The Nature Photography Thread

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

you shouldn't hate any living being. they are all here for a purpose. bees ESPECIALLY.

okay, I take that back. there is one living being you're allowed to hate.... MITES!!! vile wretched excuse-for-a-tick!!!

[Stefan-A]

you shouldn't hate any living being. they are all here for a purpose. bees ESPECIALLY.
Purpose is definitely the wrong word here, it implies intent or planning. Nobody intended for them to be here, it's just how things turned out.

[adamanteus]

Bees have two purposes in life..... to pollinate... and to ruin picnics.

[Snake lover 3-25]

Bees have two purposes in life..... to pollinate... and to ruin picnics.

I agree!!!:D

[enigma200316]

Bees have two purposes in life..... to pollinate... and to ruin picnics.


I totally agree with you there James, and isn't amazing how painful they can be.....:rolleyes::D

[anji1971]

I love bees -- they make my flowers more beautiful! I work next to bees all the time, and I've only been stung when one got stuck in my clothes, and that was a wasp anyway.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

OLD PICTURES


habitat shot near my grandparent's farm:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/xxAngelinblackxx/photography/Lake.jpg

gravid nerodia sipedons in the lake
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/xxAngelinblackxx/photography/watersnake.jpg

the same snake came out of the water and was very curious about my presence...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/xxAngelinblackxx/photography/watersnakegrass.jpg
my old leo outside on an elephant ear plant:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/xxAngelinblackxx/photography/gecko2.jpg

Stubby from about 2 years ago. she was very unhappy with my wanting to take pictures.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/xxAngelinblackxx/photography/stubbbby.jpg

This was seriously the best snake ever. REST IN PEACE SPOOKY! she passed away due to eggbinding in 2005.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v447/xxAngelinblackxx/photography/spooky.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

that's sad... i dont know what i'd do if i lost one of mine...:(

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

it happens to all of us eventually.

[zooplan]

we had a rainy visit to the Dormund zoo yesterday and met this wild guy on the trail
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSCF6280.JPG
sorry that you can´t see its orange belly.

[count dewclaw]

We have some early Spring flowers blooming!

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

snowdrop

[anji1971]

A few things are popping up in my garden:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/april62008_039.jpg
Crocus

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/april62008_037.jpg
Bleeding Heart

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/april62008_038.jpg
Columbine

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/april62008_040.jpg
Dwarf Iris

[anji1971]

And here are some of my feathered friends!
Mourning doves:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/april62008_028.jpg

Some I took a couple weeks ago when we still had snow!
Red wing blackbird on the feeder (taken through the window, so they're not the best!:o)
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/april62008_024.jpg
Common grackle, and red wing blackbird. Also some stupid pigeons-they bug me!
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/april62008_025.jpg

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/moss1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/moss2.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/moss3.jpg

Just moss..

[count dewclaw]

But it is interesting moss!

[salzar]

that one bit of moss looks like its sticking out its toung at spring, ha ha I will prevail!!!
cool shots stefan -A
BYE
AND HAPPY SPRING
michelle

[Stefan-A]

..so I went out for a little walk, which turned into an urban midnight herping trip. Found one Rana temporaria and nearly a dozen Bufo bufo (including roadkills, which I won't post here without moderator approval) altogether during the first 3 kilometers, but I didn't have my camera with me. So I changed my plans, went back home to get the camera and walked the same route again. Here are the results.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/midnightherping-01-rana.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/midnightherping-02-bufo1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/midnightherping-03-bufo2.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/midnightherping-04-bufo2.jpg

These last two are the same toad from two different angles.


And when I started walking home, I saw some kind of accident.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/midnightherping-05-circusaccident.jpg

They were taking down a circus tent and a single fire engine showed up with the lights on but no siren, followed by a police van. No ambulance, but apparently something was going on.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/midnightherpingbufo2.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

not even toads here yet...:(:(:(:(:(

[adamanteus]

Just love Bufo bufo... prettiest eyes of any herp!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

did you lick the toads???:p

[adamanteus]

Personally, I'd lick anything with eyes like that!:eek:

[Snake lover 3-25]

EWWW!!!!! you'd get warts on your toung LOLOLOL:):):):):):)

[Stefan-A]

Definitely my favourite amphibian, but bufotenine has absolutely no appeal to me. :D

[anji1971]

I was looking for toads the other day while I was out but I couldn't find any. I wouldn't mind finding a friend for Toadie. (which would probably end up being named "Toadie's Friend":rolleyes:!!)

[reptileparadise]

Very nice pics added!

