The Nature Photography Thread

[ConcinusMan]

Unbelievable. Stefan is in freakin Finland for cryin' out loud and he's going herping and finding snakes, while it's too darn cold here. No reptiles to be found. We got thunderstorms with dime-sized hail, snow, and heavy rain yesterday. Still very wet today, the ground is just completely saturated with standing water in many places. It's only around 42 degrees. (5.5 C)

[Stefan-A]

Unbelievable. Stefan is in freakin Finland for cryin' out loud and he's going herping and finding snakes, while it's too darn cold here. No reptiles to be found. We got thunderstorms with dime-sized hail, snow, and heavy rain yesterday. Still very wet today, the ground is just completely saturated with standing water in many places. It's only around 42 degrees. (5.5 C)
It's been cloudy for a couple of weeks here, with only hours of sunny weather. Today it was cloudy. The ground is saturated and there is plenty of standing water. On monday, I drove past a field, which had enough water, that dozens of ducks had been drawn there and were swimming around. The only place where there isn't standing water, is on slopes facing south. And according to the charts, the temperature hasn't been above 4.5 C at any point in (at least) the last 48 hours. It's not the air temperature that matters, it's the surface temperature.

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, I get that, but our cool temperatures combined with the fact that there is very thick cloud cover/rain means no snakes for me to find.:mad:

Even when we get some sun, I don't start finding snakes basking on the surface around here until the air temperature reaches at least 10 degrees Celsius.

[RedSidedSPR]

I share your pain. I found the first snake of the year yesterday. Big (not really) black racer. I couldn't catch him, 'cause he went up a tree. That was kinda the only warm day we'll have for awhile, so It'll probably be awhile before I see anymore. I'll post some pics later. It was awesome.

[ConcinusMan]

Finally, the crappy weather is coming to an end here. Starting tomorrow, no rain for 5 days, plenty of sunbreaks and highs around 60 degrees forecasted. That'll do.:D I'll have to return to the garter den and get some more photos and video.

[Joachim]

I hope the dime-sized hail, snow, and heavy rain didn't hit too hard on you.
I am also feeling with you, I know how hard it can suck.

You know what is even worse, it might be 70 degrees where I live,
but there is nothing to herp out here!
Only those ugly toads, a few brown frogs and some unfindable(at this time) salamanders, NO SNAKES!!:eek::(
So that's a consolation I hope it is!:)

Good luck now the crappy weather is gone!

[ConcinusMan]

No vipers?

[Mommy2many]

Here in Connecticut, no snakes, no salamanders, no buggies (oh, except the freaking infestation of flying ants in my foyer the past 2 days ) I HATE BUGS....

No froggies, not yet. But, we are hopeful for something soon, maybe in a week or two.:)

[ConcinusMan]

It's been cloudy for a couple of weeks here, with only hours of sunny weather. Today it was cloudy. The ground is saturated and there is plenty of standing water. On monday, I drove past a field, which had enough water, that dozens of ducks had been drawn there and were swimming around. The only place where there isn't standing water, is on slopes facing south. And according to the charts, the temperature hasn't been above 4.5 C at any point in (at least) the last 48 hours. It's not the air temperature that matters, it's the surface temperature.

Got 1.46 inches of rain today. It was relentless.

[Joachim]

No vipers?
Yes very few vipers, but not in my region maybe 50-100 miles away in some reservate. But most times you can't find one at all.

[ConcinusMan]

Looks like we're finally going to get some halfway decent weather. I'll settle for anything but drenching rain. Anyway, looks like it's going to be good enough to go herping for a day sometime soon. Dr. Robert Mason, professor of zoology, Oregon State University, and a couple of his undergraduate students are coming up sometime next week and we're going herping together at the den site. What a treat!

More info about his research on garter snakes can be found here: Study Species | Mason Lab (http://masonlab.science.oregonstate.edu/index)

What an honor to go herping with this guy. Can't wait.

[infernalis]

Out in the back yard.

http://www.thamnophis.us/storm/woods.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.us/storm/salamander.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.us/storm/release.jpg

[Joachim]

Nice place,
nice salamander!

[RedSidedSPR]

First two snakes of the season.

Black racer last week. Escaped up a tree, darn it.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/CameraPics016.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/CameraPics017.jpg

Rough green snake yesterday
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/CameraPics189.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/CameraPics197.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/CameraPics210.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

The Rough Green snake is awesome.
Always wanted to work with them.;)

[RedSidedSPR]

The Rough Green snake is awesome.
Always wanted to work with them.;)

Before I found my garter, I was pretty close to buying one.

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

DESERT HERP TRIP 2011 starring your guides "Rocky" and "Murphy"

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110328HCHSimage-Rocky_and_Murph.JPG

We decided to revisit the Pisgah Lava Beds in San Bernardino County, only this time we came a week too early. Things were only beginning to warm up in the high desert. We spent a day at Pisgah spying countless W. Side-blotched Lizards (Uta s. rhodostictus,) 1 very wary male Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater), and 1 Great Basin Whiptail (Aspidoscelis t. tigris.) We also left with a few handfuls of "desert glass," agates, picture jasper, and even a small lava bomb. The desert was also beginning to show signs of the recent rains.

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110325HCHSimage-HABITAT-Pisgah_Lava_Beds01A-San_Bernardino_County.JPG
Pisgah lava tube habitat

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110325HCHSimage-Chuckwalla_male_1B_-Pisgah_Lava_Beds-San_Bernardino_County.JPG
http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110325HCHSimage-Chuckwalla_male_1A_-Pisgah_Lava_Beds-San_Bernardino_County.JPG
Puffed up head-first into the lava tube! Chuckwalla March 25, 2011

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110325HCHSimage-Western_Side-blotched_Lizard_male_1_-Pisgah_Lava_Beds-San_Bernardino_County.JPG
Western Side-blotched Lizard March 25, 2011

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110325HCHSimage-Great_Basin_Whiptail-Pisgah_Lava_Beds-San_Bernardino_County.JPG
Great Basin Whiptail Lizard March 25, 2011

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Leaving Pisgah, we headed for the Latham Shale Trilobite area near Cadiz, but this detour was a disappointment, for we found no signs of fossils near the advertised area - just one small boulder near the trailhead... Hmmmm. Tearing my boots to s--t, sliding on the steep mountainside littered with loose rocks, I did spot some Desert Bighorn Sheep poo (Oh, joy!) - but no sheep! A whole bunch of side-blotches and a few botanical pics later, we were on our way again.

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Day 2 (March 26th) We woke up at our ultimate destination: the Hauser Geode beds area in NE Imperial County. Why I always choose to drive to our next camping spot at night, I'll never know; it's not as though it was warm enough to spot rattlers on the road... We came here in winter of 2008 and did some serious scouring of the "black-top", what many call desert pavement. Much of this was once hillsides; now they are flat griddles of weathered rock separated by shallow washes. What has eroded away has left behind fragments of harder materials, quartz, agates, jaspers, chalcedonies, and the like. We call it "lookin' for float." You could spend all day digging for thundereggs, but ya never know how many will be duds. Until we get a tile saw, it's less work meandering the black-top. Herping of course was always the competing agenda, so the two went hand in hand.

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110328HCHSimage-HABITAT-_desert_pavement_-Hauser_Gerode_Beds_area01F-Imperial_County.JPG
Hauser Geode Beds area habitat - desert pavement

Our first sighting, aside from the Uta everywhere, was a young Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus d. dorsalis.) This was my first actual catch with the use of a lizard noose! These vegetarians are absolutely adorable!

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110326HCHSimage-Desert_Iguana_sub-adult_-Potato_Patch-Hauser_Geode_Beds_area-Imperial_County1A.JPG
http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110326HCHSimage-Desert_Iguana_sub-adult_-Potato_Patch-Hauser_Geode_Beds_area-Imperial_County1B.JPG
juvenile Desert Iguana Potato Patch (Hauser area) March 26, 2011

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110326HCHSimage-Western_Side-blotched_Lizard_gravid_female_-Hauser_Geode_Beds-Imperial_County.JPG
gravid female W. Side-blotched Lizard Hauser Geode Beds Mar. 26, 2011

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Day 3 (March 27th) Afte exploring the Potato Patch and the Hauser Beds, we took a drive towards the Straw Beds. Here in the lower desert is was a bit warmer, but the iguanas, whiptails, and zebra-tails didn't come out until shortly before noon.

