Search found 59 matches

by sonora
June 19th, 2019, 9:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tips for Costa Rica, please!
Replies: 8
Views: 19778

Re: Tips for Costa Rica, please!

Hi Hans, Costa Rica is a fantastic place. I've herped there twice (15 days in June 2011 and 12 days in June 2017) and did extremely well both times (snake, frog, lizard, and bird-wise). I spent most of the time in the northwestern part of the country but also explored Monteverde Cloud Forest, Tapant...
by sonora
March 6th, 2019, 7:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: What happened to H.E.R.P.?
Replies: 1
Views: 4599

What happened to H.E.R.P.?

Is the H.E.R.P. website under maintenance? I get an http 500 internal service error since Monday.

Steve Z
by sonora
June 30th, 2017, 5:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Going the Extra Mile - DOR live birth
Replies: 25
Views: 21398

Re: Going the Extra Mile - DOR live birth

Misenus, your "ringnecks" appear to be Storeria - which would explain the live birth.
Steve
by sonora
May 12th, 2017, 10:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Barry M. Goldwater Range
Replies: 0
Views: 3623

Barry M. Goldwater Range

Does anyone have experience with obtaining permits to enter the range? Is there a way to get a permit immediately, or is it only done via mail? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Steve Z
by sonora
May 4th, 2017, 6:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Guide for New Guinea?
Replies: 7
Views: 6870

Re: Field Guide for New Guinea?

Hans,
This book is pretty good, but limited in scope:
https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Snakes-Pap ... 9980916966

Steve
by sonora
March 21st, 2017, 10:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Phrynosoma in Kern Co
Replies: 11
Views: 4628

Re: Phrynosoma in Kern Co

I greatly appreciate all the replies. Thanks!
Steve Z
by sonora
March 14th, 2017, 9:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Phrynosoma in Kern Co
Replies: 11
Views: 4628

Phrynosoma in Kern Co

Hello, Does anyone hear know if P. blainvillii occurs in the Desert Tortoise Natural Area? I have seen many P. platyrhinos there, but this past Saturday, I caught a fleeting glimpse of a horned lizard that appeared too large for platyrhinos, so I was curious to know if both species occur there. Steve
by sonora
January 17th, 2017, 7:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Louisianna and/or East Texas this weekend; last minute trip
Replies: 9
Views: 5362

Re: Louisianna and/or East Texas this weekend; last minute t

Hi Ian,
Sounds like a fun trip. Your "pygmy" salamander is actually a dwarf salamander (Eurycea quadridigitata).

Steve
by sonora
October 17th, 2016, 10:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: One Day in Seattle
Replies: 9
Views: 3644

Re: One Day in Seattle

Hi Lou, That is T. ordinoides.
by sonora
January 19th, 2016, 12:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Portland Area Thamnophis
Replies: 3
Views: 2190

Re: Portland Area Thamnophis

Hi John, You should have little problem finding ordinoides and sirtalis in most natural areas surrounding the Portland area, as long as the weather doesn't burn you (which is a VERY real possibility anytime in OR and WA). It is not uncommon to experience 55 degree overcast/rain any time in July and ...
by sonora
November 25th, 2015, 9:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Midwest herper visiting northwest
Replies: 4
Views: 2892

Re: Midwest herper visiting northwest

Aneides does not occur in WA.
Steve
by sonora
November 12th, 2015, 1:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping on 30 Oct 2015, Taiwan.
Replies: 8
Views: 4783

Re: Herping on 30 Oct 2015, Taiwan.

Thanks for the note, Paul. T. stejnegeri and Protobothrops are highest on my wish list and are fairly common, from what I understand. I also plan on spending some time around Taroka and Shei-Pa NPs looking for salamanders.
Steve
by sonora
November 12th, 2015, 7:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Midwest herper visiting northwest
Replies: 4
Views: 2892

Re: Midwest herper visiting northwest

Hi Justin, You should have very little problem finding Rhyacotriton and Dicamptodon in any of the older growth forest streams/creeks/seeps. Ascaphus and Plethodon vehiculum should be fairly easy as well. Plethodon vandykei can be found year round as well, but are a little more difficult to "stu...
by sonora
November 12th, 2015, 7:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping on 30 Oct 2015, Taiwan.
Replies: 8
Views: 4783

Re: Herping on 30 Oct 2015, Taiwan.

