2015 was a hell of a year, front to back. Met and hung out with some amazing dudes, lifelisted like a madman, and had enough shenanigans to last a lifetime (or until spring, anyway). So with that, let's do it!
In early January I took a quick trip from Texas to Virginia to visit some old herper friends. A quick hike to some vernal pools produced this beauty of a marbled salamander.
And this little rarity, the Mabee's salamander.
So we're sitting at Dane's house, its 30 degrees outside and getting dark, with only 3 days until I fly back to Texas, and our buddy Justin from St. Louis calls me up.
"Hey losers, y'all want to come to Florida with me? Meet me at the (later unsucessful) indigo spot at 7AM."
I look at Dane and nod. He looks back and does the same.
"k omw"
A few Monster energy drinks later, Virginia far behind us, and this. My first adult gopher tortoise.
So we're in central Florida... Might as well hit the glades while we're here, right? Night shining the trees outside of the national park got us an unexpected surprise, and some expected ones as well.
After the basilisk came several of the more familiar knight anoles.
Ali also managed to nab out of the water this interesting beast in the mangroves, the invasive pikeminnow from South America.
Another invasive, the ubiqitous Cuban treefrog. Easily located near any light source at night!
More night shining yielded a few juvenile corns that evening.
You know when sometimes you're herping and you end up looking for sea critters instead? Yeah.
The next morning, we landed our biggest target, a hunk of an eastern diamondback. Good thing too, cause Dane lost his memory card
Sometimes, herp trips get a little weird, you know?
Wrapping up this impromptu excursion, I headed back to Texas, very eagerly anticipating what was sure to be one hell of a spring. This was also my first spring in Texas since moving back to my home state the previous summer. Some early season hikes at what soon became a favorite spot in Austin got me many of our only Plethodon species, the western slimy salamander.
Western slimy salamander, Plethodon glutinosus albagula by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
After an all-too-short trip to the Rio Grande Valley the previous fall, and with colder weather still holding me back farther north, I spent some time with some new friends at the southern trip of the state. This in-situ shot of a green anole on a barbed wire cactus quickly became one of my favorite photographs of the year.
Green anole, Anolis carolinensis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
An interesting little surprise came in the form of this juvenile Ruthven's whipsnake found under cover.
Ruthven's whipsnake, Masticophis schotti ruthveni by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
As well as this bittersweet beauty - not quite my lifer coral snake, but the first that didn't get away. And whaddaya know, it was in shed! (No matter, I remedied that problem later in the season...)
Texas coral snake, Micrurus fulvius tener by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Oh yeah - I suppose it would be silly of me to leave this out. I don't think many other snakes have made a group of sweaty guys hug each other more quickly than this one.
Northern cat-eyed snake, Leptodeira septentrionalis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Heading back up to Austin, I made a pitstop on the middle Texas coast and pretty much nailed all of my targets there in one fell swoop that next morning. This western slender glass lizard was found under a piece of hurricane debris just off the beach.
Western slender glass lizard, Ophisaurus attenuatus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
One of the largest snakes I've seen yet in Texas, this western coachwhip was pushing 6 and a half feet, maybe even 7. Seeing it on the crawl, I thought it was a washed up piece of rope!
Western coachwhip, Masticophis flagellum by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
I'm not much of a lampro nerd, but seeing this thing glowing from underneath a piece of tin was enough to suck the breath from my lungs. Whether to call it a Mexican or Louisiana milk snake escapes me, however.
Mexican milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum annulata by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
To continue the morning's lampro streak, this speckled king proved hellish to photograph. It was like posing a slinky!
Speckled kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula holbrooki by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Back in central Texas, the spring weather started to properly show its face in late February, and it became quite the Thamnophis party. This large female eastern black-necked garter seemed to be in need of a good post-hibernation meal.
Eastern black-necked garter snake, Thamnophis cyrtopsis occelatus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
It's hard to explain my obsession with Gerrhonotus infernalis... Let's say it started with a fateful encounter about 15 years ago, and only worsened with those 15 years spent hoping for another.
