Thanks, Dennis. It takes a lot of patience to get them to pose!

Thank you, Paul.

since I last posted!

Sabah Earless Toad (Sabahphrynus maculatus) from the highland of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48542564646_cfb3672aba_b.jpgSabahphrynus maculatus_MG_5835 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Longhorn Beetle, Rhaphipodus sp., probably Rhaphipodus bonni, māle, from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48355766951_e339fd31cb_b.jpgRhaphipodus bonni_MG_5667 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Male Sabah Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sabahi) from the highlands of Tawau, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48394292952_cce9854e22_b.jpgTrimeresurus sabahi_MG_5818 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr]

Dusky Wolf Snake / Dark Wolf Snake (Lepturophis albofucus / Lycodon albofuscus) from the lowland forest of Kedah, West Malaysia.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48297961491_dbca2481bd_b.jpgLycodon albofuscus_MG_5492 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Black-headed Cat Snake / Pale-headed Cat Snake (Boiga nigriceps) from the lowland forest of Negeri Sembilan, West Malaysia.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48288719122_4622c5e417_b.jpgBoiga nigriceps_MG_5433 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Up close with a Dog-toothed Cat Snake (Boiga cynodon) from the lowland forest of Negeri Sembilan, West Malaysia.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48263887076_d160224b96_b.jpgBoiga cynodon_MG_5459 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Beautiful little Gold-ringed Cat Snake (Boiga dendrophila) from the lowland forest of Kedah, West Malaysia.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48248061541_81fb2f05c5_b.jpgBoiga dendrophila_MG_5065 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Jasper's Cat Snake (Boiga jaspidea).Probably one of the most beautiful cat snakes out there. Pahang, West Malaysia.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48239408956_9dd40b20c9_b.jpgBoiga jaspidea_MG_5373 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Thanks for looking and commenting, Brenda, NJFrank, sippyjug104, randave2001, Retired CPO, Bmac, Mark Sturtevant. Much appreciated.

Thank you!

Thanks, Ron. You'll never guess that I only started herping and photographing snakes 5 years ago. Prior to that, I was extremely terrified of snakes!!! :D

Thanks!

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.

Here are just eight of them. More of them (92 more!) here: http://orionmystery.blogspot.com/2019/01/favorite-images-of-2018.html

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.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7893/32570401458_67e3a3c1c0_b.jpgXenophidion schaeferi_MG_0876 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

A beautiful Western Bush Viper (Atheris chlorechis) we spotted late one night on our last day in Ghana back in August 2018.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1974/43734726480_4d07ab6362_b.jpgAtheris chlorechis_MG_3237 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Up close with a Red-tailed Racer / Grey-tailed Racer (Gonyosoma oxycephalum) from the lowland forest of Peninsular Malaysia.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1787/43252202851_2f6d8f832a_b.jpgGonyosoma oxycephalum_MG_1169 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Up close with a dark form ( melanistic) Dog-tooted Cat Snake (Boiga cynodon) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/878/40911582044_630fb58cce_b.jpgBoiga cynodon_MG_0360 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Dragon-head Katydid (Ellatodon blanchardi) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/897/39838416280_3713dd5770_b.jpgEllatodon blanchardi_MG_0266 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Up close with a Gold-ringed Cat Snake / Mangrove Cat Snake (Boiga dendrophila) from the lowland forest of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/919/43402990031_ba694a933a_b.jpgBoiga dendrophila_MG_1221 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

My new favorite lizard in Borneo - Doria's Anglehead Lizard (Gonocephalus doriae) , Sarawak, Borneo.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/29259734417_1bcf7d25e7_b.jpgGonocephalus doriae_MG_1856 copy (2) by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Baby Dwarf Crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetrapis) we found in a marsh pond up on a hill in Ghana, August 2018. They're just so cute!
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1934/45515020421_725be1bcf6_b.jpgOsteolaemus tetrapis_MG_3038 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Thanks for looking and commenting.

So everyone spotted the subject in #5? Not the cricket!

Malaya Bug-eyed Frog (Theloderma leprosum) from the highland of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. Probably the most elusive of all the Thelodermids in Malaysia.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4914/45411181715_d00d4ec1bb_o.jpgTheloderma leprosum_MG_3413 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

A pair of File-eared Tree Frogs (Polypedates otilophus) in amplexus. Lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4843/46261882382_11c7de5cc8_o.jpgPolypedates otilophus_MG_3868 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

One of the coolest geckos in Malaysia - Kuhl's Flying Gecko (Ptychozoon kuhlii). Lowland forest of Peninsular Malaysia.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4910/46248951452_148f0bd9a2_o.jpgPtychozoon kuhli_MG_1203 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Up close with a juvenile Sumatran Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sumatranus) from the lowland forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4862/32415438808_f4f185fe59_o.jpgTrimeresurus sumatranus_MG_3534 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

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 (on my Flickr)
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4814/32400415088_1a61aacf48_o.jpgSpot Me_MG_3332 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