Jerry,
Thanks for the reply. I'm planning a trip to Taiwan in 2017. Do you have suggestions as to the best time of year for snakes? I am also very interested in searching for the various Hynobius salamanders. Do you ever come across these in your searches?
Steve
by sonora
November 12th, 2015, 7:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI: Amazon
Replies: 4
Views: 3663

Re: RFI: Amazon

Thanks for the replies, guys.
Matt, I appreciate the input. I will look a little further into this option.
Steve
by sonora
November 5th, 2015, 1:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping on 30 Oct 2015, Taiwan.
Replies: 8
Views: 4783

Re: Herping on 30 Oct 2015, Taiwan.

Hi Jerry,
Nice finds. The network of roads in northern Taiwan (around Baling, etc) look like a nightmare for road-cruising due to the narrow pavement, concrete ditches, and steep drop-offs. Is this true, or are there places to pull over and photograph when a snake is found?
Steve
by sonora
November 5th, 2015, 12:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI: Amazon
Replies: 4
Views: 3663

RFI: Amazon

Hi all,
Is any one here aware of any jungle/eco lodges in Amazonian Ecuador or Peru that allow for solo exploration of the surrounding forests, meaning without guides or tours?
Steve
by sonora
August 25th, 2015, 11:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Below the Mason Dixon
Replies: 13
Views: 4787

Re: Below the Mason Dixon

Nick, Your photography is exquisite and I am seriously jealous of your eastern diamondbacks. It took me 48 days over a period of almost five years (not to mention thousands of travel dollars) to find my first, and only, live adamanteus. Just out of curiosity, did you personally find all of these on ...
by sonora
May 19th, 2015, 10:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Do Gambelia wislizenii extend into WA?
Replies: 2
Views: 2040

Re: Do Gambelia wislizenii extend into WA?

Short answer - no. Long answer - no, they do not :) There aren't even dubious site records for WA, as far as I'm aware. There are two old records for Wasco and Umatilla Cos in northern OR, but old, isolated records well removed from the currently accepted range are suspect, at best. As for the tri-c...
by sonora
April 7th, 2015, 6:14 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Newts in seattle?
Replies: 4
Views: 2435

Re: Newts in seattle?

Although Taricha can be found almost anywhere, the most reliable place I have found is McLane Creek Nature trail near Olympia. Not necessarily close to Seattle, but if you want to see them in numbers with some regularity, this is the place. Just walk the trails/boardwalks and look in the water. They...
by sonora
March 26th, 2015, 6:34 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Moving to CA
Replies: 5
Views: 3639

Re: Moving to CA

Thanks guys. I'm assuming I'll be able to buy a one year non-resident license, then buy a resident license next year.
Steve
by sonora
March 25th, 2015, 9:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Moving to CA
Replies: 5
Views: 3639

Moving to CA

I am moving to southern California next week but will have a temporary address until late April. My driver's license, etc will have my old address until I can update it. Does anyone know how/if I can obtain a resident fishing license in that time, or will I have to buy multiple 10-day licenses until...
by sonora
March 25th, 2015, 9:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Dream find, GABOON!
Replies: 18
Views: 8756

Re: Dream find, GABOON!

