The Nature Photography Thread

[Eight]

Steve, I have checked both the UK and U S freshwater turtle sites for possible ID it looks like the animal in question could well be a hybrid of Red eared slider and a map turtle of some kind?? Given that pic was taken in the UK Who knows what it it is. That said It's unusual. ;)

the turtle in question from the pic Steve quoted was taken in Spain. Probably isn't native as it seemed they just heaped loads of animals into one park. Can't id it myself unfortunately

[RedSidedSPR]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7dSTaRxBVc&list=UUDulsoo-ajZ4Sb45-WuPGtA&index=1&feature=plcp

Thanks for the ID, here's the video... pisses me off at how ustable it was, but whatcha gonna do when you're straddling the creek......................

[RedSidedSPR]

I can't find the ID on these either... they're freakin weird, anyone know what the hell these are? Cuz they're on like every tree here.........

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/945/templelaneapril2012106.jpg

Blurry pic, sorry

[RedSidedSPR]

Triple post ftw.. :/


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuebLA2jnFw&list=UUDulsoo-ajZ4Sb45-WuPGtA&index=1&feature=plcp

Again with the damn letterbox ****.....
And again with the damn shaky ****..... yeah...

[EasternGirl]

Love the pics of the alligators and the monkeys! Very cool pics everyone!

[guidofatherof5]

I can't find the ID on these either... they're freakin weird, anyone know what the hell these are? Cuz they're on like every tree here.........

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/945/templelaneapril2012106.jpg

Blurry pic, sorry


I think it is some kind of Aphid at this point. Working on an I.D.

[katach]

Me too.

[katach]

Can't find the name. I found a few pics of a similar looking bug, but no name. Sorry.

[guidofatherof5]

I've got Bug.net working on it.

[Natrix]

the turtle in question from the pic Steve quoted was taken in Spain. Probably isn't native as it seemed they just heaped loads of animals into one park. Can't id it myself unfortunately
Well I had a look here as well as the UK based one. This one seems pretty comprehensive? Enjoy Steve. ;) http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CD4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.austinsturtlepage.com%2Fworld _of_turtles%2F&ei=6tChT83JG4ik8QOQo8zMCA&usg=AFQjCNHENMKEFHLwvBouRvC7XkCuzPYJAw&sig2=IFIay5kWEnlqAnx7KbbL6g


(http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CD4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.austinsturtlepage.com%2Fworld _of_turtles%2F&ei=6tChT83JG4ik8QOQo8zMCA&usg=AFQjCNHENMKEFHLwvBouRvC7XkCuzPYJAw&sig2=IFIay5kWEnlqAnx7KbbL6g)

[ConcinusMan]

Ummm... jessie, they're bugs... on a tree. Duh. :D

but seriously they are aphids. they come in many colors and varieties. very challenging sometimes to "pin down" a specific species.

[RedSidedSPR]

I see..

One was in the house today, they're everywhere. I dont like them lol


Ummm... jessie, they're bugs... on a tree. Duh. :D

Hmm now that you say that....

[BUSHSNAKE]

i thought aphids did something benificial to the plant they live on...i think they fight off other bugs, not sure:confused:...i used to breed golden mantellas and use to have to harvest aphids and allways felt bad for the plant i was steeling them from....this was a long time ago, my memory is not so clear:cool:

[guidofatherof5]

They do both good and bad.

[BUSHSNAKE]

lol...i think you can say that about most bugs...;)

[kibakiba]

Aphids would always eat my grandma's roses. Ladybugs eat them sometimes, but ladybugs were pretty rare where she was.

[Invisible Snake]

Interesting fact of the day.. Ants herd and milk aphids like people do with cows on a farm, ants milk them for dew and protect them from lady bugs and other predators trying to eat them.

[katach]

That is interesting, thanks for sharing.

[BUSHSNAKE]

Interesting fact of the day.. Ants herd and milk aphids like people do with cows on a farm, ants milk them for dew and protect them from lady bugs and other predators trying to eat them.
how cool is that!!?

[Stefan-A]

Interesting fact of the day.. Ants herd and milk aphids like people do with cows on a farm, ants milk them for dew and protect them from lady bugs and other predators trying to eat them.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2007/435fd4.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2007/Image37.jpg

In progress.

[guidofatherof5]

Very cool.

[katach]

Awesome!

[EasternGirl]

I used to eat roses when I was little. But then again...I am a little strange...lol.

[kibakiba]

I always chewed on my grandma's rose petals... After I made sure here weren't earwigs in them, of course. I liked "dyeing" my mouth red, for whatever reason.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Im not entirely sure what this bird is so i wont attempt to say what it is but it looks like a hawk of some sort maby some of the uk member could identify it for me 4995

[kibakiba]

It looks like it's wearing bunny slippers... Lol

[-MARWOLAETH-]

o sorry i forgot to mention it was pictured eating a pigeon in me garden...

[kibakiba]

Well, that pigeon looks like a bunny slipper.

[Stefan-A]

Im not entirely sure what this bird is so i wont attempt to say what it is but it looks like a hawk of some sort maby some of the uk member could identify it for me 4995
Looks like a sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus).

[-MARWOLAETH-]

thanks a bunch for clearing that up for me. quick question what is theyr range in the wild?

[guidofatherof5]

thanks a bunch for clearing that up for me. quick question what is theyr range in the wild?


I think that would depend on which sparrowhawk you are talking about.
Sparrowhawk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparrowhawk)

[Stefan-A]

what is theyr range in the wild?
Eurasia. Yeah.

http://www.planetofbirds.com/Master/ACCIPITRIFORMES/Accipitridae/maps/Sparrowhawk.jpg
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) » Planet of Birds (http://www.planetofbirds.com/accipitriformes-accipitridae-sparrowhawk-accipiter-nisus)

[guidofatherof5]

Some photo's from my last trip to spain.



http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/rfuk%20pics/IMG_3742.jpg



The turtle has been identified. I received a call from my friend Steve Schmidt.
According to Steve it a Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa)
Thanks Steve. You need to stop visiting us and become a member.
Spanish Terrapin, Mauremys leprosa (http://www.euroherp.com/species/Mauremys_leprosa/)

[ConcinusMan]

You guys want to see something really neat? (Got the nikon working intermittently) pine siskin birds around here (Carduelis pinus) have no fear of man. not sure why, but its really fun. here's some closeup photos. Later, I'll embed video (uploading now) of them sitting on my finger!:D

Shot in Vancouver, WA at my old place. Just visiting.

http://i48.tinypic.com/a5c8zk.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/dotqp5.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/zvwvt3.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNtEaDxc1RI

[ConcinusMan]

sorry to whom ever just commented. i accidentally deleted it

[Invisible Snake]

video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNtEaDxc1RI

At first glance at this post it looks as if your asking the bird to pull your finger lol

[ConcinusMan]

you just gave me an idea. come back later and view it again. muahahaha

[ConcinusMan]

some from last summer which i never did download off the camera until now

http://i45.tinypic.com/2bt85k.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/34fb7g3.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/2d1nyu1.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/m3l11.jpg

[katach]

Great photos Richard!!

