The Southwestern California herp community has a big hole in it today. Jarron Lucas passed away quietly in his sleep, surrounded by friends, on his way back from the Hopi Mesa on Sunday, September 23.

To many Jarron was a mentor, but to me he was a friend. I remember meeting him last summer for the first time at the Chiricahua Lodge between the Biology of the Rattlesnake symposium and the International Herpetological Symposium. Returning late to the lodge with a group of herpers, he was overjoyed at the find of a wee baby Mojave Rattlesnake. "It isn't how much you find, but that you are out there looking." I had just gotten into field herping and that thought rang true.

Each time I posted photos this summer of even the most ugly bullfrogs, an email of encouragement would come through telling me all that mattered was that I was out there and I kept looking.

Thank you for the inspiration Jarron. I will keep looking.

Jarron Lucas, Mark O'Shea, and a friend check out the Mojave found at sunrise by Mark as I watched.