Search found 426 matches

by Brian Eagar
May 16th, 2016, 1:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: so far so good this year
Replies: 3
Views: 3509

Re: so far so good this year

What a haul Jeremy! You have found a lot of stuff so far. Nice job on the mountain kings. That second one sure doesn't look like a Utah Mountain King. It looks like an animal from SE Arizona. Did you do any scale counts on it? Particularly the infralabials? Was it found on the crawl as the pictures ...
by Brian Eagar
May 7th, 2016, 1:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A day to remember - milk flip-a-thon
Replies: 12
Views: 7454

Re: A day to remember - milk flip-a-thon

Awesome job guys. More proof we need toget some ac on those juniper burn/ chain areas.
Wish I had gotten my butt out of bed to join you guys.

In my opinion you have a little too detailed locality info for a public forum. I've seen too many areas like that destroyed but your call.
by Brian Eagar
May 4th, 2016, 8:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mojave Desert in the spring, St. George, Utah Apr 2016
Replies: 8
Views: 6203

Re: Mojave Desert in the spring, St. George, Utah Apr 2016

Nice job Jeremy that is an epic trip.
by Brian Eagar
March 7th, 2016, 4:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Las Vegas February 2016
Replies: 1
Views: 1899

Re: Las Vegas February 2016

Great post! Sounds like you had a good sunny reprieve from the northwest.
I hate Vegas also for all the reasons you mentioned.
by Brian Eagar
January 13th, 2016, 10:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)
Replies: 18
Views: 8780

Re: 2015 - EOY (CA, NV, UT, AZ, Costa Rica, Mexico)

Dude this has to be the most epic year end post I've ever seen.
I'm so jealous of your year on so many levels.
Congrats on seeing and photographing so many amazing animals and places in 2015!
by Brian Eagar
November 12th, 2015, 9:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 Photos
Replies: 17
Views: 6686

Re: 2015 Photos

Great shots Rye! You've had a great year.
I probably herped less this year than any year in the past 14 years. Especially in southern Utah.
Hopefully we can plan an outing next year.
by Brian Eagar
October 6th, 2015, 10:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rattlesnake ID
Replies: 9
Views: 4868

Re: Rattlesnake ID

Sounds like C. o. abyssus is the favored ID. Thanks, folks! And to clarify, Coyote Gulch is quite a bit north of the Paria drainage. yep I know right where that is and I don't believe they are limited to the PaRia drainage by any means. maybe grand staircase rattlesnake would be a better name.
by Brian Eagar
October 6th, 2015, 2:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rattlesnake ID
Replies: 9
Views: 4868

Re: Rattlesnake ID

I learned a long time ago that snakes and lizards can't read maps and all the historical range maps were oversimplified and didn't take actual habitat preferences and gaps and pockets into consideration at all. I agree it is probably abyssus and a great find. I've wondered what rattlesnakes might li...
by Brian Eagar
June 23rd, 2015, 10:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Newberry Mountains, NV
Replies: 17
Views: 6690

Re: Newberry Mountains, NV

Nice job Devin!
I really like the regal and the mating coachwhips.
It looks like it was a fun event and an interesting place to explore.
by Brian Eagar
May 29th, 2015, 5:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some Utah herps from spring 2015
Replies: 6
Views: 3482

Re: Some Utah herps from spring 2015

Nice job Rye and Cameron. You guys have had a very good year so far. I wish I could have made it down to Washington county or San Juan county this spring but didn't have time. This is the first year in many that I haven't. Hopefully I will make it down there next month.
by Brian Eagar
May 29th, 2015, 4:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A few herps from this past weekend
Replies: 4
Views: 2561

Re: A few herps from this past weekend

Nice job Chris! That lyre is beautiful. That is better than I have ever done in Nevada.
by Brian Eagar
May 27th, 2015, 12:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A few herps from this past weekend
Replies: 4
Views: 2561

Re: A few herps from this past weekend

Nice job Chris! Especially with so many kids in tow!
Is that another lyre or the same one?
Is that all from Utah?
by Brian Eagar
May 20th, 2015, 12:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Search Tips for Utah Mountain Kingsnakes
Replies: 5
Views: 4501