[ConcinusMan]

Thanks!

[Steveo]

Looks like it might rain soon, which is not that common here in Denver. If it does rain I think I'll grab my camera and do some post-rain herp derping (it's herping if I find something, derping if I don't :P).

[Steveo]

Looks like it might rain soon, which is not that common here in Denver. If it does rain I think I'll grab my camera and do some post-rain herp derping (it's herping if I find something, derping if I don't :P).

No rain. :( The dark grey clouds tease more often than they actually drop water.

[EasternGirl]

Great pics Richard!

[Natrix]

Im not entirely sure what this bird is so i wont attempt to say what it is but it looks like a hawk of some sort maby some of the uk member could identify it for me 4995 Female European SparrowHawk - Accipiter nisus ;-)

[guidofatherof5]

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) in the front yard for the Ranch.
This young bird will be out of the nest in the next few days. There are 3 in the nest.

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

[RedSidedSPR]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fazkK55fvpY&list=UUDulsoo-ajZ4Sb45-WuPGtA&index=0&feature=plcp

These guys are the only living thing around here. There's like 5 of 'em living in our yard and million's everywhere else.

[ConcinusMan]

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) in the front yard for the Ranch.
This young bird will be out of the nest in the next few days. There are 3 in the nest.

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

Nest is complete with built in toilet paper dispenser. Momma bird thought of everything.:D

[Steveo]

Fun fact: the wastewater industry has adopted the American Robin as it's unofficial mascot based on the genus/species name.

[thamneil]

That's totally understandable yet disgusting.

[Natrix]

[QUOTE=guidofatherof5;209298]The turtle has been identified. I received a call from my friend Steve Schmidt.
According to Steve it a Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa)
Thanks Steve. You need to stop visiting us and become a member.
Spanish Terrapin, Mauremys leprosa (http://www.euroherp.com/species/Mauremys_leprosa/)[/QUOThese are nice. Are they available through the Hobby?

[BUSHSNAKE]

Check out my first wild Map Turtle:)...Also found Blue racer, six lined race runner, northern water, small fox snake and a plains garter. It was a fun day in herp country, Northwest Illinois.

[Dan72]

Great pics, looked like a fun time.

[guidofatherof5]

Sweet map turtle. I miss keeping them.

[Stefan-A]

Nice finds.

[mikem]

pretty racer! :cool:

[ConcinusMan]

sounds like fun... In the now immortalized words of a child in Portland Oregon..."I like turtles"

[Steveo]

I've always wanted to find a six-lined racerunner but I'm pretty awful at spotting the lizardfolk.

[mikem]

sounds like fun... In the now immortalized words of a child in Portland Oregon..."I like turtles"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y

[abrownie]

I have been a great adorer of anything and everything related to nature. I have been an adventure bum for a very long time now and things have really been working well for me. From being able to get to hike a lot of mountains to getting to appreciate the marine life that is vastly ahead of us, that just makes for something that you would get to appreciate even more if you take part of it.

[BUSHSNAKE]

more herping pics from today...

[BUSHSNAKE]

radix and sirtalis on the same day....painted turtles nesting everywhere

[guidofatherof5]

Love the female western painted turtle.

[ProXimuS]

Awesome pics! What kind of garters are those?






Woops nevermind you andswered before I posted!

[BUSHSNAKE]

came across a snapping turtle grave yard...GuidoSteve dont look this is graffic

[guidofatherof5]

What a shame.

[BUSHSNAKE]

more pics....eaten by predator ornate box turtle eggs is the last picture....those dam racoons

[BUSHSNAKE]

and finished the day with these guys...a pair of milks....good ol northwestern illinois

[katach]

Very nice! Sad about the turtles though. Could you tell what happened to them?

[BUSHSNAKE]

What a shame.
it is. the fishermen bait, butcher, and dump the turtles all in the same spot...or atleast thats what it looks like anyways...

[BUSHSNAKE]

they eat them

[katach]

That is horrible! Are they aloud to do this?

[BUSHSNAKE]

and this shell belonged to the biggest snapping turtle i have ever seen....i took it, im gonna measure it

[BUSHSNAKE]

That is horrible! Are they aloud to do this?
i do know it is legal but dont know the specifics....i counted 7 or 8 big shells:(

[BUSHSNAKE]

Love the female western painted turtle.
those western painteds are freeking beautiful...i love em too

[katach]

Is there someway to report it? It's so sad, and the fact that they are doing this and illegally makes me very mad. If I caught someone doing this I would probably kick their you know what! Then turn them in and say they must have fallen (a few hundred times).

[guidofatherof5]

I'm sadden to say that this is the end for many common snapping turtles. In very few places are they offered any protection.
Here in Iowa a fishing license will let you take 150 lbs a day.
Iowa also has the countries largest turtle butchery.

[BUSHSNAKE]

I'm sadden to say that this is the end for many common snapping turtles. In very few places are they offered any protection.
Here in Iowa a fishing license will let you take 150 lbs a day.
Iowa also has the countries largest turtle butchery.
is that yearly or only certain times of the year like deer hunting....do you know Steve?

[guidofatherof5]

7/365

[Dan72]

I work with a guy that goes out for turtles as often as some guys fish. Not my cup of tea but he is allowed to do it. That radix was a red phase:eek:, everyone is finding them but me:(.... I'm gonna stop looking and maybe they'll come to me.

[ProXimuS]

Man I saw a tiny skink in my backyard yesterday, but he was waaay too fast and far away for me to get to him to catch him. I wish I could've gotten pictures, though. I've only seen one skink in my yard before(really those two are the only two wild ones I've ever seen) and he was stuck in the pool with a little brown earth snake(I saved them of course....:))

[ConcinusMan]

They're more common and plentiful than you might think. A wild skink likes to be present, but not seen.

