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Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Favorite Images of 2018

It is that time of the year to round up some of my favorite images taken in the year of 2018. Again, lots of herps (amphibians, reptiles) this year. Mostly with a wide angle lens and/or a 60mm macro lens.

Snakes

#1 Malayan Spinejaw Snake (Xenophidion schaeferi). This is probably the rarest snake in Peninsular Malaysia. The specific ephitet was in honour of Christian Schaefer - the herpetologist who found the holotype in 1988, and donated it to Zoological Museum, Berlin. Thirty years later, I found the third specimen while out looking for frogs with a guest! Peninsular Malaysia. This, of course, was the best find of 2018
Xenophidion schaeferi_MG_0876 copy

#2 Head shot of the same Malayan Spinejaw Snake (Xenophidion schaeferi).
Xenophidion schaeferi_MG_0804 copy

#3 A beautiful Western Bush Viper (Atheris chlorechis) we spotted late one night on our last day in Ghana back in August 2018.
Atheris chlorechis_MG_3237 copy

#4 Female Bornean Keeled Pitviper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus) from Sarawak, Borneo.
Tropidolaemus subannulatus_MG_9715 copy

#5 Blue Coral Snake (Calliophis bivirgatus tetrataenia). Lowland forest of Sarawak, Borneo.
Calliophis bivirgatus_MG_2646 copy

#6 Up close with a Gold-ringed Cat Snake / Mangrove Cat Snake (Boiga dendrophila) from the lowland forest of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia.
Boiga dendrophila_MG_1221 copy

#7 White-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga drapiezii) from the lowland forest of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. 
Boiga drapiezii_MG_1267 copy

#8 Beautiful salmon pink Pale-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga drapiezii) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Boiga drapiezii_MG_9678 copy

#9 Adult female Wagler's Pit Viper (Tropidolaemus wagleri) from Sumatra, Indonesia.
Tropidolaemus wagleri_MG_2352 copy

#10 Up close with a stunning Gold-ringed Cat Snake (Boiga dendrophila annectens) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Boiga dendrophila_MG_3723 copy

#11 Red-headed Krait (Bungarus flaviceps baluensis) from Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Bungarus flaviceps_MG_1602 copy

#12 Speckle-bellied Keelback (Rhabdophis chrysargos) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Rhabdophis chrysargos_MG_3849 copy

#13 Beautiful little Striped Coral Snake (Calliophis intestinalis) from the lowland forest of Sarawak. 
Calliophis intestinalis_MG_1717 copy

#14 Up close with a Red-tailed Racer / Grey-tailed Racer (Gonyosoma oxycephalum) from the lowland forest of Peninsular Malaysia.
Gonyosoma oxycephalum_MG_1169 copy

#15 The same Red-tailed Racer / Grey-tailed Racer (Gonyosoma oxycephalum) from the lowland forest of Peninsular Malaysia.
Gonyosoma oxycephalum_MG_1164 copy

#16 Up close with a beautiful melanistic  Dog-toothed Cat Snake (Boiga cynodon) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Boiga cynodon_MG_2568 copy

#17 Bornean Leaf-nosed Pit Viper (Trimeresurus borneensis) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Trimeresurus borneensis_MG_3796 copy

#18 Up close with a Borneo Pit Viper (Trimeresurus borneensis) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. 
Trimeresurus borneensis_MG_1585 copy

#19 Cute little juvenile Malcolm's Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malcolmi) spotted by Bjorn Lardner. Montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Trimeresurus malcolmi_MG_3599 copy

#20 Up close with a stunningly beautiful Malcolm's Pitviper (Trimeresurus malcolmi) from the montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Trimeresurus malcolmi_MG_9944 copy (2)

#21 Up close with a stunningly beautiful Malcolm's Pitviper (Trimeresurus malcolmi) from the montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Trimeresurus malcolmi_MG_9955 copy

#22 Up close with a juvenile Sumatran Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sumatranus) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. 
Trimeresurus sumatranus_MG_3534 copy

#23 Juvenile Sumatran Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sumatranus) we found back in June 2018, lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Trimeresurus sumatranus_MG_1344 copy

