2013 in review

[clopo]

Hi all,


Its been a while since i have put a post up, so I will try and put everything from the year in one


big post. There will be a few areas of Australia covered. I am still working in Mount Isa in


North-west Queensland, however I am now living in Brisbane. This change has given me a


lot more opportunities to herp different areas of Aus. I apologise to anyone with slow internet


or not a lot of download availability, this post is huge.


First is the 2012/13 wet season in North-west Queensland. The wet season was a fail at the


start of the year with one of our driest ever recorded, only 180mm (about 7 inches) with most


of this falling in November/December 2012. Herping was still reasonable with quite a few


finds.


Frogs from the Gregory River.

Litoria inermis by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Ornate Burrowing Frog


by R. Francis, on Flickr

A few reptiles from around Mount Isa up until the end of February 2013.

Mertens' Water Monitor


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Eremiascincus isolepis


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Litoria coplandi by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Ring-tailed Dragon by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Ctenotus lateralis by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Diplodactylus


conspicillatus by R. Francis, on


Flickr

Storrs Monitor by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Childrens Python by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Olive Python by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Death Adder by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Centralian Blue-tongue


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Strophurus krisalys by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Childrens Python eating a


Cyclorana australis by R. Francis, on Flickr

Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Burtons Legless Lizard


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Freshwater Crocodile


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Freshwater Crocodile


by R. Francis, on Flickr


The next lot are from a trip to Longreach in Central Queensland.

Northern Spiny-tailed


Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Brigalow Beaked Gecko


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Knife-footed Frog by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Bynoe's Gecko by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Tree Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Broad-palmed Frog by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Broad-palmed Frog by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Tessalated Gecko by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Centralian Blue tongue


by R. Francis, on Flickr

On the road to a pot of


gold. by R. Francis, on Flickr


Back to Mount Isa for a few months.

Black-palmed Monitor


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Ctenotus pantherinus


ocellifer by R. Francis, on Flickr

Mertans Water Monitor


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Sombre Whipsnake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Myall Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Curl Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Delma nasuta by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Sharp-snouted Delma


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Lerista fragilis by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Black-headed Python


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Pygmy Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Pygmy Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Pygmy Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Sombre Whipsnake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Worrells Turtle by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Buzzing Tree Frog by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Yellow-spotted Monitor


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Gehyra australis by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Juvenile Oedura


marmorata by R. Francis, on


Flickr

Oedura marmorata by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Oedura marmorata by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Dajarra Death Adder by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Bynoe's Gecko by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Bynoe's Gecko by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Black-palmed Monitor


by R. Francis, on Flickr


Next are from a brief trip out to the Finke Desert near Alice Springs for the famous Finke


Desert Race which some mates were riding in. It was getting close to winter and very little


was out and about. We did the 700km drive through the night but saw nothing on the roads. I


was lucky that our camp spot had a few sheets of tin nearby, but only found two species.

Morethia ruficauda by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Morethia ruficauda by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Geyhra variegata by


R. Francis, on Flickr


The next couple are from a trip with some mates throughout the Gulf of Carpentaria, first


was Lawn Hill National Park, then the Gregory River and finally up to the beach side town of


Karumba. The mates were all southerners from Victoria and were keen to see some crocs


and snakes, however they were not herpers just tourists. I was a bit sceptical as it was the


middle of winter, however temperatures were pretty good in the mid 20's (Celsius). We did


surprisingly well with 5 snake species and both fresh and salt water Crocs. No photos of the


crocs however as they were quite skittish.

Dubious dtella by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Greater Black Whip Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Greater Black Whip Snake[/url] by R. Francis, on Flickr

Arafura File Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Arafura File Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Keelback by www.flickr.com/people/79861098@N06/]R. Francis, on Flickr


A fish more than worthy to be here.

Coal Grunter by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Litoria pallida by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Cryptoblepharus metallicus by R. Francis, on Flickr

Two-lined Dragon by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Termite City by


R. Francis, on Flickr


Now back to Mount Isa for my last few weeks of living there before moving to Brissy.

Freshwater Crocodile


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Freshwater Crocodile


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Ridge-tailed Monitor by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Ridge-tailed Monitor by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Ridge-tailed Monitor by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Ridge-tailed Monitor by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Western Beaked Gecko


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Strophurus krisalys by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Strophurus krisalys by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Rock Ctenotus by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Rock Ctenotus by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Ridge-tail Monitor by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Ridge-tail Monitor by


R. Francis, on Flickr


A few from the drive from Mount Isa to Brisbane. Its a 2000km drive so I asked a mate


where a good herping spot about half way would be and to camp for the night. He sent


me to Blackdown Tablelands National Park and said its easy to get Rough Throated Leaf-
tailed Geckos (Saltuarius salebrosus) there, he said he had 4 in 15 minutes. After 2 hours of


looking I thought he was pulling my leg until I finally found one. Definitely worth the stop and


a few other cool finds as well..

Litoria latopalmata by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Salmon-striped Frog by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Southern Spotted Velvet


Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Southern Spotted Velvet


Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Zigzag Velvet Gecko by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Zigzag Velvet Gecko by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Eulamprus brachysoma


by R. Francis, on Flickr

leaf-tailed Gecko Habitat[/


url] by R. Francis, on Flickr





Rough-throated Leaf-tailed


Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr





Rough-throated Leaf-tailed


Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr





Rough-throated Leaf-tailed


Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr





Rough-throated Leaf-tailed


Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr





Goodela Falls by


R. Francis, on Flickr


I will put up another post for the herping adventure that was after this. For now its back to


Mount Isa.