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110327HCHSimage-Desert_Iguana1C-Straw_Beds-Hauser_Geode_Beds_area-Imperial_County.JPG
Desert Iguana Straw Beds area March 27, 2011

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110327HCHSimage-Western_Zebra-tailed_Lizard_female1A_-off_Black_Hills_Road_-Hauser_Geode_Beds_Area_-Imperial_County.JPG
Western Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides rhodostictus)
[adult female] off Black Hills Road, Hauser Geode Beds area Mar. 27, 2011

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Day 4 (March 28, 2011) We only had one more whole day to look around, so "Murphy" and I split up; he went rock-hounding, and I hit the washes in search of tortoises. I found lots of tortoise burrows - but no tortoises!

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110328HCHSimage-potential_Desert_Tortoise_burrow08A-washes_b-n_Straw_Beds_and_Hauser_Beds_Roads-Hauser_Geode_Beds_area-Imperial_County.JPG
tortoise burrow!

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110328HCHSimage-Western_Zebra-tailed_Lizard_female1B_-washes_b-n_Straw_Beds_and_Hauser_Beds_Roads-Hauser_Geode_Beds_area-Imperial_County.JPG
female W. Zebra-tailed Lizard Hauser Geode Beds area March 28, 2011

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110328HCHSimage-Western_Zebra-tailed_Lizard_juvenile1B_-washes_b-n_Straw_Beds_and_Hauser_Beds_Roads-Hauser_Geode_Beds_area-Imperial_County.JPG
juvenile Zebra-tail This little guy was a hoot! Very entertaining! Territorial push-ups, tail curling and wagging, the works. Funny how one specimen can totally fill up the space of your camera. March 28, 2011

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/h1CGFJ.gif
Great Basin Whiptail Hauser Geode Beds area March 28, 2011
These lizards hardly ever hold still!

[guidofatherof5]

Always like seeing and reading about your trips.
Thanks for sharing.

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

mucho casas de tortugas!

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Day 5 (March 29th) Time to leave. Waaaaah! Well, we were not done yet! On our way out from Middle Camp (one of the camping hubs in the area - no services!), what should we see (okay, Murphy spotted it,) but a Desert Tortoise! Yes, all I had to do to meet Gopherus agassizii was hop out of my truck and set up the tripod! I didn't want to get too close, since tortoises often drop their water when alarmed. This one apparently had just been munching on some greenery, before it decided to move along on the black-top towards a sheltered wash.

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110329HCHSimage-Desert_Tortoise01A-leaving_Middle_Camp-Hauser_Geode_Beds_area-Imperial_County.JPG
http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110329HCHSimage-Desert_Tortoise01D-leaving_Middle_Camp-Hauser_Geode_Beds_area-Imperial_County.JPG

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110329HCHSimage-Desert_Tortoise01F-leaving_Middle_Camp-Hauser_Geode_Beds_area-Imperial_County.JPG
This sighting was one of the highlights of our trip, but there were a few more... to be continued...

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Day 5 (March 29) continued with a southern drive on Milpitas Wash Road, towards where we had previously found some fragments of botryoidal psilomelane. Driving slowly on a more rambunctious piece of road (we were in a 2WD truck,) we spied this beautiful basking Chuckwalla. The lizard's choice of retreat (under an easily movable rock) yielded an unusually easy catch. As with the Desert Iguana populations, there was always creosote bush nearby.

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/ymaoHJ.gif
Chuckwalla Milpitas Wash Road (E. Imperial County) March 29, 2011

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110329HCHSimage-Chuckwalla_female01F_-off_Milpitas_Wash_Road-Imperial_County.JPG"Chucky's" missing a few toes!

We then stopped at the psilomelane site, where we were amazed to see standing water in one of the canyon washes. We looked for animal footprints along the water's edge, but found none. We did find some more psilomelane and this curious Desert Iguana.

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/UnmR9a.gif
Desert Iguana off Milpitas Wash Rd. (E. Imperial County) Mar. 29, 2011

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110329HCHSimage-HABITAT-off_Milpitas_Wash_Road01C-Imperial_County.JPG
http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110329HCHSimage-HABITAT-off_Milpitas_Wash_Road01A-Imperial_County.JPG
HABITAT - off Milpitas Wash Road (E. Imperial County)

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Day 5 continued with a pit stop for water in Palo Verde. We then took Hwy 78 south to Ogilby Road and turned on Indian Pass Road towards Gavilan Wash. We only got to explore Gavilan Wash a small ways on foot because the road required a 4X4, and the sun was going down. Tsk, tsk. Always pitching the tent in the dark!

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110329HCHSimage-HABITAT-off_Indian_Pass_Road-Imperial_County.JPG
HABITAT - Indian Pass Road (E. Imperial County)

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/upAhiY.gif
Awesome colors on this male W. Side-blotched Lizard! Gavilan Wash March 29, 2011

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110330HCHSimage-Western_Side-blotched_Lizard_male01A_-off_Indian_Pass_Road-Imperial_County.JPG
Uta at dawn... This little guy must have been stuck outside in the cold.
off Indian Pass Road (E. Imperial County) March 30, 2011

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Day 6 (March 30th) got us on our feet early, despite some late night howling at the moon... well, not the moon... it was those eerie, red, blinking lights on those military radio towers or whatever in the distance... if it wasn't for my clear-headed 100% agave reposado high, I might have mistaken them for UFOs. Anyways...

Onwards to Tumco - an old gold mining operation and the adjacent ghost town Hedges... Walking the cyanide washes we found our only snake sign - the tracks of a Colorado Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes laterorepens.)
We also saw one iguana, some Uta, a whiptail, and some striking coats of chrysocolla.

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110330HCHSimage-HABITAT-Hedges_ghost_town-Tumco-Imperial_County.JPG
HABITAT - Tumco (E. Imperial County)

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110330HCHSimage-Colorado_Desert_Sidewinder_tracks-Hedges_ghost_town-Tumco-Imperial_County.JPG
sidewinder sign...

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110330HCHSimage-Desert_Iguana01B-Hedges_ghost_town-Tumco-Imperial_County.JPG
http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110330HCHSimage-Desert_Iguana01C-Hedges_ghost_town-Tumco-Imperial_County.JPG
Desert Iguana Tumco - Hedges (E. Imperial County) March 30, 2011

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110330HCHSimage-Great_basin_Whiptail-Hedges_ghost_town-Tumco-Imperial_County.JPG
Great Basin Whiptail Tumco - Hedges (E. Imperial Co.) March 30, 2011

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110330HCHSimage-chrysacolla-Tumco-Imperial_County.JPG
Tumco chrysocolla

Just a bit further south we checked out Vitrefax Hill next to the American Girl Mine near Ogilby. Here we found kyanite and Uta of course!

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/20110330HCHSimage-kyanite-Vitrefax_Hill-near_American_Girl_Mine-Imperial_County.JPG
Vitrefax kyanite

A few of our finds from the Hauser Geode beds area are attached in this post. Hope you had fun on this trip. We had more!

[suklaamumina]

Some common lizards and a buttefly (Mourning Cloak) from a nearby forest. I also saw a wee adder, but it escaped before I got a shot...

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/6b5396b72ec3b7c2d942d5f3.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/suklis_2011-04-10.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/3cb62077f3736dbc94404a24.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/28521ea99186a6a38201912e.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/suklis_2011-04-17.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

No wee adder photo?

[suklaamumina]

No wee adder photo?
Unfortunately I only saw it as it was already furiously slithering away, so I didn't get one :/

[PINJOHN]

thanks for both the photos and the information, if i don't get a holiday/vacation this year , at least i have had this trip :)

[CelestiHel]

Gorgeous! I can't wait to get out herping this spring...but since it is actually snowing again today, I think I'll wait a couple more weeks!

[Mommy2many]

A small birdie in our tree outside:

http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww215/rotie1/ackBerrypicturesIMG00635.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Awesome Bald Eagle cam.
Decorah Eagles, Ustream.TV: The Raptor Resource Project brings you the Decorah Eagles from atop their tree at the fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa. The li... (http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles)

[Mommy2many]

That is so cool! Mama/Dad was dozing off when I just checked in and then something caught her attention. I'm surprised she is not covering the chicks. Isn't it cold out there?

She looks like one of us when we are up with our kids at night:D

[TomM]

Ribbon Snake (?) found in Ontario, Canada
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2909031825_086bafd122_z.jpg

My favorite nature picture that I have taken (No cropping or photoshop, just luck:D)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/231476153_5dc606c2ea_z.jpg?zz=1

[guidofatherof5]

Great photos.