[ProXimuS]

Well I wish they'd let me see them more...I'm nice I promise:D

[Steveo]

They're more common and plentiful than you might think. A wild skink likes to be present, but not seen.

I think this is true of most lizard-types. I don't specifically look for them, but I very rarely see any when looking for snakes. Kinda like milk snakes; I know they're there but I'll be damned if I can find any (I just need to do more night herping!).

[ConcinusMan]

Just saying that compared to most lizards I've herped for, they're not so out in the open in your face, running around and climbing fences and rocks. They stay hidden more.

[ProXimuS]

Not true for anoles. At least around here. You see them eeeeeverywhere:)

[Steveo]

Found this while out for a few hours yesterday.
5658

It rained early Friday afternoon and I had already made plans for that evening, but I decided to go out afterward. I went to a place that is fairly good in the daytime but I got skunked. On top of that, park personnel shadowed me and asked me to leave when I got back to my car because the park closes at 10 and I was there until midnight..

[guidofatherof5]

Nice bull snake (Pituophis catenifer sayi).

[ProXimuS]

Wooooo, Cool find, but sorry about the skunking....:rolleyes:

[ProXimuS]

I found this scary biiiiig bug in my backyard today. Then I showed my grandpa and he said it was a moth that hasn't opened his wings yet. That's what I was thinking he looked like, but the wings were too small, but I could see all the fuzziness and his proboscis.

So here he is when I first found him:
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[ProXimuS]

And here he is only about 5 minutes after the first two pictures:
5676

5677


The reason I say he was scary...Is only because he was sooooo big!! He was probably like 2 inches long, and that freaks me out. But when I found out he was a moth, it wasn't so bad.....:rolleyes:

[Steveo]

I braved the 100+ degree heat today to get out for a few hours. I went to a place that had been productive in the spring and wanted to check in. It's about 40 minutes west, right up against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

I didn't expect to find the creekbed bone dry, but I guess it's not a huge surprise given how little snow the mountains had this winter:
5708
The grass has also grown rapidly since my last visit about 2 months ago. It was up to my ankles then, now it's up to my waist in some places. I'm sure there were some flippable logs that I just didn't see because of the high grass.
5711
I searched both sides of the creekbed, about 3/4 of a mile on each side. Right before I gave up on the first side I found my first rattlesnake!
57095710
I'd estimate this one at about 2.5'. It didn't want to move, even when nudged with a stick, but I did get it to rattle at me for a few seconds (I'd never heard the rattle in person before). The brush on this side was getting really thick so I switched sides. I went back to where I've seen gopher snakes, yellow-bellied racers, and a radix before, but all of my previous hotspots had dry soil underneath. I'm sure they were there but there were a ton of better places that I couldn't get to without causing some major damage.

I'm thinking about giving road cruising a try later tonight since the pavement is going to be warm well into the wee hours of the morning. I'm not real sure where to go but if I go east of Denver I'm sure I can find some lightly-traveled back roads.

[ProXimuS]

Nice pics! You're brave, poking a rattlesnake:p

[Steveo]

It's 105 degrees today but I just want to get out and flip some logs! Waaahhhhhhhhhhh

[infernalis]

I simply took pictures and let it on it's way. Enjoy.

http://www.reptard.info/nature/snapper.jpg
http://www.reptard.info/nature/snapper1.jpg
http://www.reptard.info/nature/snapper2.jpg
http://www.reptard.info/nature/snapper3.jpg
http://www.reptard.info/nature/snapper4.jpg
Here is where it lives, About 1500 feet off my back door step.
http://www.reptard.info/nature/creek.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice Wayne. The little fella has a long road ahead.

[infernalis]

I was almost tempted to try and rear it, but it seemed right at home taking advantage of the low water levels. The minnows are densely concentrated right now because the creek is drying up. Quite the opportunity to feast under these conditions. So I left it be.

[Steveo]

Went out for a walk at my usual spot tonight and found out why I haven't found much there lately.
5844
The creek is bone dry. All of the snakes must have moved downstream to the lake. I did manage to find this little guy though.
5845

[ProXimuS]

I found this poor guy in my pool today. He had been treading water for who knows how long:( I caught him fairly easily, and he seemed pretty calm. But, I think it was probably more because he was just a little scared a reeeally tired. He's a little Mourning Dove, and I think he's a "fledgling." He didn't seem like a full grown up, but definietely wasn't a baby-baby.

5973

5972

I put him out in the sun to dry off. I went to look at him a few minutes ago(he's been out there for about 45 or so minutes)and he still isn't flying. He was trying to flap, but he seemed to be flapping a little bit weirdly. Not sure if maybe his little wings are sore from swimming for so long. I think he's olg enough to fly on his own:confused: I looked him over and didn't see any visible cuts or broken bones or anything, so I'm hoping he's just tired and will be on his way soon.

[guidofatherof5]

You are probably right on the tired part. Nice save.

[mikem]

Good luck with him Emily! (i like your shirt :D)

[ProXimuS]

So, a few hours after I put him in the sun, he was gone. I'm hoping he finally got his strength back and flew away, and a cat didn't get him! I didn't see feathers or anything so I think he was ok.....


Thanks Mike:D So do I!

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I simply took pictures and let it on it's way. Enjoy.

http://www.reptard.info/nature/snapper.jpg
http://www.reptard.info/nature/snapper1.jpg
http://www.reptard.info/nature/snapper2.jpg
http://www.reptard.info/nature/snapper3.jpg
http://www.reptard.info/nature/snapper4.jpg
Here is where it lives, About 1500 feet off my back door step.
http://www.reptard.info/nature/creek.jpgCute little tanklet

[guidofatherof5]

Cute little tanklet

Tanks asleep on the couch right now. I swear he takes up a whole cushion.
He'll wake up later this evening, maybe.

[snakechick]

I found this guy eating my chives! Since I'm working on my photography :) I thought I would share. He looks like black velvet in person.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc469/chranek/DSC_1738.jpg

[ProXimuS]

Pretty cool! He also looks like he has suction cup feet:p

[ConcinusMan]

Tanks asleep on the couch right now. I swear he takes up a whole cushion.
He'll wake up later this evening, maybe.

Then you can ask him if he's been sneaking out to Wayne's place to see some female.

[ConcinusMan]

I found this poor guy in my pool today. He had been treading water for who knows how long:( I caught him fairly easily, and he seemed pretty calm. But, I think it was probably more because he was just a little scared a reeeally tired. He's a little Mourning Dove, and I think he's a "fledgling." He didn't seem like a full grown up, but definietely wasn't a baby-baby.