Gehyra robusta by


R. Francis, on Flickr





Carlia amax by


R. Francis, on Flickr





Carlia amax by


R. Francis, on Flickr


These couple are from my Inlaws property about 200km west of Brisbane.





Three-clawed Worm-skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Burtons Legless Lizard


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Burtons Legless Lizard


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Eastern Bearded Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Eastern Water Dragon


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Eastern Water Dragon


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Echidna by www.flickr.com/people/79861098@N06/]R. Francis, on Flickr


Now some from a wetland only a few kilometres from Brisbane city.

Elegant Snake-eyed Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Elegant Snake-eyed Skink by R. Francis, on Flickr

Ramphotyphlops


nigrescens by R. Francis, on


Flickr

Juvenile Water Skink


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Garden skink by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Garden Skink by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Juvenile Grass Skink


by R. Francis, on Flickr


And Back to Mount Isa.

Gilberts Dragon by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Gilberts Dragon by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Marbled Velvet Gecko


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Beaked Gecko by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Beaked Gecko by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Worrells Turtle by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Worrells Turtle by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Fat-tailed Gecko by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Fat-tailed Gecko by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Pale-striped ground


Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Pale-striped ground


Gecko by R. Francis, on Flickr

Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Mulga Snake by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Strophurus taeniatus


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Strophurus taeniatus


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Hosmers Skink by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Hosmers Skink by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Hosmers Skink by


R. Francis, on Flickr


These are starting to get into the 2013/14 wet season in Mount Isa. Starting around


November.

Burtons Legless Lizard by R. Francis, on Flickr

Sharp-snouted Delma


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Sharp-snouted Delma


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Northern Hooded Scaly-
foot by R. Francis, on Flickr

Northern Hooded Scaly-
foot by R. Francis, on Flickr

Gehyra robusta by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Gehyra robusta by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Hosmers Skink and the


first storm of summer by R. Francis, on Flickr

Orange-naped Snake


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Orange-naped Snake


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Orange-naped Snake


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Copland's Rock Frog


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Frilled-neck Lizard by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Frilled-neck Lizard by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Frilled-neck Lizard by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Long-footed Frog by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Cyclorana sp. by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Desert Tree Frog by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Bandy Bandy by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Bandy Bandy by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Bandy Bandy by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Long-footed Frog by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Marbled Velvet Gecko


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Sybella Sunset by


R. Francis, on Flickr


That's it for Mount Isa.


A few from my parents property and home town, Dorrigo in New South Wales. The Dorrigo


National Park is world heritage listed for its Gondwanan temperate Rainforest.

Green Stream Frog by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Lace Monitor by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Verreaux's Tree Frog


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Striped Marsh Frog by


R. Francis, on Flickr

Eastern Bearded Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Eastern Bearded Dragon by R. Francis, on Flickr

Red-bellied Black Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Murray's skink by


R. Francis, on Flickr


The last couple are from the Christmas break. The Red-bellied Black Snake is from a creek


crossing on my parents property. I have known the snake for as long as I can remember.


This is it's sunning spot, I didn't pose it as the old man gets cranky if I play with his "mates".


The Water Skink is from my Dad's pond in front of the house, unfortunately my brother


brought a dog home a few months ago which chased the skinks and caused most of them to


lose their tales. The Yellow faced Whip-snake is from my inlaws place.

Red Bellied Black Snake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Eastern Water Skink


by R. Francis, on Flickr

Yellow-faced Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Yellow-faced Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr

Yellow-faced Whipsnake by R. Francis, on Flickr


Thanks for looking and apologies for making the post so long.


Cheers,


Ryan

- - - Updated - - -

Bugger, didnt work. I will try and sort it out if i find time. Admin, are you able to make them work?

 

[Shotta]

i can see them when i click on the links, beautiful pics

 

[Barrett]

Unfortunately can only see the photos when I click the links, otherwise great photos.

 

[clopo]

Looks to be working now. I have no idea why, if it was a mod thank you very much. You have done what i have been putting of for a while.

I see now, Rob72 your a legend.

 

[beautifulpythons]

Awesome thread.. how does this only get a couple of replies, must have taken hours just to type it and link the photos!!

Some great finds in there, the hosmers with the lightning strike is amazing.

 

[Focus]

Somehow missed this when it was posted. Amazing pics, thanks for sharing mate.

 

[richoman_3]

Epic stuff Ryan!
Needs more taipans!
[MENTION=23970]beautifulpythons[/MENTION]: very true, takes forever to do these herping threads! .. they dont seem to be appreciated very much..

 

[GeckoJosh]

Wow, wow, wow!!!!

Great thread mate!

Honestly the regulars of this forum need a good kick up the bum for not giving this thread the attention it deserves!

 

[moloch05]

Wow, what a fantastic post and what a year! I loved the Mertens in the water ... great shot. Those Oedura marmorata were certainly beautiful.

How did you get the shot of the the Coal Grunter? I am hoping to buy an underwater camera soon and try for some of the natives.


Regards,
David

 

[Endeavour]

What a stunning set of photographs.

Kindest regards

Endeavour

 

[clopo]

Thanks all.
Nick, I saw one taipan near Proserpine but missed it as I had about a dozen cars behind me. Missed a colletts the same weekend.
David, the coal grunter was shot in a small field tank. I stuffed up a little though. I should have moved the background further away from the tank.

Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

 

[eipper]

some good time there mate