@Stefan; I agree...Bufotenine is not the best natural high you can get...Maybe even the worst (Although nothing can beat Datura...)
Oh, sorry...Guess where losing track now...:)

[Stefan-A]

Guess what I've been doing for the last hour or so. :D

[adamanteus]

Toad hunting?

[reptileparadise]

Licking toads?
Watching Weeble's?
Eating datura? :P

[Stefan-A]

Toad hunting?
Toad hunting. Pictures coming up as soon as I've edited them.

[reptileparadise]

Oeh, quick...pics!

*had to edit...You guys are to quick for me...*

[Stefan-A]

Toad #1:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad1-1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad1-2.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad1-3.jpg

Toad #2:
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad2-1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad2-2.jpg

Hold on, there's more. :D

[Stefan-A]

Toad #3:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad3-1.jpg

Toad #4:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad4-1.jpg

Toad #5:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad5-1.jpg

Toad #6:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad6-1.jpg

Toad #7:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad7-1.jpg

one more post..

[Stefan-A]

Toad #8:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad8-1.jpg

Toad #9:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad9-1.jpg


http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad9-2.jpg

Toad #10:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad10-1.jpg


..and I'm done. :)
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toad10-2.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

OMG that's alot of toads for one hunt!!!! wow your toads are so much different from the ones i see around here....:):):):):):)

[Stefan-A]

Took me less than an hour and I walked about 3-4 kilometers. :)

[Zephyr]

4+10 are my faves. :P

[Snake lover 3-25]

man... i'm sooooo happy!!!!:D it is FINALY nice out here!!!!! i let my snakes outside to wander for the first time since who knows when....:D and now i've left them out there in their portable pop-up cage to enjoy the sun while i Unfortunatly am stuck in here doing homework... "suposedly"...... aren't i a good procrastonater????:D:p:eek::rolleyes:

[Stefan-A]

This is the approximate route I took. I'm not 100%, I walked back and forth a lot. Residential area, single family housing almost all the way.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/midnightherping/toadroute.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

man... i'm sooooo happy!!!! it is FINALY nice out here!!!!! i let my snakes outside to wander for the first time since who knows when.... and now i've left them out there in their portable pop-up cage to enjoy the sun while i Unfortunatly am stuck in here doing homework... "suposedly"...... aren't i a good procrastonater????

yay!!! :) finally done w/ my Euclidean Geometry!!!!! now i just have to do everything else....:(:(:(:(:(

[adamanteus]

Toad #8 is my favourite. Although I love them all.:D

[Stefan-A]

#1 is my favourite. :) Big fat female, full of eggs.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

lol stefan you sure do like toads :D

[Stefan-A]

lol stefan you sure do like toads :D
Yes and no. :) They are my favourite amphibians, but right now they are just so easy to find. :D They seem to be migrating to their breeding spots, so they are easy to find right now. They were all definitely heading in the same direction.

edit: one small mistake occurred when I posted the pictures. #7 and #8 are the same toad.

[anji1971]

Holy toadies, Stefan!!:eek:
I haven't seen any around here yet, but I have only been out on one really good walk.
They look like they're all pretty good sized toads over there............they're all cute!

[drache]

those are great toads
I wonder whether we have any in Brooklyn
I doubt it - too many predators

[Sid]

Well, the Green Anoles are finally "green" here
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/4-10_Anole.JPG

[adamanteus]

Very nice photo, Sid.

[drache]

normally I'm not drawn to floral stuff
but yesterday I was having some time in the park in the afternoon and it was sunny and I had the camera and everything else I wanted to photograph kept flying away
I didn't want to come back empty handed

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/2405141961_3be0e56116_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/2405139709_966cc9dfaf_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2210/2405137175_3b8f6eeba5_b.jpg

[Sid]

Great photos, Rhea:)

[anji1971]

Beautiful...........I'm a flower fanatic! Can't wait till those magnolias start blooming here, should be anytime now!

[Sid]

I'll add one to Stefan's toads. About 10:30 pm last night I heard some calling outside my house. Found 8 in our Koi pond, 50% of which were in the process of starting the 2008 population explosion.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/Fowlers_Toad-1.JPG
Male Fowlers Toad

[Lori P]

These are all such great pics!! I went woods walking the other day and all I got was covered in ticks. :mad: I think my photo opportunities are greatly reduced when 14 dogs, 5 turkeys and several goats are walking with me. lol

[reptileparadise]

Wow, thats a very nice stripe down that toads back!
Okay, here we go...I've got about 15 to upload or something...
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/VarenSmall.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/PaarsedovenetelSmall.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/DSCF7338Small.jpg

[reptileparadise]

