June 2010 Photo & Caption Comments Thread

[Stefan-A]

Comments about this month's photo and caption contest get posted here, so that we keep the contest threads free of clutter.

Before submitting any pictures, please read the rules.

[GarterGeek]

I can't make up my mind which of these to pictures to submit to the contest. Either way, my chances of winning are nil, but advice would still be appreciated. :)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/100_3065.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/100_3086.jpg

[gartermorphs]

I personally like the first one

[Stefan-A]

Choosing a picture is always a gamble. :)

[guidofatherof5]

Both photos are very nice. The second one of course shows more tongue.
Don't sell your photos short. You have as good a chance as anyone else to win.

[infernalis]

I think all the pictures so far are great. But then any close ups of garter snakes are great.

[Tyrel26]

I just posted a pic, sorry if I am a little late

[ConcinusMan]

@ Gartergeek: I like the bottom one. who the heck tied a rubber band around your snake? I mean, what the heck is going on near the tail? That doesn't look good.

[mustang]

@ Gartergeek: I like the bottom one. who the heck tied a rubber band around your snake? I mean, what the heck is going on near the tail? That doesn't look good.
when i took mine(you cant see it in pic) and for months after i tried putting pare towls kept on loosly with rubber bands and tape because my bed, the floor, and anything that needed to be washed was his favorite place to poop...hes kinda gotten over it now tho

[GarterGeek]

@ Gartergeek: I like the bottom one. who the heck tied a rubber band around your snake? I mean, what the heck is going on near the tail? That doesn't look good.


I'm not sure what you mean by rubber band, but he's wild-caught and pretty beaten-up:

A part of his tail is missing on the end, and it appears that some of his ribs were broken. I think that when the ribs healed they grew inward or something, because he's a little crooked. I've had him for two years and that's the way I found him, it doesn't seem to bother him at all. Could that be what you're looking at?

[ConcinusMan]

I'm not sure what you mean by rubber band, but he's wild-caught and pretty beaten-up:

A part of his tail is missing on the end, and it appears that some of his ribs were broken. I think that when the ribs healed they grew inward or something, because he's a little crooked. I've had him for two years and that's the way I found him, it doesn't seem to bother him at all. Could that be what you're looking at?

I guess so. Looks like he had a rubber band tied around him at some point.

[adamanteus]

No July contests? I might have new pics!;)

[ConcinusMan]

As of the time of my post, the photo entry is still unlocked. Go for it!

[adamanteus]

As of the time of my post, the photo entry is still unlocked. Go for it!

But it's the June contest?:rolleyes:

[drache]

things have fallen a bit behind in your absence, James

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, the contests have been running basically middle of the month, the middle of the following month so any day now, June will be locked for voting.

[Stefan-A]

Yeah, the contests have been running basically middle of the month, the middle of the following month so any day now, June will be locked for voting.
We've tried catching up a number of times, but it usually ends in me having to wait another week or so before the winner A. notices that the contest is over, or B. comes up with a theme. It's starting to become hard for me to give a crap about sticking to a schedule.

Of course, we could do another attempt at catching up, with the contests always starting on the 1st, with or without a theme. How does that sound?

[adamanteus]

How about if each participant chooses a new theme and posts that choice with his/her photo.... then the winning pic already has the theme attached? Or how about a whole new vote, where we all get to put an idea forward and the forum gets to choose? I don't know. Maybe the timing doesn't even matter.:o

[infernalis]

I like that first idea James.

makes great sense.

[adamanteus]

Or maybe just let the Moderators choose the theme, if the winner doesn't come up with an idea in, say, two or three days?

[ConcinusMan]

We've tried catching up a number of times, but it usually ends in me having to wait another week or so before the winner A. notices that the contest is over, or B. comes up with a theme. It's starting to become hard for me to give a crap about sticking to a schedule.

Of course, we could do another attempt at catching up, with the contests always starting on the 1st, with or without a theme. How does that sound?

I dunno about that.


I like that first idea James.

makes great sense.

Yeah, I think so too.

How about if each participant chooses a new theme and posts that choice with his/her photo.... then the winning pic already has the theme attached? Or how about a whole new vote, where we all get to put an idea forward and the forum gets to choose?...:o

I like those suggestions.^^^ Whatever it takes to get the contest current. Otherwise, don't give the contest a month name but that would get confusing.

[Stefan-A]

Interesting solution, but it does mean that someone would have to keep a close eye on every entry and people would constantly need to be reminded to post a theme with their contest entry and themes would frequently have to be added to posts afterwards.

[ConcinusMan]

I had thought of that too. It's up to you, and of course, Boots, if anything is to change. Some sort of change would be nice IMHO. Maybe you need someone to help out with that. An assistant moderator perhaps. Say, me for example.:p OK, maybe not.:o

[drache]

how about this:
if the winner fails to choose a theme within the first three days, the first member suggestion is taken

[adamanteus]

I like that, Rhea. it would keep things moving.

[drache]

I like that, Rhea. it would keep things moving.and simple

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, that's good.