5973

5972

I put him out in the sun to dry off. I went to look at him a few minutes ago(he's been out there for about 45 or so minutes)and he still isn't flying. He was trying to flap, but he seemed to be flapping a little bit weirdly. Not sure if maybe his little wings are sore from swimming for so long. I think he's olg enough to fly on his own:confused: I looked him over and didn't see any visible cuts or broken bones or anything, so I'm hoping he's just tired and will be on his way soon.

First thing I noticed was the white on the wing. Mourning doves don't have that.;) Also, that looks way too big to be a mourning dove. I had done some dove I.D. research recently after seeing a few non-native doves invading my area. What you have there is the appropriately named White winged dove.

White-winged Dove, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/white-winged_dove/id)

[ProXimuS]

Ha, thanks for that Richard;) Never even payed attention to that. I just looked at the link you gave and compared to pics of Mourning doves, and I think we have both. I found range maps that say we have both, but I really never noticed that some have the white wings and some don't. I'd just heard of our doves referred to as Mourning doves and just never thought about having other kinds around :p


Just like the white winged dove, Sings a song, Sounds like she's singin.....Haha! Am I the only one that immediately thought of that?:p

[ConcinusMan]

Of course not! I'm a huge Stevie Nicks fan.;)

The funny thing is, the white winged dove doesn't really go "ooh..."

In reality it sounds more like the gurgling sound that pigeons make.:rolleyes: Just listen to the sound clip on that link I gave you.

If any dove goes "oooh" it's a mourning dove.

[Eight]

Here are my most recent pics from my trip to the zoo (not so natural I know).

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum Photos/_MG_4334-1.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum Photos/_MG_4313-1.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum Photos/_MG_4298-1.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum Photos/_MG_4263-1.jpg

This last little guy was on the fencing to the Tiger Enclosure, standing his ground and getting pretty verbal at the Tiger when it showed. I thought he deserved to be shown for that.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/SamHack/Forum Photos/_MG_4274-1.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Love those male english sparrows. Sparrows are a smart bird, they make great pets.

[Eight]

He was full of character. I am a fan of smaller birds. Don't think I'll ever keep them though.

[guidofatherof5]

I've raised a number of sparrows in my life. Awesome birds. I'd let them go in the morning. During the day I'd go out on the deck and call them by name. They would fly right back and sit on my hand. Eventually they stopped coming back. I guess they found a group to be with and headed off with them.

[Eight]

That's pretty awesome. It's nice to know they've gone to be a part of something natural, but I would imagine you also felt a pang of sadness when they leave

[RedSidedSPR]

Those photos are sweeeeet. Went to a dinky little zoo near our house the other day, got some ok shots I'll upload. But now I gotta go to legit zoo lol

[ConcinusMan]

That's pretty awesome. It's nice to know they've gone to be a part of something natural, but I would imagine you also felt a pang of sadness when they leave

Nothing natural about it. They don't belong in North America.

"Without question the most deplorable event in the history of American ornithology was the introduction of the English Sparrow." -W.L. Dawson, The Birds of Ohio, 1903

[Stefan-A]

Nothing natural about it. They don't belong in North America.

"Without question the most deplorable event in the history of American ornithology was the introduction of the English Sparrow." -W.L. Dawson, The Birds of Ohio, 1903
That quote preceded the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, a bird that once formed colonies of hundreds of millions (if not billions), and the population explosion of the European Starling, and the DDT disaster of the mid-20th century.

[Eight]

Nothing natural about it. They don't belong in North America.

"Without question the most deplorable event in the history of American ornithology was the introduction of the English Sparrow." -W.L. Dawson, The Birds of Ohio, 1903

By something natural I did not mean their native environment. I meant that they then went on to continue their live as they would in nature, foraging for food and living the more normal sparrow life :)

[norcalj]

Here are some recent pics from the field. The one stripe atratus pic was taken last year.60516052605360546055

[norcalj]

Here are some tetrataenia pics that I couldn't fit into the 1st post.60576058

[ConcinusMan]

That quote preceded the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, a bird that once formed colonies of hundreds of millions (if not billions), and the population explosion of the European Starling, and the DDT disaster of the mid-20th century.

Good point, which brings up another. Surely by 1903, Dawson would have been aware that passenger pigeons were in severe trouble and yet he made that statement.

[Stefan-A]

Good point, which brings up another. Surely by 1903, Dawson would have been aware that passenger pigeons were in severe trouble and yet he made that statement.
Not necessarily.

[infernalis]

Drought 2012.

My creek before..

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/drought/acer.jpg

What it looks like now in the same spot.. (we relocated the remaining surviving fish to a place with water.)

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/drought/nett.jpg

Looking up the creek.

http://www.thamnophis.us/dry/creek2.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Not cool..

[EasternGirl]

That sucks...glad you relocated the fish.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Rana temporaria Common frog6065

[ConcinusMan]

Not necessarily.

Seems like he would have known. By 1899 they were virtually extinct in the wild. How could one miss that?

[ConcinusMan]

Drought 2012.

My creek before..

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/drought/acer.jpg

What it looks like now in the same spot.. (we relocated the remaining surviving fish to a place with water.)

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/drought/nett.jpg

Looking up the creek.

http://www.thamnophis.us/dry/creek2.jpg

Wow. I wonder where the poor snapping turtle went?

[RedSidedSPR]

The rest of the pictures didn't upload for some reason but those were the most picture-worthy at a really boring petting zoo

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/9314/lazy5ranch201.jpg

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o511/k1lljoy_89/Lazy5Ranch254.jpg

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1772/lazy5ranch208.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8776/lazy5ranch533.jpg


http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/4979/lazy5ranch371.jpg
Closeup to avoid the annoying hindrance of people's heads...

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6382/lazy5ranch384.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

Seems so hard to find a pure bred military or scarlet macaw these days. Every time I see one, it's a hybrid of the two. As a teen I was paid to raise a military macaw from a hatchling. Even back then, they were getting so rare. Nice to see a true purebred military macaw again. Nice photo.

[RedSidedSPR]

my cousins have 12 of these..
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o511/k1lljoy_89/Lazy5Ranch368.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Seems so hard to find a pure bred military or scarlet macaw these days. Every time I see one, it's a hybrid of the two. As a teen I was paid to raise a military macaw from a hatchling. Even back then, they were getting so rare. Nice to see a true purebred military macaw again. Nice photo.