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/DSCF7301Small.jpg

Some nice newts (or is it salamanders...or are both names correct? )
Found 4.8 today. First some nice males
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/SalamanderonderwaterSmall.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/Salamanderonderwater3Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/Salamanderonderwater2Small.jpg

[reptileparadise]

Obvious male with the back and tail!
Sadly the sun diappeared when I started taking photos. So had to use the flash on some, which really ruined the colors...
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/helaasmetflitsSmall.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/mooiemannenstaartSmall.jpg

Female vs Male
Female is a bit greenish and lots bigger. The male is blueish, with the ridge on his back
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/groenigversusblauwmetkammetjeSmall.jpg

[reptileparadise]

Belly shots!
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/buikjesSmall.jpg

Okay...Now my favorites...
Gotta love these colors!
Awesome how its goes from blue, into bright blue, into yellowish, pale blue and orange!
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/schitterendeovergangSmall.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/mooieopgezettekamSmall.jpg

and my background since a few minutes...
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/mooiesalamanderfotoSmall.jpg

[Stefan-A]

Very nice photos. :) What species is that?

[adamanteus]

It's the Alpine Newt, Tristurus alpestris, I think?

[Sid]

Very nice indeed.:)

[reptileparadise]

yes, it should be Triturus alpestris. Very common around here

[drache]

those are so pretty
I've always loved looking at them

[CrazyHedgehog]

Wow Sjeord, cool Newts! I keep looking, but never seem to find much wild around here!

[adamanteus]

Wow Sjeord, cool Newts! I keep looking, but never seem to find much wild around here!

What about those 'black snakes' near the zoo? When are we going to go looking for them, Inge?:)

[Sid]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//558/medium/Muskrat-2.jpg
And a closer shot:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//558/medium/Muskrat-1.jpg

[count dewclaw]

Is that a beaver? I can't see the tail!

[Sid]

Is that a beaver? I can't see the tail!
Muskrat. Couldn't get close enough for the details that I would have liked to capture.

[count dewclaw]

That was my other guess, but I couldn't really tell what size it was. Again, the tail would have given it away!

[Stefan-A]

Muskrat.. one of those species that people, in their infinite wisdom, have decided to release into the Finnish environment.

[CrazyHedgehog]

What about those 'black snakes' near the zoo? When are we going to go looking for them, Inge?:)
I was thinking about that... how about we organise a day at the zoo for a few members and go walkabouts!:cool:

[adamanteus]

Sounds good. Count me in!

[reptileparadise]

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/DSCF7480Small.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/DSCF7479Small.jpg

[reptileparadise]

Just playing with the settings...Not really nature related (although water is a crucial part of nature), but also not really worth opening a new topic...

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/DSCF7568Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/DSCF7569Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/DSCF7558Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/DSCF7586Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/DSCF7539Small.jpg

[adamanteus]

Good pictures, Sjoerd!

[drache]

those are excellent pictures, Sjoerd

[Lori P]

Too fun Sjoerd!!! This is my favorite! I could look into it forever... well at least for 5 minutes or so... :)

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/DSCF7558Small.jpg

[Lulu Bennett]

Sjoerd, they are fantastic pics there. Amazing!

[anji1971]

Those are very cool. I don't think my li'l old camera would be able to do that, especially with that clarity.

[drache]

Mikhaila found this
it was so fast, it was really hard to focus on

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2340/2410270951_50118c5e92_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/2410267637_1ecd210f32_b.jpg

what is it?
and what's that deflated leafy thingy on its butt?

[Stefan-A]

Very nice. :D I think that IS its butt. Maybe it just looks that way after a long winter off feed?

[adamanteus]

It's Dysdera crocata..... Either eaten away by parasites, just laid a load of eggs, or VERY emaciated. It certainly isn't 'right'.

[reptileparadise]

Very pretty spider, although it looks lie it could use a meal!

[ssssnakeluvr]

commonly called the woodlouse spider (on google). specializes in eating roly-poly's (isopods). we have lots of them here. that one looks to be in bad shape. that leafy looking thing is her abdomen.....doesn't look good for her.

[anji1971]

It looks like it may have been stepped on or something. Poor little thing......:(

[Zephyr]

WAIT.
I actually know this one! :D
I caught one the other day, a rather large female, and I'm gonna breed her with a male when I find one. :P
Pretty little spiders, they over winter as 'slings resembling wolf spiders and molt into adulthood the following spring. Obviously, that spider suffered a bad molt- note the abdomen as well as the crooked legs.

[adamanteus]

Dysdera looks that way (apart from the collapsed abdomen) throughout it's life. The 'knock-kneed' appearance is normal for this species.

