The Nature Photography Thread

[kueluck]

We splunked up and down the rivers and no hellbenders to be found. I was hoping, but then I was also hoping to find some black bear also. We did find one small brown salamander, but it took off so quick I couldn’t I.D. it, and a couple of blue tailed skinks, crawfish, and at night heard a ton of screech owls. But the landscape was AWESOME.

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

[BLUESIRTALIS]

A couple of years back i was up at pisgah forest and this kid found about a 14" hellbender just walking on the bottom of the river.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

What is a crawfish?

[guidofatherof5]

What is a crawfish?

Crayfish - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayfish)

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Thanks for the link Steve:D

[ConcinusMan]

Definitely not a fish.:rolleyes: Basically it's a small freshwater version of a lobster. Here in the west, there's two types. A rather large one that lives in murky ponds and lakes, and it lives in burrows in muddy banks, just below the water's surface. It tends to be very red and has very large powerful pinchers. Another type lives in clear, cold streams with rocky bottoms. It's max size is smaller than the lake type, and it tends to be dark in color and has much weaker smaller pinchers. That type tastes delicious. I like to bait traps with bacon and catch a bunch, cook the tails and eat them with butter like you would do with lobster. It's good, but not as rich as lobster. I wouldn't eat the muddy lake type. They tend to taste like crap and their meat is often infested with worms.

[ProXimuS]

I got this in an email my grandpa forwarded to me(I don't know who this is originally from).


"This has to be the weirdest thing that ever floated by me in the river.
They were stuck together in death lock, each wanting to kill the other first.

My guess is that the falcon snatched up the tasty snake, and it somehow got its tail around the falcons neck, strangling it in midair causing both of them to crash into the comal river. They are both alive and well, considering.

I think a few more minutes and the snake would have won. The tail was actually tied in a knot around the neck, and getting tighter by the second. I got the snake untied, and well, as you can see, they both made it.

This is another one of those stories you tell, and are always acknowledged with "yeah, right!" Well, heres the proof.

Neither of them bit me or scratched me, the snake didnt want to stop biting the falcons leg, and only let go after I had untied everything else.

I got the water out of the falcons lungs with birdie inversion technique, and stayed with him until he was almost dried off in the sun, and flying a little. Ball of snake and falcon, that is the weirdest thing I have pulled out of the water so far, it beats the wagon wheel!"

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[-MARWOLAETH-]

Mind blow

[guidofatherof5]

And it plays out many times over everyday.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

That falcon thought he was going to have an easy meal.

[snake man]

The thied picture the falcon is just sitting there like "what just happened?"

[norcalj]

Wow....That's literally biting off more than you can chew.

[RedSidedSPR]

Spent a week at the beach

http://imageshack.us/a/img140/6325/126lrj.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img41/6105/131rrn.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img716/7643/142uk.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img407/1111/163hy.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img20/7421/165vr.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img685/5021/183os.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

gorgeous photos!

[RedSidedSPR]

Yes I know.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Very nice photos.I've never seen a Sunset that colour before :)

[RedSidedSPR]

'twas actually a sunrise.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Silly me.

[RedSidedSPR]

Same difference lol

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2012/shrooms1024.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Shweet.

[ProXimuS]

Jesse, where are those pictures from? Very beautiful!

[RedSidedSPR]

Myrtle Beach, from the 11th floor Wyndham balcony

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2012/birchcar1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2012/birchcar2.jpg

That's right, I have ****ing birches sprouting from my car.

[snake man]

I dont think i have ever seen that before.

[RedSidedSPR]

I don't believe I have either. .__.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

68686869

[RedSidedSPR]

Awesome, Is that myrtle beach?

[ConcinusMan]

I dont think i have ever seen that before.

oh I have. Paper birches, maples, etc. They'll sprout anywhere.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

yes (cherry grove pier).


Awesome, Is that myrtle beach?

[RedSidedSPR]

Lol I stood on that pier 4 days ago.

[ProXimuS]

I found a cutsie little bitty snake today! I told the guy that does the lawn maintenance at work, that if he sees any snakes tell me, because I want to see....and also, he said he had been killing them:( That's why I told him to come get me....Any ways, he said it was little and red, and when we got back out there we almost didn't find it again. The poor little thing though, when I picked him up there was ants crawling on him, and one was biting him! I didn't know they could bite through the scales, but I literally had to pull it off, because it was latched onto him:( So I brought him home because I want to identify him, and then I'll probably put him back in the woods at work. I think he's an Earthsnake(not sure about rough or smooth, he looks smoth, but I don't have a rough one to compare it to). I've just neveer seen one that small, I guess maybe he's a baby. I've also never seen an Earthsnake that was so red, but I don't see why the color couldn't vary.

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Any thoughts?:)

[Stefan-A]

It's not a Pine Woods Snake (Rhadinaea flavilata), is it? You should be outside its range.

edit: Nevermind, Virginia sp. does seem to be the most likely alternative.

[ProXimuS]

It looks pretty similar, but I just looked up the range, and from what it looks like, those seem to range from N. Carolina down through Florida, and west towards eastern Louisiana.