Yeah, was reading about them the other day, they're cool birds.

Sorry for all the edits lol

[RedSidedSPR]

Dulsoo-ajZ4Sb45-WuPGtA&gl=US

There is a 10% chance that video worked.
Stupid iPod

[kibakiba]

Nice pictures.

[RedSidedSPR]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhzsAIvy3Js

there.

[Mandi0284]

62026201
Both of these were taken at a local aquarium.

6203
Family of Ducks at a park

6204
This is a Desert Horny Toad that I captured last time I visted Arizona.
I kept him for about 4 months before he passed from a gut impaction.
He was so cool. Miss you Wriggly.

6205
Here is a female Pelecinid Wasp. They lay eggs inside Cicadas.

[snake man]

Do those sting if so it looks like it might hurt.

[Mandi0284]

I imagine they would. I think they are moon jellyfish, so not really dangerous. Still really pretty.
I will have to go there when I get back from my vacation and get some better shots with my new camera.

[ProXimuS]

I was thinking the last thing would hurt if it stung you. Is that a giant stinger on the back?! Do they sting? Never seen them before.

[ConcinusMan]

6204
This is a Desert Horny Toad that I captured last time I visted Arizona.
I kept him for about 4 months before he passed from a gut impaction.
He was so cool. Miss you Wriggly.

There's another reptile that should never be captured and kept. Too bad I wasn't with you to warn you before you took it home. They always die.:cool:

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I was browsing through my pics and i thought i should share these pics from spring last year in cherokee nc.

62586259

[ProXimuS]

Cool! :D What is he?

[ConcinusMan]

Looks like elk. Sometimes called wapiti. One of the largest species of deer in the world. And I have to say, they are delicious.:p

[ConcinusMan]

http://oi46.tinypic.com/25frqfr.jpg

http://oi49.tinypic.com/219z2w7.jpg

[ProXimuS]

Here are some pictures I took a recently at a park nearby.

Nutrias:D I love them!

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These are all three babies. The last pic is my friend trying to see if he will drink water from the bottle:p But these guys will literally eat out of your hands. Adults and babies!


These two are either ducks, or geese...Or one of each :p Not sure. The first one is really cool. You can't tell too well in the picture but it's kind of a blue gray color with a dark blue, almost black head, and a white beak. I've only seen a handful of them.

[ProXimuS]

Here are the pics I've been dyyyying to post, because I'm 99.9% sure someone here can help me out on these:D(At least I hope!)

Are you guys ready for Identify That Snake?:)
Contestant #1
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Contestant #2
6294 6295


Sorry, the second one is just the tail end of the snake. That's all I saw. About 2 seconds after the pic, it took off out of the other side of the bush and grabbed something and went back in the bushes, all in about 3 seconds, and I missed the whole thing. My friend saw it though:p I've tried to look up like native Texas snakes and haven't found anything close to either of them. The closest thing to the second one was a Diamondback Water Snake, but they look darker, and still a little different.

Any thoughts any one?! Pleeeeease!:D

[kibakiba]

Elk are delicious! Yum.

[guidofatherof5]

I would say Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon)

[ProXimuS]

Googled it. I think you're correct, Steve;)(For the first one right?) Now how about the second?!:p



Edit: Perhaps not....Looks like it doesn't range in my area- http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/nersip.htm
But it's close. I'm sure it could be a possibility.

[ConcinusMan]

Here are some pictures I took a recently at a park nearby.

Nutrias:D I love them!

Me too. Delicious. Especially when made into a spicy sausage. yummy.

They are so destructive and invasive to the native ecosystem that in many places around the western U.S. masive efforts are underway to hunt down as many as possible. But they don't let them go to waste. The meat is properly harvested and used mostly to feed needy families/homeless. I'm even starting to see ground nutria meat in grocery stores. It's good. It really is.

[BUSHSNAKE]

@Emily the first one is Nerodia cyclopion the second one is Nerodia rhombifera which you were right on

[ConcinusMan]

Hey, that reminds me. Since they are rodents, I wonder if we can feed nutria meat to our garters once in a while, if they'll eat it that is.

[ProXimuS]

Thanks BUSHSNAKE :D I really like the first one. I'll have to see if I can find more!

I haven't ever had a nutria. I just think they're cute:p At that park you can see all the damage they've done. There was even a tree that had fallen into the water and you could tell it was from them eating out the bottom of the roots.

[kibakiba]

Took this from the window next to my office. That's my back yard.
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/152/sdc14484s.jpg

[ProXimuS]

I'm so jealous! That's awesome:)

[kibakiba]

Yeah, I have food right in my back yard! But I can't eat it. Lol.

[ProXimuS]

Here is random pictures of a spine I found by work....Again I'm kind of hoping someone can help me with some identification.

6360 6361

I know it may seem weird...But I know people here have alot more wildlife experience than I do. So the first pic has like the edge of my shoe in it for a slight reference(accident:p/I wear a size 9 in women, so my foots not too small...) In this area we have birds, squirrels, and rabbits(all abundantly). There are also some bobcats, coyotes, snakes, and deer(not seen often though....but doesn't mean they're not there). The spine seems to be about 1.5 ft all together(but also may not be complete). One thing I don't understand is, why do these vertebrae seem to be perfectly round? I thought most vertebrae look more like this: http://www.biology-blog.com/images/blogs/10-2009/vertebra-3431.jpg Any inisight would be greatly appreciated!:D I've shown quite a few different people, so I've got a few others interested in an answer, too.:p

[ConcinusMan]

Took this from the window next to my office. That's my back yard.
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/152/sdc14484s.jpg

:eek:

[CelestiHel]

Here's a couple of the juvenile American Bull Frogs I've been catching in my basement. It's always something...;P

63716372

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to see you on and nice frogs.

[Mandi0284]

I was thinking the last thing would hurt if it stung you. Is that a giant stinger on the back?! Do they sting? Never seen them before.

They really dont go after people, just cicadas. I have never seen them in CO before either, but now when I go hiking I see them all over. They are kinda pretty.
I imagine they might treaten to sting if you tried to touch them.

[CelestiHel]

I was thinking the last thing would hurt if it stung you. Is that a giant stinger on the back?! Do they sting? Never seen them before.

They can sting, but their stinger is no bigger than any other wasp (not that it's much comfort). That whole long back end is called their ovipositor...entirely designed for inserting eggs into prey. I bet there's youtube vids of it...pretty wild stuff!