[andycul]

That photo of the bee is amazing :D

[TomM]

That photo of the bee is amazing :D

Thanks! I took that pick about 4 or 5 years ago when I was first learning about macro photography and that picture just came out perfect by chance. I've loved it ever since.

[drache]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5642272166_07c7edb028_b.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like Spring has sprung.

[CelestiHel]

Thanks! I took that pick about 4 or 5 years ago when I was first learning about macro photography and that picture just came out perfect by chance. I've loved it ever since.

Gorgeous! I want to do this kind of photography!

[mustang]

Looks like Spring has sprung.
haha found that amusing:D
like you said spring is coming
http://img.weburbanist.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/repent_endisnear.jpg

LOOK AT THIS LINK PEOPLE MADE SO MANY OF CALVIN AND HOBBE's SNOWMEN & MONSTERS COME TO LIFE!!!
38 Snowmen Nightmares: Calvin and Hobbes In Real Life | WebUrbanist (http://weburbanist.com/2010/01/06/38-snowmen-nightmares-calvin-and-hobbes-in-real-life/)

[CelestiHel]

Further evidence that spring has sprung, even here in Vermont! These Spring Peepers were on my front porch when I came home tonight and I couldn't help myself!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_Cm0fSm0vfDA/TbO7IM4JNjI/AAAAAAAADxk/ethiRpiW6bY/s640/LightPeeper.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_Cm0fSm0vfDA/TbO7LqWOd2I/AAAAAAAADxo/jJnOfg1eWFQ/s640/LightPeeperQuarter.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_Cm0fSm0vfDA/TbO7OMnSiwI/AAAAAAAADxs/fFzLPEfKHMY/s576/DarkPeeper.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_Cm0fSm0vfDA/TbO7RNMOpMI/AAAAAAAADxw/-5E-Uc04mWc/s640/DarkPeeperQuarter.jpg

[drache]

cute little guys

[mustang]

Froggies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or atleast thats what my friend ally would scream :)

[mustang]

BEST EASTER EVVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! found a blind snake, worm snake AND a big ground skink at my uncles!!!!!!
ill update pics of the worm snake later

[Stefan-A]

BEST EASTER EVVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! found a blind snake, worm snake AND a big ground skink at my uncles!!!!!!
ill update pics of the worm snake later
2.

[RedSidedSPR]

BEST EASTER EVVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! found a blind snake, worm snake AND a big ground skink at my uncles!!!!!!
ill update pics of the worm snake later

Awesome. I find so many worm snakes around here, I'm kinda sick of them, but they're still awesome. We have five-lined skinks as well as one or two ground skinks LIVING under our front porch. Blind snakes... not in NC. That's about ALL I find, though, even if I do find them alot. But I did NOT find anything today, so you're luckier than me.:D

[mustang]

Awesome. I find so many worm snakes around here, I'm kinda sick of them, but they're still awesome. We have five-lined skinks as well as one or two ground skinks LIVING under our front porch. Blind snakes... not in NC. That's about ALL I find, though, even if I do find them alot. But I did NOT find anything today, so you're luckier than me.:D
this one looked like a flat head (a species of tantilla)...very grey on top , very flat head, but had an orange ...no, BRIGHT orange stripe on its belly!

[mustang]

Wait !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a tantilla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A smiths black head!!!!!!(NOT A WORM SNAKE)

[infernalis]

Jason was kind enough to offer us a look into his incedible field photos.. enjoy

Jason (http://[URL]http://www.jasonsteelwildlifephotography.yolasite.com) Steel Wildlife Photography - Posted with permission.

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8721/adder47jasonsteel800.jpg

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/5927/adder49jasonsteel800.jpg

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/3003/adder50jasonsteel800.jpg

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/3543/adder56jasonsteel800.jpg

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/6906/adder55jasonsteel800.jpg


http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/7965/adder51jasonsteel800.jpg (http://[URL]http://img849.imageshack.us/i/adder51jasonsteel800.jpg/)

[RedSidedSPR]

Wait !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a tantilla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A smiths black head!!!!!!(NOT A WORM SNAKE)

Well I ain't never found one o' dem. They don't live here in NC. Not many tantillas, only the crowned snake.

[RedSidedSPR]

Jason was kind enough to offer us a look into his incedible field photos.. enjoy

Jason (http://[URL]http://www.jasonsteelwildlifephotography.yolasite.com) Steel Wildlife Photography - Posted with permission.

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8721/adder47jasonsteel800.jpg

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/5927/adder49jasonsteel800.jpg

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/3003/adder50jasonsteel800.jpg

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/3543/adder56jasonsteel800.jpg

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/6906/adder55jasonsteel800.jpg


http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/7965/adder51jasonsteel800.jpg (http://[URL]http://img849.imageshack.us/i/adder51jasonsteel800.jpg/)

Awesome. I cant place the snake, though..

[ConcinusMan]

Same species that Stefan has been posting pictures of while out herping. Vipera berus.

[andycul]

Great Adder pics :D

[infernalis]

Same species that Stefan has been posting pictures of while out herping. Vipera berus.


so are you saying there's too many pics?? are you complaining or what??

[ConcinusMan]

Don't tell me you caught that perception disease too.:rolleyes:

I was merely pointing out that Stefan posted some pictures of the same snake species recently, a few pages back. http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/531-nature-photography-thread-324.html#post157025

[infernalis]

Don't tell me you caught that perception disease too.:rolleyes:

I was merely pointing out that Stefan posted some pictures of the same snake species recently, a few pages back. http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/531-nature-photography-thread-324.html#post157025 (http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/531-nature-photography-thread-324.html#post157025)

no, it's the badger Richard disease...:eek:

[RedSidedSPR]

Same species that Stefan has been posting pictures of while out herping. Vipera berus.

Man, I suck at identifying European snakes. Wow. That was kinda embarrassing.:p

[ConcinusMan]

For a camera under $300 and no special lenses, this thing is capable of some pretty darn good macro photography once I got the hang of it.

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9742/flies006large.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/6310/flies005large.jpg

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/1787/butterfly005large.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/329/butterfly004large.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

What camera, and how many mega pixels?

[ConcinusMan]

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/9923/macro015large.jpg

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/6084/macro012large.jpg

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/7717/macro007large.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

Megapixels are only a small part of the equation when it comes to the quality of a camera. Too many people think higher megapixels = better pics and that's just not the case. It really doesn't mean much these days. It's just that much more you can crop and blow it up before it distorts is all. I've seen 5 megapixel cameras that can take way better pictures than some 12 megapixel cameras.

Anyway, for these photos I used a Nikon Coolpix S6000. 14.2 megapixels 7X wide optical zoom, HD movie, etc. I love this camera. One of the easiest ones to use that I've ever owned. Full featured but not complicated to use. I've had other cameras for years and couldn't figure them out and was always frustrated. Didn't take me but a month or two to master this one. Should be much cheaper now too, then when I bought it.

Oh here you go. This is exactly the same camera, only mine is black, not silver. $175. Well worth it, I'm telling you. There are newer models now with the same model number though. They're not much different. You'll end up paying a lot more just for a few more megapixels if you get a newer one. Not worth it, trust me. I bought this camera because people were raving about it. Now I'm raving about it. Excellent for the money. Very excellent. Battery lasts a long time, you just plug it in to charge. Takes astounding quality video too. I don't even use my video camera anymore since I got this. Get it, you'll love it.;)

Amazon.com: Nikon Coolpix S6000 14.2 MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver): Camera & Photo (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-S6000-Vibration-Reduction-Silver/dp/B0034XKECE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1304544082&sr=8-2)

[RedSidedSPR]

I get all that, I was just asking out of curiosity. I have a Olympia 8 pixels, and it takes OK macro shots. The camera is alot like yours.
I'm sure I'd love it, but I can't buy it... I'd like to though. It's nice.

Here's a recent macro shot with mine. Not a good picture but it shows the macro...

(jeez, it must be a good picture after all.. I posted it, and it took up to much memory... had to re-size it)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/ratsnake114.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking hopper.

[ConcinusMan]

(jeez, it must be a good picture after all.. I posted it, and it took up to much memory... had to re-size it)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/ratsnake114.jpg

LoL. No, it was just too big. (frame size, and data size) When the original is at 4224 X 2376 pixels, 300dpi, and over 5 megabytes, I have to resize all of my pics too, naturally.;) But yeah, that's a nice photo you got there.:)

Now that I finally got the hang of macro photography, I can't wait until later this summer when there's plenty of big spiders around.:D

[RedSidedSPR]

I only recently figured out macro too. In the same boat. Love it, wish I had know before. Your camera is a lot nicer than mine, but at the moment mine gets the job done..