[guidofatherof5]

Don't think it's an Earth Snake.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

The head don't look right for a pine woods snake too pointed. It looks like an earth snake but maybe a red color phase. I have never seen any that color though.

(DO YOU HAVE GROUND SNAKES IN YOUR AREA?)
IM THINKING EITHER SOME TYPE OF GROUND SNAKE OR TANTILLA.

[RedSidedSPR]

Looks like a rough (I think those are keeled scales..) earth snake but the colors are off. Could also be a western ground snake. (Sonora semiannulata)

First thought was pine snake too, but the head's too pointed like you said

[ConcinusMan]

Weird. Doesn't quite fit the description or pics of any snake that is supposed to be found near Houston.

[RedSidedSPR]

I know...

[ProXimuS]

The head don't look right for a pine woods snake too pointed. It looks like an earth snake but maybe a red color phase. I have never seen any that color though.

(DO YOU HAVE GROUND SNAKES IN YOUR AREA?)
IM THINKING EITHER SOME TYPE OF GROUND SNAKE OR TANTILLA.

Looks like they both range in my area(well, in Texas at least), but they both seem like they tend to have black heads or a black stripe on the neck. I did notice yesterday that he has a veeery faint light gray dorsal stripe.

Thanks everyone, for your contribution of knowledge:)

[-MARWOLAETH-]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2012/birchcar1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2012/birchcar2.jpg

That's right, I have ****ing birches sprouting from my car.Why is it that when people want plants to grow they usually die but where you don't want them they do really well...THE PLANT ARE TROLLING US I TELL YOU THE END IS NIGH!:p:D

[Stefan-A]

Why is it that when people want plants to grow they usually die but where you don't want them they do really well...THE PLANT ARE TROLLING US I TELL YOU THE END IS NIGH!:p:D
Plants rule the planet and from time to time they see fit to prove it, sometimes by pushing up through the pavement (or in this case, cars) or by committing suicide on principle whenever people arrogantly try to grow them.

[guidofatherof5]

It was a cool morning here in Iowa. I found this Orb Weaver Spider hiding until it warmed up.
I love these guys and am fortunate to have many on my property.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//816/medium/orb.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//816/medium/orb1.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//816/medium/orb2.jpg

[Stefan-A]

Very nice.

[ProXimuS]

Woa! That's cool...As a picture at least:p Honestly he kinda freaks me out, but it's cool to be able to see it so up close, but with it not really being here. Man, his eyes almost look like garter eyes:eek:

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Very nice pics Steve. You should Show it to Marnie she'll be delighted Lol.:p

[snake man]

How big is that?

[guidofatherof5]

How big is that?

About the size of a Lima bean, just smaller.

[ConcinusMan]

Limas come in quite a range of sizes,:cool:

[guidofatherof5]

Limas come in quite a range of sizes,:cool:

Slightly larger then a new pencil eraser. A standard #2 pencil that is new.:D

[ConcinusMan]

I shot this a few minutes ago:

http://oi46.tinypic.com/2aeqsd5.jpg

http://oi46.tinypic.com/20tjg1y.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

I have that same plant out front, and dragon flies everywhere. Looks like my yard.

Awesome shots

[snake man]

Nice picture.

[ConcinusMan]

Zinnia's

[RedSidedSPR]

Yup.

[ConcinusMan]

I don't think its the flowers attracting dragonflies around here. It's the bird baths and irrigation I think. In the past 80 days or so it has only rained once (weeks ago) 0.4 inches, so its very dry.

[RedSidedSPR]

Water definately

[ConcinusMan]

Flower made a convenient rest stop after drinking. Then off they go. This one's not as colorful or large as some that come around but I like the blue eyes for sure.

[RedSidedSPR]

I'll try to get some close ups of the ones around here, biggest ones I've seen. They get in the house a lot. Never knew they could bite (or whatever they're doing to my flesh) until I moved here. Cool lol

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Unidentified fluffy thing that we found on a beach in Devon. Does any one know what it is?
6925 (Click on it to make it bigger)

[Stefan-A]

It's a llama.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Is it a special migratory llama?Or did it just fall of a cliff and ended up on a beach a couple thousand miles away.

[ProXimuS]

Looks like a gerbil to me:)

[guidofatherof5]

I thought it was a tribble.:D

[Stefan-A]

Apodemus flavicollis. Unless it's a rat.

[RedSidedSPR]

It's snake food.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I didn't find any Adders:( but their where a lot of zoocota vivipara and slow worms around.It seemed like prime adder habitat.I guess I wasn't looking hard enough.

[guidofatherof5]

I didn't find any Adders:( but their where a lot of zoocota vivipara and slow worms around.It seemed like prime adder habitat.I guess I wasn't looking hard enough.

Viviparous lizard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viviparous_lizard)
Anguis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anguis)

[ProXimuS]

Awww! I like the slow worms! They're so cute:) Sounds like a pretty cool trip.

[ConcinusMan]

I'll try to get some close ups of the ones around here, biggest ones I've seen. They get in the house a lot. Never knew they could bite (or whatever they're doing to my flesh) until I moved here. Cool lol

Well yeah, they're carnivores. They chew right through flesh, carrion, etc.

