Critters

On the way through Titus Canyon I ran into this ornery critter. It was stretched out across the road sunning and I tried to coax it out of harms way. This only made it mad and it coiled up and started hissing.

Anybody know what type of snake this is?

(Nikon D60, ISO 110, 70 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec)
(Nikon D60, ISO 200, 2`0 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec)
Later I ran into a rather fat Desert Igauna that liked to pose for the camera.

(Nikon D60, ISO 200, 210 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec)
(Nikon D60, ISO 200, 210 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec)
The pupfish of Salt Creek seemed to be thriving. (If it can be considered thriving when your entire habitat consists of a single, small creek.) The males were vigorously defending the better nesting sites in the shallow water.

(Nikon D60, ISO 200, 70 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec)
(Nikon D60, ISO 200, 210 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec)
Finally on Dante's Peek I ran into a horned lizard that mugged for the camera. I didn't have my long lens with me and was surprised when it let me get about two feet away for this shot. Enough was enough when the next camera showed up and the lizard skittered away into the nearby shrubs.

(Nikon D60, ISO 200, 70 mm, f/5, 1/400 sec)
It was a good weekend in Death Valley and I haven't even gotten to the wildflowers yet. :^)