#24 Sumatran Pitviper (Trimeresurus sumatranus / Parias sumatranus) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Trimeresurus sumatranus_MG_0115 copy

#25 Spotted Blind Snake (Afrotyphlops punctatus?) from lowland forest near Kubease, Ghana. August 2018.
Afrotyphlops punctatus?_MG_2864 copy

#26 Ball Python (Python regius) from Ghana.
Python regius_MG_2726 copy

#27 Beautiful little Speckle-headed Whip Snake (Ahaetulla fasciolata) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Ahaetulla fasciolata_MG_2667 copy

#28 Chequer-bellied Keelback / Sarawak Keelback (Amphiesma sarawacense / Hebius sarawacense) from the montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Hebius sarawacense_MG_0500 copy

#29 Up close with a dark form ( melanistic) Dog-tooted Cat Snake (Boiga cynodon) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Boiga cynodon_MG_0360 copy

#30 Orangeneck Keelback / Yellow-headed Keelback (Macropisthodon flaviceps) from near Medan, Sumatra. Big, docile beauty. Didn't try to bite nor escape.
Macropisthodon flaviceps_MG_2375 copy

#31 A lovely Specklebelly Keelback (Rhabdophis chrysargos) that crossed our path one morning at the highland of Pahang.
Rhabdophis chrysargos_MG_0955 copy (2)

#32 Kopstein's Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis kopsteini) from the lowland forest of Peninsular Malaysia.
Dendrelaphis kopsteini_MG_1012 copy

#33 Barred Bronzeback / Cohn's Bronzeback / Banded Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis striatus). Lowland forest of Peninsular Malaysia. Took me 8 years to find my second one! First one was shot with an MPE65. Head shot only 
Dendrelaphis striatus_MG_1058 copy

#34 Lovely Pink-headed Reed Snake (Calamaria schlegeli) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Borneo.
Calamaria schlegeli_MG_1971 copy

#35 Cute little Keeled Snail-eating Snake (Pareas carinatus) from Sumatra, Indonesia. 
Pareas carinatus_MG_2131 copy

#36 Spotted Snail-eating Snake (Pareas margaritophorus), Sumatra, Indonesia.
Pareas margaritophorus_MG_2179 copy

#37 Neonate Keel-bellied Whip Snake / Brown Whip Snake (Dryophiops rubescens) from the lowland forest of Sumatra, Indonesia. 
Dryophiops rubescens_MG_2237 copy

#38 Sabah Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sabahi sabahi) from the montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Trimeresurus sabahi_MG_1638 copy

#39 Up close with a Sabah Pitviper (Trimeresurus sabahi) from the montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Trimeresurus sabahi_MG_0523 copy

#40 Up close with a beautiful female Siamese Peninsular Pitviper (Trimeresurus fucatus) from the highland of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.
Trimeresurus fucatus_MG_0748 copy

#41 Up close with a Siamese Peninsular PitViper (Trimeresurus fucatus) from the highland of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.
Trimeresurus fucatus_MG_0926 copy

#42 Dark-headed Cat Snake (Boiga nigriceps) from Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.
Boiga nigriceps_MG_0556 copy

#43 A nice looking Asian Vine Snake (Ahaetulla prasina) with unusual coloration, Peninsular Malaysia.
Ahaetulla prasina_MG_0635 copy

#44 Dorsal view of a Mountain Pipe Snake (Anomochilus monticola). Montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. 
Anomochilus monticola_MG_0470 copy

#45 Large-eyed Water Snake / Spotted Keelback (Xenochrophis maculatus) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Xenochrophis maculatus_MG_9544 copy

#46 A beautiful little juvenile female Wagler's Pitviper (Tropidolaemus wagleri) we found a couple of nights ago, lowland forest of Peninsula Malaysia.
Tropidolaemus wagleri_MG_9469 copy

#47 Female Hagen's Pitviper (Trimeresurus hageni) from the lowland forest of Selangor, Peninsula Malaysia.
Trimeresurus hageni_MG_9441 copy

#48 A juvenile Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) I found one night in the lowland forest of Peninsular Malaysia. Approximately 2 feet long.
Python reticulatus_MG_9410 copy

