Hey Lou. Cool video. Glad you had some fun in SoCal and got some snakes (nice that the season is starting). I think we were both near the same places at the same time. I should have gone and checked all the surfers to see if anyone was a herper, haha. :p
-Derek
Search found 132 matches
- March 18th, 2019, 10:41 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Surfing and Snakes
- Replies: 4
- Views: 4576
- January 18th, 2019, 6:32 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: If There Isnt A Photo, It Didnt Happen
- Replies: 20
- Views: 21010
Re: If There Isnt A Photo, It Didnt Happen
Great topic! My first time in Australia I was walking back from the grocery store and didn't bring my camera. It was a 10 minute walk in the suburbs. What could I hope to see? Well, as it so happened, there was a tree monitor resting on the sidewalk on my way back. And, I sweat up and down, it was b...
- January 2nd, 2019, 2:09 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Any Maryland (near Baltimore) herpers interested in herping?
- Replies: 0
- Views: 10353
Any Maryland (near Baltimore) herpers interested in herping?
Hi all. I'll be in Baltimore, Maryland at the end of Feb and start of March for a conference. That can be an amazing time for salamanders. Is there anyone here interested in meeting around then, weather permitting, for some herping? Salamanders are my favorite and, well, Utah is not the best place t...
- December 30th, 2018, 12:27 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Sarawak Amphibians 2018
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4770
Re: Sarawak Amphibians 2018
Cool pictures! Love the focus on frogs (they're very underrated).
-Derek
-Derek
- December 24th, 2018, 10:16 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Large King Cobra
- Replies: 12
- Views: 10241
Re: Large King Cobra
What a cool snake to end the year with. Thanks for the content and being an enthusiastic herper.
-Derek
-Derek
- December 12th, 2018, 6:27 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: EOY 2018 - Lots of Lampro - (TX, WA, OR, CA, CO, LA)
- Replies: 23
- Views: 18760
Re: EOY 2018 - Lots of Lampro - (TX, WA, OR, CA, CO, LA)
Awesome post dude. Love the copperheads but would have loved some LA cottonmouths. I'm an agkistrodon junkie, haha.
-Derek
-Derek
- December 11th, 2018, 5:40 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Central and Northern Thailand - august 2018
- Replies: 7
- Views: 5201
Re: Central and Northern Thailand - august 2018
Great pictures! I'm particularly fond of the tokay gecko.
-Derek
-Derek
- November 22nd, 2018, 11:37 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Costa Rica
- Replies: 16
- Views: 14686
Re: Costa Rica
You will find basilisks without any problem. Green plumed are on the Caribbean side, whereas browns are on the Pacific. Adults in particular are tough to get near without them bolting (except at night, where they can be easily located sleeping on trees). If you want pictures, you need a telephoto le...
- November 18th, 2018, 9:25 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Costa Rica
- Replies: 16
- Views: 14686
Re: Costa Rica
I've never heard of that guide and cannot comment. Must haves: Tall waterproof boots (many places provide them, but it's best to be prepared). Collapsing hook (but, again, don't play with a fer-de-lance. I've seen them climb hooks like lightening haha; I used my hook mostly as a walking stick and to...
- November 16th, 2018, 8:04 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Costa Rica
- Replies: 16
- Views: 14686
Re: Costa Rica
Yeah, but making decisions like this is fun! My first trip I didn't have any clear plans and it was great. Second trip I wanted specific things and, by and large, I got them (sans bushmaster hahaha). For what it's worth, another upside of *not* hiring a guide was that I got to meet lots of cool peop...
- November 14th, 2018, 6:36 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Costa Rica
- Replies: 16
- Views: 14686
Re: Costa Rica
I *highly* recommend getting a guide. But, I also *highly* recommend going on your own. With a guide, you have greater assurance of finding animals but on your own it can be more exciting. My guide found coral snake mimics were cool, but a common cat eye snake I found on my own was more (personally)...
