Herping.

Today's temperature was over the 30 degree mark and I had nothing to do so decided it would be great weather to look for Lace Monitors, well I was not disappointed as I found three today which is the most I've seen in one day. All round I photographed more reptiles today then any other days herping in my backyard, I'm not sure why I found more maybe it was my technique getting better as I was walking a lot slower then usual and when I spotted things I approached quietly and slowly. I'll explain each encounter above the appropriate picture.

Enjoy,

Larrikin Bax...

Eastern Water Skink - Eulamprus quoyii

This was the second reptile I spotted on my adventure ( I spotted Eastern Long-Neck Turtles in the dam behind my house but unfortunately didn't get any good shots ), it stayed in this same pose while I took a few pictures and even got to creep closer for the next shot below this one.

Eastern Water Dragon - Physignathus lasueurii

I never have trouble finding these guys but today was the first time I got multiple lizards in the same shot, I actually have a picture which is not as good quality where there are four in the shot. Today they were also less flighty then usual, maybe may technique is getting better.

Lace Monitor - Varanus varius

Ten minutes into my herping adventure I found the species I was hoping to see today, previously I had never got the money shot with these lil' beauty's, but today luck was with me, Lace Monitors always race up a tree as soon as they see you, they have unbelievable eye sight, so today I climbed up after this one to try and get some great shots and to say the least I was stoked with what I got.

Eastern Water Skink - Eulamprus quoyii

This was the second Water Skink I found today, I even got closer to this one compared to the previous skink.

Another shot of the same Lace Monitor from a higher perspective on my way home for lunch.

Lace Monitor - Varanus varius

I was stoked I took the long way home to get a different shot of the previous Lace Monitor as I found this one on the way back, I couldn't get a great shot of this one as the tree it climbed was quite gnarly with branches everywhere and was also a stringy bark tree which I hate climbing as you get covered in bark.

Lace Monitor - Varanus varius

Towards the afternoon I decided to see what else I could find and found I was on a Lace Monitor hot streak, I found this lil' one on the way to my letter box, no need to climb the tree as it stayed quite low due to the Noisy Miners dive bombing it. Got some great shots of this one so todays mission was complete, Lace Monitor pictures conquered.

Eastern Bearded Dragon - Pogona barbata

Found this beardy on the way back from my letter box, after finding the last Lace Monitor I was keeping a keen eye out, the beardy was actually in a better pose when I first saw it but half went to take off but then decided I was no harm and let me get close enough to give it a pat and take a few photos before it decided to leave for cover and safety. I was quite happy to get these shots as every other time I've seen them I've either had no camera or only the one on my mobile phone.

Unknown Skink Species.

I found a few of these tiny little skinks today, but they are rather flighty hence this is the only shot I got and its not the greatest at that, I also spotted another skink which was again a different species to this one but unfortunately I was not quick enough with the camera. I will try and get an ID on this one soon.

Monarch Butterfly - Danaus plexippus

I've photographed these butterfly's before but never been patient enough to get an open wing shot.

Wedge Tailed Eagle - Aquila audax

I've been seeing a lot of these great birds of prey lately, but as usual they are a bugger to get a good shot of like all birds, made even harder when they are flying. It was a great way to cap off the day watching him soaring above as I laid atop of the 4WD bonnet enjoying a smoke, all I needed was a beer to make it perfect!

Insects.

Here are a few pictures I've taken of some various insects and the sort.

Enjoy,

Larrikin Bax...

Broad-Palmed Frog.

Yesterday whilst I was washing my hands after work I noticed a little brown frog which at first I thought was a Stoney Creek Frog - Litoria wilcoxi, a small one at that, even though I've found Stoney Creek Frogs before I raced to my shed grabbed a box and ran back to the tap that's when I noticed it wasn't the frog I thought it was, as I reached down to grab it, it jumped under the slab of the shed, I was shattered, no ticking of a species of frog for me today. So I grabbed a drink from the tap and behold here was another one gazing at me ready to take off, well not this time, I quickly scooped it up and placed it in the box and raced the 50 metres home to grab the camera and take some shots in the yard. Yesterdays light wasn't the greatest and I only mustered one half decent shot, I found out that night it was a Broad- Palmed Frog - Litoria latopalmata, I was stoked to say the least, one more frog I can tick of the species list found! They only grow to 35-45mm so are a tiny species of frog, making the find an even bigger bonus.

