California, May 2022
In late May of 2022, I made a trip out to California. For a few days,
I explored around the desert, mostly by myself. I did also meet a couple
of friends. Then Roxanne and Ryan came out and we drove up to Ridgecrest
to stay with my parents.
![](magister_15may22b.jpg)
Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus uniformis),
way up in a Joshua Tree.
![](pyrrhus_16may22b.jpg)
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus pyrrhus).
I was very happy to see this species -- I had not seen one in California
since I moved out of the state (1994).
![](sidewinder_16may22b.jpg)
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes). I followed its tracks in the sand
to a hole. Peering into the hole, I could see the snake.
![](hornyliz_17may22b.jpg)
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), as found.
![](whiptail_17may22b.jpg)
Great Basin Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris tigris).
Leopard Lizards (Gambelia wislizenii) are one of my favorites
and I am glad that I saw several. I was hoping for a gravid female with the
orange colors, but that didn't pan out.
![](leopard_18may22_1b.jpg)
Leopard Lizard.
![](leopard_18may22_2b.jpg)
A closer look.
![](leopard_18may22_3b.jpg)
Another Leopard Lizard.
![](leopard_18may22_4b.jpg)
Another look.
![](leopard_18may22_5b.jpg)
Another Leopard lizard.
![](leopard_19may22b.jpg)
This Leopard Lizard had just emerged from its burrow in the morning to bask.
I spent some time looking for Mojave fringe-toed lizards while in California.
They require sandy areas.
![](scoparia_18may22_1b.jpg)
Mojave fringe-toed lizard (Uma scoparia).
![](scoparia_19may22_1b.jpg)
Mojave fringe-toed lizard (Uma scoparia).
![](scoparia_19may22_2b.jpg)
Another look at the same lizard.
![](sign_19may22b.jpg)
I guess this is a “good sign” when one is looking for
fringe-toed lizards.
![](scoparia_20may22_2b.jpg)
Mojave fringe-toed lizard (Uma scoparia).
![](scoparia_20may22_3b.jpg)
Mojave fringe-toed lizard (Uma scoparia).
![](owens_16may22b.jpg)
Owens Peak “peaking” around Laurel Mountain.
It was great to see my parents.
![](family_23may22_1b.jpg)
Mom, Dad, Rox, Ryan.
![](family_23may22_2b.jpg)
Dad, Mom, Carl, Ryan.
![](family_23may22_3b.jpg)
Mom, Dad.
![](shovelnose_21may22_1b.jpg)
Mojave Shovel-nosed Snake (Chionactis occipitalis).
![](shovelnose_21may22_2b.jpg)
Ventral view of the shovelnose.
One day I hiked up to the top of Argus Peak. I have now been to the top of all
of the high points around Ridgecrest.
![](argus_32_22may22_1b.jpg)
Looking down Homewood Canyon from where I parked.
![](argus_22may22_2b.jpg)
Looking up at Argus Peak from a saddle between Homewood Canyon and Crow Canyon.
![](argus_22may22_3b.jpg)
Looking down at the Great Falls Basin.
![](argus_22may22_4b.jpg)
Looking down at the Great Falls Basin.
![](argus_22may22_5b.jpg)
Almost there. A saddle just below the peak.
There had been a fire here recently.
![](desert-mariposa-lily_22may22b.jpg)
A flower found in the saddle. I recognized it as being the one of the cover
of the “White-Inyo Range” natural history book. This turns out to
be the Desert Mariposa Lily (Calochortus kennedyi).
![](argus_22may22_6b.jpg)
At the summit.
![](scenery_222may22_1b.jpg)
Looking towards China Lake and Ridgecrest. It was very hazy in this direction.
I could just make out Armitage Field.
![](scenery_222may22_2b.jpg)
Looking out across the Slate Range and the Panamint Valley towards
Telescope Peak.
![](scenery_222may22_3b.jpg)
Looking down at Searles Valley.
![](scenery_222may22_4b.jpg)
Looking north towards Maturango Peak.
![](dipsosaurus_23may22b.jpg)
A Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis), about 15” long.
I was pleased to find that these magestic lizards are still thriving in the
larger vacant lots in Ridgecrest. Roxanne found a bunch while she was out for
a walk.
![](squirrel_23may22b.jpg)
A young White-tailed Antelope Squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus).
Roxanne found a discarded object that formed “playpen” area
where two of these young ground squirrels were frolicking around.
![](gopher_23may22_1b.jpg)
Great Basin Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola).
![](carl_23may22b.jpg)
Action shot.
![](longnose_23may22b.jpg)
Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei).
![](decurtatus_23may22b.jpg)
Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake (Phyllorhynchus decurtatus).
![](gopher_23may22_2b.jpg)
Great Basin Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola).
That's it for the trip. I look forward to the next visit.
Return to Carl's photos.