If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Dipodomys merriami (Merriam's Kangaroo Rat)

7/19/11 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Merriam's Kangaroo Rat

SPECIES: Dipodomys merriami

FAMILY: Heteromyidae (Kangaroo Rats & Pocket Mice)

LIFE LIST DATE7/19/11

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Pseudacris hypochondriaca (Pacific Tree Frog)

7/7/11 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Pacific Tree Frog

SPECIES: Pseudacris hypochondriaca

FAMILY: Hylidae (Tree Frogs)

LIFE LIST DATE7/7/11

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Latrodectus hesperus (Western Black Widow)

8/17/14 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Western Black Widow

SPECIES: Latrodectus hesperus

FAMILY: Theridiidae (Tangle Web Spiders)

LIFE LIST DATE: 8/17/14

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Monday, May 13, 2019

Bufo boreas (Western Toad)

 4/7/13 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

6/25/14 This one's a baby, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

10/15/06 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Western Toad

SPECIES: Bufo boreas

FAMILY: Bufonidae (True Toads)

LIFE LIST DATE10/15/06

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Neotoma macrotis (Big-Eared Woodrat)

2/17/14 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Big-Eared Woodrat

SPECIES: Neotoma macrotis

FAMILY: Cricetidae (Cricetids)

LIFE LIST DATE2/17/14

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Apodemia mormo (Mormon Metalmark)


8/13/10 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

6/3/01 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Mormon Metalmark

SPECIES: Apodemia mormo

FAMILY: Riodinidae (Metalmarks)

LIFE LIST DATE6/3/01

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Crotalus oreganus helleri (Southern Pacific Rattlesnake)

4/14/10 Baby rattler which we found on my strawberry plants in the garden,
Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

SPECIES: Crotalus oreganus helleri

FAMILY: Crotalidae (Pit Vipers)

LIFE LIST DATE4/4/10

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Erynnis funeralis (Funereal Duskywing)

7/31/10 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Funereal Duskywing

SPECIES: Erynnis funeralis

FAMILY: Hesperiidae (Skippers)

LIFE LIST DATE7/31/10

LOCATION: Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Callophrys augustinus (Brown Elfin)

1/30/11 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Brown Elfin

SPECIES: Callophrys augustinus

FAMILY: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Winged Butterflies)

LIFE LIST DATE1/30/11

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Papilio polyxenes coloro (Desert Black Swallowtail)

3/25/03 Teutonia Peak Trail, Cima Dome, Mojave National Preserve, 
Eastern Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Desert Black Swallowtail

SPECIES: Papilio polyxenes coloro

FAMILY: Papilionidae (Swallowtails)

LIFE LIST DATE3/25/03

LOCATION: Teutonia Peak Trail, Cima Dome, Mojave National Preserve, Eastern Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, CA

Papilio rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail)

7/31/10 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

8/13/09 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

 8/13/09 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Western Tiger Swallowtail

SPECIES: Papilio rutulus

FAMILY: Papilionidae (Swallowtails)

LIFE LIST DATE8/13/09

LOCATION: Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Colias eurydice (California Dogface)

1/16/11 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: California Dogface

SPECIES: Colias eurydice

FAMILY: Pieridae (Whites & Sulphurs)

LIFE LIST DATE1/11/16

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Aphonopelma reversum (California Tarantula)

4/17/10 Trans Preserve Trail, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve,
Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA


8/7/10 Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

8/12/07 Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: California Tarantula

SPECIES: Aphonopelma reversum 

FAMILY: Theraphosidae (Tarantulas)

LIFE LIST DATE8/12/07

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

Argiope argentata (Silver Orb Spider)

7/23/09 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Silver Orb Spider

SPECIES: Argiope argentata

FAMILY: Araneidae (Orb Weaver Spiders)

LIFE LIST DATE7/23/09

LOCATION: Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA. 

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Lytta magister (Desert Blister Beetle)

4/27/01 Trilobite Wilderness, Marble Mountains, E. Mojave, San Bernardino County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Desert Blister Beetle

SPECIES: Lytta magister

FAMILY: Meloidae (Blister Beetles)

LIFE LIST DATE4/27/01 

LOCATION: Trilobite Wilderness, Marble Mountains, E. Mojave, San Bernardino County, CA 

Hylephila phyleus (Fiery Skipper)

8/22/10 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Fiery Skipper

SPECIES: Hylephila phyleus

FAMILY: Hesperiidae (Skippers)

LIFE LIST DATE8/22/10

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

Satyrium saepium (Hedgerow Hairstreak)

5/31/10 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Hedgerow Hairstreak

SPECIES: Satyrium saepium

FAMILY: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Winged Butterflies)

LIFE LIST DATE: 5/31/10

LOCATION:  On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

Erynnis propertius (Propertius Duskywing)

