Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Shots from several seasons in Arizona. The Sonoran desert is the second most species-diverse ecosystem on Earth after tropical forests. A big portion of that diversity is reptiles but the biggest component of the region's biodiversity is insects. Arizona is Bug Central.

Some of my old haunts and old friends.

One day I'll take time to learn how to post all in one entry.

...more....

A fine Arizona blacktail rattlesnake and Box Canyon in the rainy season.

The Chiricahuas. Mexican Sister butterfly, common in upper elevations where oaks are found.

Summer rains bring out the wealth of insects and some of the best herps. Green grasslands around the Santa Ritas, a summer storm over the Chiricahuas from Highway 80, storms in Mexico reflected in a pool on the Willcox Playa.

Willcox Playa, dead all year, alive during summer rains. Cicindela debilis, a garter snake exploits a drying pool of Spadefoot toad tadpoles, and a magnificent Pulchra Tiger beetle, Cicindela pulchra.

Bugs bugs bugs. What's not to love?

Net-winged blister beetle, do not touch. Silversmith beetle, Chrysina gloriosa, well named. Tadpole shrimp, Willcox Playa.

Chalcedon checkerspot, a lot of color in a small package, and a fine Weidemeyer's Admiral butterfly.

Some dandy snakes: Speckled rattler, Western Massasauga and Western threadsnake.

The ever-elusive brown vine snake.

Flat-tailed HL, Texas HL, round-tailed HL.

Sonoran coral, coral with dinner guest, Lyre snake.

Slipping in more bugs: granite crab spider, Oregon tiger beetle form "Maricopa", and the spectacular Rainbow grasshopper.

Collarless female collared, hatchling leopard lizard, proud male collared on his throne.

Tough place to be a lizard. Desert centipede eating a side-blotched lizard, banded gecko, Western coachwhip.

No accident night lizards and night snakes inhabit the same crevices.

Western diamondback smiles for the camera, handsome common kingsnake, shy sidewinder. Enough for today. If you have not been yet, try to get to Arizona during the summer rains. Not another place like it on Earth. Be prepared to do a lot of driving.

Even a crossed-over pyro is stunning
snake adventures

Your photos are excellent! You found some beautiful animals. My favorite is definitely the willardi.

Maggie

What a great bunch of pics! Looks like you had a blast this year. thanks for sharing.

Dan

Fantastic array of herps, inverts, and landscapes! Gorgeous photography! BRAVO!!!
-----
Carl

So......how common are the Lyre Snakes out there. Kept a few of those a couple decades ago. Both males. Never managed to find a mate to try any breeding.

Lots of great pics there. Oddly enough though it's the Tadpole Shrimp I like best... first read about them when I was much, much younger... I was (and still am) disappointed to learn they weren't native to my neck of the woods here in Maine. Keep thinking of getting one of those kits you can buy... perhaps I'll treat myself for the upcoming b-day.

That Collared is a sweet piece of business as well, think between you and Gus with his Speckled Racer two of the most spectacularly colored reptiles here in the US have been offered up for our viewing pleasure... thanks for it.

Gerry

Thanks for the pics. Spectacular; between you and Daneby I can tour the West and never leave home. Love the bugs; reptiles also.

.. every post a winner. My thanks!
.

-----
Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com
www.riobravoreptiles.com

"Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus

>>Shots from several seasons in Arizona.

it's remarkable so many incredible animals can be seen in one place. and it's remarkable today's technology allows us to enjoy the pictures you've shared, from the comforts of our homes. thanks much. I took a trip to the chiricahuas last summer with my daughter. your pix reminded me of good times, and reminded me of all the things we have not seen yet, compelling us to return.