[ConcinusMan]

It's not a damn llama, tribble, hamster, whatever. It's obviously a wookie. :p

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/garter-snake-lounge/6925d1348652753-nature-photography-thread-sdc15830.jpg

No, but seriously it's a vole. Very common around here. Favorite food for small birds of prey, especially owls. Also coyotes love them. I have observed coyotes working together to flush them out of the grass and gobble them up.

Snake food Jesse? I don't think so. Funny thing is, all the native snakes around here won't touch them. They even seem repelled by the smell of voles but will eat CB rats and mice. not sure why.

[Stefan-A]

No, but seriously it's a vole.
The tail is too long, the ears are too big and the belly is too white.

Then again, it could still be Microtus arvalis, but it still has an unusually long tail and unusually sharp coloration.

[ConcinusMan]

Perhaps you're right. First impression was vole because it looks just like the voles around here only they dont have white undersides. There is at least two that I've seen around here and the tail is not all that big. One of them has a longer tail but it is still very thin like the one pictured. It just seems the tail is too thin and short to be Apodemus flavicollis and body is too fat and round to be Apodemus sylvaticus.

My ego must be right and so it will be. I say it's a rodent.:p

[Stefan-A]

The animal is hunched and has its eyes closed, it's not exactly easy to say what the body shape is, but the tail is still longer than the voles in the region (Microtus arvalis, Microtus agrestis, Myodes glareolus, Arvicola terrestris).

[ConcinusMan]

But I'm still right. It's a rodent.:p

Sorry it's late. Like 2am here. Took some herbal "medicine". Feeling a bit... :p

[Stefan-A]

But I'm still right. It's a rodent.:pYou could still be right about it being a vole.

[ConcinusMan]

Well bless my britches.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

i have some more pics of it hopefully a little more helpful.
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[snake man]

looks like a mouse to me.

[RedSidedSPR]

Does look like a vole.

I'm no expert but I'm going with Richard on this one, I say it's a rodent.

[ConcinusMan]

Does look like a vole.

I'm no expert but I'm going with Richard on this one, I say it's a rodent.

Well, with the new pics it's definitely not a vole. I think Stefan's original answer is correct. Apodemus flavicollis. And yes, snake man, that's a mouse.;)

[infernalis]

http://www.rockyroost.net/nature/cr1.jpg

when I first walked out..

http://www.rockyroost.net/nature/b4.jpg

about ten minutes later..

http://www.rockyroost.net/nature/10min.jpg

looking up the creek..

http://www.rockyroost.net/nature/fall.jpg

a cool reflection.

http://www.rockyroost.net/nature/pool.jpg

[kueluck]

I LOVE skies with texture like the "about ten minutes later.." shot.

[ProXimuS]

I attempted to go "field herping" today. I put quotes around it because the only places I know of around here are public parks....Therefore they're aren't the best places but it's all I know!(Poor little city girl:rolleyes:) Anyways it was my day off, and I figured I'd get up early and try and check out the main snake area I know of, but of course theres no sun and it's been sprinkling on and off and it's pretty cool out there....Saw one snake but by the time I tried to get his picture it went under water. But here what I did see:

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Sleeping Nutria. I accidently scared him. I swear I thought he saw me, but apperantly not, because after the picture he jumped up and swam off. Sorry Nutria:(

6950
On the right side in the grass, there are some little green Parrot type of birds. They aren't native here, they just popped up a few years ago. I usually hear them more often than I see them. I was glad to get this pic of some.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pCANUa7yuk

Here is a turtle I saw eating a dead fish. Sorry, it's not a great video...

[guidofatherof5]

Nice. You did good.

[snake man]

Nice video.

[ConcinusMan]

Quaker parrot. Also known as Monk Parakeet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk_Parakeet)

They've been in SW WA for a few decades. They cause problems for the power company since they like to nest on tranformers for winter warmth.

[RedSidedSPR]

They're cool

[ProXimuS]

Hey thanks:) I didn't know about the power line thing....


Quaker parrot. Also known as Monk Parakeet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk_Parakeet)

They've been in SW WA for a few decades. They cause problems for the power company since they like to nest on tranformers for winter warmth.

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, there's an electrical transformer under there somewhere, lol

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/3025106752_5db382a5ab_o.jpg

[snake man]

I don't know if it is just me..... but is that nest a little big for those birds?

[ConcinusMan]

I guess the birds don't think so. They built it.:cool:

[snake man]

Living in the pent house. :D

[ConcinusMan]

A bug

http://oi49.tinypic.com/7evl.jpg

http://oi47.tinypic.com/15y6kpu.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

It is indeed a bug.

Nice closeups

[Invisible Snake]

Now the question is what kind of bug is it? o.o

[ConcinusMan]

Thanks. And by "bug" I do mean Hemiptera. Anyone want to try to I.D. the species?

