Meet the Gila Monster
Emerging from the brush, this gila monster walked straight toward me before veering away. Gila monsters are considered among only two North American species of venomous lizards. The venom is contained in their saliva. They will go to great lengths in avoiding the use of this venom, so please respect the space of these wonderful giants! SE Arizona.
This extremely unique image is a limited-edition, with only 24 / 25 prints of this image available. For ordering info, please contact me directly.
Beautiful Box Turtle
Meet the most colorful ornate box turtle I've met. He was sitting right on the edge of a small clearing, making for a perfect photo-op! Box turtles have an extremely varied diet that ranges from fruits and veggies, to insects, worms, and I even witnessed one lunging for baby toads. As a defense, turtles can void their bladders to deter predators. This, however, leaves them extremely dehydrated so, aside from helping them across busy streets, please resist the urge to handle wild turtles. Willcox, AZ.
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Sidewinder Profile
A young sidewinder tastes the air as he/she sizes me up.
Sidewinders are known for their unique means of locomotion which their name summarizes well...fascinating to watch!
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Brown Anole
Brown anoles are considered a non-native species within the Southern US. Being larger and more aggressive, they have mostly displaced the native green anoles in the lower reaches of trees. Green anoles, however, are highly adept in tree canopies, whereas their brown cousins seem to be less so.
This fellow is performing a territorial display. Photo taken at Lake Louisa State Park, FL, USA.
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Mojave Rattlesnake
A beautiful Mojave rattlesnake is accented by the gentle light of a rapidly approaching sunset. Denizens of the desert grasslands, Mojave rattlesnakes very much resemble unusually pretty diamondback rattlesnakes. They have unusually potent venom and one should always respect their space. Willcox, AZ.
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Texas Horned Lizard
This large, dramatic lizard reaches the western extent of his/her range in SE Arizona. Like other horned lizards, the Texas variety survives mostly on a diet of ants. Horned lizards rely primarily on camouflage to avoid detection. When this fails, however, they have the unique ability to shoot blood straight from their eyes with uncanny accuracy.
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Garter Snake Glen
Following an obscene amount of monsoon rainfall, this normally-dry valley has transformed into a lush jungle. A black-necked garter snake rests along the trail. As a rule and thanks largely to their appetite for fish, worms, and amphibians, garter snakes are often found in close proximity to water.
Catalina Mountains, AZ.
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Green Anole
Green anoles are only actually green when they're feeling healthy and confident. They turn brown when encountering a predator, but when he's feeling extra brazen, a male might go as far as to perform territorial "push-ups," while puffing out his red dewlap (throat). Photo taken at Lake Louisa State Park, FL, USA.
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Mountain Kingsnake
This Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake is one that I've been dying to see since moving here, and it finally happened! While hiking in the mountains, it slithered across the path mere feet away. What an exciting day!!! Even beyond his/her (didn't check) beauty and the environmental benefits, kingsnakes like this fellow will readily consume other snakes. This includes rattlesnakes, the venom of which they have a strong tolerance and possible immunity to.
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A Striking Stature
A western diamondback rattlesnake strikes the classic defensive posture. He/she apparently didn't take kindly to being moved away from the trail. Western diamondbacks are probably the most common snake in Southeastern Arizona.
Saguaro Nat Park, AZ.
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Eastern Collared Lizard
While cruising along at 60mph toward the White Mountains, I noticed an indistinct bright shape on a rock 20 feet off the road. Driving another couple miles, I finally found a safe place to turn around. Upon returning, I found this stunning Eastern Collared Lizard completely adorned in his finest courtship attire. Since living here, I've met very few of these brilliant lizards, and they have always been evasive, dashing for cover at the first sign of me. As I approached, this fellow, however, actually moved a few feet away to a much more exposed rock surrounded by wildflowers. He posed without a care in the world as cars zipped by and I crept within a foot, snapping pictures. Yet another magical nature experience!
A Sidewinder’s Perspective
Encountered in the middle of a hiking trail, I nearly stepped on this sidewinder rattlesnake. This picture depicts him / her amidst the natural surroundings. Sidewinders are known for their unique means of locomotion which their name summarizes well...fascinating to watch!
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