[adamanteus]

This is how the abdomen should look.

http://piclib.nhm.ac.uk/piclib/webimages/0/32000/400/32411_med.jpg (http://piclib.nhm.ac.uk/piclib/www/comp.php?img=66073&frm=med&search=main)

[Zephyr]

Note these bulges and odd looking spots: this happens often in other invertebrates when there is a puncture wound during or directly after molting. The joints collapse due to lack of internal pressure, due to the leaking fluid, all around the animal, hence the spots outlined. Obviously something punctured the abdomen as soon as this little guy/girl molted. D:
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/8372/44420300na7.png

[drache]

wow - poor little critter
it's a rough life out there

[adamanteus]

http://spiders.entomology.wisc.edu/Dysderidae/Dysdera_crocata/Dysdera_crocata.jpg

[Zephyr]

Gotta love those fangs. :P

[adamanteus]

http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/spiders/woodlouse%20spider.jpg

It certainly is a strange 'knock-kneed' looking spider. The leg joints of Dysdera always look this way.

[anji1971]

I think I've seen those in my garden. This forum is giving me a whole new outlook on spiders and other creepycrawlies.
Darn it, now instead of just squishing the little suckers, I'm going to have to look closely, take pics, and actually learn about them!:D

[Zephyr]

OR, do as I do and try to breed them. XD

[anji1971]

OR, do as I do and try to breed them. XD

Good Lord, Kyle...........I don't think my 'new outlook' extends quite that far!:eek:

[adamanteus]

I first bred Dysdera in the 1970s... they are fun spiders to keep, if a little sinister looking. Their favoured prey is Philoscia muscorum, a long-legged relatively fast moving woodlouse. If you can offer them P. muscorum, they'll breed for you.

[Zephyr]

I have some sort of harder-shelled wood louse I'm offering, and the female took it last night. I think it's P. armadillum or something like that...
I also have access to the other kind if necessary.

[adamanteus]

Armadilidium and Porcellio are separate genera. Armadilidium being the 'pill bug' Porcellio being the common grey 'slater'.
Dysdera will take most, but prefers Philoscia.

[Zephyr]

K thanks James! XD
Well, I'm off on a "Bugging" expedition. Hopefully I'll find some more cell spiders! :D

[adamanteus]

Get that camera at the ready then, Kyle. I'll be crying for pictures!

[Zephyr]

Bah, nothing good. A whole bunch of garden centipedes, miscellaneous wood lice, and worms.
Fortunately, my garters are getting a little treat. :P

[GarterGirl]

Poor little spider.
When I found him, he was wizzin' all over the place. It would've been hard to think he was so sick.

[reptileparadise]

spring spring spring!
Saw a lot of swallows (Hirundinidae) a bunch of Motacilla alba and heard the first Cuculus canorus of the year this morning ...at 6;30...:( !
Spring must be coming now, with al these insecteaters!

[reptileparadise]

and found this little guy / girl on my pillow...
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/engerdSmall.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

what a beautiful yellow jacket!

as weird as it sounds... I love bees... they are some really fascinating creatures to learn about and watch.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/policeofficer.jpg

Hepatica nobilis (Anemone hepatica).

[Lori P]

Ooooh, I like. :-)

[Stefan-A]

It's the colour, isn't it? :D

[Lori P]

How'd you guess??!

[Stefan-A]

Oh, just a hunch. ;)

Another one:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/policeofficer2.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

So my lazy boyfriend is sometimes hard to get out into the woods, but luckily, Un-lazy friend George is not! He and I went out into peace valley today, much further than I would ever go alone. We had great success!!! TONS of toads, green frogs, salamanders, 3 painted turtles, a close encounter with a red-tailed hawk, a garter, and the reddest, most gorgeous dekay's snake I have ever seen! For being so early in spring we found a good bit. Pics will follow... I brought home a new garter today, one of the biggest females I have EVER seen! She has a small wound under her chin that I am going to help her heal up with a bit of neosporin. She also has this odd scar on top of her head, I am willing to bet that she was bitten by something and survived it because the scar looks like it has grown outward since. It did not take her long at all to realize that being picked up and handled doesn't have to equate with being eaten.

and now... Pictures!

He was chirping away!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Amphibians/003.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Amphibians/004.jpg


They dont let go no matter what!!!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Amphibians/006.jpg

This is the same frog i photographed on friday... still there, still thinks he's hidden
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Amphibians/029.jpg

The hawk!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Birds/025.jpg

pretty painted, he was pretty far away, thank god for 18X optical zoom
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Turtles/017.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

The new girl, i'm not sure if she's here to heal the wound under her chin or here to stay, time will tell depending on how she feels towards me over time! If I do decide to keep her, her babies will be taken back to peace valley for release!http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/036.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/030.jpg

shes BIG
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/034.jpg

And she's highly attractive!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/038.jpg

this, in my opinion, was a truly stunning Dekay's snake. Such gorgeous tiger striped under his eyes, and a flaming red coloration. I put him back under his log after snapping some shots!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/015.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/013.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I love how calm these snakes are
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/011.jpg

these are his TRUE colors
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/010.jpg

thank you for looking, i am finished now. More will come later on, as george says he knows where to find a TON of milksnakes and barking tree frogs!