[RedSidedSPR]

My dog found a baby possum last night. Under a bush.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/SnakeSash239.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/SnakeSash231.jpg

Same day I found a big o' black rat snake. Picked him up and I have pics that show the length, but I haven't uploaded them yet.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/SnakeSash285.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/SnakeSash286.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Good look'in animals.

[RedSidedSPR]

:DDog almost ate the possum.

[ConcinusMan]

Good looking hopper.

We used to have them. We had solitary locusts like the one in the picture but we also had some true grasshoppers that were pretty darn cool looking, bizarre colors and whatnot. Walk through any grassy area and they were everywhere since as long as I remember. Not anymore. They're all gone. One year in the mid-90's we had a very unusual jetstream coming straight out of the south bringing hot wind. During that weather, millions of european mantids showed up. They covered everything. We never had mantids before that. Now they're here to stay but all the grasshoppers are gone. Coincidence? I don't think so.


:DDog almost ate the possum.

Good dog.

[RedSidedSPR]

We used to have them. We had solitary locusts like the one in the picture but we also had some true grasshoppers that were pretty darn cool looking, bizarre colors and whatnot. Walk through any grassy area and they were everywhere since as long as I remember. Not anymore. They're all gone. One year in the mid-90's we had a very unusual jetstream coming straight out of the south bringing hot wind. During that weather, millions of european mantids showed up. They covered everything. We never had mantids before that. Now they're here to stay but all the grasshoppers are gone. Coincidence? I don't think so.

We have a lot of hoppers.
Definitely no coincidence



Good dog.

Darn right.

[Didymus20X6]

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/9923/macro015large.jpg

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/6084/macro012large.jpg

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/7717/macro007large.jpg


http://i53.tinypic.com/10zsdud.png

[count dewclaw]

Sorry it's a bit grainy...

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/treeswallow.JPG

This tree swallow and his mate seem to be building a nest in one of the birdhouses we put up in our yard.

[guidofatherof5]

Grainy or not. It's nice.
Love the birds.

[RedSidedSPR]

nice photo. even if it is grainy.

[count dewclaw]

this is a better quality photo....

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/bumblebee3.JPG

It has been tough this spring with so many grey days...

[RedSidedSPR]

Also a nice picture. I feel ya 'bout the grey days.

[guidofatherof5]

We're having a gray day here in Iowa today.
I've only counted 20 radixes outside the back door.
I hate these slow days:D

[ConcinusMan]

Mostly sunny and 64 here currently.:D

[ConcinusMan]

Some more awesome (if I do say so myself) photos I took today:

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/5669/macrobbb019large.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1130/macrobbb025large.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/978/unledan.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Nice. I envy you and your camera. If I get a new camera that's the one I'm getting. Cheap, but AWESOME.

[Reptar!]

Oh man. I love this thread. My major in college is photography. This is awesome. I probably just went through 50 pages just looking at your guys' photos. Great stuff guys!

[PINJOHN]

Richard those three photos are works of art, they would grace any wall, if you will allow me a misquote, "i dont know much about photography but i know what i like"

[NikkiSixx]

Richard those three photos are works of art, they would grace any wall, if you will allow me a misquote, "i dont know much about photography but i know what i like"

They really are a work of art! What kinda camera do you use?

[ConcinusMan]

Richard those three photos are works of art, they would grace any wall, if you will allow me a misquote, "i dont know much about photography but i know what i like"


They really are a work of art! What kinda camera do you use?



It doesn't take $500 lenses and a degree in photography. That may have been true at some point in time, but not these days.

This was done with a $200 camera and nothing else. Nikon Coolpix S6000 14.2 megapixel, in macro mode. If you want more info and technical data on the original macro photos here it is: (does not apply to the bird photo)

4224 X 2376 pixels
vertical and horizontal resolution is 300dpi
Bit depth: 24
Color representation: sRGB
Focal length: 8 mm
Exposure time: 1/200th of a second
ISO speed: ISO-100
White balance setting: "daylight"
Light source: natural daylight/sunlight
In macro mode, lens about 3 inches from the subject.

For the bird photo the camera was not in macro mode, focal length 35mm, exposure 1/125th of a second.

[ConcinusMan]

Just took this one. Can't wait 'till these spiders are fully grown in late summer/early fall. they're very small now but get as big as a half dollar by summers end.

Neoscona crucifer:
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/4803/spider004large.jpg

[Reptar!]

[QUOTE=ConcinnusMan;160834]It doesn't take $500 lenses and a degree in photography. That may have been true at some point in time, but not these days.

To be honest it does take a degree and equipment to be a professional photographer. Not taking anything away from your photos. Coolpix cameras are great for what you are using them for. I have 4 professional slr (single lens reflex) cameras that were cheaper than your coolpix though. I only really spent money on my fifth camera. And it was well worth it for my goals with my photography. It doesn't take expensive equipment or a degree to take good quality photos your right on that point. But for me I need that stuff to secure jobs in the photography field. And I am successful with that. I have thousands of photos I took for customers that hired me for what I had and what I could do. I also teach a film photography class at the college I attend because of my work. Maybe I'm ranting over nothing. But I just wanted to point out that there is a little more to your statement.

[ConcinusMan]

To be honest it does take a degree and equipment to be a professional photographer. Not taking anything away from your photos. Coolpix cameras are great for what you are using them for. I have 4 professional slr (single lens reflex) cameras that were cheaper than your coolpix though. I only really spent money on my fifth camera. And it was well worth it for my goals with my photography. It doesn't take expensive equipment or a degree to take good quality photos your right on that point. But for me I need that stuff to secure jobs in the photography field. And I am successful with that. I have thousands of photos I took for customers that hired me for what I had and what I could do. I also teach a film photography class at the college I attend because of my work. Maybe I'm ranting over nothing. But I just wanted to point out that there is a little more to your statement.


Can't really argue about that. I know very little about photography other than the fact that I see people spend tons of money on fancy $1200 cameras with $500 macro lenses attached to them, only to get the same results I got with a $200 camera.:cool:

Also, I have a childhood friend and mother of 3 who lives in San Diego. Her and her husband make a very good living filming/photographing concert events, weddings, celebrity events, etc. Neither one of them ever took much more than a few basic college level photography classes.

[Reptar!]

I agree with you there. I would say more than half of the students I go to school with buy the best camera they can find and don't know how to use it. More often than not I get better results on my film cameras than most people get with their digital cameras. I guess its all about what your intentions are with your camera. Your photos are great. Your coolpix does a great job.

A lot of the more successful photographers I know haven't taken much school either. My teachers at school have degrees in other fields. the manual you get when you buy a camera tells you almost everything a college will tell you. From my time in college we spent very little on the technical stuff. The teachers there challenge us to think more about the image itself. Whats in it, all the details. Stuff like that.

[ConcinusMan]

Shannon will likely appreciate this one. We have a lot of these around here. Any time you overturn a rock or other object, lots of these are found running around. They get up to 2 inches long and have some pretty impressive jaws. Bites aren't serious but I have felt them before and it'll put the hurt on you that's for sure. I'm fairly sure this is Scolopocryptops rubiginosa.

http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/252/centi001large.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Trust me I know:D

[infernalis]

http://www.thamnophis.co/herp/buns.jpg

[Didymus20X6]

Bunnies!

Now to clear this up, what type are those? Are they the kind that drop anvils on your head and put TNT down your pants, or the type that bite the heads off of silly English Knigghets?

[infernalis]

Nope, the kind that run rampant all over my yard......

[RedSidedSPR]

I have those all over the place. My dog caught/killed one last night:rolleyes: TINY one too.

How are you holding them like that? Why aren't they fleeing in terror?:D

[ConcinusMan]

Wayne is a bunny whisperer.:p

Hey, I wonder if garters like bunny meat.

[Didymus20X6]

I don't know, but Scarlett is just greedy enough, she'd try to eat one. (She's the smaller one of my two females).

[kibakiba]

We have bunnies like that. They're fun to watch in the morning. They bounce really high, kick their legs up and look like they're playing leap frog all the time. :D Our cat brings them in often, a lot of the time they're so torn up we have to put them down, but when they have no scratches they really put up a fight! Some of them are smaller than my hands, and I have pretty small hands.

[ConcinusMan]

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) nest. Washoe County, NV.