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like some kind of Stink Bug.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah. Looks like its just a brown stink bug, Euschistus servus. They're everywhere here

http://i.imgur.com/iudz0.png

[ConcinusMan]

Nope. It wasn't a stink bug. This was longer, slimmer, and not super hard. Not that "shield" type body. Sorry I didn't get a good shot of the back.

This is the best I could do to show the back and shape. The body shape is longer.

http://oi50.tinypic.com/2ytnonn.jpg

[Steveo]

Looks like an assassin bug but I don't see the typical long proboscis.

[guidofatherof5]

Leaf-footed pine seed bug possibly.

[ConcinusMan]

Looks like an assassin bug but I don't see the typical long proboscis.

Yeah, that was my thoughts too.

[ConcinusMan]

Leaf-footed pine seed bug possibly.

You got it! I'm looking at images of them now. Same bug based only on outward appearance.

[RedSidedSPR]

Western conifer seed bug. (Leptoglossus occidentalis)

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o511/k1lljoy_89/CBE1C5CC-7455-4EF6-B33F-CADC93ADE42C-8650-0000052B3E821504.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

God damnit, took too long making that post..

[ConcinusMan]

Yup. Thats the bug. Gotta consider I observed it for quite a while and got to see it at all angles. Thats it alright.

[RedSidedSPR]

Western or leaf leg?

[ConcinusMan]

Western I'm pretty sure

[RedSidedSPR]

Guess I don't have those everywhere here after all

[ProXimuS]

For the past week there have been these black, yellow, and white caterpillars on one of my roommates plants. At first we were trying to get rid of them, but to no avail. Then we noticed they were getting bigger, so we decided to let them stay and watch them change. They started out only maybe 1/4 inch long. Now the biggest ones are about 3/4-1 inch long, some a little smaller. I can't wait to see them change.

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When they were smaller you couldn't see the white and yellow as much. It became more visible as they got bigger and fatter:p We looked them up and found out they are Black Swallowtail caterpillars....Well, they will be Black Swallowtail butterflys when they change, I don't know exactly what to call them now...

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Great pics Emily.:)

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice.

[CrazyHedgehog]

My friend found these washed up on the beach,
loads of them, wet and quite squishy, any idea what they are?
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/things.jpg (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=11333&title=things&cat=500)

[ProXimuS]

Ick! Are they sponges?:confused:

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Do they have openings on each end?

[CrazyHedgehog]

I think its dead mans fingers, when you look at pics of them it was very similar

[ProXimuS]

Haha I had to google "dead man's fingers":p I was thinking "Yall found some dead guy's fingers....:confused:"

[ConcinusMan]

It's not even close. I think its likely a type of sponge

[RedSidedSPR]

Certainly looks rather spongey.

[the_edsta]

Got lucky the other day... visiting a fellow colubrid enthusiast and noticed a dragonfly in distress. It was a rare case where the aggressor (jumping spider) was actually more colorful than his vivid blue prey (and on a pretty cool cactus leaf as well!).

7167

[ProXimuS]

Oh my!:eek: Great colors in that battle:p I didn't even know a spider would/could go after a dragonfly....

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Wow! Great pic love the colors on that jumping spider.

got lucky the other day... Visiting a fellow colubrid enthusiast and noticed a dragonfly in distress. It was a rare case where the aggressor (jumping spider) was actually more colorful than his vivid blue prey (and on a pretty cool cactus leaf as well!).

7167

[MCwyo]

Our last mountain adventure of the season. This is Penrose trail, located in Story WY.

http://imageshack.us/a/img26/6241/penroseview1.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img801/8501/penroseview2.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img651/4529/penrosetrail.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img560/3917/roocifer2.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img837/9673/roocifer.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Good pack dog.

[MCwyo]

Yup she is my trail buddy :D People always assume she is some sort of a service dog going through training. Nope :rolleyes: She just has to pull her own weight when we hit the trail, lol. And the pack helps her burn energy. Couldn't ask for a more loyal and happy hearted pup :)

[guidofatherof5]

Makes me miss my old Ally girl(my avatar).

[RedSidedSPR]

I make my dog wear that thing sometimes too lol. We go trekking thru the woods daily, sometimes for long periods of time so he carries his own water :p

Sometimes.

Usually not.

But he's awesome :p

as is your dog -- nice pictures.

[ProXimuS]

Very cool MCwyo. That looks like a really nice time:)


Steve, what type of dog was Ally?

[ConcinusMan]

Even though he's already said a bunch of times that his avatar was a pet, I still can't help seeing it and thinking "wolf"

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Cute dog:)

[ProXimuS]

Even though he's already said a bunch of times that his avatar was a pet, I still can't help seeing it and thinking "wolf"

Me too. That's why I was wondering. Looks like maybe a malamute or some type of wolf hybrid.

[RedSidedSPR]

Even though he's already said a bunch of times that his avatar was a pet, I still can't help seeing it and thinking "wolf"

I can't help but think "obviously domesticated lab or something!"

Your Pomeranian or whatever has manipulated how you see dogs :p Jk.

[ConcinusMan]

It wasn't that. It was the type of dog, and the pose it is in. I didn't actually think it was a wolf, just that it gives the impression.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah I see it now. Was joking anyway.