[TheBeansprout]

Hi, I just have one suggestion, when the winner is announced, remind them that they need to submit the next month's theme. I was unsure when/how I was supposed to do that last month and messed things up. :(

In any event, just my 2 cents.

[adamanteus]

When you win, a PM to one of the moderators with your theme choice is good.
Should we let the voting run until the end of July, then start afresh at the beginning of August, to get things back on track?

[drache]

fine by me

[ConcinusMan]

When you win, a PM to one of the moderators with your theme choice is good.

Huh? We've been doing that. That's what causing the problem. Someone wins, but doesn't log in or choose a theme for 2 or three weeks so the contest ends up starting in the middle of the month instead of the beginning.

We need a schedule. Specific days for starting the entry thread, and specific period of voting that allows a few days to get a new theme before the next month begins. If we want to catch up, skip July. If the winner doesn't pick a theme by the 1st, we start the contest anyway, using an alternative theme somehow.

Something needs to be done. It's the middle of July and we are still voting on June? We should already have entries for July starting two weeks ago.

[Stefan-A]

I still think it might be refreshing to have a "no-theme" as the default alternative if the winner doesn't come up with one. It's simple and would allow people to show off pictures that probably wouldn't ever get to compete otherwise.

[Spankenstyne]

I agree. Could lead to some good creativity too.

[Hollis_Steed]

I like that idea!

[drache]

yes, I like it too

[adamanteus]

Excellent, that's decided then.
So let's let the voting run until the end of July, then start afresh in August.

[ConcinusMan]

Agreed!

[mustang]

i agree set scheduals and also the no theam theam if one is not appointed!

[ConcinusMan]

I take it we're going to skip July and start August off on time? Polls are still open for June.

@ mtolypetsupply: better start thinking about theme. You know, just in case you win. ;)

I think you might have a slight chance.:rolleyes:

[Stefan-A]

Well, I could even out the odds a bit. ;)

[mtolypetsupply]

I take it we're going to skip July and start August off on time? Polls are still open for June.

@ mtolypetsupply: better start thinking about theme. You know, just in case you win. ;)

I think you might have a slight chance.:rolleyes:


Voting is still open, nothing is set in stone yet. I have an Idea of what I'd pick, but is there a list of "used" ideas? I thought I saw one in a thread before, but can't find it now.

[ConcinusMan]

December 2006 Photo Contest: "Anything"
January 2007 Photo Contest: "Garter Snakes at Lunch."
February 2007 Photo Contest: "Garter Snakes shedding (including blue phase)."
March 2007 Photo Contest: "Snakes with their heads off the substrate.
April 2007 Photo Contest: "Close-ups of heads."
May 2007 Photo Contest: "Garter Babies."
June 2007 Photo Contest: "Garters in their Enclosures"
July 2007 Photo Contest: "Garters curled up"
August 2007 Photo Contest: "Garters on the Rocks"
September 2007 Photo Contest: "Yawning"
October 2007 Photo Contest: "Garter Variations"
November 2007 Photo Contest: "Tongues"
December 2007 Photo Contest: "Members with their Garter Snakes"
January 2008 Photo Contest: "Snakes in the Grass"
February 2008 Photo Contest: "Baby Garters"
March 2008 Photo Contest: "Garter Patterns"
April 2008 Photo Contest: "Garter Faces"
May 2008 Photo Contest: "Garters Swimming"
June 2008 Photo Contest: "Two's Company"
July 2008 Photo Contest: "Size Difference"
August 2008 Photo Contest: "The Whole Snake"
September 2008 Photo Contest: "Peeps"
October 2008 Photo Contest: "Climbing snakes"
November 2008 Photo Contest: "Winter Preparations"
December 2009 Photo Contest: "Garter gangs"
January 2009 Photo Contest: "Hunting"
February 2009 Photo Contest: "Defensive postures"
March 2009 Photo Contest: "Mating"
April 2009 Photo Contest: "The studio shot"
May 2009 Photo Contest: "Garters of Spring"
June 2009 Photo Contest: "Head shots"

Dangit, I lost the list from June '09 to present but stefan can help you out with that.

[Stefan-A]

Dangit, I lost the list from June '09 to present but stefan can help you out with that.
Nah, haven't been updating the list since June 09. But it's not that hard to just look in the contest threads. ;)

[Mommy2many]

How about "snuggle snakes"?

[adamanteus]

July 2009 Photo Contest. 'Mother and Daughter'.
August 2009 Photo Contest. 'Burrowing'.
September 2009 Photo Contest. 'Open Mouth'.
October 2009 Photo Contest. 'Your Most Evil Looking Garter'.
November 2009 Photo Contest. 'Eye Shots'.
December 2009 Photo Contest. 'Strange Looks'.
January 2010 Photo Contest. 'Godzilla'.
February 2010 Photo Contest. 'Overhead Shots'.
March 2010 Photo Contest. 'Spring'.
April 2010 Photo Contest. 'Snakes Entwined'.
May 2010 Photo Contest. 'In Situ Snap Shots'.
June 2010 Photo Contest. 'Tongues'.
July 2010 Photo Contest. None.

That completes the list. We just need Stephi to choose the theme for August now.:D