[adamanteus]

Some very nice finds there, Shannon. Great pics too.

[Lori P]

Wow-- well-- these pale compared to Shannon's-- and by the way, that hawk is just gorgeous Shannon, as well as the Dekay's!!!!! But, here are a couple from our woods walk yesterday... what kind of lizard is this? He was waaaay up the tree.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/woods_walk_4_19_08_Lizard.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/woods_walk_4_19_08_lizard_closeup.jpg

And here were some cool mushrooms...

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/woods_walk_4_19_08_shrooms.jpg

And some kind of yellow fungus.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/woods_walk_4_19_08_006_yellow_fungus.jpg

[adamanteus]

I think the lizard is a Five Lined Skink, Lori. Nice pics by the way.:)

[ssssnakeluvr]

cool photos!!! looks like some type of skink, not sure on the species.

[Lori P]

This gave me the creeps... we found just this one tree with this black gook (that's the technical term, I'm sure :rolleyes:) on it... some kind of fungus?? The Fungus of Death?? :eek:

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/woods_walk_4_19_08_fungus.jpg


http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/woods_walk_4_19_08_fungus_closer.jpg

[adamanteus]

Certainly looks like fungus, Lori.... but not one I know.

[Snake lover 3-25]

ick... i hope that doesn't grow on my trees LOL:):):):):(

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

ewwww it looks like the other trees were playing a joke on that one and tarred it

[Loren]

I think the lizard is a Five Lined Skink, Lori. Nice pics by the way.:)
I agree that it is a type of skink- I'm not familiar with the species in your area, but it sure is higher up off the ground than any skink I've ever found!

[anji1971]

Wow, you people have been busy!! Lots of nice pictures!
Shannon, that Dekay's is wonderful. I wish I could find one like that!
And Lori, I've seen something similar to your 'Black Death Fungus' before, but for the life of me I can't remember what the hell it is.........sorry!

[GarterGirl]

Lovely pics, Shannon. We have lots of red-tailed hawks in my neighborhood, but I've never seen one so pretty!

And Lori, that's some yucky fungus. Could you find any more?
Or was it just on that one tree?

[GarterGirl]

By the way, a few weeks ago (I forgot to tell you), I went on a field trip to a colonial village called Beth Page Village. I saw this beautiful Garter snake guarding a hole. My friend was about to touch it but it striked at him. (The snake missed) What do you think?

P.S. Sorry, no pics (I wasn't allowed to bing my camera)

[adamanteus]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//538/medium/2008_0422spider0007.jpg

House Spider, Tegenaria gigantea

[Stefan-A]

Today's find? :)

[adamanteus]

Yes. I found it at work, just before they sacked me!:D

[adamanteus]

Same one again, contained.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//538/medium/2008_0422spider0012.jpg

[enigma200316]

what!!!!!:(:(

[anji1971]

This gave me the creeps... we found just this one tree with this black gook (that's the technical term, I'm sure :rolleyes:) on it... some kind of fungus?? The Fungus of Death?? :eek:

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/woods_walk_4_19_08_fungus.jpg


http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/woods_walk_4_19_08_fungus_closer.jpg

I found a link to tree fungus, and this one looks similar. Black knot fungus -- it affects plum trees primarily. May not be the same one but could be a close relative.
Black knot - Canadian Forest Service (http://cfs-scf.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/factsheets/black-knot/cat.pathology)

[Snake lover 3-25]

Good find!!!:D it looks very alike to me!!!!:D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

It kind of makes me want to eat it.

Now let me explain why so you don't think Im so weird. When I roast marshmallows... I let them catch on fire and when tehy are done they look jsut like that.... mmmmmmmmmmm

[Zephyr]

It kind of makes me want to eat it.

Now let me explain why so you don't think Im so weird. When I roast marshmallows... I let them catch on fire and when tehy are done they look jsut like that.... mmmmmmmmmmmlol
I love burnt marshmallows. XD

[Snake lover 3-25]

ick.... i hate them burnt!!! perfectly golden brown is the way to go!!!!:D

[count dewclaw]

ick.... i hate them burnt!!! perfectly golden brown is the way to go!!!!:D

I agree with you there. Don't burn mine, Please!

