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Sep 9^th, 2010, 7:34pm

SWCHR DISCUSSION FORUMS › SWCHR GENERAL FORUMS - GUESTS MAY VIEW THIS SECTION - POSTING REQUIRES FREE REGISTRATION OR FULL MEMBERSHIP › FIELD HERPING AND FIELD STUDIES FORUM
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Interesting Friday herping.. (Read 189 times)

Rio Bravo Reptiles

Registered User

Heretic Prime

Posts: 311

Interesting Friday herping..
May 14^th, 2010, 1:34pm

Ok, I went hiking today in the south of Brownsville, it was a strange morning!
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Temperatures were in the mid 80s. There was a dense overcast and an intermittent, blustery east, southeast wind. Everything is very dry and there was just a hint of rain in the air. The gnats were swarming every part of exposed skin, eyes, ears.. what a torment!
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The areas with a sufficient topping of dust to record the passing of animals were crisscrossed with snake (and other) trails! Big stuff and tiny stuff and every size in between.. At every turn I was certain I'd encounter some thing.. I did, but not exactly as expected... while walking quickly and as silently as possible I came upon a Bobcat! also negotiating the narrow trail.. right in front of me! .. the wind was in my face and the cat did not suspect my presence. Fumbling for the camera I took my eyes from it for a second and it disappeared.
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I did not expect to see it again.. but I did! Here's the first photo..
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.. a second later I stopped and took aim and gave a small hissing sound.. hoping to have the cat turn for a portrait.. It worked!
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That was fun! ... next I surprised myself by successfully stalking a large race-runner lizard that was picking at a termite trail.. he was surprised too, look at his face!
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Here's more of him.. beautiful critters! If they were 28" long everybody would have one for a pet!
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.. this next is a Speckled Racer, Drymobius.. a small one, perhaps 17" in length.. I see these most anytime I put in the effort, the smaller ones, like this kid, are not frequently encountered.
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I kept walking and eventually did see more snakes out on the trails.. a ribbon, a ruthveni whip snake and an indigo.. they all burned me! But I am not complaining!
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Thanks for looking. Have a super weekend!

"Para mi, solo recorrer los caminos que tienen corazon.."

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Diego Ortiz Moderator Full Member Herping wherever Uncle Sam decides to send me. Posts: 1025 Gender:	Re: Interesting Friday herping.. Reply #1 - May 14^th, 2010, 9:13pm Killer day out, Gus!
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suboc-1 Registered User Posts: 173 Gender:	Re: Interesting Friday herping.. Reply #2 - May 16^th, 2010, 6:27pm Cool, nice Bob Cat!
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Todd Hughes/antelope Forum Moderator Full Member Herping the American Southwest Posts: 2179 Gender:	Re: Interesting Friday herping.. Reply #3 - May 18^th, 2010, 12:01pm The lapis-lazuli and red-orange throat on the whiptail are amazing! Just another day in south Texas, eh Gus? I know how rare it is to see 2 of your subjects!
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monklet Registered User Herping the American Southwest Posts: 171	Re: Interesting Friday herping.. Reply #4 - May 18^th, 2010, 1:15pm Great little day in the field Gus. That Bobcat looks pretty lean...has it been a tough year down there? Totally agree about the Whiptail comment. Impressive lizards even at that size but IF! Never knew they had those azure bellies.
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Rio Bravo Reptiles

Registered User

Heretic Prime

Posts: 311

Re: Interesting Friday herping..
Reply #5 - Jun 9^th, 2010, 4:42am

Quote from monklet on May 18^th, 2010, 1:15pm:

Great little day in the field Gus.

That Bobcat looks pretty lean...has it been a tough year down there?

Totally agree about the Whiptail comment. Impressive lizards even at that size but IF! Never knew they had those azure bellies.

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This area is tough on Bobcats.. From speaking with a researcher of these they are heavily parasitized, internally and externally, and that has a lot to do with it.. They are still out there, though.
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.. I get a kick out of those race runners too.. one other thing of note is that they are relatively short lived.. three years? Compare that to the spiny lizards here, Sceloporus olivaceous, I'm sure I've had those stick around for seven or more years.. Those old ones become tame and it's possible to get them accustomed to being fed! .. Here's a fat one that lives here in the yard..
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Thanks again..

"Para mi, solo recorrer los caminos que tienen corazon.."

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SWCHR DISCUSSION FORUMS › SWCHR GENERAL FORUMS - GUESTS MAY VIEW THIS SECTION - POSTING REQUIRES FREE REGISTRATION OR FULL MEMBERSHIP › FIELD HERPING AND FIELD STUDIES FORUM
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