[ConcinusMan]

Well, I wish they'd get to work on the cicadas around here. With the heat we've been having, they're driving me nuts with all that buzzing!

[EasternGirl]

We have cicada killers all over my yard every summer. My son is terrified of them even though I have explained that they are normally not aggressive toward people. I found out through google that the way to get rid of them is to flood them out of their holes in the ground. I don't mind cicadas...I like the noise they make.

[guidofatherof5]

They are an amazing insect. My kids collect their sheds(exoskeleton).

[ConcinusMan]

Wow. Creepy kids. And dad has a basement full of snakes...

Do they have a collection of rare, incurable diseases too?

The only thing missing is the black rain cloud over their heads, following them.:p

Of course, I kid.

I've never found their exoskeletons. Never any sign of the insects themselves either. Just the deafening racket they make. The cicada's in the northwest are very small though. About the size of your thumb nail. I used to find them in southern california and those were huge.

[guidofatherof5]

I love that my kids (all but Molly) have a strong connection with nature. I hope someday they will keep a few garters and share the experience with their kids. College first, then kids, then garters.:D

[ProXimuS]

I like the sound of cicadas, too. We've got lots of them around here. The only thing I see getting them is wasps and birds.

[Steveo]

Didn't get a picture, but I saw my first living, wild radix today. It darted into the brush and I dove in head first after it, but I couldn't find it. It was about 18" with a bright orange dorsal stripe. I don't have to work tomorrow so I might go back in the morning when I have more daylight. I had never been to that spot before and didn't cover even half of the floodplain before it got dark.

[guidofatherof5]

Those Wascally Wadixes :D

[Invisible Snake]

You guys are sooooo freaking lucky to have nature relatively outside your homes! All I see outside my home is a concrete jungle >:3

[EasternGirl]

Yes...but you can get Chinese food, sushi, or coffee at 3am...and pretty much find anything to do at any given moment. :D

[-MARWOLAETH-]

You guys are sooooo freaking lucky to have nature relatively outside your homes! All I see outside my home is a concrete jungle >:3At least you don't have to travel 3000 miles to see wild garters.

[snake man]

At least you don't have to travel 3000 miles to see wild garters.

lol, theres a point.

[Steveo]

You guys are sooooo freaking lucky to have nature relatively outside your homes! All I see outside my home is a concrete jungle >:3

I have it both ways... I live on the edge of Denver proper about 11 miles from downtown (where I work)... and only 4 miles from a gigantic state park :)

[katach]

Found this little alligator lizard on our camping trip. Sweet little fella. He hung out with for a bit then went home.
6382

[BUSHSNAKE]

i love alligator lizards, one of the coolest lizard species on the planet...awesome Kat!!

[kueluck]

Went up to Ararat VA yesterday to do some range shooting and found this little Eastern Fence Lizard (I love these). Saw bunches of adults also. I thought about keeping it, but don't know about the care of these. Plus do I REALLY need another critter???
6390

[Invisible Snake]

Wow he looks so cute, how big were the adults?

[EasternGirl]

Alligator lizards are so awesome. That lizard that you found, Gail, is really cute too. I think we all probably need another critter like we need another hole in our head...but like that is going to stop us! Lol...

[kueluck]

We saw one female about 5 inch. long, she was to fast and stressed to catch.
Wow he looks so cute, how big were the adults?

[ProXimuS]

We saw one female about 5 inch. long, she was to fast and stressed to catch.

Aw, I wish they stayed tiny! He's so cute:)

[ConcinusMan]

i love alligator lizards, one of the coolest lizard species on the planet...awesome Kat!!

Want some? they're all over the yard here in Chehalis. Definitely one of the easiest wild lizards to keep.

[Steveo]

6417

Spent the weekend in the mountains and found this guy bouncing around. I heard there were a bunch of snakes along one of the creeks, but I didn't have time to check it out. At 8500' elevation they were probably all wandering garters.

[guidofatherof5]

Very cool.

[mikem]

6430

Found a few of these cute little buggers today :D

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like that Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) is in opaque phase.
Copperheads are awesome.

[Steveo]

If I were to get a hot, it would be a copperhead. Love their coloration.

[kueluck]

I love these, they are one of the prettiest snakes around. I don't find adults in our yard, but I do find the occasional baby, which I then move back into the woods.

[norcalj]

If I were to get a hot, it would be a copperhead. Love their coloration.


You wanna see a beautiful "hot", just google - 'Blue Coral Snake'. If I had the courage to keep venomous snakes, those would be at the top of my list.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

You wanna see a beautiful "hot", just google - 'Blue Coral Snake'. If I had the courage to keep venomous snakes, those would be at the top of my list.I agree with you they are stunning animals.But They don't adapt to captivity because of their snake eating habits,their extremely timid nature and also their is no antivenin.

[EasternGirl]

I love the yellow eyelash vipers. Very pretty...but again...I love my black mambas! Rhino vipers are very cool looking too. Cool copperhead Mike. I was just reading in my venomous snake book that copperheads are one of the least venomous of the American venomous snakes. Not many fatalities reported from bites. It's the cottonmouths and rattlesnakes in America that you have to worry about in terms of bites. Not that I want to get bit by a copperhead...lol.

Yeah...I was also reading about a couple of hots in more remote areas of the world in which there is no anti-venom. And even with anti-venom, you do not want to get bit by a black mamba or a taipan. Nasty, nasty venom.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I love the yellow eyelash vipers. Very pretty...but again...I love my black mambas! Rhino vipers are very cool looking too. Cool copperhead Mike. I was just reading in my venomous snake book that copperheads are one of the least venomous of the American venomous snakes. Not many fatalities reported from bites. It's the cottonmouths and rattlesnakes in America that you have to worry about in terms of bites. Not that I want to get bit by a copperhead...lol.

Yeah...I was also reading about a couple of hots in more remote areas of the world in which there is no anti-venom. And even with anti-venom, you do not want to get bit by a black mamba or a taipan. Nasty, nasty venom.You should check out viper keeper channel he has a a great collection and it interesting to see how he cares for all his specimens .Here's a link to his youtube channel Viperkeeper TV - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/viperkeeper/videos)

[ProXimuS]

So I found a cool snake at work today....Well I didn't originally find it. I heard some one say, "Theres a big snake outside." And I responded with "Snake!?!?! Where?!?!?!" And ran out in the pooring rain to see it. The thing was in a bad spot. It was right near the outside runs for the dogs(I work at a kennel), so it really did need to be moved. Anyways I went out there, and wasn't at first going to actually mess with it, but I went ahead and grabbed her(?), since I figured it wasn't great for her to be there.