Re: Search Tips for Utah Mountain Kingsnakes

Photo just posted with a bunch of others. That's all I have time for at the moment. Temps were low for the pyro (below 60 F) all day and it was found in the middle of a grassy meadow which is different from every other pyro I have found and that was after spending all day looking in crevices, talus ...
by Brian Eagar
May 20th, 2015, 12:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some Utah herps from spring 2015
Replies: 6
Views: 3482

Some Utah herps from spring 2015

Here are some herps I've seen in northern and Central Utah this spring: Valley Garter https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7317/16282470320_bd5a68b573_c.jpg valley_gartersnake_02-07-2015_171642 by Brian Eagar , on Flickr https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7438/16469897225_93466170d3_c.jpg valley_gartersnake_02-...
by Brian Eagar
May 19th, 2015, 12:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Search Tips for Utah Mountain Kingsnakes
Replies: 5
Views: 4501

Re: Search Tips for Utah Mountain Kingsnakes

I hope all the lurkers out there appreciate the gift Mark has given here. 12-15 years of experience summed up in one forum post for you to hopefully use wisely and to the benefit of the global understanding of this species. If contacting him through his blog is too much effort you could probably PM ...
by Brian Eagar
March 25th, 2015, 11:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First snakes of the year for my family LIFERS
Replies: 7
Views: 2960

Re: First snakes of the year for my family LIFERS

Nice big females. One looks like it has a meal.
Was this in your county where we talked about or did you go north?
by Brian Eagar
March 16th, 2015, 1:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Good rubber boa weather
Replies: 17
Views: 6887

Re: Good rubber boa weather

Hi Thomas. That is a good question but I don't think so. I know a lot more about milks now than I did back then. So my strategies have changed. So I don't see as many incidental boas either because I hunt slightly different habitat now and at a slightly different time of year. I also haven't spent a...
by Brian Eagar
March 16th, 2015, 12:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Good rubber boa weather
Replies: 17
Views: 6887

Re: Good rubber boa weather

Thanks Cameron. They roll into a ball pretty easily. Kind of like a pill bug that way. Its getting them to stretch out and sit still that can be an ordeal. Simpleyork, Good luck on the boa search. Don't be discouraged. Keep this in mind when I was roaming the Wasatch trying to flip milk snakes in ne...
by Brian Eagar
March 13th, 2015, 9:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Good rubber boa weather
Replies: 17
Views: 6887

Re: Good rubber boa weather

Thanks for the kind words Rye.
This weekend is a really good time to kook for them and its so much more gratifying to find one under a rock or especially out basking than it is to find them on the road. Not to mention the improved photo ops.
by Brian Eagar
March 13th, 2015, 1:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Good rubber boa weather
Replies: 17
Views: 6887

Re: Good rubber boa weather

Pics added.
by Brian Eagar
March 12th, 2015, 5:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: N.A.F.H.A. Field Trip 2015!
Replies: 21
Views: 9087

Re: N.A.F.H.A. Field Trip 2015!

That looks like a really fun place to explore. I wish I could make it.
Who is going to find the next Rosy boa there.
by Brian Eagar
March 12th, 2015, 5:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Good rubber boa weather
Replies: 17
Views: 6887

Good rubber boa weather

Conditions are nice right now for boas. I went out for a stroll on my lunch to see if I could see my first rubber boa of the year. I wasn't disappointed. Found one in some leaves. Here are some pics https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7622/16613547270_44d9062b7c_b.jpg rubber boa_03-12-2015_152540 by bria...
by Brian Eagar
March 12th, 2015, 5:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Cali Chapter NAFHA Event Fri 4-10-15 thru Sun 4-12-15
Replies: 4
Views: 3147

Re: The Cali Chapter NAFHA Event Fri 4-10-15 thru Sun 4-12-1

Dang I with this was going on the week I was going to be in the San Diego area. Maybe another year.
by Brian Eagar
March 8th, 2015, 11:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some Early Season Finds
Replies: 4
Views: 2547