I've seen plenty of dogs and thought "wolf!" I guess that makes sense considering what wolves are.

[ConcinusMan]

Considering what domestic dogs are. They're Canis lupus , just domesticated. Which is why I say, tame does not mean domesticated. A wolf is still a wild animal even if it's tame. In many ways, they will still behave like a wild animal because they still are one. Tame or not.

[ConcinusMan]

Me too. That's why I was wondering. Looks like maybe a malamute or some type of wolf hybrid.

"The domestic dog, (canis lupus familiaris) is a subspecies of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the mammalian order Carnivora. The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral varieties."

Interesting though, what happened with "dingos". They were once domesticated dogs. They went feral, but then evolved through natural selection to become what they are today.

[ConcinusMan]

Ghost plant. A plant that lacks chlorophyll because it does not photosynthesize. I lives in symbiosis with certain species of evergreen trees and gets all it needs from the roots of the tree. In other words, the tree does the photosynthesis for the ghost plant. It only comes up briefly at certain times of the year to flower, than it's gone again within days.

http://oi48.tinypic.com/2yjpic2.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Also interesting......

[kueluck]

Also known as Indian Pipe. This is in Uwharrie Nat'l Forest on the ORV trail last month while camping. I guess this is the girls version since it's pink. :D

7400

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, that's a younger one. The one I photographed was already deteriorating and losing the pink.

[ConcinusMan]

Some random pics from my collection.

http://i47.tinypic.com/sxjj21.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/j8fac2.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/28wmnmd.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/14dotbl.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/auz1is.jpg

[StrmChasr]

Hocking Hills, Ohio
7559756075617562

[StrmChasr]

Some Mother Nature photography.
7563756475657566

[ConcinusMan]

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/garter-snake-lounge/7559d1353984447-nature-photography-thread-image.jpg

Wow, neat!

[StrmChasr]

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/garter-snake-lounge/7559d1353984447-nature-photography-thread-image.jpg

Wow, neat!

Thanks. One of my favorite places to go.

[the_edsta]

In my fifth year of hiking though the estuaries and coastal woodlands of NE FL, I finally had my first chance at a gator. This is the kind of eye 83 million years of survival earns you.

7633

[guidofatherof5]

Awesome.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

7641764276437640

[StrmChasr]

7641764276437640
Are these pictures of Wales?

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Yes.Some of my favourite spots in the Gower peninsular.I'm lucky to live half an hour drive from some of the nicest coast line in the world :D

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCvAKeXqx70QcflofDrivCDvIX9lJk4 0X1NGXRr0O_T5w5jvdz

[StrmChasr]

Yes.Some of my favourite spots in the Gower peninsular.I'm lucky to live half an hour drive from some of the nicest coast line in the world :D

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCvAKeXqx70QcflofDrivCDvIX9lJk4 0X1NGXRr0O_T5w5jvdz

Beautiful places.........one day I hope to visit Wales so I can finish my family tree and maybe catch a game at Millenium Stadium.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Were to in Wales was your family from?

[StrmChasr]

Were to in Wales was your family from?
I'm not sure where exactly in Wales the Weaklands are from. All I know right now is that John Weakland III came to America with his two brothers in the late 1700's. Thats were the records in America start.

[adamanteus]

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/adamanteus_bucket/IMG_0734.jpg

Araneus diadematus.

[adamanteus]

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/adamanteus_bucket/2010_0624variousstuff0043.jpg

Zygaena filipendulae.

[guidofatherof5]

Six-spot Burnet, sweet.

[adamanteus]

Six-spot Burnet, sweet.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/adamanteus_bucket/2010_0624variousstuff0039.jpg

Yes. I've never seen so many in one spot! (The plant is 'tufted vetch' Vicia cracca).

[guidofatherof5]

I missed your European garden spider photo. Nice.
Orb weavers are my favorite spider.

[ProXimuS]

Great pictures:)

[ConcinusMan]

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/adamanteus_bucket/IMG_0734.jpg

Araneus diadematus.

Got 'em here in WA too. I posted some pics in this thread too but the search function is useless. All it does is tell me what thread it's in. What ever happened to "show results as posts" I wonder. All it's doing is showing me the thread. Well ****, I already know what thread it's in.

[StrmChasr]

Spiders are gross.:eek:

[guidofatherof5]

Spiders are gross.:eek:

No they are not.:D

[adamanteus]

Spiders are gross.:eek:

Not so! They are some of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures on earth!

[ProXimuS]

They're ok at a distance...As long as they don't get on me....

[StrmChasr]

Not so! They are some of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures on earth!

They give me the creeps I've bailed out of moving cars because of spiders.

[ProXimuS]

So back in October I had posted some pictures of some caterpillars that were on one of my roommates plants. We put them in a container with dill and parsley and watched them turn into chrysalis'. We read they only take about 1-2 weeks to hatch out but nothing happened. We never threw them out just in case, because they still looked ok. We were just hoping... This was three months ago, and today we have a butterfly :)

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It's a Black Swallowtail

[snake man]

Well its a good thing you did not throw it out :cool:.