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/8615/164i.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

Some pictures taken on the road (I-5 Southbound) in Oregon:

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/2448/dsc00181large.jpg

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/3627/dsc00201large.jpg

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/6897/dsc00178large.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/4349/dsc00172large.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

Northern California:

Klamath River
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/103/dsc00185large.jpg

Black Butte
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7877/dsc00211large.jpg

Mt. Shasta
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/7430/dsc00216largel.jpg

Lassen National Forest
http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/3338/dsc00228large.jpg

Close to the Nevada border in Lassen County
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1987/dsc00270largeia.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

Washoe County, Nevada:

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9657/dsc00294large.jpg

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/2512/190large.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8321/176large.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/9145/192large.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

And finally, the first reptile I spotted while I was in Reno/Sparks. Crotaphytus bicinctores. Couldn't believe the luck in finding this collared lizard just as it was eating a mouse!

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/121/dsc00375large.jpg

These guys are so easy to photograph. They let you get really close, and when you get too close, they only move a few feet and stop, making an attempt to blend in by flattening themselves against a rock or the ground.

They're very easy to catch. This male continued to eat the mouse after I caught him, then he proceeded to have my thumb for dessert. Ouch! These guys sure can bite too. Didn't break the skin but it scratched my thumbnail and the next day, my thumb was sore as if I slammed it in a door. This was a big lizard. Just slightly smaller than an adult bearded dragon. He hissed quite loudly too, when he didn't have my fingers in his vise grip mouth, that is.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4739/dsc00377large.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6215/dsc00379large.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/9503/dsc00382large.jpg

Later I found another species. Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii) but this one was found right in the backyard of the house I was staying in. This one was also quite cooperative and tolerant of my presence, letting me get very close. Also easy to catch.

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/5638/dsc00410largee.jpg

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/1836/dsc00406large.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5586/dsc00404large.jpg

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/8418/dsc00405large.jpg

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/7748/dsc00403large.jpg

Didn't find any rattlesnakes like I had hoped for but these aren't a bad consolation prize.

[drache]

I love the lizards, Richard - thanks for the great photos

[CelestiHel]

Wow, those are great! We don't have any lizards in Vermont...the closest is type of skink, so it's fun to see what you all get in your "backyard"

[Spankenstyne]

Nice shots and amazing find with that collared mid-meal! Mind if I re-post those eating pics elsewhere? (with full credit to you of course)

[ConcinusMan]

No, I don't mind. I really should start watermarking my photos since they're getting good and people keep asking me if they can use them. I have the software to do it but I don't have the first clue how to use it. It's not very intuitive.

[RedSidedSPR]

Nice. Love the lizards.

[Hornets23]

Sweet lizards!

[ConcinusMan]

I thought so too. Funny thing is when I released them, they still were in no hurry to flee. They just moved a few feet and resumed basking in the sun as if nothing happened.:)

[charles parenteau]

What a good bunch of pictures i really enjoy this threads

[RedSidedSPR]

I thought so too. Funny thing is when I released them, they still were in no hurry to flee. They just moved a few feet and resumed basking in the sun as if nothing happened.:)

Awesome.

[d_virginiana]

Nice pictures, especially the ones of the hissing lizard!

[PINJOHN]

thanks for posting Richard enjoyed the photos and your comments very much, you have made a great thread even better

[ConcinusMan]

We don't see these around here very often. They aren't residents but just moving through. Once or twice in as many years, usually in winter/fall is all I see of them. A rare photo opportunity.

Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus)
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/6201/grosbeakslarge.jpg

I've also been seeing Western Tanagers the past week or so but they're so dang shy I can't get a photo. They sure are pretty though.

[kibakiba]

I saw a bird kind of like that at the Pilchuck river, only with more yellow. It was when I was 6, my friend called it a canary. Haha. It was a pretty little bird, though. Very tiny.

[ConcinusMan]

I saw a bird kind of like that at the Pilchuck river, only with more yellow. It was when I was 6, my friend called it a canary. Haha. It was a pretty little bird, though. Very tiny.

Oh, Grosbeaks aren't tiny. They're about the size of a robin. You must be talking about the following birds, which visit my feeders all summer long every year.

American Goldfinch, A.K.A. "Wild Canary". (These are tiny). Washington State's official State bird. It takes a special feeder filled with Niger seed (sterilized thistle seed) to attract them unless of course, your yard is a thistle field.:rolleyes: Once they are coming around to your feeders they'll also occasionally take black sunflower. This feeder has super tiny holes in it that only allow one or two tiny thistle seeds to come out at one time.

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/978/unledan.jpg

[kibakiba]

It had more yellow than that. It have only a speck of black on its tail feathers. Perhaps it was a young one? I was 5 or 6, so when I say tiny, I mean around the size of a 5 year old's hand tiny. Then again, maybe my memory is failing me.

[ConcinusMan]

Could have been a yellow warbler.

[kibakiba]

That does look similar to what it looked like. Yay! The mystery bird of my childhood has been found! :D

[ConcinusMan]

Oh goodie. Yeah, where you said you saw it would be an ideal place to find them since they like thick brushy habitat near streams. You're lucky to have seen one at all. They can be common in certain wild areas but seldom seen. I've only seen them a few times in my life and it was usually when I'm out in the woods near a river or creek camping or whatever.

They're definitely not city birds and usually stay clear of people, out in the wild areas darting around in thick brush where they are hard to see. Plus, they don't live in evergreen forests which as you know, dominate much of Washington. You have to find an area with primarily deciduous trees and lots of brushy undergrowth. Not exactly great for a person on foot to navigate through, which is why we hardly ever see them. I've heard them far more often than I've actually seen them. Warblers have an extremely pleasant sounding song.:)

[ConcinusMan]

Any plant people know what these are? I initially thought they were poison hemlock but the leaves are all wrong for that. They are 12-15 feet high and the compound flowers are the size of dinner plates.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2845/camping040large.jpg

The leaves are huge too.
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3043/camping042large.jpg

And these hybrid rhododendrons (Asian X NW native) are in my front yard. Nice.

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6044/camping001large.jpg

A robin's nest I found while camping. 3 babies in it.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4005/camping010large2.jpg

A really awesome looking snail I found in the forest. I'm pretty sure it's native to Oregon. Anyone know what the species is?

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1208/camping022large2.jpg

[Mommy2many]

My first guess was Queen Anne's Lace. But I don't think they get that big and I don't remember the leaves being that large. Similar, if smaller though. Do they have a small black center?

[ConcinusMan]

Definitely not that. Those grow here too and I know what those look like. They look just like miniature hemlock, only with hairy stems and like you said, black dot in the middle of the flower. These plants were gigantic. Leaves are totally different, smooth stems, huge flowers.

[RedSidedSPR]

[QUOTE=ConcinnusMan;163057]
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3043/camping042large.jpg

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6044/camping001large.jpg
[QUOTE]

Where'd ya get the gnomes?

[ConcinusMan]

Cute:rolleyes: If you think that's bad, take a look at how these ferns dwarf me. It's like a scene out of jurassic park, only without things trying to eat me. Well, besides mosquitoes I mean.

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/236/camping031large.jpg

Quite a bit different environment from where I was just a couple of weeks ago, huh? What a difference 12 feet of rain (literally) a year makes.:rolleyes: The environment below gets perhaps 5 inches a year.

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/1770/dsc00368large.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Wow big ferns. Where are you in that shot?

[ConcinusMan]

Just outside the Olympic National Forest in NW Washington. The desert scene was about two weeks ago when I was just north of Reno/Sparks, Nevada. In about two more weeks, I'll be in the Puget Sound area in WA.:)

[RedSidedSPR]

Nice. I recognized the nevada pic. That's where you found those lizards right?

[ConcinusMan]

Yup

[kibakiba]

That big flower actually looks like Angelica. They flower like that and they get over 6 ft tall. They have flowers like that, also. The second year root oil is worth 200 dollars an ounce if you extract it right, and it's high quality and organic. It's used as a pain reliever I believe I read.

[ConcinusMan]

Thank you Chantel. Now lets see...

The plant I found:

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2845/camping040large.jpg

A single leaf:

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3043/camping042large.jpg

Angelica pics from the web:

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwg/hogweedlookalikes/hogweedlookalike_web/Angelica_Leaf.jpg

http://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/Angelica_venenosa_plant.jpg

Hmm... could be, but I'm seeing some subtle differences. Perhaps my plant is from the same genus. Oh wait. I looked it up and "Angelica" is the genus and there are many species. I think we're onto something. It's looking like it is some sort of Angelica but I can't seem to pinpoint the species.