Re: Some Early Season Finds

Nice early finds Rye. I haven't seen a chorus frog or a wandering garter yet but I've seen the others. Maybe I'll get out and look for those two this week.
I also saw several sagebrush lizards and an uta in the west desert of northern Utah today. Spring's coming!
by Brian Eagar
February 11th, 2015, 1:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: early survey of your interest - pyros in the west desert?
Replies: 31
Views: 10678

Re: early survey of your interest - pyros in the west desert

I probably won't have time to participate in such a search this year unfortunately but when you have plans more settled keep me in the loop. I like certain areas of the house and confusions and could stand to spend more time there. The deep creeks are nice and I think there is a lot of exploring to ...
by Brian Eagar
February 9th, 2015, 12:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First snakes of the year
Replies: 8
Views: 3386

Re: First snakes of the year

Rye, Good job getting out there and finding some more valley's and a wandering garter to boot. I also saw lots of bullfrogs out there. York, Boas are definitely up right now though staying near where they overwinter. Note that they are usually up this time of year in lower elevations anyway <6000' w...
by Brian Eagar
February 7th, 2015, 10:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First snakes of the year
Replies: 8
Views: 3386

First snakes of the year

Well we hit 70F today in northern Utah which is incredibly warm for early February and we have no snow on the ground. I decided to look for birds at a local wetland and as it was so warm I thought I'd keep an eye out for snakes as well. I arrived really late in the afternoon and started walking down...
by Brian Eagar
January 6th, 2015, 10:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 Officer nominations
Replies: 8
Views: 3741

Re: 2015 Officer nominations

Looks like we need a vote for officers.
Who is an admin of the rocky mountain chapter forum and can create a poll?
by Brian Eagar
November 11th, 2014, 12:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Interesting Late Season Garter Snake Feeding observation
Replies: 0
Views: 1640

Interesting Late Season Garter Snake Feeding observation

So I went down to a local wetland on Sunday November 9th to go for a walk with the family and see what birds we could see. Driving into the wetlands on the gravel road I spotted a big snake on the road. It was a just hit and still squirming Adult female Valley garter snake with its juvenile bullfrog...
by Brian Eagar
October 28th, 2014, 9:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New member, plus Borneo pics
Replies: 8
Views: 5178

Re: New member, plus Borneo pics

Very nice first post. Those are some wonderful photos of some very special animals.
by Brian Eagar
October 28th, 2014, 9:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fall Pics
Replies: 8
Views: 4120

Re: Fall Pics

Nice assortment of fall herps. I only wish your photo's were a little bigger so they could be appreciated more. They show up like postal stamp size for me.
by Brian Eagar
October 28th, 2014, 9:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake-centric October in the SF Bay Area
Replies: 1
Views: 2363

Re: Snake-centric October in the SF Bay Area

Very cool late season finds. I love the garters and the pretty ringneck.
Good luck with your tour and album release!
by Brian Eagar
October 28th, 2014, 9:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Episode VI: Return of the Clarkii
Replies: 22
Views: 9666

Re: Episode VI: Return of the Clarkii

Very nice post and photography. Amazing Clarkii. I hope to see them in the wlid someday.
That giant coachwhip would have been very cool to see also.
by Brian Eagar
October 27th, 2014, 9:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Utah 2014-Wrapping it up
Replies: 9
Views: 3002

Re: Utah 2014-Wrapping it up

Nice job and nice shots Rye. You've had a great year.
Hopefully we can meet up in the field next year.
by Brian Eagar
October 27th, 2014, 8:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifer!
Replies: 2
Views: 1938

Re: Lifer!

Nice job on the late season finds. Congrats on the lifer.
by Brian Eagar
October 24th, 2014, 2:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Ontario Herping & Nature Images 2013-14
Replies: 19
Views: 10636

Re: Ontario Herping & Nature Images 2013-14

Very nice photography! That second black bear shot is amazing! How close were you to it?
by Brian Eagar
October 24th, 2014, 2:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alaska snakes?? Soooo close!
Replies: 2
Views: 2418

Re: Alaska snakes?? Soooo close!