To me, Texas alligator lizards represent one of the most underrated herp species in the state. Unfortunately, these lovely lizards are no easy find. Their crypsis must be seen - or not seen - to be believed. Ecologically, they're somewhere between a crevice spiny lizard and Abronia. When not regrown, their tails would remind one of a spider monkey. The way they taste everything with their bright blue tongues, and the way they move through their environment, almost chameleon-like, have a lovely charm about them. Anyway, these fascinating saurians became my number one target this past spring. After a ridiculous number of hours hiking through their habitat, I ended up seeing seven in total by the end of April. Frustratingly enough, my first one was inside a large patch-nosed snake!
Please forgive the following bombardment of lizard shots. Thanks to the other sets of eyes who helped locate many of these specimens!
Texas alligator lizard, Gerrhonotus infernalis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Texas alligator lizard, Gerrhonotus infernalis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Texas alligator lizard, Gerrhonotus infernalis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Texas alligator lizard, Gerrhonotus infernalis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Some "bycatch" encountered that spring during my Gerrhonotus hunt included this rough green snake.
Rough green snake, Opheodrys aestivus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
As well as this possibly hypomelanstic young Texas ratsnake, almost reminiscent of a Baird's.
Possibly hypomelanistic Texas rat snake, Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Many Texas cooters were seen basking along the adjacent creek.
Texas cooter, Pseudemys texana by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
The first of two eastern hognose I encountered in prime alligator lizard habitat.
Eastern hognose, Heterodon platyrhinos by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
This was the first one I'd ever had gape at me!
Eastern hognose, Heterodon platyrhinos by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Another interesting in-situ of a green anole.
Green anole, Anolis carolinensis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Another female eastern black-neck basking at the base of limestone bluffs. One interesting encounter had me eyeing three specimens periscoping from a limestone crevice (presumably their hibernaculum) about 20 feet up. After climbing up, all but one retreated inside, and the one that didn't looked me straight in the eye, came crawling out, and slithered down the slope and practically into my lap. Curiosity? I don't know.
Eastern black-necked garter snake, Thamnophis cyrtopsis ocellatus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Flipping rocks in this habitat yields many Tantilla. Pretty unassuming little snakes, but I had no idea they had such lovely orange bellies!
Flat-headed snake, Tantilla gracilis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Texas rats were surprisingly rare for me this year, but I had a grand old time jumping in the creek after this one that my dog flushed out of hiding.
Texas rat snake, Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Another specialty of the Texas hill country, the cave scorpion Pseudouroctonus reddelli.
Texas cave scorpion, Pseudouroctonus reddleli by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Spring in the hill country is not something to be missed in one's lifetime.
Bluebonnets by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
In April came something I had been very much looking forward to - the second Texas Rattlesnake Festival. Aside from a few people who shall remain unnamed, it was truly moving to see the herp community forget their differences and come together and do such a PHENOMENAL job teaching the public about our beloved rattlesnakes. I must confess I shed a few tears here and there throughout the event. I can't say enough about the incredible work done by Tim Cole and others - you should all be beyond proud. Here's me at the event,doing what I do best. On a side note, be sure to promote the upcoming Lone Star Rattlesnake Days!
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With an invitation from dear friend Kyle, I embarked on an exhausting day trip from Austin to northeast Texas to knock off the western pygmy rattlesnake from my lifelist, which we found on the edge of a regrettably dormant pitcher plant bog in the late afternoon after a long hike.
Western pygmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius streckeri by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Some morning flipping on the way produced 5 Louisiana milksnakes, a lifer for me if you don't count that weird one from the coast.
Louisiana milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum amaura by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
My first southern copperhead was a welcome find. This one was particularly vibrant among the three found that day.
Southern copperhead, Agkistridon contortrix contortrix by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
And of course, no trip with dear Kyle ends without turning up one of these silly things...
Prairie kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Back in Austin, spring flipping season continued, and I turned up this coachwhip among a hive of bees underneath a wood pile. Worth it? Not sure, but we had fun.
Western coachwhip, Masticophis flagellum by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Knowing that broad-banded copperheads occured in the habitat surrounding my neighborhood (but unfortunately not much elsewhere around much the hill country west of the Balcones fault), I kept an eye out during my daily dog walks, not expecting much. Eventually, I heard a rustle in the leaves off the trail, and was greeted by this stunning animal.
Broad-banded copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Broad-banded copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Another surprise came in the form of this fiesty fellow, a large atrox I encountered early on the same trail, but still within plain sight of the street. Despite finding many juveniles and a few medium-sized individuals on snake calls around town, this encounter was strangely reassuring. Big rattlesnakes apparently still cling on despite the surge of suburbia.