[ConcinusMan]

They give me the creeps I've bailed out of moving cars because of spiders.

That's funny. I certainly wouldn't bail out but I took my eyes off the road and rammed into a sign, knocking it over, because I was trying to grab a spider and throw it out the window. I didn't want to kill it and almost killed myself instead lol.

[ConcinusMan]

http://oi45.tinypic.com/3089ttz.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/2ytwbw5.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/2eqfayv.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

Just for the heck of it I thought I would show this very awesome, huge, impressive jumping spider again. Found her hanging out on a horse coral fence in my front yard near Victorville, CA. I've seen this same jumping spider species here in WA a few times but never this large. I was tempted to keep it but I was able to come out and find it there any time I wanted to so I just left her there. She didn't go anywhere until winter set in.

http://imageshack.us/a/img442/9379/p103011152311.jpg

And some pics of the surrounding area (Mojave Desert)

http://imageshack.us/a/img546/3985/gedc1758.jpg

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/7678/gedc1769.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img844/2821/gedc1773.jpg

North side of the San Gabriel Mountains: (Los Angeles is on the other side)
http://imageshack.us/a/img842/2850/gedc1777.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

I know some of you have already seen these but thought I would show them again.

Photos taken in Washoe County, Nevada. (Reno/Sparks area) March 2011.

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

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

http://imageshack.us/a/img231/4739/dsc00377large.jpg

Sierra Mountains:
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/2512/190large.jpg

[Steveo]

It was warmish yesterday so I decided to get out and take some pictures.

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[CrazyHedgehog]

wow, love the duck!

[ConcinusMan]

He's like "I'm outta here. There's no friggen water!" If you look very closely you'll see it's a pair of ducks.

[ConcinusMan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHk4B1MtQF8

http://i47.tinypic.com/r0ywzb.jpg

[-MARWOLAETH-]

That's a funny programme:D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ1HKCYJM5U

[-MARWOLAETH-]

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

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like the U.S. members are out of luck.

"The uploader has not made the video available in your country"

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Curse you bbc!!!

[Steveo]

Same picture as before, with a little more development*. Also added a full-size image of the duck. He's not quite in focus, but I like that you can still see the light reflect off of his still-wet feathers.

(*Development is what Adobe Lightroom calls editing)

82388239

Naturally, in researching photography hardware for my fiance, I've developed an interest.

[nitrogen15]

I went "field fishing" in Mexico.

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[Steveo]

A few recent shots:

8358835983608361

I have some raptor photos that I don't think I shared from a few weeks ago. They're on my laptop but I'll see if I can get them up soon.

[Steveo]

8362836383648365

[ConcinusMan]

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/garter-snake-lounge/8361d1363559246-nature-photography-thread-dsc_0090.jpg
"Hmm.... that's odd. I don't see Alan or Steve"

[Stefan-A]

Here we go again.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2013/vipera2013-04-04-01.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2013/vipera2013-04-04-02.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf2Zrx1zbtw

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking adders. Good photos Stefan. I take it these are recent?

[Stefan-A]

Good looking adders. Good photos Stefan. I take it these are recent?
10 hours old. About.

[guidofatherof5]

10 hours old. About.

Yep, that's recent. Thanks.

[ProXimuS]

Saw tons of snakes today :) Today was the first warm/sunny day this spring, that I've gotten out to this specific park. I first started going there Last September, so there wasn't much time before fall, so I only saw a few snakes. But apperantly this place is snake central! I probably saw over 20 snakes :eek: That's probably the most I've ever seen in one outting!
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Pretty sure the first two are Diamondback Water Snakes, the last one I'm not too sure.

Ok I thought the bottom two pictures weren't going to load. Those two pictures are the same snake, I think it is the same type as the first, also getting ready to shed.

[ProXimuS]

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The first pic I'm pretty is also a Diamondback Water Snake. The second two I think are Mississippi Green Water Snakes :)


Can anyone confirm what type of snakes these are?

[guidofatherof5]

Sweet Diamondback Water Snakes - Nerodia rhombifer

[Steveo]

My camera is officially kaput. The local camera shop called and said it needed to go to an official Nikon repair center at a cost of $225 plus shipping. I can get the same model second hand for that price... one that doesn't also have a cracked LCD.

I really want to upgrade anyway. Maybe I can sell this one for parts. I only need $900......... :o

[guidofatherof5]

I find some good cameras at my local Sam's Club. They were returned but are like new.

[Stefan-A]

So I returned to the spot where I found an adder a week ago. It was still there.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2013/vipera2013-04-10-01.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

It wants to go home with you, Stefan.:D

[Stefan-A]

I'd love to keep one or two of them, but I couldn't take care of a wildcaught one.

[StrmChasr]

Had the day off so I went to my favorite park. Didn't see any snakes, probably because it was late in the day, but the turtles were enjoying the sun.
856285638564

[-MARWOLAETH-]

So I returned to the spot where I found an adder a week ago. It was still there.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2013/vipera2013-04-10-01.jpg
Are N.maura as inactive as adders are?