Ooops. sorry about the huge images but I think you're right Chantel! I do think this is an Angelica species!

Thanks!

Now, how do we extract the oil I wonder, because there was a huge stand of these, all in full bloom. Being how they are biennials then of course, they must be second-year to be blooming.:D

[kibakiba]

Haha, I forgot to say the species.

there are only two that I know of, angelica archangelica and angelica atropurpurea... I think the atropurpurea one is the most expensive, because it's harder to grow, it needs 4 degree celcius weather to even sprout... You need to get the roots out, clean them up and there's 2 ways of extracting it... steam distilling, buying one is over 2000 dollars... or CO2 extraction which is what costs a fortune, and gets the highest quality and quantity of oil... its a newer way of extracting and thus, isn't possible ;)

You'd probably need over 100 plants to get even half an ounce of oil, though.

[ConcinusMan]

Haha, I forgot to say the species.

there are only two that I know of, angelica archangelica and angelica atropurpurea...

There are 60 species is what I read.


You'd probably need over 100 plants to get even half an ounce of oil, though.

Well if that's true then one would be making considerably less than minimum wage to even bother with it.:cool:

[kibakiba]

I have 200 seeds of the atropurpurea and archangelica, those are the only ones available for sale that don't cost $10/100 seeds. It would be worth it, though since the whole plant can be used. Mind digging some up and giving them to me? ;)

There are now 5 species I know of, one of which has painkilling properties in the stem and root. I think you just rub the oil on the area that hurts, I definitely need some of that for my back! The seeds are pretty expensive, though. And, they need special soil. Blah.

[ConcinusMan]

Well, I looked it up and from what I can find out, the dried roots are what is used, or an extract thereof. That's why I was saying it would be more work than it's worth if it takes that many plants to make an ounce of oil. The ground there is very hard to dig in. That would be a lot of labor just to get all those roots.

[kibakiba]

Indeed it would, but, for someone with chronic pain, it is worth it. But since I'm growing mine, I don't have to worry too much about it. First year leaves from the plant are used in teas. I love tea. Stalks for candy, roots for a liquid, external painkiller! :p Too bad it takes 2 years to get the "good" stuff. I don't mind using the leaves as a tea for a year, though. I can just make as much as I want. :D

[ConcinusMan]

Well, I have some "weeds" growing in my backyard, which keep coming up after I initially planted them 5 or 6 years ago. The tea from those not only is great for killing pain and reducing swelling, but will knock your self out on the floor if you drink too much of it. Oh, and they're pretty too. Almost forgot. :pOne plant that came up last fall and is now freaking huge! I'll get pics later. For now, past season pics of the plants.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2292/gedc0341large.jpg

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1131/gedc0342large.jpg

And before anyone starts talking about legality, it's perfectly legal for us to grow these here for "ornamental purposes" ;) For several years, I was manually cross-pollinating some of the varieties to come up with new ones. it worked. Came up with some interesting and beautiful new varieties. They pretty much do this on their own now, as I have moved on to new interests. it's kinda cool to see new plants come up each year, and the look of the flower is always a surprise. Never know what I'm going to get.

[RedSidedSPR]

I've seen those... didn't know what they were though. Awesome

[ConcinusMan]

Well now you know. The ones with "lettuce" type foliage with leaves that tend to "wrap around" the stems, are of the "O" type. (Papaver somniferum)

Just so happens to be the same species as "breadseed" poppies, although those are very low in opiates. Mine come from a line bred for high morphine/codeine content but who knows what they can become through cross-pollination and many generations of feral growing in the garden.

All I know is that I can spread these seeds around in fall/winter (they require freezing, or near freezing followed by thawing to germinate) and the seedlings that come up in fall/winter become the best and strongest plants come June/July.

They put on quite a show in early summer, and will thrive in even very poor soil as long as it drains well. Beats the heck out of what used to grow in those areas of my yard. (weeds and thistles). This is one "weed" that will take over and give you a nice show of flowers each year!

[kibakiba]

My mom has cone flowers that we're going to grow, they are sooooo pretty. I know that cone flowers are used in immune system problem teas. My doctor said she makes a tea out of the whole flower with a little bit of honey and it supposedly keeps her from getting sick over the winter. I have drank it, too... I still got sick, though (I have a pretty bad immune system, though) I enjoyed the taste of it a lot though. :D I love natural "cures" to ailments. I don't need no stupid pills! ;)

[RedSidedSPR]

THey're pretty cool "weeds"

[RedSidedSPR]

Man, i didn't get a pic, but i just found/caught a big old freakin' black rat snake, that could EASILY have been 6-7 feet. Man that thing was mean. I picked him up gently in the middle of his body hoping he wouldn't rip up my arms like the last one i caught, but no such luck. :rolleyes: I held him up at head level and he reached the ground!! Awesome.

That's what i get for not having my camera... but i wasn't herping so i didn't expect that.

[ConcinusMan]

it supposedly keeps her from getting sick over the winter. I have drank it, too... I still got sick

It's funny how many people insist that it does work when controlled studies have consistently shown that makes very little, if any difference.

[ConcinusMan]

That's what i get for not having my camera... but i wasn't herping so i didn't expect that.

Then it didn't happen. Next fish story please.:p

[kibakiba]

Well, Richard, I do believe that if you use natural, organic substances they can help. But, I have a really bad immune system. I cant blame the plant- tea for that, I've always had a bad immune system. A lot of the stuff that people say helps with certain ailments, I find really do work, especially if you believe they do. Sort of like a placebo effect. Some of the stuff I use for pain, a mixture of lavender and a little bit of mint and tea tree oil in coconut oil really helps with the swelling on my foot. I just came up with the concoction on the spot when the pain was getting unbearable. Though, I think it was my mind making me believe it was helping. Powerful stuff is in that head of mine... even if a few screws are loose sometimes ;)

[ConcinusMan]

Cool looking metallic blue beetle I found, or rather it found me. It came flying in through the car window and landed on my neck.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9962/camping014large.jpg

[PouchedRat]

a seedling and some tree sap

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250860_10150621042220527_843295526_18946140_28013_ n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/248559_10150621042155527_843295526_18946139_742314 7_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/248242_10150621042090527_843295526_18946138_787227 2_n.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Great photos.
Thanks for posting them.

[RedSidedSPR]

Nice, gotta get that camera!

[ConcinusMan]

@PouchedRat: Great macro photos!


Nice, gotta get that camera!

You mean the s6000?

[RedSidedSPR]

You mean the s6000?

yeah... but my bad. hehe, i thought PouchedRats pics were yours. :D

[Mommy2many]

Both sets of pics are wonderful!

[ConcinusMan]

yeah... but my bad. hehe, i thought PouchedRats pics were yours. :D

Gave me great inspiration though. I think I'll try getting some shots like that.:)

[RedSidedSPR]

be sure to post them if they're any good ;)

[ConcinusMan]

Well duh. You guys are my biggest fans.:rolleyes:

[RedSidedSPR]

yeah, they're ok

[ConcinusMan]

Here you go. Nikon Coolpix s6000. Macro mode, ISO-250, focal length 8mm, 300X300dpi, exposure 1/60 sec. Image mode 16:9, 4224 X 2376 pixels.

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/5256/macronature003large.jpg

http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/2029/macronature005large.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4930/macronature011large.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

wow, that was quick. What did you do, hose the yard down?!

Awesome pics. Now i really want the camera!

[ConcinusMan]

Didn't have to. This is the Pacific Northwest. It was raining and in the upper 50's in the afternoon. Can't manage to get more than a couple of dry days in a row this entire spring. It's still doing that. Still quite cool and damp with the exception of day or two here and there.

[RedSidedSPR]

Wow. It rains very rarely here. Hasn't rained in quite a while...

[ConcinusMan]

Shoot, we get more days with rain than without. Half of the dry days are still cool and cloudy. We've got 2 inches since June 1st, around 26 inches since Jan 1st. About the only time it quits raining is for a little while in late July through most of August and that's it. The rest of the year is the rainy season. around 60 inches a year. It's quite miserable. Especially the last two years in a row. Blink and you miss summer and you might as well forget about sunshine in the spring season 'cause it's just not happening.

[RedSidedSPR]

Wow. Where are you exactly?

[ConcinusMan]

Standing in ankle-deep water most of the time but right now I'm sitting at my computer.

[RedSidedSPR]

Well, that answers the question...

State is all i meant. You don't have to tell me...

