Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It just started raining in AZ on Friday, after about a thousand years without a drop (seems like, anyway). The drought is hardly over, but some herps will stir with the onset of summer rains. In the central mts, some all-female whiptails and maybe Madrean Alligator lizards (I need one of those for some pix, so I've got my fingers crossed), in the southeastern mts, the Mountain Spiny lizards will be up (formerly Yarrow's Spiny), along with the protected rattlesnakes (looking only--no touchie--sorry!), and in a few weeks, the amphibians may have a go. For those waiting for better conditions to herp AZ, it might be time to start planning. Give it the rest of the month to soak pretty good, and come in August. The right roads can be fun for night drives for all sorts of critters in a wet August, and even dry desert species are in better moods when it rains. Check your almanac for moonless nights for night drives.

Hey, KW, where you located at?

On the road again...from our temp. residence in Desert Hills

Here's a subadult Madrean Alligator Lizard I found in the Santa Rita Mtns. back in March.

Habitat for the 'gator in Madera Canyon...

I'm based in Green Valley, and the recent rain is a good sign. I'm not waitin' until August though. I'll be there next week, tryin' out my new toys, and getting the best pics I can.

TC

Not sure what didn't work, but I'll try it again. This is a view of the Santa Ritas from our subdivision in G. V.

TC

ImageStation won't let me post any more pics right now, so here's a snake I found under a large piece of concrete. But I didn't lift that bugger. The one ft. square ones are more my style. I think you'll get the idea though. I give these nasty ones lots of space.

Sorry about the poor quality. I'm still practicing photos in bright sun with shadows

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I'll be in Green Valley, AZ from July 21 to August 5, 2003, and the Chiricahuas from July 25 to 28th. If you'll be in the area and want to communicate, send me an e-mail with your info. Thanks....TC.

Maybe I'll run in to you.

Since you'll be there a week ahead of me, see if you can catch me about 4 triaspis so I don't have to do it! LOL! See ya on the 29th!
Best....
Jim

Now I probably won't see any like I normally do, hahaha

I'll be lookin for ya.
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I'll be in Green Valley, AZ from July 21 to August 5, and the Chiricahuas from July 25 to 28th. Anyone that will be in the area and wants to communicate, send me an e-mail with your info. Thanks....TC.

if you can call it living. Very hot these days. I get around, though. I will visit the Green Valley area this August looking for some herps and maybe some cool bugs--that area has the coolest. I was in the Chiricahuas in June--I posted on the Horned Lizard forum--pix of some HLs from the area. Hope you have great luck in Green Valley. I once found a fresh (crud!!) DOR Regal Ringneck on Santa Gertrudis Lane in the afternoon right after a brief summer rain. Seen some coral snakes around Rio Rico...still haven't found my Brown Vine Snake along the Ruby Road, but always a good time there anyway. Had a Black Kingsnake crawl between my feet on the Pendleton Rd while I was collecting beetles at a streetlight--THAT was a surprise! Also found a Regal Ringneck alive and surface active at a semipermanent rain puddle along the Madera Canyon Rd. Ya gotta love Santa Cruz county.

Hiya, KW.

Chandler is very near Mesa, isn't it?

That place where you found the first regal ringneck, Santa Gertrudis...I don't know where that is. Is it in Green Valley, one of the subdivisions? If so that would be a great observation being in the flats, so to speak.

why do ya suppose you saw coral snakes around Rio Rico? Do ya think it could of been because of all the golf courses?

I pretty much like all the places you mentioned. Last summer I saw seven common kingsnakes in a two week period. Of course, there was a lot of rain. Hot and dry is really hard to take. That's why I always suggest siesta time. Luckily, I'm not ever working while there.

I like the insects/arachnids too. Last summer I saw a wasp dragging a turantula across the pavement near the Ritas. Discovered a new species of spider a couple summers ago.

Maybe I'll see ya. Good luck....TC.

if you can call it living. Very hot these days. I get around, though. I will visit the Green Valley area this August looking for some herps and maybe some cool bugs--that area has the coolest. I was in the Chiricahuas in June--I posted on the Horned Lizard forum--pix of some HLs from the area. Hope you have great luck in Green Valley. I once found a fresh (crud!!) DOR Regal Ringneck on Santa Gertrudis Lane in the afternoon right after a brief summer rain. Seen some coral snakes around Rio Rico...still haven't found my Brown Vine Snake along the Ruby Road, but always a good time there anyway. Had a Black Kingsnake crawl between my feet on the Pendleton Rd while I was collecting beetles at a streetlight--THAT was a surprise! Also found a Regal Ringneck alive and surface active at a semipermanent rain puddle along the Madera Canyon Rd. Ya gotta love Santa Cruz county.

thnx for the AZ note. I'll be out there in about 2 weeks, hoping for a few of the more elusive critters. Then on to s-CA and back east again. rgds/dick

...anyone would be willing to help a guy plan a trip down there? i've tried exploratory trips the last two summers and been gloriously unsuccessful. i have about 2 weeks to play with in August. i need help. i really need to see some herps; i live in northern Idaho, and we don't have much up here. please.

email: roky8074@uidaho.edu

darin