Enjoy,

Larrikin Bax...

Australia Zoo - Beerwah.

I was going to save this post till I had uploaded all my older pictures but I just could not wait.

I got to finally visit Australia Zoo for the first time a week ago, overall I was very impressed, enclosure were huge and well thought out, my only criticism would be I had hoped there was more animals to view. All in all it was a great day and I would recommend anyone who gets the chance to go do it.

Enjoy,

Larrikin Bax...

Brass memorial statue of the Irwin family, I love how Sui is looking up at Steve, anyone who has watched episodes of the Crocodile Hunter would know that Sui did this a lot.

Not sure what species of parrot this is.

Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus

As usual a Koala sleeping.

Asian Elephant - Elephas maximus

I love this profile shot of the two Asian Elephants.

Dingo - Canis lupus

My favourite shot of the Dingos.

Asian Small-Clawed Otter - Amblonyx cinerea

These pair were a laugh to watch, they constantly did laps of there enclosure, this was my favourite shot.

Laughing Kookaburra - Dacelo novaeguineae

There were a few Kookaburras around the zoo but this is the best shot I got.

Eastern Water Dragon - Physignathus lesueurii lesueurii

There were literally thousands of these guys around the zoo, the first two shots are the best I took on the day, the last is a shot my partner took when a heap started to attack a coke bottle lid I had dropped, I placed it back on the bottle and started to tease them with it.

Saltwater Crocodile - Crocodylus porosus

Best shot I got of a salty.

Freshwater Crocodile - Crocodylus johnstoni

Best shot I got of a freshie.

Central Bearded Dragon - Pogona vitticeps

The next three shots are of three different Central Bearded Dragons, the enclosure they were housed in was amazing.

Komodo Dragon - Varanus komodoensis

Although I'm a huge python lover Komodo Dragons are my favourite species of reptile in the world so I was very stoked to get a great shot of such a gorgeous specimen, I love there shear size and ability to bite prey and follow its scent till the prey dies, if Australia ever allows us to keep exotic reptiles again look out, this will be the first on my shopping list.

Inland Taipan - Oxyuranus microlepidotus

First picture is of the Inland Taipans enclosure, second is the best shot I could get of the taipan as he was always moving around and would not stay still for a photo. Inland Taipans are also known as the Fierce Snake and possesses the most potent venom of any land snake in the world, these are my second favourite elapinae species, not because of how venomous they are but because of there black heads and speckled bodies.

Coastal Taipan - Oxyuranus scutellatus

First shot is of the Coastal Taipans enclosure, second and third is of the taipan housed in this enclosure. Coastal Taipans are by far my favourite species of Elapinae because of there long robust bodies, rusty colouring and cream snouts.

Highlands Copperhead - Austrelaps ramsayi

This was the best shot I could get of the Copperhead.

Red-Bellied Black Snake - Pseudechis porphyriacus

This was the best shot I could get of the Red Belly as it was always on the move or hiding behind grass or under a log.

Eastern Brown Snake - Pseudonaja textilis

First shot is of the Eastern Brown Snakes enclosure, second is the Eastern Brown Snake curled up in a log.

Tiger Snake - Notechis scutatus

First picture is of Tiger Snakes enclosure, second is a close up shot of Tiger Snake in hide, this is the solid black form of Tiger Snake.

Spotted Python -Antaresia maculosa

Best picture I captured of the Spotted pythons, there was around three in the enclosure, this was the only one perched up for a good shot.

Woma - Aspidites ramsayi

First picture is of the enclosure Woma is housed in, second picture is of the Woma on rock ledge climbing.

Coastal Carpet Python - Morelia spilota mcdowelli

First picture is of the enclosure the two Coastal Carpet Pythons are housed in, second and third is of the Coastal Carpet Python in the foreground with its head resting on a log.

Green Tree Python - Morelia viridis

First picture is the enclosure that the Green Tree Pythons are housed in, second and third are of the two Green Tree Pythons.

Scrub Python - Morelia kinghorni

First picture is the enclosure that the two scrub pythons are housed in, second, third and forth are of the scrub python in the foreground basking on the log.