[Snake lover 3-25]

LOL at least someone's on my side LOL :D:D:D:D

[GarterGirl]

I found a link to tree fungus, and this one looks similar. Black knot fungus -- it affects plum trees primarily. May not be the same one but could be a close relative.
Black knot - Canadian Forest Service (http://cfs-scf.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/factsheets/black-knot/cat.pathology)
That one looks like dog doodoo.

[GarterGirl]

LOL at least someone's on my side LOL :D:D:D:D
I don't like 'em either! :p

[Lori P]

Wow, Anji, that DOES look like "my" fungus! Thanks for finding that. Very interesting.

[count dewclaw]

Some new pictures...

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

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/pasque_flower.JPG

enjoy!

[adamanteus]

Wow! Love the Tiger Beetle!

[Snake lover 3-25]

how do you do that james???????:confused:

[adamanteus]

Do what?:confused:

[GarterGirl]

Ooooh, pretty beetle!

[Stefan-A]

Beautiful beetle, LeAnn. :)

[count dewclaw]

Thanks, for the longest time I didn't know they were beetles because they would fly off before I could get a good look at them. :rolleyes:

[Snake lover 3-25]

o sorry how do you automatically know the name of just about every bug/animal on the planet??????????? :confused:

[anji1971]

o sorry how do you automatically know the name of just about every bug/animal on the planet??????????? :confused:

It's part of his SuperPowers. A Llama-man special quality.;)

[adamanteus]

Oh that... I just know everything!;)

[anji1971]

Oh, and LeAnn, those are fabulous pictures. Is that a cactus flower in the 2nd??
Absolutely gorgeous!

[Snake lover 3-25]

um... i didn't know that llamas had that big of a brain.....:D

[count dewclaw]

Oh, and LeAnn, those are fabulous pictures. Is that a cactus flower in the 2nd??
Absolutely gorgeous!

No, it is a Pulsatilla vulgaris or pasque flower. It also has a very interesting seed pod.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

thats a tiger beetle, right?

they are REALLY cool!!! hey hunt... like tigers... and are mean.... like tigers... and they fly... like... llama man.

[adamanteus]

No. I don't fly...I trot. I can also bleat.

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol i didn't know he could fly!!!! why doesn't anyone tell me these things!!!!!!!:(

[Snake lover 3-25]

Bleat?????

[adamanteus]

Bleat?????

'BAAAAAHHHHHH'

[Snake lover 3-25]

Baaaaahhhhhh???????

[adamanteus]

Shanley, it's a llama voice thing.... rather like a sheep. Keep up, girl.:rolleyes::D

[Snake lover 3-25]

OOOOOOOOOOO.................. you mean BAAAAAAA BAAAAAAAA

[Snake lover 3-25]

i just thaught you were angry.....:D

[adamanteus]

An angry llama is an awesome sight....you'd know if I was angry.:rolleyes::D

[drache]

An angry llama is an awesome sight....you'd know if I was angry.:rolleyes::D

can you spit?

[Snake lover 3-25]

LOL Do llamas have eyebrows??????

[adamanteus]

can you spit?

I drool sometimes.... does that count?
For God's sake, someone post a nature photo!:D

[Snake lover 3-25]

these are from my florida trip (no one likes an angry llama)
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_079.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_147.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_109.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_165.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_171.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_135.jpg

[adamanteus]

Nice photos, Shanley. Love the crocs.:)
But as you were in Florida, shouldn't they be Gators?

[Snake lover 3-25]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_188.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_039.jpg

[Lori P]

Uhhhh---- nature photo--- Ok, here:

A llama that just finished spitting!!!!!!!! :D (Have you ever smelled that stuff??? OMG, it is possibly the nastiest smell on earth)


http://personal.smartt.com/~brianp/images/green.JPG

[Snake lover 3-25]

wait there's more uploading....

[adamanteus]

Just got to love Uromastyx. Nice spoonbill too. Very good pictures, did you take these, Shanley?

[Snake lover 3-25]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_169.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_255.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_176.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_124.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_125.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_142.jpg
wait there's more.....

[anji1971]

Oh!Oh! An owl! I love owls!! They're almost as cool as snakes..........I like, I like!:):D:)

[Snake lover 3-25]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_191.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_192.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_380.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_379.jpg
okay those were animal kingdom
now for reptile world :D
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_405.jpg

[adamanteus]

I think it's an Eagle Owl, Anji.

[drache]

great photos
and what a well-fed uro

[Snake lover 3-25]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_416.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_476.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_203.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_413.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_475.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_469.jpg
OMG so many pics so little time to upload!!!!!

[anji1971]

I think it's an Eagle Owl, Anji.