Western diamondback, Crotalus atrox by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Another quick day trip eastward to an area west of Houston ended up being an extremely productive day numbers-wise, with dozens of cottonmouths, Texas rats, rough greens, Nerodia, and more in a pristine stretch of coastal prairie.
Western cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorous leucostoma by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Speckled kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula holbrooki by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Prairie kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Wrapping up the excursion, that night was spent searching a nearby island of timber rattlesnake habitat - a rare thing that far west. While that goal was left unmet (for the moment), this heartbreaker of a DOR proved to be in interesting highlight: a coral found just yards away from a hypomelanistic broad-banded copperhead. Ouch!!
A heartbreaking combo by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Come May, and it was time for a long-awaited trip with Justin, for the International Herpetological Symposium at the San Antonio Zoo. The talks were fantastic, and the two of us were stoked to tour the state and rack up some lifers for the both of us. For someone who had never been to Texas before, his first snake in the state was a pretty solid one, found just minutes into our first flipping site, on the way to the "real" spot that day, where we didn't find a thing!
Texas coral snake, Micrurus fulvius tener by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Texas coral snake, Micrurus fulvius tener by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
We met up with Kyle again the next day for yet another rocket run to East Texas, this time with Justin in tow, in the hopes of seeing my first timber rattlesnake in Texas, after the two of us having found them in other parts of the country in the past. The goal was met with this cute little juvenile.
Timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Back in San Antonio, we found ourselves too tired after the lectures to go far the next night, so we stayed in town to search for black-tailed rattlesnakes on the eastern periphery of their range in Bexar county. While unsucessful, we had a great time with my then-future boss Laurence (more on that later!), and got Justin a cliff chirping frog, a small but interesting species that he found himself pretty excited about.
Cliff chirping frog, Eleutherodactylus marnockii by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
After the next day's round of lectures, it was time for yet another rocket run, this time to West Texas, a place that stole my heart 15 years ago. While we didn't end up going very far into the heart of the region due to time constraints, a hefty dose of Justin's ridiculous good luck got us our target within minutes of shining the first two road cuts.
A lovely pair of juvenile mottled rock rattlesnakes, "lep leps" as we affectionately call them in Texas, and my favorite rattlesnake here, and possibly anywhere!
Mottled rock rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus lepidus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Mottled rock rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus lepidus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
A juvenile Trans-Pecos wrapped up the night nicely, and rounded out my Texas copperhead species trifecta for the year.
Trans-Pecos copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
With one more rocket run to go before Justin drove back to St. Louis, we attended one more set of lectures at IHS and headed south, toward the Rio Grande Valley. I really can't emphasize how stupidly spot-on Justin's luck is - he managed to come to south Texas on one of the very, very few nights a year that a very, very special amphibian was findable. And find one we did. The Mexican burrowing toad is a truly out-of-this-world creature. It's strangeness isn't easily expressed in words, so just... check it out.
Mexican burrowing toad, Rhinophrynus dorsalis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Mexican burrowing toad, Rhinophrynus dorsalis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Other highlights of the night included a large cane toad (which is, unbeknownst to many, native to the area) and a DOR Mexican milk snake.
Marine toad, Rhinella marina by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Mexican milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum annulata DOR by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
The next morning, before Justin was to begin his trek home, we had a few hours to explore the lovely Sabal Palm Sanctuary, a truly magical place that resembles Costa Rica more than Texas. The manager of the site was kind enough to trap us a rarely-seen denizen of the sanctuary, the Rio Grande Siren. Justin, who has a vested interest in lesser sirens in his home state, was elated to see this beast after it was pulled from the murky depths of the resaca.
Rio Grande siren, Siren texana by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Of course, Justin's luck continued to hold true that morning, and we were graced with a beautiful speckled racer, Drymobius margaritiferus, the gem of South Texas. Fortunately I was able to get much better pictures than those of my lifer I found the previous fall.
Speckled racer, Drymobius margaritiferus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Speckled racer, Drymobius margaritiferus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
On the way back to the car we also turned up a Rio Grande chirping frog, and a colorful male Texas spotted whiptail in the parking lot.
Rio Grande chirping frog, Eleutherodactylus cystignathoides by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Texas spotted whiptail, Aspidoscelis gularis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Texas spotted whiptail, Aspidoscelis gularis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Did I mention Justin was lucky? Let me remind you he spent less than 24 hours in south Texas, and we wrapped up the trip with one of these.
