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10-May-08, 07:34 PM
|  | Subscriber | Join Date: Aug-06 Location: Wollongong | | | pics from Hamelin Pool (Shark Bay), WA
Hamelin Pool is located at the southern end of Shark Bay and is not far west of the Coastal Highway. This site is best known for its stromatolites. These formations vaguely resemble coral but are produced by cyanobacteria. They are thought to be one of the earliest forms of life and were known only as fossils until their discovery at Hamelin Pool in the 1950s.
Stromatolites:   
The habitat around Hamelin Pool was dry and badly overgrazed by feral goats. I saw very few diurnal lizards at all since there seemed to be little cover. 
Nocturnal reptile activity was excellent with many species of geckos and a few snakes.
This was the only Beaked Gecko ( Rhynchoedura ornata) that I found in Western Australia. 
Beautiful ( Diplodactylus pulcher) or Kluge's Geckos ( D. klugei) from Hamelin Pool were variable in pattern. Some had a continuous dorsal stripe like those from Monkey Mia: 
... The dorsal stipe of others was broken. This one had almost baby bird-like jaws: 
... others had a more saddled appearance although the saddles were connected. 
... Others were saddled. These were nice looking geckos. I believe that both Beautiful and Kluge's Geckos are termite specialists.  
I found the first of what I believe to be Diplodactylus squarrosus near Hamelin Pool. This was another nicely marked gecko.  
I saw a few of these of these Prickly Geckos ( Heteronotia binoei) when I went for a night walk around the campground at Hamelin Pool.  
The owners of the caravan park where we stayed told me of a "red" lizard that visited the telephone box each evening. I checked it soon after dusk and found this fearless Broad-banded Sand-swimmer ( Eremiascincus richardsonii). It dined on beetles that were attracted by the light. What a gorgeous lizard!      
I found two Western Hooded Scaly-foot ( Pygopus nigreceps):  
I found a single baby Stimson's Python ( Antaresia stimsoni) not far from the campground. 
This Ringed Brown Snake ( Pseudonaja modesta) was drably marked when compared with those that I have seen at Gundabooka NP, NSW.   
... DOR Gwardar ( Pseudonaja nuchalis). I saw a live one about the same size as this road-killed snake. I tried to take a photo but it crawled off at high speed while holding its head elevated and ready to strike. 
The only diurnal reptile that I found was Lozenge-marked Dragon ( Ctenophorus scutulatus).
Regards,
David
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10-May-08, 07:36 PM
|  | slimin about! Subscriber | Join Date: Aug-06 Location: Cairns | | | |
A W E S O M E !!!
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10-May-08, 07:43 PM
|  | Regular Member | Join Date: Dec-04 Location: Melbs Age/Gender: 22  | | | |
Wow, how bizarre are those formations! Beautiful crystal blue water though..
The gecks sandswimmer and stimmy are amazing!! Thanks for sharing the awesome pics such a vast variety of gorgeous herps over in WA, want to visit soon!!
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10-May-08, 07:43 PM
|  | Subscriber | Join Date: Apr-07 Location: enmore Age/Gender: 27 | | | |
i miss west oz sometimes, you really captured those times. thanks for the pics.
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10-May-08, 07:51 PM
|  | Regular Member | Join Date: Jul-06 Location: Hazzardous area Gender:  | | | |
Thankyou Moloch for again an inspiring thread. I am planning a trip to WA late in the year providing my host can stay sober for some of the trip! Hey UNO!
They are stunning shots and the geckoes are amazing!
Cheers again!
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10-May-08, 07:52 PM
|  | Subscriber | Join Date: Oct-05 Location: QLD Gender: | | | |
great gecko's, love it when you post field trip pics
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10-May-08, 08:09 PM
|  | +Timmo+ Subscriber | Join Date: Dec-07 Location: NSW Age/Gender: 13 | | | | awsome pics especially the gexs.
__________________ 2 Angle Headed Dragons And some offer boring Herps. |
10-May-08, 10:14 PM
|  | Field Herper! Subscriber | Join Date: Dec-06 Location: Mid North Coast, NSW Age/Gender: 15 | | | |
awsome pics, that sandswimmer is nice
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11-May-08, 11:09 AM
| | Subscriber | Join Date: Aug-06 Location: Wollongong | | |
Thanks for the compliments.
Renagade,
I can see why you miss the west. I commuted to Perth for work on a BHP project about 10 years ago. I loved the city and surrounding areas and always enjoy returning for another visit. Kings Park is amazing -- such lovely bushland right next to the CBD. For floral, the west just cannot be beaten by any other place in Australia.
Regards,
David
... another Beautiful/Kluge's Gecko: 
... Diplodactylus squarrosus:  |
11-May-08, 01:35 PM
|  | Q Dog Subscriber | Join Date: Dec-06 Location: Redlands, SE Qld Gender: | | | |
Great photos Moloch, seems like a successful herping trip.
Thanks for sharing them.
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11-May-08, 08:01 PM
|  | O.o°•Sunshine•° o.O Subscriber | Join Date: May-07 Location: Boronia Park,Sydney 2110 Gender: | | |
Moloch , i am gobsmacked  I always look forward to seeing your threads about your Herping trips =]
How many places have you been to? You have to take meeeeeeee 
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12-May-08, 03:59 PM
| | Subscriber | Join Date: Aug-06 Location: Wollongong | | | |
Thanks, Nikki and MrMikk,
Nikki,
I have visited quite a few places in the last 3 years since returning to "field herping". Most of my trips have been to WA, QLD or NSW. I will post photos from these over the next few months.
Regards,
David
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12-May-08, 04:59 PM
|  | Regular Member | Join Date: Jul-07 Gender: | | | |
Hey Moloch you certainly get around to some fabulous places! Thanks for another thread of great pics - that sandswimmer is beautiful!! Look forward to your next thread.
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13-May-08, 12:11 PM
|  | Regular Member | Join Date: Jan-06 Location: Vic Gender: | | |
Wow! You got some great feeding shots of that sand swimmer  |
26-May-08, 05:04 PM
|  | Regular Member | Join Date: Oct-04 Location: Western Sydney | | | |
Far out... amazing photos. I love your threads David!
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