#49 Dusky Mock Viper / Common Mock Viper (Psammodynastes pulverulentus) from Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. 
Psammodynastes pulverulentus_MG_0323 copy

#50 Cute little Ring-necked Litter Snake (Pseudorabdion albonuchalis) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Pseudorabdion albonuchalis_MG_0126 copy

#51 Striped Dwarf Treesnake (Dryocalamus tristrigatus) from the montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Dryocalamus tristrigatus_MG_0433 copy

#52 Smooth Snail-eating Snake (Asthenodipsas laeavis) from the highland of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Asthenodipsas laevis_MG_1666 copy

Lizards

#53 Doria's Anglehead Lizard (Gonocephalus doriae) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Probably my most favorite lizard in Malaysian Borneo.
Gonocephalus doriae_MG_2613 copy

#54 Check out the amazing markings on the patagium of this Five-banded Gliding Lizard (Draco quinquefasciatus). Lowland forest, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Draco quinquefasciatus_MG_0230 copy

#55 Borneo Bow-fingered Gecko (Cyrtodactylus malayanus) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Cyrtodactylus malayanus_MG_1939 copy

#56 Banded Leaf-toed Gecko (Hemidactylus fasciatus)?, Kubease, Ghana.
Hemidactylus fasciatus_MG_2799 copy

#57 Baby Dwarf Crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetrapis) we found in a marsh pond up on a hill in Ghana, August 2018. They're just so cute!
Osteolaemus tetrapis_MG_3038 copy

#58 Baby Dwarf Crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetrapis) we found in a marsh pond up on a hill in Ghana, August 2018. They're just socute!
Osteolaemus tetrapis_MG_3026 copy

#59 Up close with an adult Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetrapis) from Ghana. We found two adults and many cute juveniles in Ghana back in August 2018.
Osteolaemus tetrapis_MG_2851 copy

#60 Malayan Mountain Horned Agamid / Titiwangsa Horned Tree Lizard (Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis. Highland of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.
Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis_MG_0888 copy

#61 Up close with a Sabah Flying Gecko (Ptychozoon rhacophorus) from the highland of Sabah, Borneo.
Ptychozoon rhacophorus_MG_1616 copy

#62 The same  Sabah Flying Gecko (Ptychozoon rhacophorus)
Ptychozoon rhacophorus_MG_1626 copy


#63 Boulenger's Tree Agama (Dendragama boulengeri) from the highland of Sumatra, Indonesia. 
Dendragama boulengeri_MG_2402 copy (2)

#64 Up close with a Blue-eyed Anglehead Lizard (Gonocephalus liogaster) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Borneo.
Gonocephalus liogaster_MG_1995 copy

#65 My new favorite lizard in Borneo - Doria's Anglehead Lizard (Gonocephalus doriae)  , Sarawak, Borneo.
Gonocephalus doriae_MG_1856 copy (2)

#66 Cat Gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Aeluroscalabotes felinus_MG_9782 copy

Amphibians

#67 A male Smooth Guardian Frog (Limnonectes palavanensis) with tadpoles on his back. Lowland forest of Sarawak, Borneo.
Limnonectes palavanensis_MG_1985 copy

#68 A pair of File-eared Tree Frogs (Polypedates otilophus) in amplexus. Lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Polypedates otilophus_MG_3868 copy

#69 Malaya Bug-eyed Frog (Theloderma leprosum) from the highland of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. Probably the most elusive of all the Thelodermids in Malaysia.
Theloderma leprosum_MG_3442 copy

#70 This should be quite an easy "spot me" challenge. Go ahead! Peninsular Malaysia. If you can't find it, you can cheat by looking at the other 3 photos.
Spot Me_MG_3332 copy

#71 One of the many lovely frogs we came across in the forest of Ghana. Kassina arboricola. August, 2018, Kyebi, Ghana. 
Kassina arboricola_MG_3049 copy

#72 Kobayashi's Horned Frog (Megophrys kobayashii) from the montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Megophrys kobayashii_MG_9917 copy

#73 Malayan Horned Frog / Bornean Horned Frog / Malayan Leaf Frog (Megophrys nasuta) in amplexus, lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Megophrys nasuta_MG_2670 copy

