California Desert Roadtrip - May 2009

[mustang]

Coachwhip (unfortunate roadkill south of Cottonwood Springs out of Joshua Tree NP) (May 24, 2009)


Zebra-tailed Lizard (off Box Canyon Road near Mecca CA, Riverside County)
(May 24, 2009)


Desert Iguana (the only pic I was able to take before it zipped away!)
(off Box Canyon Road) (May 24, 2009)


SW Speckled Rattlesnake (pastel "desert sunset camouflage" phase)
(Sheep Spring Oasis Trail, off Box Canyon Road) (May 24, 2009)


Box Canyon roadside habitat


Sheep Spring Oasis habitat

its a red coachwip...we got western coachips that come in may colors (including red) and few sitings of red coachwhips which have a distinct black collararound neck...sorry perfectionistism syndrome

[mustang]

great pics

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

its a red coachwip...we got western coachips that come in may colors (including red) and few sitings of red coachwhips which have a distinct black collararound neck...sorry perfectionistism syndrome

Must be a sighting of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; I have it too! Yes, it's officially a "Red Racer", the common name for the subspecies of Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus; it is the only subspecies of Coachwhip found in that locality. It is the first time I have sighted this snake, and gosh darn, WHY DO ALL THE ONES I REALLY WANT TO EXPERIENCE END UP ROADKILL??!!! I hear this is one feisty snake, a real adventure to wrangle, at least until it gives up...

[GarterGeek]

Awesome pictures...

[Snaky]

Looks like a great trip. Thanks for sharing the pics

[mustang]

Must be a sighting of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; I have it too! Yes, it's officially a "Red Racer", the common name for the subspecies of Coachwhip - Masticophis flagellum piceus; it is the only subspecies of Coachwhip found in that locality. It is the first time I have sighted this snake, and gosh darn, WHY DO ALL THE ONES I REALLY WANT TO EXPERIENCE END UP ROADKILL??!!! I hear this is one feisty snake, a real adventure to wrangle, at least until it gives up...

i know and to make it worse my uncle(after bringing up the wanting one of them as a pet subject) he said that his neighboor shot 2 of em saying theyre mean ,even though they have had little interactions with humans and if i saw a giant about to step on me id get agressive too!