Ok now the head looks scarier in these pics than it really was. I can assure you her head wasn't flattened out, the way it in the pic, orignally. The face/head reminded me a little of a radix(I knew it wasn't any kind of garter)the way it was shaped and the black markings on the lips, before I picked it up. After I picked her up she flattened her head and body, and musked me(...It's official, I've been musked:p) And the eyes definitely had round pupils. That all led me to believe it wasn't venomous....But honestly I kinda freaked myself out afterwards, thinking "What if it was venomous?!" I just got so excited and sorta dove on in...:rolleyes:

Here she is:
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Please don't tell me it's a hot!! I'm thinking some kind of watersnake......Any offers of identification would be greatly appreciated:)

[snake man]

6555[/ATTACH] 6556 6557

Please don't tell me it's a hot!! I'm thinking some kind of watersnake......Any offers of identification would be greatly appreciated:)

Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator (http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/sendmessage.php)

[ProXimuS]

Man...Sorry...Iis it all the pics or just the first one?

[ProXimuS]

6559

Did this work?

Do I still need to put up the others?

[kibakiba]

All of them are bugged.

[ProXimuS]

All of them are bugged.

Ok, at the risk of sounding dumb, do you mean they literally have some kind of virus/bug?:o

[kibakiba]

No, I just mean they aren't working. :p

[EasternGirl]

I can see the one in the last post...what kind of snake is that? She is huge! Garters will flatten their heads like that...and if she musked you, I'm assuming it was a garter. If it was a hot...I think you'd know...it probably would have struck at you when you went to grab it and you'd know...but I can't be certain. Mike or Joe would be the ones to ask...they would know.

[katach]

Not a garter, way too big. I am going to go way out on a limb here and guess Drymarchon corais erebennus. I could be way off but it ranges in your area and looks similar.

[ProXimuS]

6570 6571
Ok, fingers crossed this works..... She had to be at least 3 feet long. I didn't particularly see her musk me, because it happened outside in the rain, but I just know she made my hands SMELL:rolleyes:

I'm not sure if Texas Indigos have as many markings as this one. I know it's kinda hard to see....But again I wouldn't know:p

[norcalj]

That's a Blotched Water Snake (Nerodia Erythrogaster Transversa). They're not venomous, but are well known for being highly aggressive.

[ProXimuS]

I think you could be right! This one wasn't aggressive to me really. I picked her up pretty gently near the tail and slowly moved my other hand toawrds her head/neck.When I was sort of running to take her back outside across the street to the woods, she got a little freaked out and tried to turn and bite me a little and then stopped immediately. So she was pretty cool, being WC in the pooring rain. She was just a little scared.

[kueluck]

huh...speaking of bugs. I found this little lady on my sago palm 2 days ago. We always have these around the yard, we don't use any chemicals on our property which is a good thing and bad thing when it comes to ants and the big orb weaver spiders.
6574

[ProXimuS]

Cool! I've never seen one of those in real life. I like how she turned to the camera:)

[EasternGirl]

Well, that is one big snake! Praying mantis...they will turn their heads to look at you. They will also jump and bite you if you aren't careful. Federally protected. Orb weavers...we have them all over our yard. Great since I hate spiders. But I find them kind of fascinating. Funny story...I live on a college campus and there was a group of drunk college guys sitting in my driveway the other night...waiting for a cop to give them a ticket for being drunk and stupid. My son and I were outside trying to take a picture of an orb weaver by my front door...and the stupid college guys thought I was trying to get pics of them getting busted. They started saying smart mouth things to me...I said something back that I won't repeat...but it shut them up. I should have taken the spider over and said "this is what I was taking a pic of dumb***...here...wanna see?"...and thrown the spider on them. Lol....

[ProXimuS]

LMAO!! You should have done it...:p Or at least told them "If you're drunk and getting busted in my driveway, I can take pictures all I want!"(Even though you weren't...It's none of their business, what you're doing in your own yard!)

[ProXimuS]

Also, I didn't know Praying Mantis will bite people:confused:

[kueluck]

As long as you don't move to fast and do not grab at them they are ok with being handled. Kinda like a garter. And when you talk to them they will **** their heads like they are interested in what you have to say, unlike a garter who is only interested in what you can do for THEM.;)
Cool! I've never seen one of those in real life. I like how she turned to the camera:)

[Steveo]

Also, I didn't know Praying Mantis will bite people:confused:

Me either! I've handled probably a few dozen but they never got me. I imagine a big one could give a nice pinch though.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Even your inverts are awesome!You lucky Americans.:)

[ConcinusMan]

Well, that is one big snake! Praying mantis...they will turn their heads to look at you. They will also jump and bite you if you aren't careful. Federally protected.

What is federally protected?


Also, I didn't know Praying Mantis will bite people:confused:

They don't, that I know of. But if you try to restrain them, they will use their pinchers on you.

Gail, I think that is a male carolina mantis. (Wings do not cover the entire abdomen in females) That is, if it doesn't have a spot (european mantis' have that) on the inside of each foreleg.

[Steveo]

Did some dry creekbed/floodplain walking Friday evening since it was cloudy and cool. Covered 6 miles in 3 hours, found 5 snakes and a field mouse with pinkies. Photos were taken with my phone.

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=48456de03e&view=att&th=13988680d90f58aa&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1412026361277579264-1&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8hFo30Z6tcgQm4hkjFZ3w0&sadet=1346618541412&sads=o3AwQLQ69ShuB__1HRLlZv4AaRkhttps://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=48456de03e&view=att&th=1398869d9676f5c5&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1412026467568582656-1&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8hFo30Z6tcgQm4hkjFZ3w0&sadet=1346618682368&sads=5_bh--_Fn2EFePBlDpMJ9eI_HpIhttps://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=48456de03e&view=att&th=139886a104556b54&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1412026504604286976-1&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8hFo30Z6tcgQm4hkjFZ3w0&sadet=1346618739657&sads=pMe-J8L0RLaEvf2zvIyWDur1eoY

Not pictured are the radix, which was out in the open but I still couldn't grab (0 for 2 on grabbing radix), and an unusual vagrans scrub that I'm hiding from the missus... I think it's just an uncommon phenotype for this location, but I want to get a picture up and see if anyone wants it.

[ProXimuS]

I can't see the pics....Don't know if it's just me.... Just red X's.