[Stefan-A]

Are N.maura as inactive as adders are?
I've never seen wild N. maura (as they don't exist here) and adders are actually pretty damn active.

[BUSHSNAKE]

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The first pic I'm pretty is also a Diamondback Water Snake. The second two I think are Mississippi Green Water Snakes :)


Can anyone confirm what type of snakes these are?
your exactly right...the first one is a diamondback watersnake and the other two are Miss.green watersnakes

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2013/vipera2013-04-28-01.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/2013/vipera2013-04-28-02.jpg

And the season continues.

[guidofatherof5]

We are enjoying it also. Thanks.

[ProXimuS]

What type of snake is that Stefan? Soooo pretty!!

[Stefan-A]

What type of snake is that Stefan? Soooo pretty!!

Vipera berus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipera_berus)

[ConcinusMan]

We are enjoying it also.

So you celebrate spring by building a snow man this fine May morning? :p

We hit 78 F today. Even warmer tomorrow.

What kind of conditions does it take to bring that snake out Stefan? What's it like in April-May where you are?

[Stefan-A]

What kind of conditions does it take to bring that snake out Stefan? What's it like in April-May where you are?
I think it's a ground surface temperature of +5°C or higher that brings them out. The air temperature at that time would be around 0°C or a couple of degrees lower during the day and it drops to maybe -5°C, sometimes lower, at night. They've been out for a good month now, plus we're running late this year.

[ConcinusMan]

Holy sheep dip that's cold. Our high for the next few days is going to be around 30 C. :D

If you want to go out and find snakes you gotta do it very early in the day. They disappear later because it's too hot.

[Stefan-A]

Holy sheep dip that's cold.
Yeah, it's no coincidence that it's the northernmost species of snake and the most widespread non sea snake. Mountain ranges don't pose much of an obstacle, they can plow right through.

[infernalis]

http://www.varanuspark.com/chix/peeper.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Was this taken at Lake Thamnophis?

[infernalis]

Was this taken at Lake Thamnophis?

Almost Steve, That photo was taken about 700 feet away in the frog sanctuary.

[infernalis]

Took some more pictures yesterday.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/face.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/nubs.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/sirtalis.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Love that first photo. Looks like the garters are up and about in your area Wayne.

[infernalis]

Love that first photo. Looks like the garters are up and about in your area Wayne.


Yes they are Steve, I just took these pictures about 15 minutes ago while walking my dogs out back. The smallest one is a tough little guy, has to be he survived the winter despite his size...

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/tiny.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/trio.jpg

This gal looks big and gravid.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/pretty.jpg

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I wish I had a vavarium like yours, Wayne

[infernalis]

I wish I had a vavarium like yours, Wayne

Thanks. I am not sure how many snakes I have though.

[d_virginiana]

We found this girl outside our apartment complex today. Checked up on her every little bit to make sure someone didn't decide they needed to make soup...

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[guidofatherof5]

Something doesn't look right about her. Was she reactive to you?

[d_virginiana]

Yeah, she would turn her head to watch as I moved around, and she pulled her back feet and tail away when I touched them. She eventually walked back into the woods. I thought she acted a bit strange too, but couldn't see anything blatantly wrong (didn't look to have been hit by a car or injured...).
I did wonder if she was looking for a place to lay eggs, or had maybe just come out of hibernation? She was pretty far from any body of water, and was covered in dirt.

[ConcinusMan]

Something doesn't look right about her

Yeah

[gordonthegarter]

Went on a hike today and the first thing we see coming out of the nature center? Two snakes sitting on the path

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After following them down a hill to the other part of the path, decided to pick her up for a couple pictures. Mind you, northern water snakes have bad attitudes

8906890789088909

Would have tried to get somebody wrapped on my arm and let go of behind her jaw, but she was trying to bite me as it was. She didn't attack me after being put down though thankfully! And my not so vicious angry catch of the day was a sweet little green caterpillar who was almost stepped on. There would have been a toad too but he hid in a picker bush :rolleyes:

[infernalis]

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/frog.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/coolfrog.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/frogeyes.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/eyes.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/2013H/Tsirtalis.jpg

[mikem]

Never get tired of finding these!
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[guidofatherof5]

Agkistrodon piscivorus - Cottonmouth, if I'm not mistaken. Beautiful snake.

[Lowfur]

Definitely looks like a cottonmouth, we get them all the time here in Austin. They are mean as all get out here too!

[Martinz21]

I believe that is Agkistrodon contortrix or the copperhead if I remember correctly... Cottonmouths have darker head coloration and a more triangular body

[guidofatherof5]

You are correct. I'm have a med. problem :D

[mikem]

Yes, sorry, it is indeed a copperhead, though a young cottonmouth can easily be mistaken for a copperhead at first glance.

[gordonthegarter]

We've had a lot of thunderstorms here recently and on a hot day, all that water brings out some fun guys

8936

Of course every time I tried to help him out of the road, he kept turning around and following me so I couldn't grab him :rolleyes: Big snapper turning around and keeping his mouth towards you = very nervous girl just wanting to help him from being hit by a car. Also I'm sure the people driving by were giving me weird looks as I was doing circles around this big guy and he was just turning to keep me in his sight at all times. Dancing with the Snappers.