Northern cat-eyed snake, Leptodeira septentrionalis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Driving back home, I sunk the front half of my car in a muddy ditch drying to stop on highway 77 at 80 miles per hour for this - what at first looked like a large, live Texas indigo. Unfortunately, it had been hit, but was VERY fresh. I guess Justin's luck ran out...
Dymarchon melanurus erebennus DOR by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Shortly after Justin went home, I began the first of the three trips targeting the spot-tailed earless lizard, Holbrookia lacerata, as part of a research project with Texas A&M University. We were unable to locate the imperiled southern subspecies, but did manage some great bycatch while driving through their (usually very unattractive) habitat. The first of which was a looker of a Great Plains rat snake.
Great Plains ratsnake, Pantherophis emoryi by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Strangely enough, this pair of long-nosed snakes was found mating in the road in broad daylight! I'm sorry to say that our appearance was enough to disturb them into separating, but it was a very exciting find, to be sure. My lifers, as well.
Pair of Texas long-nosed snakes, Rhinocheilus lecontei by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Texas long-nosed snake, Rhinocheilus lecontei by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Despite many trips out west, this ended up being my only Texas horned lizard of the year. This little goober was seen running across the road with nothing but corn fields in all directions.
Texas horned lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
We finally found our target Holbrookia, and in good numbers, in Tom Green county, again among cornfields - apparently a more than suitable habitat for them, despite their shrinking range. These lizards have experienced a sharp decline in numbers in recent years, and we aren't quite sure why with much certainty, and this research is intended to help determine their current status across the state.
First is a smaller male. Most of these were noosed from the car, a fun skill to learn for those who haven't!
Spot-tailed earless lizard, Holbrookia lacerata by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Next is a gravid female.
Spot-tailed earless lizard, Holbrookia lacerata by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
The next trip on the agenda was again westward for my second Snake Days in Sanderson, Texas. I had a great time reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones, and attending the lectures as well. This beautiful young blacktail was found practically in the middle of town just minutes before the first lectures began. Another favorite shot of the year for me.
Black-tailed rattlesnake, Crotalus ornatus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Hiking back to the car yielded this male Texas banded gecko underneath a rock.
Texas banded gecko, Coleonyx brevis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
The following nights weren't very productive, though. My lifer night snake and this particularly handsome atrox were the only live snakes we saw, despite decent success from other Snake Days attendees. Perhaps too many cars on the road?
Chihuahuan night snake, Hypsiglena torquata jani by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Western diamondback, Crotalus atrox by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Back in Austin, I gave my wallet a break and stayed local for a while. The last blackneck of the year was found under a roadside board near a construction site - an unusual way to find this species, usually seen among the limestone bluffs throughout their habitat.
Eastern black-necked garter, Thamnophis cyrtopsis ocellatus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Trekking and swimming along the local creeks in Austin is a popular pastime in Austin, and one that I enjoy as well - as it provides many Nerodia sightings! A favorite genus of mine, despite the literally never-ending jokes at my expense for it.
I think most would find it hard to make fun of this find, though - a erythristic (high red) individual of blotched water snake. This guy blows every other member of his species out of the water!
Blotched water snake, Nerodia erythrogaster transversa by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Okay, I lied. I didn't stay entirely local - with the promise of a very special Nerodia, me and Tim Cole headed north toward the DFW area on a quest for Nerodia harteri, the Brazos water snake, a threatened species here in Texas, and our only truly endemic snake species. We had been invited to help survey a newly discovered population, and weren't disappointed. Despite over a dozen people showing up, me and Tim found the only two specimens of the night! Unfortunately, my camera battery died, and I was forced to settle for iPhone shots.
Brazos water snake, Nerodia harteri by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Back in Austin again, I discovered another favorite spot in the hill country west of town, a moist, wooded canyon along the Pedernales river. This particular location was notable for its isolated population of western cottonmouths, a very scattered species west of the Balcones Fault. This would have been another favorite shot this year, if it weren't for the incessant and distracting screams of my mother every time the snake moved. Thanks mom!
Western cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorous leucostoma by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
I had a hard time capturing the beauty of the area, with its vivid green blankets of moss and maidenhair fern and the massive, ancient cypress trees lining the cold, crystalline waters of the trickling creek running through the canyon. So here's my best attempt, for now anyway.