[ConcinusMan]

State of confusion. Telling you the State would tell you nothing since WA and OR are both split right down the middle by the Cascades Mt. range. The west side gets 60 inches of rain a year, and is (or was, rather) heavily forested and green year round, the east side is desert and gets around 8 inches a year. I guess my point is, if I said I was in WA or Oregon, that wouldn't tell you much about the weather unless you know if it's east or west of the mountains.

Now if I haven't confused you yet, then let me tell you this: The metropolis I live in, is not completely in Washington, and it's not completely in Oregon. It spans both states.

[RedSidedSPR]

oh.. um.. yeah.. ok.. yeah.. right. Makes perfect sense. :rolleyes:

Kidding, i get it. That answers my question. I was just curious. Thanks.

I for some reason didn't know where "tijuana time zone" was. I googled and remember now.

[ConcinusMan]

Well, I have some "weeds" growing in my backyard, which keep coming up after I initially planted them 5 or 6 years ago. The tea from those not only is great for killing pain and reducing swelling, but will knock your self out on the floor if you drink too much of it. Oh, and they're pretty too. Almost forgot. :pOne plant that came up last fall and is now freaking huge! I'll get pics later. For now, past season pics of the plants.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2292/gedc0341large.jpg

And before anyone starts talking about legality, it's perfectly legal for us to grow these here for "ornamental purposes" For several years, I was manually cross-pollinating some of the varieties to come up with new ones. it worked. Came up with some interesting and beautiful new varieties. They pretty much do this on their own now, as I have moved on to new interests. it's kinda cool to see new plants come up each year, and the look of the flower is always a surprise. Never know what I'm going to get.

OK, here it is. Haven't planted in several years but I got this volunteer just bursting with flowers. It's about 4 feet tall. It's so vivid, it almost hurts your eyes to look at it.

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/6848/flowers004large.jpg

Roses looked like crap the past couple of years so this year I decided to feed them well in January before they start growing back, and started a regular spraying schedule to fight black spot. With all the rain we get, if you don't do that, you get pitiful looking yellow spotted foliage and leaves dropping. Blackspot is a systemic fungal infection. Well the spraying and feeding sure paid off! In spite of our cool wet weather, the blooms this year are spectacular. And this is why they call Portland the "Rose City". Got these strains at the Portland Rose Festival over a decade ago.
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/6167/flowers003large.jpg

These huge flowers are on very long stems that are nearly completely thornless.
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8575/flowers009large.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

These are actually wildflowers around here. They can pop up in anyone's yard, all on their own. I know mine did. They spread fast too.

Columbine: (not native, but introduced and well established)

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/2512/flowers020large.jpg

Foxgloves in my yard (completely native. Can be seen all across the countryside in western WA and OR) attract hummingbirds. They are a biennial "weed" that requires no care whatsoever in this area.

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/2220/flowers019large.jpg

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/229/flowers005large.jpg

[kibakiba]

I love those roses :D
My grandma had a species of rose that normally wasn't supposed to be more than the size of a silver dollar, and when she first planted them, they weren't, but she took care of her plants as if they were her children and they got pretty dang large!

[katach]

New to the forum, but love nature photography!

[kibakiba]

That looks like a light version of the frog my snakes ate. When we had the pond, you could find garters eating them all the time. It's cool.

[RedSidedSPR]

That's an awesome picture

[ConcinusMan]

Pacific Chorus Frog. By far, the most common native amphibian in the Pacific Northwest. Even in the middle of the city, a few properties in my neighborhood have man made ponds/fountains and the frogs can be heard calling in those yards at night. It's very easy to raise these up. In nothing but a bowl of water, and fed on flake fish food, they can go from egg to frog in just 60-90 days.

Nice photo Katach.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/garter-snake-lounge/2012d1309157077-nature-photography-thread-dsc00579.jpg

[Mommy2many]

Froggies!!!:D

[katach]

Thanks! That frog is one of my favorites. Here a few of my others. I love nature photography! It means I get to go hiking or walking or just be outside!

[ConcinusMan]

#1: Amanita muscaria, "Fly Agaric"
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/garter-snake-lounge/2022d1309241777-nature-photography-thread-dsc00854.jpg


#4:Agelaius phoeniceus "Redwing Blackbird"
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/garter-snake-lounge/2025d1309241942-nature-photography-thread-dsc00227.jpg



#5:Solanum dulcamara. "Bittersweet nightshade" (poisonous close relative of tomatoes)
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/garter-snake-lounge/2026d1309241942-nature-photography-thread-dsc01576.jpg

Great photos.

[katach]

Thank you! If it helps that one was taken in a wetlands sanctuary.

[ConcinusMan]

The redwing blackbird kind of gave that away.;)

[katach]

More of my favorites! The peacock was chosen to be part of an online tour guide to Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo. :)

[katach]

:)

[ConcinusMan]

I've only seen that side (the blast zone) of Mt. St. Helens once in my life. Got to witness every eruption from the other side, (from 60 miles away) though. Once again, great photos!

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/garter-snake-lounge/2027d1309246968-nature-photography-thread-065.jpg

[katach]

Thanks!

[RedSidedSPR]

Awesome photos Kat

[ConcinusMan]

If you ever get a chance to get up on the pumice plain (on Mt. St. Hellens, you have to park and hike up to it) in spring, do it. There's little toads hopping around all over the place up there. It's pretty cool. That's the only place I've ever seen toads in western WA and they're cute as heck. Little bitty toadies. it's like the gravel comes to life.

[RedSidedSPR]

You don't have to go there to see them. I have them at a trail i walk. There everyehere.

[ConcinusMan]

You're not in western Washington. That was my point. Toads just don't live here on the west side (or at least I've never found one) but are common in certain places high in the Cascades, and on the desert east side of WA. I suppose technically, up there on the volcano isn't western WA. It's right on the border between east and west. I guess what I mean is, it's not the desert east side where you would normally have to go to find toads in WA and OR.

It was a warm spring day (early June 1990's) I went up on Mt. St. Helens, and right on the pumice, (actually up on the volcano's southern slope directly in the path of the blast) where there are a lot of springs fed by snow melt, was thousands of tiny toads, about the size of a nickel, hopping around on the pumice. Their color/pattern matched the pumice perfectly. I thought the gravelly ground was coming to life! I just thought it was worth mentioning.

[RedSidedSPR]

You've never found a toad up there? I didn't know they weren't up there... i find tons of toads, big and small... now if only i could find some snakes, let alone garters.

[ConcinusMan]

Well maybe that's the problem. maybe you have so many toads because there aren't enough garters. LoL. No, there's plenty of frogs here, but no toads. You have to go up in the mountains or to the desert east of the mountains. Pretty much the same thing goes for T.s. fitchi where I am. You have to go east to drier climate before you find any.

[RedSidedSPR]

No, there's plenty of frogs here, but no toads.

That just seems strange to me... :rolleyes:

[ConcinusMan]

In fact the only place I've ever found toads in the western U.S. is in arid or semiarid places. As I mentioned before, Reno only gets about 5 inches of rain per year, but when they get a good soaking rain, thousands of toads come out and litter the streets. It's really something to see.

[katach]

I have lots to share... :o

[guidofatherof5]

Nice plump squirrel:D

[masterpastor]

I was out in Arizona this past week on a mission trip. While I was there I came across two different horned lizards. I know it's not a garter snake but it was sincerely special for me. I had only seen them in books. Here's a pic...
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNhc_h3kJl0/TgeSOHXCjLI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/ruKpDhj6lsk/s1600/HPIM7317.JPG

[Mommy2many]

Very nice lizard!

[snakehill]

I had one for a short time but gave it to someone that was more knowledgable than I. They're a little out of my league:o (this should probably be on the non garter page);)

[ssssnakeluvr]

AWESOME!!!! love the horned lizards!! a little tough to keep going, but awesome lizards!!!

[Hornets23]

cool lizard!

[katach]

More of one of my favorite things to do.

[RedSidedSPR]

Those are really good. Love the first two. And the spider.

[katach]

Thank you!! I love photography! It is one of my most favorite things to do.

[RedSidedSPR]

Me too, i just don't have a good camera at the moment. :rolleyes:

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice photos.
Love those orb weaver spiders.
I see many of them in my yard. Kids and I make sure we don't disturb them.
Orb-weaver spider - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orb-weaver_spider)

[kibakiba]

There was one that had made a web in the doorway of my house, and we have an "if we see you, you die" policy, since I'm allergic to spider venom and tend to get pretty sick when they bite me. This time, though, I decided to let the spider live and moved it to another part of my deck. I don't know why I did this, but I picked the spider up with my bare hands. The spider seemed shocked, but happily (I hope) stayed on my hand until I put it up to the wall, where he just crawled off.