The African Brahmaeidae, Dactylocerus lucina. Ghana, August 2018.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4886/45502938144_8e5bac1373_o.jpgDactylocerus lucina_MG_3007 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Bird Dung Spider from Kubease, Ghana, August 2018. Probably Phrynarachne rubroperlata - suggested by Miguel Machado
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4891/44396777670_4d20a14f12_o.jpgPhrynarachne rubroperlata_MG_3195 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Hyperolius sylvaticus frog from Ghana. August 2018.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4868/45463169264_617dfaf6a9_o.jpgHyperolius sylvaticus_MG_3100 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Ptychadena longirostris from near Kubease, Ghana. August 2018.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4858/31217866027_9c8f7444e8_o.jpgPtychadena longirostris_MG_2964 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Cute little juvenile Malcolm's Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malcolmi). Montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4822/45417171574_a0536c644b_o.jpgTrimeresurus malcolmi_MG_3599 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Cute little juvenile Malcolm's Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malcolmi). Montane forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4824/31201742467_ba53cf5174_o.jpgTrimeresurus malcolmi_MG_3590 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Spiny Orb-weaver, Gasteracantha sp. from Kubease, Ghana. August 2018.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4881/45202069425_2f07b764dd_o.jpgGasteracantha sp._MG_2759 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Black-necked Spitting Cobra (Naja nigricollis), Ghana, August 2018.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4836/45173829375_a2dc2a6c00_o.jpgNaja nigricollis_MG_3261 copy (2) by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Western Forest Centipede Eater (Aparallactus modestus), Kubease, Ghana. August 2018.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4862/44254981090_7dbd532374_o.jpgAparallactus modestus_MG_2933 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Beautiful katydid (Plastocorypha vandicana?) we found while herping in the lowland forest near Kubease, Ghana, August 2018.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4845/45332199024_638c51ba53_o.jpgPlastocorypha vandicana_MG_2856 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Gecko (Hemidactylus muriceus?) from Atewa Range, Ghana. August 2018.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4828/46024616851_423d703882_o.jpgHemidactylus muriceus_MG_3147 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Alan - Tamron 60 and Tokina 10-17.

A beautiful Western Bush Viper (Atheris chlorechis) we spotted late one night on our last day in Ghana back in August 2018.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1970/44637975925_04090594a1_o.jpgAtheris chlorechis_MG_3236 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1925/45501883772_823735f113_o.jpgAtheris chlorechis_MG_3207 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Spotted Blind Snake (Afrotyphlops punctatus?) from lowland forest near Kubease, Ghana. August 2018.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1930/43779914130_64c297ff45_o.jpgAfrotyphlops punctatus?_MG_2864 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

An adult male Siamese Peninsular Pit Viper (Trimeresurus fucatus), highland of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4863/31806865308_33b86961c0_o.jpgTrimeresurus fucatus_MG_3446 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

The eye of a Bell's Anglehead Lizard (Gonocephalus bellii). Peninsular Malaysia.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4870/45196732434_b8c2c7bd77_o.jpgGonocephalus bellii_MG_3388 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Adult male Wagler's Pit Viper (Tropidolaemus wagleri), Peninsular Malaysia.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4911/45855618272_530b65c397_o.jpgTropidolaemus wagleri_MG_3356 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

African Foam-nest Tree Frog (Chiromantis rufescens) - ID credit: Luke Verburght. August 2018, Ghana.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1980/45664297941_6c82568b51_o.jpgChiromantis rufescens_MG_2985 copy (2) by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Olive Grass Racer (Psammophis phillipsi)? Ghana, August 2018.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1943/44733718075_15df3bdf7d_o.jpgPsammophis phillipsi_MG_2730 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Thanks for looking and commenting, PCB_smv, Steve, Mark, jaydoc, joehel2

jaydoc - momma is not that big either! Here's a pic of momma

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1970/45492996011_2619ee9f30_o.jpgOsteolaemus tetrapis_MG_2827 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

I was in Ghana for a few days back in August 2018.

One of the many lovely frogs we came across in the forest of Ghana. This one is Cochran’s Running Frog (Kassina cochranae)? August, 2018, Kyebi, Ghana.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1956/45482488952_7724acb19f_o.jpgKassina cochranae_MG_3049 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Baby Dwarf Crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetrapis) we found in a marsh pond up on a hill in Ghana, August 2018. They're just so cute!
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1955/45464089442_112f9accf8_o.jpgOsteolaemus tetrapis_MG_3033 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1910/45515022561_57995693a0_o.jpgOsteolaemus tetrapis_MG_3026 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Bark Mantis, likely Theopompella sp., maybe T. aurivilli. Kubease, Ghana, August 2018.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1942/45363223831_ed5d47b9b2_o.jpgTheopompella sp._MG_2816 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

While out looking for herps, we found a few Feather leg baboon Tarantula (Stromatopelma calceatum). This one was a female. Kubease, Ghana.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1978/43518929640_678cd57786_o.jpgStromatopelma calceatum_MG_2820 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Male of the same species! They look totally different!
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1935/43518931100_0cf7dfb9c0_o.jpgStromatopelma calceatum_MG_2806 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Ball Python (Python regius) from Ghana.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1917/30347499447_4122fb48c1_o.jpgPython regius_MG_2726 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr

Banded Leaf-toed Gecko (Hemidactylus fasciatus)?, Kubease, Ghana.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1912/45219599531_2dd685b679_o.jpgHemidactylus fasciatus_MG_2799 copy by Kurt (Orionmystery) G, on Flickr