Larry Minden / Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) emerging from burrow beneath Mohave Desertrue (Thamnosma montana), Mojave Desert, California

Larry Minden / Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in a field of yellow flowers, Mojave Desert, California

Larry Minden / Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) holding itself up off of hot rocks, Mojave Desert, California

Larry Minden / Galapagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) sunning, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Larry Minden / Red Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) coiled on ground, Baja California, Mexico

Larry Minden / Red Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) with tongue extended, Baja California, Mexico

Larry Minden / Arboreal Salamander (Aneides lugubris) active after first rain of the season, Watsonville, California

Larry Minden / Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) flock photographed by Frans Lanting on dirt road, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, California

Larry Minden / Red Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) sensing with its tongue, Baja California, Mexico

Larry Minden / Red Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) coiled on ground, Baja California, Mexico

Larry Minden / Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) adult perching on Cardon (Pachycereus pringlei) cactus, Baja California, Mexico

Larry Minden / Pacific Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon ensatus) in temperate redwood forest, Santa Cruz, California