[infernalis]

I was "helping" a snapper cross a main highway the other day, some moron stomped on the gas and tried to hit the turtle. I found a stick, the snapper bit down on it and I pulled it off the roadway.

People can be idiots..

[Steveo]

I was "helping" a snapper cross a main highway the other day, some moron stomped on the gas and tried to hit the turtle. I found a stick, the snapper bit down on it and I pulled it off the roadway.

People can be idiots..

I have seen people intentionally run over snakes sunning on bike paths. There's a special place in hell for people who make a conscious effort to harm lesser beings.

[ConcinusMan]

It's a big problem in the Columbia River gorge too. They even purposely run over our endangered (in this state) CA Mt. Kings but mostly large rattlesnakes. Tell you what, if I ever see anyone doing that I'll follow them until they get out of their car and beat the living snot out of them. I'm serious I don't care the consequences are. I'd gladly do time for that.

[guidofatherof5]

I was "helping" a snapper cross a main highway the other day, some moron stomped on the gas and tried to hit the turtle. I found a stick, the snapper bit down on it and I pulled it off the roadway.

People can be idiots..

Tank and I thank you Wayne.

[gordonthegarter]

People are such jerks. We've seen whole families of geese (including babies) dead on the side of the road where people would have to intentionally swerve to hit them. People around here also purposely hit squirrels, raccoons, oppossums, and even cats :(

Sometimes I really hate the human race, but then there's the really amazing people who go out of their way and make it better.

[StrmChasr]

Found this guy cruising through my moms backyard.
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[guidofatherof5]

Sweet. Chelydra serpentina- common snapping turtle
They are such a shy creature, they just want to be left alone (unless we're talking about Tank):D

[StrmChasr]

Sweet. Chelydra serpentina- common snapping turtle
They are such a shy creature, they just want to be left alone (unless we're talking about Tank):D

I got a little too close and he defiantly let me know that he wanted to be left alone.

[ChareiHeals]

Speaking of Snapping Turtles. I came across this article the other day, and I wanted to post it on here as part of the "sometimes I hate humans" thing. It's so sad that people can be so cruel and heartless. Warning: some of these pictures might upset. Although, it's nice to see that they are actively looking for and going to punish the jerkwads that did this to that poor girl.

Snapping turtle dies after being found beaten on golf course | FOX6Now.com (http://fox6now.com/2013/06/12/snapping-turtle-found-severely-beaten-on-golf-course-dies/)

[guidofatherof5]

I won't even look. I can imagine what was done. I think I would end up in jail if I saw some being cruel to a turtle. Especially a snapper.

[ConcinusMan]

I think I would end up in jail if I saw some being cruel to a turtle.

I know I would but it would be worth it. And knowing the judges here there's not any that would hesitate to give me the minimum sentence, and suspend the jail time once they knew the reason behind it.

One might ask "why not just call enforcement/turn them in". Because it rarely, if ever does any good around here. Nobody gets punished unless caught red-handed in the act by an officer w/evidence and/or video and they would take hours to come out after the fact. And if the animal is a non-native or otherwise not protected, (such as a garter snake or red-eared slider) then what? Nothing happens (unless it's a domestic animal) even though there's still no excuse to treat an animal that way. Basically there's a huge bunch of loopholes and enforcement problems they can slip through, and most often do.

[NickB]

Sweet. Chelydra serpentina- common snapping turtle
They are such a shy creature, they just want to be left alone (unless we're talking about Tank):D

I'm trying to think of names for a few of my snakes, hence my post in the other thread. I'm DEFINITELY stealing tank for my kingsnake, describes him down to a T lol

[infernalis]

I won't even look. I can imagine what was done. I think I would end up in jail if I saw some being cruel to a turtle. Especially a snapper.

Good thing Steve. I saw the photo in the Field Herping face book group. You don't want to see it.

[infernalis]

OK, back on to cheery things. Pictures!!!

Nowhere else on the planet I would rather be on a sunny day.

http://www.varanus.us/nature/camp.jpg

My baby pine tree, Named it "woody"

http://www.varanus.us/nature/tree.jpg

[mikem]

look at this lucky find, an elk calf!
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[CelestiHel]

Wow! That IS lucky. Did mama tun you off?

[mikem]

She was grazing no more than 15 feet from the little guy. She was closer to the baby than I was. I snapped a few pics as she stood by and watched, then I backed away. It's moments like this that I wish I had a real camera and not my phone!

[kueluck]

look at this lucky find, an elk calf!
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Amazing. Where did you get to see THIS??

[ConcinusMan]

One place i like to herp near Portland Oregon ' is just basically a patch of untouched habitat surrounded by urbanization and I've seen deer there. The train/lightrail tracks go right along side of it. Well, on June 11th, it was on the local news that a railroad employee stopped the train to remove a fawn sleeping on the tracks!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWSIXva8ycw

[mikem]

Amazing. Where did you get to see THIS??

I saw this little one in Cataloochee, NC. They reintroduced elk back in 2001, I believe.