Outstanding Nick. In my opinion, the ULTIMATE snake encounter worldwide. I was in South Africa this past November/December but was strongly urged to stay away from KwaZulu-Natal due to tourist safety concerns. I have since come to realize that admonition was substantially overblown and I regret not ...
by sonora
February 23rd, 2015, 11:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming, October 2015 (RFI)
Replies: 9
Views: 4158

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming, October 2015 (RFI)

Hi John,
See PM.
Steve
by sonora
November 4th, 2014, 10:34 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Forest Park Wildlife Report
Replies: 17
Views: 5616

Re: Forest Park Wildlife Report

Like the salamander pictured in the caudata.org forum, this is Plethodon dunni.
Steve
by sonora
August 24th, 2014, 1:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Greek Herp Key
Replies: 2
Views: 1903

Re: Greek Herp Key

The Amphibians and Reptiles of Greece by ED Valakos, P Pafilis, Sotiropoulos, P Lymberakis and P Maragou.
This is an EXCELLENT book.
Steve
by sonora
July 12th, 2014, 7:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Borneo
Replies: 10
Views: 3843

Re: Herping Borneo

Thanks for the input guys. I wasn't aware of the Frogs of Borneo guide.
Steve
by sonora
July 9th, 2014, 9:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Borneo
Replies: 10
Views: 3843

Re: Herping Borneo

chrish - yes, I have searched/seen many of Hans's excellent posts, but they unfortunately don't answer my question regarding herping without guides, etc. numpty - I'm looking for areas I can herp without a guide, tour, etc. As with all my travels, I would rather fail miserably on my own than see eve...
by sonora
July 8th, 2014, 11:23 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Borneo
Replies: 10
Views: 3843

Herping Borneo

Hello all, I'm contemplating a trip to Borneo or Sumatra and was hoping someone here had some insight into the area. Based on my rather limited research online, it seems that throughout most of southeast Asia there are not many (any?) places in which one can herp solo (i.e. without guides, tours, lo...
by sonora
May 10th, 2014, 6:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: TX reflective vests
Replies: 8
Views: 2859

Re: TX reflective vests

Thank you very much chrish.
by sonora
May 9th, 2014, 8:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: TX reflective vests
Replies: 8
Views: 2859

TX reflective vests

Where does one purchase a vest with 144 sq inches of reflective tape? I can find hundreds of vests for sale but none specify how much tape is present (nor would I expect them to, as the amount of tape only seems to be important if one is looking for snakes in Texas). And if the tape is the only cruc...
by sonora
March 11th, 2014, 10:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: GPS coordinates in H.E.R.P.
Replies: 2
Views: 2365

GPS coordinates in H.E.R.P.

The database no longer lets me enter a record without GPS coordinates. This is a problem for two reasons: 1) for older records that may need entering or editing, I have no idea what the coordinates are (and incorrect coordinates are worse than no coordinates); 2) I do not wish to enter coordinates f...
by sonora
February 24th, 2014, 2:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Central/Southern Mexico Question
Replies: 2
Views: 1142

Re: Central/Southern Mexico Question

Thanks Jimi. Yes, that is, or was (or could have been) a great site. I've had that site book marked for several years, hoping for an update. Unfortunately, it never really got past the specimen/habitat photo stage. This is also a good site: http://www.uta.edu/biology/mexicoherps/index.htm But again,...
by sonora
February 24th, 2014, 9:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Central/Southern Mexico Question
Replies: 2
Views: 1142

Central/Southern Mexico Question

Does anyone here have any experience (or know anyone who does) herping the states of Oaxaca and/or Puebla?
Steve
by sonora
January 21st, 2014, 10:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Texas Regulations
Replies: 5
Views: 3288

Re: Texas Regulations

Thanks for the clarification Chris. I'm also very curious about the after-dark road-cruising laws. It's been over a decade since I have herped in TX. Am I being naïve in thinking I can "get away" with road-cruising? Certainly, countless well-intentioned, otherwise-law-abiding people still ...
by sonora
January 20th, 2014, 4:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Texas Regulations
Replies: 5
Views: 3288

Texas Regulations

Am I understanding the TX Parks and Wildlife website correctly? Is it really $325 for a non-resident hunting license and reptile stamp regardless of number of days used? Or is the non-resident 5-day "special" hunting license with stamp for $58 adequate?
Steve
by sonora
January 20th, 2014, 4:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Texas regulations
Replies: 3
Views: 1451

