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Post by vegasjames on Apr 26, 2024 9:00:06 GMT -5
The couple from Montana was still here so took them on another trip through Southern and Central Nevada going to multiple places. Was supposed to be a 3 day trip for myself, but got hit by thunderstorms the second day that were not in the forecast, so cut the trip short a day.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller 
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Apr 26, 2024 11:33:17 GMT -5
Landscape looks so much like areas of central Oregon yet so vastly different at the same time. Love the lizard pics. Whenever my nephew goes out with me, he spends his time catching lizards and snakes. Says he likes going rockhounding, but I know that’s what he’s actually concerned about 😂
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 26, 2024 12:47:57 GMT -5
Jax is happy as usual.  I see they brought their rockhounding pup, too. So, what did you collect and what kind of lizard? |
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 26, 2024 14:57:19 GMT -5
Jax is happy as usual. I see they brought their rockhounding pup, too. So, what did you collect and what kind of lizard? The first location I took them to was for phyllite primarily.
Then took them to a location for Apache tears. Found some nice rhyolites in the area as well and found a small nodule.
Next stop was mainly for rhyolite, then they jumped in my truck because we had to go up some bad roads to the top of the mountain. Looked for orange common opal at the base of the mountain, then took them up to the top of the mountain, which has a beautiful blue and black chalcedony, as well as blue chalcedony and small amounts of orange chalcedony.
Next, took them over to collect Stonewall Canyon jasper.
Then went to another location that has a variety of different colored and patterned chalcedonies, and has common opal. Have also found sulfur crystals there in the past. Then went around the corner to the mine that had the orange chalcedony, purple chalcedony and strawberry chalcedony. This is the mine I took a group of people to a while back and a month later when I went back all the orange chalcedony and most the purple chalcedony had been removed. Pretty sure it was someone from the trip I led as the area is so remote and difficult to find. Unfortunately, they went back and this time about 99% of the chalcedony ha been removed, so I only got a few pieces. I was really shocked as the whole ledge of the mine was purple chalcedony and it had been all removed except to tiny spots.
That was day one, then we drove up to Tonopah and spent the night there. Next day I took them to a location North of Tonopah that has a variety of cool stuff including various rhyolites, jasper, nodules, pet wood, geodes, common opal, blue agate, etc. Unfortunately, there was a big thunderstorm by the mountain right next to us, and it started to rain on us after about an hour so we left and went back to Tonopah to get gas, and eat. While gassing up the truck the rain started coming down really hard mixed with hail. So we had lunch while waiting out the storm.
Then we drove back down to the Gemfield area and I showed them the areas I collect outside of the claim.
Wanted to camp and go to a couple other locations the next day, but the weather was not cooperating, so decided to head home since I am going back that direction anyway soon.
Been taking pics of the finds as I wash them and put them away. Will post pics soon.
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 26, 2024 14:58:03 GMT -5
The lizard is a long nosed leopard lizard.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Apr 26, 2024 15:10:47 GMT -5
We got blue belly lizards, horn toads and skinks up here. As a kid, I was always jealous of the reptiles down your way.
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 26, 2024 15:24:46 GMT -5
We got blue belly lizards, horn toads and skinks up here. As a kid, I was always jealous of the reptiles down your way. We used to catch blue bellies, yellow bellies, skinks and horned toads here all the time as kids. Most have completely disappeared with all the development of their territory. Still see an occasional horned toad. And I have a bunch of geckos that live in my rock piles around the house. |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Apr 26, 2024 15:32:41 GMT -5
We got blue belly lizards, horn toads and skinks up here. As a kid, I was always jealous of the reptiles down your way. We used to catch blue bellies, yellow bellies, skinks and horned toads here all the time as kids. Most have completely disappeared with all the development of their territory. Still see an occasional horned toad. And I have a bunch of geckos that live in my rock piles around the house. One cool thing we have up here are newts and salamanders. However they are hard to find. You guys have any down there? |
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wpotterw
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 446 
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Post by wpotterw on Apr 26, 2024 15:39:39 GMT -5
We got blue belly lizards, horn toads and skinks up here. As a kid, I was always jealous of the reptiles down your way. We used to catch blue bellies, yellow bellies, skinks and horned toads here all the time as kids. Most have completely disappeared with all the development of their territory. Still see an occasional horned toad. And I have a bunch of geckos that live in my rock piles around the house. If you grew up in the east you'd know how lucky you are. It wasn't until I moved south of the Mason Dixon line that things got better... |
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 26, 2024 15:41:36 GMT -5
We used to catch blue bellies, yellow bellies, skinks and horned toads here all the time as kids. Most have completely disappeared with all the development of their territory. Still see an occasional horned toad. And I have a bunch of geckos that live in my rock piles around the house. One cool thing we have up here are newts and salamanders. However they are hard to find. You guys have any down there? No, neither of those. Too dry here.
Here is a link with a list of many of our lizards.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,483
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Post by realrockhound on Apr 26, 2024 15:50:45 GMT -5
Appreciated. How could I forget the Gilla monster. One of my all time favorite reptiles. As you’ve probably seen in other threads, I keep some reptiles and inverts. Ever since I was little I’ve always had an fascination with them. When I’m out hounding, I still find myself catching them, looking them over then sending them back on their way. Dunno.. just cool lil creatures.
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johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 236
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Post by johnthor1963 on May 19, 2024 16:53:47 GMT -5
Love the fact that you have had to share this with. I really appreciate the cattle dog companionship and appreciate you sharing your experience with us thank you
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Post by vegasjames on May 19, 2024 17:50:38 GMT -5
Love the fact that you have had to share this with. I really appreciate the cattle dog companionship and appreciate you sharing your experience with us thank you Jax means the world to me, and I try to take her out on trips as often as possible.
I rescued Jax a year after my girlfriend and business partner of 18 years passed away. It was extremely hard on me, and I did not really feel like participating in life. Debra was major dog lover and was always rescuing dogs. After a year I decided it was time to once again have a dog in the house. I spent 3 weeks checking shelter sites looking for an adult, short hair, medium sized high energy trail dog to go to the mines with me. When I saw Jax's pic with her big smile, I knew right there that she was the one.
There is a lot more to the story as it took me three weeks to get her and almost did not as two families tried to adopt her. She was meant to be with me though, and that is how it worked out in the long run. Jax got me back in to life as I had to get her out of the house for walks and trips.
She has been with me now for around 10 years, and I celebrate her birthday on what was Debra's birthday in remembrance.
Jax has been a wonderful companion. |
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johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 236
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Post by johnthor1963 on May 19, 2024 18:38:45 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing. I enjoy looking for your excursions with her she looks at home just doing her thing with you. Mine share there special time with me while keeping there independence. Look forward to seeing your next outing thx
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I see they brought their rockhounding pup, too. So, what did you collect and what kind of lizard?
