It’s been a few months since I wrapped up my herping big year #HerpTX21 — a year that concluded with observing 178 species of Texas reptiles and amphibians. The transition from a period of frantic haphazard pursuits to one of calm reflection has been welcomed. I can’t believe the success I had and I am still in awe of Texas’ incredible wildlife diversity. Yes, it was a hell of an experience and one that provided a bunch of stories that I’m eager to share.
So, I thought I’d kick some post-Big Year blogging off with a Top 5 List.
This one will focus on My 5 Favorite Observations from #HerpTX21. This is a list that will emphasize the experience more so than the animals themselves. Let’s be real though, any of these critters would qualify to be included on a top 5 herps list and it just so happens that every one of them was a species I’d never seen before.
So, without further adieu, here we go with #5 through #3!
5. San Marcos Salamander – Eurycea nana
Central Texas supports an abundance of brook salamanders (Eurycea). Almost all of these species are limited to distinct subsets of springs and the groundwater systems (aquifers) that supply them. Although I spent nearly a decade living in San Marcos while pursuing my undergraduate and graduate degrees, I never once struck out to see our namesake endangered salamander. It took more than 15 years and this herping big year to finally correct my shortcoming.
The best part about this particular pursuit was that I was joined by my then 17-year-old son, Christian. Although he was too young to remember well, this is the river where Christian learned to swim. I can recall those days vividly – how we would admire the softshell turtles and night herons while passing leisure time swimming at Sewell Park. And here we were again, years later, about to jump into its crystal clear waters.
Fortunately, this late-December day was relatively warm (low 70s) when we mustered the courage to jump in. We waded upstream a little way before employing a snorkel and goggles to search for salamanders. I searched for about 20 minutes becoming increasingly discouraged before finally spotting a salamander. I was able to show Christian by letting this individual crawl into my cupped hands and then briefly bringing it above the surface. Christian smiled and congratulated me while making sure to grab a photo to mark the occasion.
This ended up being the final species I would add during my herping big year. I don’t think I could have scripted a better conclusion. To find this animal in this place with my son was meaningful. In more ways than even I appreciate, during those formative years, Christian helped me find the motivation I needed to get serious with school and discover the path that led me to where I am today. Thank you, son.
4. Reticulated Gecko – Coleonyx reticulatus
Reticulated Gecko is the larger, much rarer cousin to the common and more widely distributed Texas Banded Gecko (Coleonyx brevis). Reticulated geckos are extremely range-restricted in Texas and occur exclusively in the southern mountains of Brewster and Presidio Counties. This species is a field herping “grail species” of the Big Bend Region and one I’ve long wanted to see.
During the Fall of 2021, Erin and I were invited to join our friends with Fin and Fur Films for a week of herp-focused cinematography in the Big Bend Region. We recruited one of my best friends and fellow naturalist, Lee Kothmann, to the project. Each morning, the three of us would either assist the cinematographers with filming or go scouting for additional subjects in the surrounding mountains, desert, and grasslands. The days were long but that did not deter us from burning the candle at both ends. Each evening we would come together for some late-night road-cruising and road-cut shining where geckos linger.
It wasn’t until several of these long nights had passed – when the excitement had been replaced by indifference and enthusiasm by exhaustion – that I realized that Erin and Lee were there to support me and this big year effort as much as they were hoping to see rare geckos. They didn’t huff or push back when I’d stubbornly declare at 1:00 in the morning “Let’s check one more cut before calling it.” As I reflect on those nights, I understand it was hard on them. Supporting my manic pursuits only made our film project responsibilities more tiresome and difficult. I was asking for a selfish compromise and they lovingly obliged. Moments like these help me put things in perspective – the love and support of friends and family are sustaining gifts we shouldn’t take for granted.
Their support ultimately paid off as another murky twilight closed upon us. We were at the last possible spot on the last possible night of this week-long effort. We three sleep-deprived herping zombies were finally rewarded when I rolled over a road-side boulder at the foot of a cut and discovered a juvenile Reticulated Gecko. My patented “WOOO!!!” shattered the silence. Erin and Lee bolted over, Lee making sure I hadn’t hurt myself before realization set in and, we all enjoyed a few reenergized moments admiring this secretive grail species.
3. East Texas Salamanders – Ambystoma sp.
I’m going to lump a handful of related species here – Spotted (A. maculatum), Marbled (A. opacum), and Mole Salamanders (A. talpoideum). It is just too difficult to pick out a favorite and the circumstances around seeing them are completely intertwined.
All of these animals are restricted to the Piney Woods of East Texas – a region I’ve only recently become acquainted with. Besides their inherent beauty and charisma (well, maybe Mole Salamanders are more charming than beautiful), my fascination stems from their interesting natural history and limited range within Texas. These salamanders can be extremely tough to find. Your best shot is during breeding season – generally, fall to early spring – when heavy rains queue a frenzy of breeding activity. As wet season wetlands fill, dozens sometimes hundreds of salamanders will emerge from underground burrows and migrate across the forest floor in an effort to propagate the next generation.
Erin and I made our first trip in pursuit of these salamanders around the second week of January. Strong rains preceded us by just a couple of days but each intervening day decreased the likelihood of seeing salamanders. Luckily for us, we were meeting up with Matt Buckingham who knew just where we might find some lingering salamanders.
I’d been following Matt’s blog – Naturalist’s Journey – and Instagram account for a few years and had long hoped for a chance to ramble the Piney Woods with him. This trip ended up being the ticket and, especially fortunate for us, Matt brought his wife and lucky charm, Caro, which effectively guaranteed our success. I don’t know if it was the handful of salamanders we found, the shared enthusiasm for all things nature, or their deep understanding of natural history but it felt like reconnecting with old friends rather than our first time meeting. Matt ended up being a great thought partner, motivator, and resource throughout my big year effort and I’m exceedingly grateful for his and Caro’s friendship.
Needless to say, the trip was wildly successful. Erin and I saw just about everything we had hoped to see. In addition to introducing us to both the subtle and dramatic beauty of the Piney Woods, Matt also helped me get more familiar with my camera equipment. I think Matt’s openness and encouragement helped in other ways too – particularly in leaning on the community of field herpers and researchers, showing humility and appreciation to those from whom I hope to learn, and sharing joy in moments of discovery. This trip was easily one of the most memorable and meaningful during a year brimming full of them.
That’s enough reading for now but if you’re eager for more, I’ll be posting the exciting conclusion to My 5 Favorite Herping Finds of 2021 soon and will update this blog with a link as soon as it’s ready!