- November 12th, 2018, 10:24 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Costa Rica
- Replies: 16
- Views: 14686
Re: Costa Rica
Hi! I've been to CR twice so here's my angle on it. First, get this book: https://www.amazon.com/Amphibians-Reptiles-Costa-Rica-Herpetofauna/dp/0226735389 The rest of your questions are too vague to answer now. What kind of snakes? If you're looking for B. Lateralis, you need to hit the mountains an...
Re: Bull Wars
Thank you for documenting the horrifying bloodshed inflicted by bullsnakes. Get Thucydides on the phone: the darkness is now.
:p
-Derek
:p
-Derek
- October 6th, 2018, 5:39 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 2)
- Replies: 6
- Views: 15016
Re: And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 2)
Love the sals. Ian is a good gut--I always enjoy herping with him. Glad you had a chance to get out there and see some PNW snot lizards. :p
-Derek
-Derek
- October 6th, 2018, 7:12 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Snake Road and the Surrounding Area - Sept. 30th - Oct. 4th
- Replies: 3
- Views: 12695
Re: Snake Road and the Surrounding Area - Sept. 30th - Oct.
Nice trip report. I only had a single day to herp down there back in 2016, but I'd love to make it back. Happy to see so many amphibians in this report. That old box turtle looked nice, too.
-Derek
-Derek
- September 26th, 2018, 7:21 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2 years in Michigan
- Replies: 7
- Views: 15226
Re: 2 years in Michigan
Thanks Porter!
Wood frogs are my favorite frog, so I'm happy to have had the chance to see so many. They're largely seasonal, so I had to make the most of the time I had.
-Derek
Wood frogs are my favorite frog, so I'm happy to have had the chance to see so many. They're largely seasonal, so I had to make the most of the time I had.
-Derek
- September 19th, 2018, 7:08 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2 years in Michigan
- Replies: 7
- Views: 15226
Re: 2 years in Michigan
I knew a philosopher once who wouldn't talk about historical materialism or post modernism while at Camp David at Wolf Lake just a mile from Snake Road. All the Best Anne and Warren from Nashville P.S. - Tried Marx or Trotsky yet? PS PS - Just heard from Daniel Funny that you knew a philosopher lik...
- September 16th, 2018, 11:47 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2 years in Michigan
- Replies: 7
- Views: 15226
Re: 2 years in Michigan
Thank you Tamara.
Yes, the box turtles were very special. I enjoyed seeing their antics on a near weekly basis during the early spring. I think I'm very lucky to have found so many. It's all about trading horsefly and mosquito bites for turtles. A trade I'm (usually) willing to make.
-Derek
Yes, the box turtles were very special. I enjoyed seeing their antics on a near weekly basis during the early spring. I think I'm very lucky to have found so many. It's all about trading horsefly and mosquito bites for turtles. A trade I'm (usually) willing to make.
-Derek
- September 15th, 2018, 9:01 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2 years in Michigan
- Replies: 7
- Views: 15226
2 years in Michigan
Now that I'm fully acclimated to the Utah desert--and the wonderful smell of brush fires in the morning--I thought I would make a recap of my two years in Michigan. I moved there to complete my MA in philosophy because it was a good program I thought would help my career choices. This was a good bet...
- September 9th, 2018, 4:23 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current
- Replies: 11
- Views: 15671
Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current
Hey Alex,
I really like the pictures. Every time I see reports from Wisconsin I take note of the blanding's! They were hard to come by in Michigan. Maybe I should have made the drive, haha.
Good luck out there. Thanks for posting.
-Derek
I really like the pictures. Every time I see reports from Wisconsin I take note of the blanding's! They were hard to come by in Michigan. Maybe I should have made the drive, haha.
Good luck out there. Thanks for posting.
-Derek
- September 1st, 2018, 2:39 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Any tips for Northern Oregon / Portland area?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 7216
Re: Any tips for Northern Oregon / Portland area?
I second everything Jonathan said. But, I also want to add that night herping for salamanders is very productive in the PNW. Some of my favorite herping experiences when I lived in Portland were those going out at night. The Columbia gorge, if you can find trails that are still open, is great. Water...
- August 31st, 2018, 6:51 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Nice time back in Oregon
- Replies: 7
- Views: 8768
Re: Nice time back in Oregon
Nice finds man. Loved living in Oregon and hunting sals. The coastal giants are very special and I'm glad you found some. Thank you for sharing.