#74 Sticky Frog (Kalophrynus sp.) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Kalophrynus sp._MG_2590 copy

#75 Lesser Bornean Narrow-mouthed Frog (Microhyla borneensis) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Microhyla borneensis_MG_2035 copy

#76 Black-spotted Rock Skipper (Staurois guttatus) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Staurois guttatus_MG_2000 copy

#77 Green-spotted Rock Skipper (Staurois tuberilinguis) and a bonus in-flight insect! Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Staurois tuberilinguis_MG_0456 copy

#78 Nyctixalus sp. from the montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Nyctixalus sp._MG_0445 copy

#79 Borneo Flying Frog (Rhacophorus borneensis) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Borneo.
Rhacophorus borneensis_MG_1768 copy

#80 Sticky Frog (Kalophrynus kiewi?) from the lowland forest of Peninsular Malaysia.
Kalophrynus kiewi_MG_1272 copy

#81 Mossy Bush Frog (Philautus macroscelis) from the montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. 
Philautus macroscelis_MG_0485 copy

#82 Collett's Tree Frog (Polypedates colletti) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Polypedates colletti_MG_9528 copy

#83 Eyes Eyes Baby. The eye of a Poisonous Rock Frog / Hose's Frog (Odorrana hosii), from Peninsular Malaysia.
Odorrana hosii_MG_0730 copy


Lepidoptera

#84 A gorgeous female Malaysian Moon Moth (Actias maenas) i spotted a few nights ago in a lowland forest, Peninsular Malaysia.
_MG_1105 copy


#85 The African Brahmaeidae, Dactylocerus lucina. Ghana, August 2018.
Dactylocerus lucina_MG_3007 copy

#86 Mimetic Swallowtail (Papilio cynorta) - ID suggested by Oskar Brattstrom.. Ghana, August 2018.
Papilio cynorta_MG_3186 copy

Orthoptera

#87 Beautiful katydid (Plastocorypha vandicana?) we found while herping in the lowland forest near Kubease, Ghana, August 2018. 
Plastocorypha vandicana_MG_2856 copy

#88 Dragon-head Katydid (Ellatodon blanchardi) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. 
Ellatodon blanchardi_MG_0266 copy

Arachnida

#89 Bird Dung Spider from Kubease, Ghana, August 2018.Probably Phrynarachne rubroperlata - suggested by Miguel Machado 
Phrynarachne rubroperlata_MG_3198 copy

#90 Barylestis sp. Huntsman Spider, Ghana.
Barylestis sp._MG_2824 copy

#91 While out looking for herps, we found a few Feather leg baboon Tarantula (Stromatopelma calceatum). This one was a female. Kubease, Ghana.
Stromatopelma calceatum_MG_2820 copy

#92 Spiny Orb-weaver, Gasteracantha sp. from Kubease, Ghana. August 2018.
Gasteracantha sp._MG_2765 copy


Others

#93 Amazing Dead Leaf Mantis (Deroplatys dessiccata) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
Deroplatys dessiccata_MG_3631 copy

#94 Longhorn beetle from Ghana, August 2018. Ommatomenus longipennis (Hope, 1843) 
Ommatomenus longipennis_MG_3182 copy


#95 Bark Mantis, likely Theopompella sp., maybe T. aurivilli. Kubease, Ghana, August 2018.
Theopompella sp._MG_2816 copy

#96 A lovely mantis I found at the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Female Humbertiella ocularis.
Humbertiella ocularis_MG_1772 copy

#97 Impressed Tortoise (Manuoria impressa) we found at the highland of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. There were many ticks on him/her.
Manouria impressa_MG_0917 copy

#98 Stick Insect (Diesbachia sophiae) from the lowland forest of Poring, Sabah (Borneo).
Diesbachia sophiae_MG_9802 copy

#99 Velvet Worm. Either Eoperipatus sp. or Typhloperipatus sp., from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Velvet Worm_MG_2636 copy

#100 A mating pair of stick insects (Haaniella sp.) from the lowland forest of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Haaniella sp._MG_9539 copy


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12 comments:

  1. Great photos! I've actually been to both the countries you've mentioned and didn't see nearly this biodiversity you've photographed.. I must go back!

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