I especially like the one posed on the piece of wood, with the rattle sticking almost straight up.

I can tell y'all had lots of fun while I was back home feeding and cleaning baby snakes, lol! I will let Bill know about this thread so he can see it for himself, and relive a great trip!

 

[kathylove]

That was really Afghani food? WHEW! I was afraid it was the rest of that D.O.R. jack rabbit we passed on the way up the mountain.

I had lots of lots of fun too, Steph. Looking forward to hooking up again next time!

- Bill (using Kathy's login)

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