Too bad on those radix! Hopefully you'll get one soon!

[MCwyo]

Here is random pictures of a spine I found by work....Again I'm kind of hoping someone can help me with some identification.

6360 6361

I know it may seem weird...But I know people here have alot more wildlife experience than I do. So the first pic has like the edge of my shoe in it for a slight reference(accident:p/I wear a size 9 in women, so my foots not too small...) In this area we have birds, squirrels, and rabbits(all abundantly). There are also some bobcats, coyotes, snakes, and deer(not seen often though....but doesn't mean they're not there). The spine seems to be about 1.5 ft all together(but also may not be complete). One thing I don't understand is, why do these vertebrae seem to be perfectly round? I thought most vertebrae look more like this: http://www.biology-blog.com/images/blogs/10-2009/vertebra-3431.jpg Any inisight would be greatly appreciated!:D I've shown quite a few different people, so I've got a few others interested in an answer, too.:p

Couldn't find where anyone answered this, so I apologize if it has in fact already been answered. I have dabbled in preparing skulls and skeletons with dermestid beetles and in my opinion that would be a fish spine. No sure what species, I never really got into fish that much, mainly just mammals.

[ConcinusMan]

I can't see the pics....Don't know if it's just me.... Just red X's.

I don't see any red X's. Or pics for that matter. Just text.

[Steveo]

I don't see any red X's. Or pics for that matter. Just text.

Odd. I'll upload again. 659265936594

[ProXimuS]

Couldn't find where anyone answered this, so I apologize if it has in fact already been answered. I have dabbled in preparing skulls and skeletons with dermestid beetles and in my opinion that would be a fish spine. No sure what species, I never really got into fish that much, mainly just mammals.

Hey thanks! Yea, I don't think it got answered, but I figured it was just too random and too little ifo to be able to tell. We've got alot of hawks and other types of birds of prey so it couldv'e gotten carried there. I occasionally even find random clam shell type of things around, too. Thanks again:)

Steveo, nice lookin snakes! What is the last pic?

[-MARWOLAETH-]

6595

I'm not sure what species of seal this is (click to make it bigger)

[ProXimuS]

I love seals:) Is that near you William?

[Invisible Snake]

Odd. I'll upload again. 659265936594

What type of snake is that in the third picture?

[Steveo]

What type of snake is that in the third picture?

It's a bull snake hatchling... found 2 more tonight.

[MCwyo]

Recent hiking trip into the Bighorn Mountains near where I live

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/8807/picture429edit.jpg
By mccpc (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mccpc) at 2012-09-02

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/4497/picture410edit.jpg
By mccpc (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mccpc) at 2012-09-02

[-MARWOLAETH-]

About 15 miles away from where I live.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I love seals:) Is that near you William?About 15 miles from where I live.

[kueluck]

This is the Chinese version (yard full of castings each year), I've only seen the Carolina once and they are NOT a pretty mantis. Very short & stout body compared to the long lean Chinese.QUOTE=ConcinnusMan;224750]What is federally protected?



They don't, that I know of. But if you try to restrain them, they will use their pinchers on you.

Gail, I think that is a male carolina mantis. (Wings do not cover the entire abdomen in females) That is, if it doesn't have a spot (european mantis' have that) on the inside of each foreleg.[/QUOTE]

[ProXimuS]

Wow, MCwyo, that's beautiful! William, also beautiful! Lucky:)

Has anyone been pinched by a mantis?

[EasternGirl]

I thought it was against the law to kill a praying mantis. My mother was bit by one. It jumped off a bush and bit her.

[ConcinusMan]

I thought it was against the law to kill a praying mantis.

That's an urban legend and completely false. It has never been illegal to kill a praying mantis in any U.S. state, nor is there any federal protection for mantids. No species of mantid is listed as threatened or endangered in the U.S. There are no fines for killing them. Furthermore, mantids are present in, but not native to, many states. Obviously, any non-native introduced species is not protected.

I think you happen to have a native mantis there though. Carolina mantis. In many states, chinese mantids and european mantids thrive after being introduced. In most of the country you actually have a better chance of finding a non-native species, than a native one.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2012/nature-2012-09-04-zootoca.jpg

Viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara)



http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2012/nature-2012-09-04-aeshna.jpg

Aeshna sp.



http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2012/nature-2012-09-04-vipera-01.jpg

Common adder (Vipera berus), probably somewhere between 1-3 years of age, typical coloration for a subadult.



http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2012/nature-2012-09-04-vipera-02.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2012/nature-2012-09-04-vipera-03.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Awesome pics stefan! I love the adder.

[EasternGirl]

Great pics! Well, it's good to know that about the praying mantis.

[ConcinusMan]

Awesome pics

[Invisible Snake]

Hey Stefan were you really close to the adder? And if so did he attempt to strike at you?

[Stefan-A]

Thanks, everyone.


Hey Stefan were you really close to the adder? And if so did he attempt to strike at you?
Well, I had my boot within striking distance a few times, but I had the wrong lens for close-up work. I almost had to stand on my toes to get the camera to focus when the snake was at my feet.

[ProXimuS]

Awesome pics! I really like the dragonfly:) Are all Adders venomous? I always think of "Puff Adders" when I hear Adder, and I know they're venomous. (I assume that's why Invisible Snake was asking if it struck at you.)

[Stefan-A]

Are all Adders venomous?
They are indeed.

[ProXimuS]

What a ballsy move, getting that close to it:p

[Stefan-A]

Yes, ballsy. :D

A small, moderately venomous snake, trying desperately to flee. Crossing that road was probably more dangerous than chasing the snake.

[ProXimuS]

So are those all native Finnish animals you pictured?

[Stefan-A]

So are those all native Finnish animals you pictured?
I'm not sure about the dragonfly, but the other ones are. I can narrow the species of dragonfly down to about 3 or 4 possible candidates and one of them is a non-native species that's currently expanding its range north from southern and central Europe with the changing climate.

[kueluck]

Stefan-great shots!!

[ConcinusMan]

Yes, ballsy. :D

A small, moderately venomous snake, trying desperately to flee. Crossing that road was probably more dangerous than chasing the snake.

I gotta agree.

[kueluck]

Some times it's not about the creatures, but the habitat they live in. Camped in Pisgah Nat'l Forest for 4 days last week..............ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
6715

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Great pic!!! I love pisgah forest. Did you get to see any hellbenders in the water?

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Very nice picture.It's like something out of an advert:)