4/2/10 Vista Grande Trail, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve,
Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Propertius Duskywing

SPECIES: Erynnis propertius

FAMILY: Hesperiidae (Skippers)

LIFE LIST DATE4/2/10

LOCATION: Vista Grande Trail, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

Heliopetes ericetorum (Northern White Skipper)

7/31/10 Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Northern White Skipper

SPECIES: Heliopetes ericetorum

FAMILY: Hesperiidae (Skippers)

LIFE LIST DATE7/31/10

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

Dymasia dymas (Tiny Checkerspot)

4/4/04 on Chuparosa, Joshua Tree National Park, Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Tiny Checkerspot

SPECIES: Dymasia dymas

FAMILY: Nymphalidae (Brush-Footed Butterflies)

LIFE LIST DATE4/4/04

LOCATION:  Joshua Tree National Park, Riverside County, CA

Leptotes marina (Marine Blue)

7/31/10 on Italian Oregano, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Marine Blue

SPECIES: Leptotes marina

FAMILY: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Winged Butterflies)

LIFE LIST DATE: 7/31/10

LOCATION:  On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

Hemiargus ceraunus (Ceraunus Blue)

5/24/03 Mid Hills, East Mojave, Mojave National Preserve, San Bernardino County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Ceraunus Blue

SPECIES: Hemiargus ceraunus

FAMILY: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Winged Butterflies)

LIFE LIST DATE5/24/03

LOCATION:  Mid Hills, East Mojave, Mojave National Preserve, San Bernardino County, CA

Nathalis iole (Dainty Sulphur)


5/24/03 Mid Hills, East Mojave, Mojave National Preserve, San Bernardino County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Dainty Sulphur

SPECIES: Nathalis iole

FAMILY: Pieridae (Whites & Sulphurs)

LIFE LIST DATE5/24/03

LOCATION:  Mid Hills, East Mojave, Mojave National Preserve, San Bernardino County, CA

Anthocharis sara (Sara Orangetip)

5/8/10 Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Sara Orangetip

SPECIES: Anthocharis sara

FAMILY: Pieridae (Whites & Sulphurs)

LIFE LIST DATE5/8/10

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

Pontia protodice (Checkered White)


8/1/10 Female Checkered White (Pontia protodice) on Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), 
Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

8/1/10 Male Checkered White (Pontia protodice) on Sticky Cinquefoil (Potentilla 
glandulosa), Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Checkered White

SPECIES: Pontia protodice

FAMILY: Pieridae (Whites & Sulphurs)

LIFE LIST DATE8/1/10

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak)

7/31/10 On blossoms of Apple Mint, Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, 
SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Gray Hairstreak

SPECIES: Strymon melinus

FAMILY: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Winged Butterflies)

LIFE LIST DATE7/31/10

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

Callophrys dumetorum (Bramble Green Hairstreak)


3/20/10 On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

3/20/10 On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

3/31/01 On our property, Kyle Ct., La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Bramble Green Hairstreak

SPECIES: Callophrys dumetorum

FAMILY: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Winged Butterflies)

LIFE LIST DATE3/31/01

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

Plebejus acmon (Acmon Blue)

7/31/10 On our property, Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 



5/2/10 On our property, Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Acmon Blue

SPECIESPlebejus acmon

FAMILY: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Winged Butterflies)

LIFE LIST DATE: 5/2/10

LOCATION: On our property, Kyle Court, La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Lycaena rubidus (Ruddy Copper)

7/9/07 Silver Lake (Kay's Silver Lake Resort), Hwy. 88, Carson Pass Rod., Central Sierras, Amador County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:


COMMON NAME: Ruddy Copper

SPECIESLycaena rubidus

FAMILY: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Winged Butterflies)

LIFE LIST DATE7/9/2007

LOCATION: Silver Lake (Kay's Silver Lake Resort), Hwy. 88, Carson Pass Rod., Central Sierras, Amador County, CA

Urocitellus beldingi (Belding's Ground Squirrel)

7/10/07 Virginia Lakes, Toiyabe National Forest, Eastern Sierras, Mono County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Belding's Ground Squirrel

SPECIESUrocitellus beldingi

FAMILY: Sciuridae 

LIFE LIST DATE7/10/2007

LOCATION: Virginia Lakes, Toiyabe National Forest, Eastern Sierras, Mono County, CA

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Ursinus americanus californiensis (California Black Bear)

7/8/07 Beaver Creek Picnic Area, South Grove, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Central Sierras, Calaveras County, CA 

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: California Black Bear 

SPECIES: Ursinus americanus californiensis

FAMILY: Ursidae

LIFE LIST DATE: 7/8/2007

LOCATION: Beaver Creek Picnic Area, South Grove, Calaveras Big Trees State park, Central Sierras, Calaveras County, CA