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Connor Ragland

@connoragland

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• Outdoor Enthusiast
• Landscape & Wildlife Photographer
• @frontrunneroutfitters equipped.

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Beans & Toast, Alicia & Rueben, Squirt & Pearl, the Fahey Express. If you don’t know what I’m taking about then you probably weren’t on my crew.

In all seriousness, I am forever grateful that I once again had the chance to work with such amazing animals and people with a great organization. I’m glad I’m reminded how important it is to fight for the continued existence of these gorgeous birds🦉

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After a few hours of hiking with no luck, the temperatures dropped and the wind grew stronger. Nico and Lukas found a secluded canyon with good looking habitat and less wind, so we decided to give it a go before giving up for the night. 10 minutes hiking through the canyon wash, I decided to divert paths and move up the side of the canyon. Within a few steps up, I found a Desert Rosy Boa stretched across the ground in front of me and I took a phone photo. I called for everyone, and I watched the snake for a minute as everyone circled around as the boa slowly inched along. Nearly another minute passed before Nico yelped. I looked up from the boa and our target species of the night spawned into my vision. No more than two feet from the boa, a curled up red phased Panamint Rattlesnake (Crotalus stephensi). A color phenotype only found in the southernmost part of this species range.

Looking back at my in situ boa photos, plain as day, this snake was curled up a few feet from me for 2 minutes without my knowledge. An insane encounter, and an amazing individual as my lifer.

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A sidewinder I hiked up early in the night during my recent trip to California.

Mojave Desert Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes cerastes

California 2026

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The Big Spring Legless lizard, Anniella campi. This species inhabits the eastern slopes of the southern sierras and crosses the southern sierras south kern plateau associated with the sandy riparian zones around the Kern River, including the sections now mostly inundated by lake Isabella, restricted on the south end by the Piute mountains, and moving westward along the greenhorns where its range is less known.

This was the last described species of legless lizard (Anniella) I needed to see in the US.

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A species which has proven to be unusually difficult for me to find in California is the Panamint Rattlesnake, Crotalus stephensi. For the past 10 years, finding a red-phase individual at the southern extent of their range has been a goal of mine. Several failed attempts since 2016 were highly unmotivating and made this snake seem unattainable.
In 2023 I saw a devastatingly beautiful road-killed individual which we had missed by mere minutes. Last year during a bonanza of sorts with several eyes scouring habitat we still couldn't locate one.
Fast forward to Bonanza 2026 (a fun get together of friends during my all-too-short pilgrimage home), I had only this snake on my mind. Our first night in range we struck out on the main target finding only common species.
The next night we started herping in a frigid wind that made us all put on extra layers. I was very concerned about temperatures but after entering a protected canyon, it felt slightly more inhabitable. Right after dark Ben spotted a sidewinder and while taking photos, Zeke spotted a desert rosy boa and I spotted a nightsnake. Shortly thereafter the temps plummeted and the habitat worsened. I was calling it a night when we found a side-canyon which had better wind protection and promising looking habitat.
Somewhat hopeful we started up this canyon when Ben yelled he found the third rosy boa of the trip. Four of us gathered around the boa and watched it slowly move across the rock in classic rosy boa fashion. We watched it in-situ for about a minute when all of a sudden the orange rock a mere 2.5 feet next to the boa transformed into our target species before my eyes. I yelled "OH MY GOSH" as we all collectively noticed what we had previously over-looked while staring at the rosy boa.
Seeing this snake at long last was one of the most rewarding moments I've had while herping in California for a very long time, particularly because of how long I've been searching for it with no success.
To add to the pleasantness of the encounter it posed for me like an absolute champ, the stars were bright, and another rosy boa popped up next to us mid photoshoot.
Crotalus stephensi
Lichanura orcutti
California, 2026

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Mojave desert sidewinder from a couple years ago

crotalus c. cerastes

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Beginner’s luck is REAL 😳
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📍: Twin Oaks Federal Way, WA.
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#pokemon #pokémoncards #tcgcommunity #tcg #packopening

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We want to say a huge thank you to every member of our Front Runner Dometic community — from long-time followers to our incredible ambassadors. You showed up, explored boldly, shared your adventures, and helped make the last 12 months.

Your passion fuels every aspect of what we do here. Your stories inspire every mile. And your support drives us to keep pushing for better gear, bigger journeys, and more moments outdoors.

We’re grateful to have you riding with us in 2025, and we’re fired up for what’s ahead. Here’s to new trails, new challenges, and an even bigger 2026 together.
Let’s go make it epic. 🌍🚙✨

Where are you most excited to travel to this year? Comment below👇.

#FrontRunnerDometic #2026 #Adventureawaits

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Entering 2026 with lots of fur, friends, and frighteningly good looks 🖤

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Here are just a few of the reptilian highlights from an unbelievably productive weekend spent putzing around the Mojave and lower Sierras this past spring with good friends! There were far too many notable snakes to include in this set, though I’d have to say that my favorite of the groups finds included a lyresnake in the lava fields, seeing eight desert Rosy’s in a night, and the unexpected flipping of a pair of large and beautiful mountain kings!

Trimorphodon lyrophanes
Lichanura orcutti
Crotalus cerastes
Lichanura orcutti
Lampropeltis zonata
Rena humilis
Masticophis taeniatus
Thamnophis couchii

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That's all folks. [Insert reflective caption here]. No but seriously, 2025 was filled with love and support, and I am thankful to each and every one of you in this post, and those beyond. This year was full of unknowns and unexpected turns of events, ups and downs yada yada, but one thing is for sure which is that I never felt alone 🫶. Making this collage brought back all kinds of fun memories from this year, I hope you can spot yourself because I couldn't tag all of y'all!

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Headed out for holiday adventures? Keep your gear protected with the Front Runner Typhoon Bag - built for any weather, any season.

• IP66 waterproof + dustproof
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Pack it, strap it, and roll into the holidays ready for anything.

#FrontRunnerDometic #AdventureReady #HolidayTrips

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