[ssssnakeluvr]

theres a ton of orb weavers in Kansas....smaller brown ones... eat mainly flying insects... we have "cat" spiders or "cat faced" spiders here... large orb weavers with 2 bumps on their abdomens that give the abdomen the look of a cat's head. love them!!!! very gutsy spiders....eat anything that hits their web....bees, wasps...large grasshoppers... they are mostly orange where I am, but have seen black and gray ones too... had an awesome black and pink one years ago back in Idaho where I grew up

they are araneus gemmoides if anyone wants to see pics..just do a google search, lots of cool pics

here's one from my yard
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/medium/large_female.jpg

[Sergey]

Photos made in the Vologda region

Vipera berus
http://s001.radikal.ru/i193/1107/ab/113c75a54ba7.jpg

[snakehill]

AMAZING snake!!!!!!!!!:cool:

[flickerfriend]

Very much so!!

[RedSidedSPR]

I love those. Very cool snake

[Hornets23]

Nice pics both of you!

[RedSidedSPR]

Check this out. Kitchen window. 4 feet away. It's so awesome watching the babies grow, get fed etc., Right out the freakin' kitchen window.

This was taken right out of the kitchen window. (it's cardinals btw)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/KitchenBird.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking female cardinal.

[RedSidedSPR]

I haven't gotten pics of the babies, but there's about 4...

[ConcinusMan]

Waited a lifetime for a window nest. Finally got one in 1998. A robin built a nest in a bush directly in front of the garage window. A perfect view of the nest just inches from the window. Soon there were 3 eggs in the nest.

Along came a scrub jay and ate the eggs, smashing them to bits.:mad: That was the end of that. The robins never came back.


You're very lucky to have this opportunity!:)

Any way to shoot some video of the babies being fed?

[RedSidedSPR]

That sucks.

Yeah, i could (although it might not be great, camera takes good pics, but not so great video)... I don't have a YouTube account (yet) so i don't know how i could show you...

[RedSidedSPR]

Sorry, man. Didn't get a video for two reasons.

1. I was shocked at the crappy quality of my cameras video from behind glass. It was terrible. (cloudy day didn't help)

2. They just fledged!! Gone. I knew it would happen right about now, but it seems EARLY. 8 and 9 days. (they say about 9-10 days, so it kinda was early)

It was awesome though. I watched them grow from a tiny, featherless, pitiful little hathling, to a bird :D. Feeding happened quick, but you could hear them cheerping from anywhere in the house, so you knew when it was happening

They flew off last night, and today. They'd jump up in the bush, and the parents would fly back and forth urging them to fly.

I look out the window, and the nest is empty... shucks. I kinda miss 'em.

[Calift]

I finally decided to catch a few toads around my house to photograph and settle the debate .... are these Fowler's Toads (Bufo fowleri) or American Toads (Bufo americanus)?

They vary in color and are all little toadlets right now. There are dozens in a small local farmer's corn fields next to my house. The dirt in the fields is rather sandy feeling and is bordered my deciduous woods. All of these are from the field, not woods.

I have tried counting spots with a loop. :o


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C3b8SePl_fw/ThTC36MkgzI/AAAAAAAADjk/srrezOEw3tA/s512/DSC_0176.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-efI1lQxU9qg/ThTC4Rc6BzI/AAAAAAAADjo/wDQcw2_Gtdo/DSC_0177.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GIeyOhj_mh8/ThTC5YimhVI/AAAAAAAADjs/d79jO2f_b7E/s512/DSC_0178.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kR0qm7MILyc/ThTC565uB4I/AAAAAAAADjw/JcjSP3g0wBc/DSC_0179.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jg3t_vyuAIA/ThTC6bt1c-I/AAAAAAAADj0/4Gdto88MVB4/s720/DSC_0181.JPG

[RedSidedSPR]

I think this should be in the nature photography, or the sshh shh thread.

Anyway, I think it's a Fowlers ;) But i'm not a toad expert

[guidofatherof5]

While out in my shed working on a mower I found out I have a nest of Bumble Bees.
They were rather worried that I was there so they asked me to leave.:D
I'll have to work around them all season as
I don't want to destroy them.
Bumble Bees | Iowa Insect Information Notes (http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/bbumbleb.html)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/bumble_bees.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Those are toadally awesome.:D

[RedSidedSPR]

Very cool. I have carpenter bees EVERYWHERE!!

This is kinda funny. I was under the impression that carpenter bees didn't sting... so, when there was one digging into a place on the house that was a big no-no, i picked him up. Nice and gentle, so i could cover the whole... Ouch... :rolleyes: i then learned that FEMALES do sting

[kibakiba]

They bite mostly, we have a ton of them here and they will bite you if you bug them too much.

[RedSidedSPR]

I know, but that's not so bad

[RedSidedSPR]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/wormsnake019.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/wormsnake012.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Beautiful ringneck.

[RedSidedSPR]

I know. Would make a GREAT snack for my snakes.

They are cool. I have those in my yard

[RedSidedSPR]

I love them. They're fairly common here.

[guidofatherof5]

I know. Would make a GREAT snack for my snakes.


From what I've heard they also possess a heavy parasite load.

[RedSidedSPR]

kidding.

[Mommy2many]

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2845/camping040large.jpg

I know Richard poste dthis plant a little while ago nad I don't know if it was ever identified. I just came across this tonight in the news here in New York, do you guys think it could be the same thing?

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/302705/thumbs/s-GIANT-HOGWEED-HERACLEUM-MANTEGAZZIANUM-large.jpg

The giant hogweed is a stunning plant--reaching up to 12 feet tall with flowers as big as umbrellas-- but it's also dangerous. Its sap can cause third degree burns and blindness

What do you think?
When I looked it up online, it looks very similar to the flowers and leaves.

[Mommy2many]

They are so cute!

[kibakiba]

It's a type of Angelica that he found. I'm growing it and the leaves are the same. I think hogweed and Angelica are related to each other. They flower the same. Angelica is okay to consume and use on your skin, you just cant go out in the sun after using it on your skin.

[guidofatherof5]

Giant Hogweed - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/39809.html)

[kibakiba]

Yeah, they're in the same family, Apiaceae... There's another type that is extremely close related that grows in the NW that looks exactly like Angelica, but it has red spots. If you mistake it for angelica it can really harm you.

[Calift]

I know. Would make a GREAT snack for my snakes.

They are cool. I have those in my yard



I'm pretty sure some the garters around here solely persists on these toads!! :o

[d_virginiana]

Cute toads! (I love these :D ) They look American, but I could be wrong. The eye crests don't seem to touch the glands in the neck. If you want to be sure, look at their bellies. Fowler's will usually have one distinct dark spot, while American will have anywhere from no spots to lots of spots.

[RedSidedSPR]

I think they're fowlers.... the spots make me think that. Americans have spots, but not like that (not exactly, they're actually very similar)


I'm pretty sure some the garters around here solely persists on these toads!! :o

That's what i meant...:D

[CelestiHel]

While out in my shed working on a mower I found out I have a nest of Bumble Bees.
They were rather worried that I was there so they asked me to leave.:D
I'll have to work around them all season as
I don't want to destroy them.
Bumble Bees | Iowa Insect Information Notes (http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/bbumbleb.html)


We are coping with honey bees who moved into the wall cavity where the garter snakes used to live. Solve one "problem", get a whole other problem! Everyone who was burning to get those snakes out has done a real about face! Snakes > Bees ;P

[guidofatherof5]

While mowing the back yard I came across this leopard frog. This is a first for my property. Wonder if the flood has something to do with it.
This froggy better be careful after nightfall. Some hungry wild radix will make a meal out of it.
HerpNet.net - Iowa Reptiles and Amphibians - Plains Leopard Frog - Rana blairi (http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=26)


http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/frog8.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

He's a goner.

It must be the flood... I've never seen afrog away from water.

[Starling96]

I found one like 3 days ago like half a mile from the nearest creek or water source

[RedSidedSPR]

Well yeah, I'm sure it's possible.. That's weird though.

I find lots of those, just always around water.

[Mommy2many]

We have frogs not near water sources all the time. I think they travel. Hope froggy makes it!

[RedSidedSPR]

He's doomed.

[Mommy2many]

Stop being so pessimistic!

[RedSidedSPR]

He'll never make it.