Texas regulations

Am I understanding the TX Parks and Wildlife website correctly? Is it really $325 for a non-resident hunting license and reptile stamp? Or is the non-resident 5-day "special" hunting license with stamp for $58 adequate?
Steve
by sonora
January 14th, 2014, 2:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rattlesnake depicted in Afghanistan in Lone Survivor
Replies: 28
Views: 29169

Re: Rattlesnake depicted in Afghanistan in Lone Survivor

I continue to be amazed at how ignorant and apathetic the worldwide general public is when it comes to natural history. 999,999 people out of a million who see this or any other movie/TV show would have no clue (nor would they care) that rattlesnakes don't occur anywhere outside of North and South A...
by sonora
October 27th, 2013, 9:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sur, Oman. Oct 2013
Replies: 10
Views: 3933

Re: Sur, Oman. Oct 2013

Excellent post. Curious as to the lack of snakes. Wrong time of year or just difficult to find in that area?
Steve
by sonora
June 23rd, 2013, 10:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring Highlights from Washington and a little bit of Oregon
Replies: 22
Views: 6464

Re: Spring Highlights from Washington and a little bit of Or

Interesting theory about the cheatgrass. The one place in Washington where whipsnakes are common certainly has its fair share of the stuff.
Steve
by sonora
June 21st, 2013, 5:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring Highlights from Washington and a little bit of Oregon
Replies: 22
Views: 6464

Re: Spring Highlights from Washington and a little bit of Or

The only definitive diagnostic between the two species is larselli's pink belly (which isn't visible in your photo) but, to be perfectly honest, the two species are very dissimilar, especially when viewed side by side. Habitat preference is also quite different - larselli is primarily restricted to ...
by sonora
June 20th, 2013, 10:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring Highlights from Washington and a little bit of Oregon
Replies: 22
Views: 6464

Re: Spring Highlights from Washington and a little bit of Or

Nice post. Your "larselli" is actually P. dunni.

Steve
by sonora
January 21st, 2013, 2:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Brief Summary of 2012 (Australia)
Replies: 17
Views: 13525

Re: A Brief Summary of 2012 (Australia)

Some of the best photography I have seen on this forum. Your Moloch shot is nothing short of perfection.

Steve
by sonora
January 19th, 2013, 7:47 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Forest Park Wildlife Report
Replies: 17
Views: 5616

Re: Forest Park Wildlife Report

The "Aneides" pictured on the caudata forum link looks like P. dunni.
by sonora
November 15th, 2012, 12:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: trans-Pecos Texas
Replies: 2
Views: 1384

Re: trans-Pecos Texas

Thanks for the response Mulebrother.
by sonora
November 13th, 2012, 10:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: trans-Pecos Texas
Replies: 2
Views: 1384

trans-Pecos Texas

I was wondering if anyone here could give me some idea of what herping trans-Pecos Texas (Brewster, Jeff Davis, Presidio, Terrell, Val Verde counties) is like these days. It's been over 12 years since I've spent more than just a couple of days in the area, so I'm assuming it's quite different now. W...
by sonora
October 4th, 2012, 6:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mexico
Replies: 18
Views: 5648

Re: Mexico

Yes. I spent five days in and around La Paz, BCS. It was outstanding. I found 22 species, including all three rattlesnakes in the area.

Steve
by sonora
March 9th, 2012, 5:34 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Is Baja Safe?
Replies: 9
Views: 3031

Re: Is Baja Safe?

Thanks Don!
by sonora
March 6th, 2012, 5:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Is Baja Safe?
Replies: 9
Views: 3031

Re: Is Baja Safe?

Thank you both for the replies. I'm looking forward to it.
Steve
by sonora
March 6th, 2012, 5:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI: Best Season in Baja del Sur?
Replies: 10
Views: 2925

Re: RFI: Best Season in Baja del Sur?

From Grismer (2002): "Boas are by far most commonly observed during June and July."