Meridian Washes Photoset • gummo • 2015-04-05 • HikeArizona.COM

Meridian Washes, AZ

	2015-04-05
	8 by gummo

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Meridian Washes

Phoenix, AZ

Meridian Washes

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking	0.50 Miles	100 AEG

Hiking	0.50 Miles
	100 ft AEG

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I was going to hike the Superstitions today, but I forgot that it was Easter and that Easter was Arizona's Unofficial Hiking Day.

So I was forced to hit the Meridian Washes and look for snakes, where it was less crowded.

Today was a great day for snakes. Right away, I saw a quick mid-sized coachwhip and was able to get some photos, but it was quick and the photos weren't so hot. Afterwards, I saw what I thought was a side-blotched lizard and was going to ignore it, but after a 2nd look, I discovered that it was a leopard lizard. :y:

This was only my 2nd leopard lizard that I've seen in AZ - the first one being only a few days ago. Leopard lizards are awesome because they don't always run away and this one was no exception. This fella stood its ground and was wiling to fight; thus it was relatively easy to catch. It did slip thru my hands tho and escape, but I did manage to get one decent pic.

Soon after I saw a long-nosed snakes, which acted like a ball python by rolling up in a ball and hiding its head. It seemed like it was tied up in a knot. The second long-nosed snake that I encountered did the same thing, but ended up showing its head upon handling.

I only saw 2 people on horseback and one lonely hiker. I was going to road cruise Route 88 because the weather was perfect for snakes, but there was a line of cars that stretched for miles, and it was not worth it.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Coachwhip Desert Spiny Lizard Long-nosed Leopard Lizard Long-nosed snake

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