-Derek
-Derek
- August 29th, 2018, 8:07 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: And Then... I Found Myself In Ohio
- Replies: 10
- Views: 9022
Re: And Then... I Found Myself In Ohio
Well I lived near Ohio most of my life, so I know all the critters above haha. Nice haul. Lots of storeria...seems like I could never find them in Michigan! Ohio actually has lots of herps you just have to know where to look. Surprised you didn't turn up a rat snake. Anyways, nice seeing some love f...
- August 5th, 2018, 8:07 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Back to Borneo, part 5 of 5: Danum Valley
- Replies: 14
- Views: 17517
Re: Back to Borneo, part 5 of 5: Danum Valley
I really enjoyed reading this series. Your multi-part adventures are exciting to look through. Thank you for sharing.
-Derek
-Derek
- July 29th, 2018, 7:53 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Best Month For Arizona and Lizards?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 5784
Re: Best Month For Arizona and Lizards?
Mid May will be a good time for herps of all types. Try to hike in early morning or late afternoon and I'm sure you'll see lots of cool stuff. I've had great success with AZ lizards with exceptionally little effort. :) I cannot help you with the banded gecko question. In my experience, they are easy...
- July 17th, 2018, 8:19 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: herping in the midwest
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4134
Re: herping in the midwest
Good luck! At least in Michigan, cool, clear water was the best place to find pickerel frogs.
-Derek
-Derek
- July 5th, 2018, 11:18 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Will be passing through Kansas (Topeka) & Wyoming (Cheyenne)
- Replies: 2
- Views: 3403
Re: Will be passing through Kansas (Topeka) & Wyoming (Cheye
Hey Jimi, Yes, I'll be at the U. It looks like an exceptionally nice school from the little time I was there. I'll be focusing on environmental and biological issues, ideally working on outreach with kids too. I had never been to SLC before this year. I went out in May for a conference and had the c...
- July 5th, 2018, 5:42 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Will be passing through Kansas (Topeka) & Wyoming (Cheyenne)
- Replies: 2
- Views: 3403
Will be passing through Kansas (Topeka) & Wyoming (Cheyenne)
I'm moving to Utah (SLC) to start my philosophy PhD in the fall. On the way, I'm going to be passing through Kansas (Topeka) to see my gf's relatives and we're going to stop in Wyoming (Cheyenne) for a few nights. I've never herped either state and, through googling, have some ideas on what to do, b...
- July 5th, 2018, 5:28 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Herping Australia
- Replies: 3
- Views: 5865
Re: Herping Australia
Haha, interesting! I've been to Australia twice, NT and Brisbane area, and the herpers I've connected with there love the gold-crowned snakes and talked about their rarity. Maybe you're onto something. :p
-Derek
-Derek
- June 8th, 2018, 10:31 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Moloch, Morelia and more, the Red Centre, Aus.
- Replies: 7
- Views: 11787
Re: Moloch, Morelia and more, the Red Centre, Aus.
I've done two trips and Australia and this makes me want to go back. Love the death adder and perentie. How, just *how* did you get that pic??? :p
-Derek
-Derek
- May 31st, 2018, 5:53 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Fun chasing desert iguanas
- Replies: 6
- Views: 7633
Re: Fun chasing desert iguanas
Lou, I was honestly expecting Benny Hill chase music to start playing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK6TXMsvgQg
Looks like you all had a fun time. And cool that you got to hang with Ian: he's a nice guy.
-Derek
Looks like you all had a fun time. And cool that you got to hang with Ian: he's a nice guy.
-Derek
- May 29th, 2018, 4:17 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Costa Rica the pacific coast from Panama to Nicaragua!
- Replies: 16
- Views: 18777
Re: Costa Rica the pacific coast from Panama to Nicaragua!
I stayed in those same blue/green huts in Osa. It's an amazing place.
@ Bryan
B. Asper
@ Bryan
B. Asper
- April 17th, 2018, 6:31 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: The Bay Area oreganus extravaganza
- Replies: 5
- Views: 6359
Re: The Bay Area oreganus extravaganza
Oreganus are very special snakes. Thanks for sharing the love.
