Cave Photography and Horny Toad

Well, Jon, his wife Kristi, and a former student of mine Andy went out photographing caves again yesterday. Just when I think I'm finished with this project we find more and better caves. They are really remarkable, and they exist in such a bleak landscape. Anyway, we found a cave that is over a mile long with several side chambers and multiple openings. Bats seem to be attracted to our lights, or our heat, or our carbon dioxide or something. They fly straight at you and turn away at the last second and I scream like a little girl. It was really great yesterday being with friends and experiencing this place. Here's a photograph of Jon and Andy photographing the cave entrance at sunset.

Jon and Andy Photographing at Sunset

The plants and animals associated with the caves are pretty interesting. There are ferns, raspberry bushes, small aspens, moss, mushrooms, stinging nettle, and other plants I don't know at the entrances to these caves. This is quite a contrast to the surrounding landscape of sage, grass, and prickly pear cactus. There are also pack rats, bats, sage grouse, cliff swallows, numerous sparrows, hawks, weasels, butterflies, moths,and gopher snakes among other animals. Those of you that know me know of my interest in, fascination of, and obsession with reptiles, especially when I was younger. Anyway, I keep hoping to find a rattlesnake out near the caves, but we haven't yet. I did, however find a Short-horned Lizard (horny toad) out there yesterday. This is the first one I've ever seen, even though they are quite common. Here's a link about Short-horned Lizards. Anyway enjoy this image I've rambled on enough.

Short-horned Lizard in my Hand