Looks like one, can't remember the size difference between them and the Great Horned Owl.
I'm off to Google it....................:D

[Snake lover 3-25]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_402.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_437.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_422.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_478.jpg
You don't even have half of it right now i'm on day 1.5 out of 5!!!!!

[Snake lover 3-25]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_482.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_486.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_499.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_515.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Florida_trip_506.jpg
OMG!!!!!!!!! soooooooo many...... i took over 600 pics.... i cant show you them all..... okay... you can comment now.... i'll finish when i feel like it....:D

[drache]

so where in Florida is this?

[Snake lover 3-25]

orlando... the first day was animal knigdom, the second Reptile world, this small shop where this guy showed off his collection of 100's of reptiles and had a demonstration of his work (milking snake venom for study and antivenom)

[drache]

that must have been neat to watch

[Snake lover 3-25]

very... i also personally met his indigo snake... it was his favorite!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

the indigo snake is just about the most sought after snake there is... you know why??? because they have the garter personality in a big snake body!! Oh.. how I will own indigo's someday....

[Lori P]

Wow, Shanley, what great and fun pics!! I've been having a ball looking at them-- thanks so much!!

[Snake lover 3-25]

the indigo snake is just about the most sought after snake there is... you know why??? because they have the garter personality in a big snake body!! Oh.. how I will own indigo's someday....

LOL me too... i hope... but 9ft... that's long... how big of a cage do they need????

[Lori P]

Is this a huge turtle swimming up under the little turtle?? What kind is that huge one?!!!

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data/500/medium/Florida_trip_469.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

a snapper i think... it's here too
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data/500/medium/Florida_trip_402.jpg

[count dewclaw]

thats a tiger beetle, right?

they are REALLY cool!!! hey hunt... like tigers... and are mean.... like tigers... and they fly...

Yes, it is a tiger beetle (a six spotted tiger beetle to be exact). You do not want to catch one in your hand, they bite hard!

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

the cage isnt the worst part, they cost around $1000

LOL me too... i hope... but 9ft... that's long... how big of a cage do they need????

[GarterGirl]

Wow, awesome pics Shanley!
It must've been so neat to see it all.

[Sid]

Here's some from Lake Waccamaw, NC.
Side of the road by a canal from the lake:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//558/medium/Gator-08-1.JPG

Mommie Mallard:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//558/medium/Mama_Duck.JPG

[anji1971]

He looks like something I'd rather not run into..........:D
Nice pic, though!

[Sid]

Anji, here's one you'll find less intimadating
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//558/medium/Green_Heron.JPG

[anji1971]

Yup, that's definitely a more friendly looking one!!
Is that a green heron?

[adamanteus]

It's some kind of bird, Anji. Man, I'm, good!:D

[anji1971]

Good thing I have my Sibley Field Guide to Birds...........not that I'm questioning your expertise there or anything.:rolleyes::p:rolleyes:

[drache]

that does not look like a heron to me, but I'm no expert

[anji1971]

Actually, it does! They just don't look like the Great Blue Heron you're probably thinking of.:)
Green Heron - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Heron)

[Zephyr]

Yep, that's a green heron.

[drache]

so green ones are much smaller?
the only ones I've ever seen were big grey ones (blue, I guess), and white ones, and the brown and cream coloured ones we had in germany
all of them were way larger than this guy
even the google pics didn't look much like my mental pic of a heron
okay - I'm adjusting my mental pic now - thanks
learned something new . . .

[Sid]

Yes, it is a Green Heron and they are a great deal smaller than the other Herons. The green on the wings didn't show up much at all.

[drache]

is it just me, or did Stefan's first two pics on this thread disappear?

[Stefan-A]

Nope, I had them on a different server, deleted them to make space for other pics. Deleted most of them actually, not just the first few.

[Loren]

Here's some from Lake Waccamaw, NC.
Side of the road by a canal from the lake:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//558/medium/Gator-08-1.JPG





SWEET! If only I could walk up to gators in the wild.

[adamanteus]

SWEET! If only I could walk up to gators in the wild.

I've never had the opportunity to walk up to a Gator in the wild, as I've never been to The States.
But Crocs....


http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//538/medium/James_Croc.jpg

[Sid]

Good one, James:D.

[Snake lover 3-25]

where were you in that pic then???

[adamanteus]

where were you in that pic then???

Slightly to the left... with my back to the camera!:D

[adamanteus]

Just kidding! It was taken in The Gambia (West Africa).

[Snake lover 3-25]

Gators in Africa????

[adamanteus]

No, Shanley. They're Nile Crocs.

[Snake lover 3-25]

oooooooooooo....:D how can you tell the diff?????????

[adamanteus]

Scalation, dentition, body form, head shape, colouration, distribution.....

