What Lizard?

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Fri May 17, 2013 4:13 am

I was on the S Fork Trail (from Islip Saddle) on Wednesday, and I saw several of these guys (below). What are they?

HJ

mattmaxon · Post by **mattmaxon** » Fri May 17, 2013 4:39 am

http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/ ... tores.html

Crotaphytus bicinctores - Great Basin Collared Lizard

It looks like these but it is way out of their range...

cougarmagic · Post by **cougarmagic** » Fri May 17, 2013 6:51 am

Super nice photos Jim. You might want to send a message to that website Matt listed - they are always interested in sightings, especially because it does look like this one is way out of the known range. I've never seen one (though I don't notice lizards much anyway).

What a beautiful creature!

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Fri May 17, 2013 12:19 pm

I saw more than one. The last two photos are of a second lizard. Their tails and feet are a yellowy color. They were all over the lower S. Fork Trail. They seemed at home.

Maybe I'll post a message to that site.

HJ

cab · Post by **cab** » Fri May 17, 2013 1:03 pm

We saw one of those lizards in Union Wash a few weeks ago when we were on our way back from a hike of Inyo and Keynot Peaks (Inyo mountain range, NE of Lone Pine). I guess that is considered part of their home range, though. Pretty cool looking creatures.

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Fri May 17, 2013 2:32 pm

I posted an observation. Their diagram of the lizard's range didn't make it look as though he was out of his range.

HJ

Post by **HikeUp** » Fri May 17, 2013 3:53 pm

Listed as uncommon by Chester

http://tchester.org/sgm/animals/lizards.html

Colorful creature - probably got its yellow feet from eating too many endangered MYLF (mountain yellow-legged frogs).

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Fri May 17, 2013 4:28 pm

HikeUp wrote: Listed as uncommon by Chester http://tchester.org/sgm/animals/lizards.html

Colorful creature - probably got its yellow feet from eating too many endangered MYLF (mountain yellow-legged frogs).

"sometimes runs on two hind legs"

Now that would be cool to see!

HJ

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Fri May 24, 2013 9:00 am

Really nice pics HJ. Great resolution and sharpness. What are you shooting with?

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Thu Jun 06, 2013 10:18 pm

Hey Jim, thanks for posting those great pics. (I'm a little late on the subject - haven't checked in on the board lately as work has been thankfully busy.) I have been lucky enough to have noosed a few collared lizards near the Zzyzx area. It's pretty fun to chase them down while they're running bipedally!

I was just up on Mt Islip on Saturday (6/1) and was looking down on the South Fork trail. Is it in good condition?

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 11:34 am

Uncle Rico wrote: Really nice pics HJ. Great resolution and sharpness. What are you shooting with?

Rico, I'm shooting with a Sony Cybershot DSC-HX30V. Pretty nice camera although I understand that Sony is having some serious problems as a corporation. Not sure I'd buy anything from Sony right now.

HJ

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 11:36 am

Mike P wrote: I was just up on Mt Islip on Saturday (6/1) and was looking down on the South Fork trail. Is it in good condition?

OK but not great shape. A lot of loose slides on the trail, burying the tread. You just scramble up and over them; no big deal to me, but the guy I was with was freaking out.

HJ