Hill Country canyon by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
In August, nearing my birthday, it was time for me to receive my present to myself - a nearly two-week herping trip to the Arizona Sky Islands! Driving alone from Austin was a.... trying experience. However, stopping to herp in West Texas for a few days both on the way in and the way out made the drive much more forgiving.
Canyon treefrogs were the goal of the first night, which I spent in the Davis Mountains. Easy enough.
Canyon treefrogs, Hyla arenicolor by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Also looking to turn up some treefrogs were several western black-necked garters. Not quite as pretty as their eastern counterparts, but thats okay.
Western black-necked garter snake, Thamnophis cyrtopsis cyrtopsis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
After a rather spooky solo encounter with a mountain lion that night (sorry, no pictures!), I continued west. After nearly collapsing from road exhaustion, I made it to Tuscon and met up with Zack and Sarah. You couldn't ask for a better host in Arizona, and the next night we were greeted with the Arizona welcoming committee!
Sonoran sidewinder, Crotalus cerastes by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Tongue by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Dat pattern tho by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Of course, it wouldn't be a herp trip without - who else - Justin. I drove to Phoenix to pick him up from the airport, and we spent the evening with some lifer Crotalus.
Tiger rattlesnake, Crotalus tigris by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Speckled rattlesnake, Crotalus mitchelli pyrrhus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
The next night wasn't much for cruising, but we got In-N-Out Burger and a neat little DOR.
Lil' kingsnake by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
I had been looking forward to checking out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for a long time, and I gotta say, what a facility! The naturalistic exhibits were world-class, and the setting was pretty hard to beat. Not to mention the introduced population of Mexican spiny-tailed iguanas, and the saugaro cacti all around.
Ctenosaura pectinata by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Near Saguaro National Park, Arizona by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
That night was the first of two unsucessul attempts at locating Arizona black rattlesnakes, but we did get a pretty sweet consolation prize.
Sonoran desert toad, Incilius alvarius by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Insert Hypnotoad Joke Here by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
We spent considerable time on this trip attempting to locate vine snakes, at a familiar spot for many herpers. The scenery was gorgeous, and we got a few non-targets, but no vine snakes were found despite Zack and Sarah's eye for spotting them.
Sonoran gopher snake, Pituophis catenifer affinis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Pajarito Mountains, Arizona by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
With my keen interest in montane rattlesnakes lately, Crotalus willardi was my #1 goal for the trip, and I practically shook with anticipation the entire trip leading up to the day when we finally set out for them in the Huachuca Mountains. I was thrilled and relieved to encounter the first of the two specimens myself (with a fairly large group out looking), and within mere minutes of getting out of the car. What a snake!
Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake, Crotalus willardi by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
With the goal of completing the Arizona montane rattlesnake trifecta in mind, we also turned up the world's ugliest klauberi, another lifer. In 2016 I'll be sure to find one of our lovely Texas specimens...
Banded rock rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus klauberi by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
If there's any herp that can make me and Justin giggle like little boys, it's one of these.
Greater short-horned lizard, Phrynosoma hernandesi by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Mantids are cool too.
Mantis by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
We headed to the Chiricahuas to round out the trifecta, and I'd say we came out alright in the end.
Pricei closeup by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
All 3 in just two days! More than satisfied with our find, we encountered this most lovely of blacktails on the steep mountain roads leading out.
Northern black-tailed rattlesnake, Crotalus molossus by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
In the semidesert grassland habitat surrounding the base of the Chiricahuas, we encountered several scutulatus before nightfall.
Mojave on the road by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
After eating lots of pizza and hanging out with a ferret back at Zack's, it was time to head for home. I took a detour through the Santa Rita mountains and made for a popular birding spot to locate my only target bird species for the trip, the elegant trogon. I wasn't expecting much, but not 5 minutes into the hike, a spectacular male came flying over my head and landed just a few yards away. I did have to chase him a bit to get a shot, but I wasn't complaining!
Elegant trogon by Ryan Collister, on Flickr
Thanks for reading,
Ryan
EDIT: WORK IN PROGRESS! Too many times have I worked on a massive post and lost it all halfway through! I'll delete this footnote when I'm finished. Stay tuned... Will finish tomorrow.
Statistics: Posted by DracoRJC — January 2nd, 2016, 3:49 pm