[Zephyr]

Scalation, dentition, body form, head shape, colouration, distribution.....
Preference of human flesh, etc. XD

[reptileparadise]

Nice picture James! You're actually pretty close to that one aren't you?

[reptileparadise]

Zootica vivipara habitat
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/habitatzvivipara1Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/habitatzvivipara2Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/habitatzvivipara3Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/habitatzvivipara4Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/bloempjeSmall.jpg

[reptileparadise]

Some inhabitants...
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/mierSmall.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/spinnetjeSmall.jpg

and 3 of these guys (exodus rincinus. All three are different. Maybe subspecies?) on one! plant. They where all waiting for me to come by. In the last pic, it noticed I was there, and it spreads it legs to climb aboard the walking cafeteria...
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/teekSmall.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/teek3Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/teek2Small.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s285/reptile-paradise/Natuur/teekruiktmeSmall.jpg

[adamanteus]

Yuk! I hate ticks!

[count dewclaw]

Yuk! I hate ticks!

Me, too!
Very nice photos, though.

[Stefan-A]

One from last year.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/squirrel1.jpg


This next one's for you, James. :D

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/tick2.jpg

[adamanteus]

Thank you, Stefan.

[count dewclaw]

Lovely squirrel, Stefan.

[reptileparadise]

Yuk! I hate ticks!

ditto...After the "crown Jewel" incident...I cant stand ticks...:mad:

Lovely squirrel Stefan!

[adamanteus]

It rained all day today, but on the up side we got a rainbow.:rolleyes:

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/2008_0428rainbow0002.jpg

[Sid]

Great photo, James.

[Zephyr]

Rainbows are those wonders you forget about until you see one. :P

[Lori P]

Here was a nice rainbow we had here a couple of years ago. :)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/rainbow_2.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/rainbow_3.JPG

[Lori P]

Oh, and ticks.... aargh.... evil devil spawn, they are!!!! We have them year round here. Yeah, they do get in the darndest places... :eek: Have you all heard that country song where he goes, "I want to check you for ticks"??? TOO funny!!!

[Stefan-A]

I don't care so much about the ticks themselves, but borreliosis is no fun at all.

[Lori P]

No, that's for sure. Erlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever... ticks carry 'em all. Evil devil spawn.

[adamanteus]

I much prefer rainbows to ticks....... give me a rainbow every time.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/spidey1.jpg

Found this little guy running around on the balcony.

[adamanteus]

Love the shadow! Very dramatic!

[Lori P]

Well, I don't have a balcony, but I do have a front porch and here's what it looked like this morning, taken from inside the front door...

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/front_porch_4_29_08.jpg

That would be Nibbles the goat on the porch, and Harold and Mike the potbelly pigs in the (very wet!) yard. All yelling for breakfast... you know... no-one ever brings ME breakfast. It's not fair!!!! LOL :D

[Lori P]

Oh, here's a froggy I found in the yard the other day...

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/froggy_2008_002.jpg

So cute. Love frogs. :)

[anji1971]

Here are a few pics from our nature walk on Sunday. It was pretty quiet out there so there aren't too many!
We saw evidence of snakes, even though they were in hiding somewhere!
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/April272008_009.jpg
We found a snail party.........
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/April272008_011.jpg
Megan adopted one!
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/April272008_014.jpg
A duck in the creek:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/April272008_037.jpg

[anji1971]

Here's one more. This marsh is just across the path and a few feet in from where we let the Butler's garter go. Still seems pretty safe from construction here!
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/April272008_033.jpg

[count dewclaw]

Looks like a couple isopods were trying to crash the snail party! :D

[Thamnophis]

Because of some work in our garden this week I had to save a few Brown frogs (Rana temporaria) and I thought... let's make some pics

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/temporaria1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/temporaria2.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/temporaria3.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/temporaria4.jpg

[adamanteus]

Nice frogs, Fons. They'd make a lovely lunch for a Garter!:eek:

[Stefan-A]

Or a grass snake, James. ;)

[count dewclaw]

Beautiful frog pictures!

[drache]

lovely frogs
thanks for the nice pics

[Lori P]

Anji, I forgot to tell you, I loved the snail pic!!

And of course everyone's shots are great. :-)

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/froggiewentacrumping1.jpg

Rana temporaria.



http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/voleatile1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/voleatile2.jpg

Clethrionomys glareolus.

[Stefan-A]

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/zootocaddictinsane1.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/zootocaddictinsane2.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/zootocaddictinsane3.jpg

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/nature/zootocaddictinsane4.jpg

Zootoca (Lacerta) vivipara.

[Snake lover 3-25]

cool i love the lizard!!!:D