Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Gila Monster


On the second of May I resumed my big adventure, this time I will be traveling for 3 months before returning to the LA area.  My first stop was the Katherine’s Landing near Bullhead City, AZ. It is part of the Lake Mead Recreation Area I had been to before. But this time I was at the lower end on the opposite shore.  It was really just a stop over point since I was not driving more than 5 hours at a stretch and this seemed like a good spot. 

I checked in at the ranger station and found learned of a good hiking and birding location called Grapevine Canyon where there also happened to be pictrogrylphs.  So off I went early in the morning.  As I was parking my camper I spotted a Galia Monster crossing the parking lot. I was so excited I almost couldn’t get my camera turned.  As it saw me approaching it began to move a little faster but I did manage to take 5 photos before it hid in the bush.

When I returned to the ranger station I told them about seeing it and they were so excited and then almost hugged me when I told them I had photos.  It seems it isn’t officially documented unless you have photos.  They informed me that it is a rare sighting and I was extremely lucky since no one has reported seeing one in that area for a couple of years.  I gave them copies of the photos that were sent to the state biologist and now it is all official. I was glad to help.
I saw a few other lizards but I will save those for a later blog. But I do want to share the butterflies I found and oh yes the pictogrylphs.

I don’t know much about these butterflies but they are beautiful.


California Patch (Chlosyne californica)

Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)    Isn’t this one beautiful and large for a hairstreak.

Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)

Gray Hairstrek (Strymon melinus)

5 comments:

Cindy said...

Wow, I had no idea Gila monsters were so uncommon. You really lucked out. Safe travels. Looking forward to your future posts.

Potomac Valley Nature Writing Group Reading List said...

Wow, love the butterflies, esp that large photo. I'm thinking the gila monster may be one of your totem animals! Wish I had been there!

Potomac Valley Nature Writing Group Reading List said...

Wow, love the butterflies! Esp that large photo. I'm thinking the Gila must be one of your totem animals! Wish I had been there!

Lacebug Lady said...

Way to go! and those butterflies...so amazing...wish I could see them. Best wishes with the rest of your journey. Safe travels.
Lacebug.

Lacebug Lady said...

Way to go! With the gila monster! And those butterflies...so amazing...wish I could see them.
Best wishes on the rest of your journey. Safe travels. Lacebug lady.