Very cool. I thought they were confirmed in Alaska at least historically?
It wouldn't surprise me a bit as Valley garters are so hardy and cold resistant.
Good luck on your quest to find one further north.
by Brian Eagar
October 24th, 2014, 2:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Great Bay Area September
Replies: 3
Views: 2483

Re: Great Bay Area September

Nice stuff Zach. Too bad about the flame coastal. Those are on my wishlist along with the San Franscisco garters to see next year. I visited your fair land too early this year and the weather didn't cooperate.
by Brian Eagar
October 22nd, 2014, 11:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybrid Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 3
Views: 2799

Re: Possible Hybrid Wandering Gartersnake

Thanks for the comments guys.
Jeremy the belly is mostly black.

Thomas, Bryan Hamilton was going to check whether he knew anyone who might be able to do work on it.
by Brian Eagar
October 22nd, 2014, 11:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 24
Views: 7634

Re: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake

OK Guys, I've uploaded several more photo's and created an album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/utahherps/sets/72157648916425612/ Kelly, I appreciate your input. I don't understand how injury could cause what I am seeing in this snake but if you say that you have seen similar abnormalities caus...
by Brian Eagar
October 22nd, 2014, 10:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 24
Views: 7634

Re: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake

No investment Kelly. It would be interesting if it was a hybrid but as I've mentioned in my previous comments only genetic testing would say for sure. As I mentioned there would be easier more controlled ways of answering the questions I have about these sympatric species and potential hybridization...
by Brian Eagar
October 22nd, 2014, 10:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 24
Views: 7634

Re: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake

Hi Kelly, I'm pretty certain. I haven't "investigated the tissue" other than looking at the macro shots I took of the nose. Here is an example. Click on the photo to get to flickr where you can see it larger: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3938/15403460329_bf0097896b_b.jpg thamnophis elega...
by Brian Eagar
October 22nd, 2014, 9:02 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 24
Views: 7634

Re: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake

Kelly, the rostral scales are there they are just completely lacking pigment.
The eyes aren't just bigger the Iris is black which is something I usually see in melanistic individuals of this species.
This is a neonate from this year and is in very good health with no signs of trauma.
by Brian Eagar
October 21st, 2014, 7:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 24
Views: 7634

Re: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake

I plan to raise it up to adulthood to see if it is sterile or not. Are you sure a cross of elegans and sirtalis would be sterile? Nope I actually believe such a cross would not be sterile and that such historic crosses have leant genes into the vagrans gene pool where they are directly sympatric wi...
by Brian Eagar
October 21st, 2014, 6:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 24
Views: 7634

Re: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake

Hi Jeff, I agree that there is nothing in the body of the snake that would indicate anything other than vagrans. The body pattern is quite standard which is why my assessment was based soley in the head. However we don't know that vagrans characteristics would't take precedence over sirtalis in the ...
by Brian Eagar
October 21st, 2014, 4:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybrid Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 3
Views: 2799

Possible Hybrid Wandering Gartersnake

My friends Gavin and Jamison found this cool gartersnake in Utah this week. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15403962768_3a4452e549_b.jpg thamnophis elegans- sirtalis hybrid_10-20-2014_175041 by brianeagar , on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15587413591_721f3902b5_b.jpg thamnophis ele...
by Brian Eagar
October 21st, 2014, 1:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 24
Views: 7634

Re: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake

I have the specimen in my possession so tissue collection can always happen later.
It is a YOY. I plan to raise it up to adulthood to see if it is sterile or not.
by Brian Eagar
October 21st, 2014, 12:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 24
Views: 7634

Possible Hybird Wandering Gartersnake

My friends Gavin and Jamison found this cool gartersnake in Utah this week. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15403962768_3a4452e549_b.jpg thamnophis elegans- sirtalis hybrid_10-20-2014_175041 by brianeagar , on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15587413591_721f3902b5_b.jpg thamnophis ele...
by Brian Eagar
October 19th, 2014, 6:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: North Ogden next weekend
Replies: 2
Views: 1574

Re: North Ogden next weekend

Its way too late in the year for milks but you have a chance of seeing valleys basking near densites. Garters are about the only snake you can see this late in the year in northern utah.
by Brian Eagar
August 16th, 2014, 10:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Ringneck Journey
Replies: 3
Views: 2213

Re: A Ringneck Journey

Awesome Thomas. Congrats on your live lifer. I bet you'll see a lot more now.