Best,
-Derek
Best,
-Derek
- April 8th, 2018, 9:12 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: A very short trip down under (Brisbane and southern QLD)
- Replies: 2
- Views: 3781
Re: A very short trip down under (Brisbane and southern QLD)
Man, when I finally get a proper trip back to Australia it's going to be amazing. I want to drive from Darwin to Perth and really take it in. The country just has *so* much to take in. Aussie elapids are awesome, but I think to really herp down there you've gotta love the lizards.
-Derek
-Derek
- April 8th, 2018, 9:09 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Herping Australia
- Replies: 3
- Views: 5865
Re: Herping Australia
Gold-crowned snake is a real cool find man. Love herping Australia!
Looks like it was fun.
-Derek
Looks like it was fun.
-Derek
- April 6th, 2018, 8:30 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: A very short trip down under (Brisbane and southern QLD)
- Replies: 2
- Views: 3781
A very short trip down under (Brisbane and southern QLD)
I'm working on my masters in philosophy here in SW Michigan. One of the things philosophers are supposed to do is go to conferences (hey, if our field isn't relevant, at least get some travel out of it). So, to facilitate that, the department chair will help pay for trips if and only if one can get ...
- April 6th, 2018, 7:23 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Field Herper of the Year!
- Replies: 8
- Views: 8364
Re: Field Herper of the Year!
Congratulations!
- March 20th, 2018, 11:28 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Portland, OR area.....
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4334
Re: Portland, OR area.....
And I'll be in Oregon from June 2-15 (roughly). Would be happy to meet up. I know several good garter spots and a special salamander location. I lived there for 3 years so have a few ideas.
I responded to a previous "Gorge Crawler" thread but never heard back...
-Derek
I responded to a previous "Gorge Crawler" thread but never heard back...
-Derek
- February 26th, 2018, 7:11 pm
- Forum: Reading Room
- Topic: Reptile Odyssey - Bill Love?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 14144
Re: Reptile Odyssey - Bill Love?
Following because I'm interested too.
- February 26th, 2018, 7:27 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: '17season:Utah, California, Arizona, Virginia, and CostaRica
- Replies: 10
- Views: 8906
Re: '17season:Utah, California, Arizona, Virginia, and Costa
Dude, we were in Uvita the *same* day. What a world. Nice fer-de-lance.
-Derek
-Derek
- February 7th, 2018, 8:45 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Wood Frog Help?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 10409
Re: Wood Frog Help?
In Michigan, it takes consistent warm temps (50f+) for a few days. Usually about a week or so. Never had luck with wood frogs on cloudy days, actually, for breeding. I see them commonly in the summer on cloudy days. Just giving a more northern perspective. :) https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/3378...
- February 6th, 2018, 4:12 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: No party like an Ambystoma party
- Replies: 4
- Views: 4075
Re: No party like an Ambystoma party
Thanks for the response. Official records of A. Maculatum are hard to come by in SW Michigan so I am going to specifically target them for data purposes.
- February 4th, 2018, 8:41 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: No party like an Ambystoma party
- Replies: 4
- Views: 4075
Re: No party like an Ambystoma party
Do you have advice for finding them? I'm in SW Michigan and the season won't start for a few weeks yet--nights are around 11f now--but I know I want a A. maculatum this spring. I know checking at night is a good idea during warm rains *and* I know you gotta go near vernals. Any other specific advice...
- December 13th, 2017, 5:29 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2017 recap
- Replies: 18
- Views: 9931
Re: 2017 recap
Too much amazing stuff man. For me, the red rattler pic really got me. I think it's sometimes very difficult to sum up a whole year--there's lots of stories "between" the pictures here.
- December 5th, 2017, 6:13 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Requesting Images of the Commonly CB in the Wild
- Replies: 14
- Views: 10738
Re: Requesting Images of the Commonly CB in the Wild
Thanks guys! I'll be getting around to posting a report from my few days in Queensland very soon. The python was for sure a highlight!
Best,
-Derek
Best,
-Derek
- December 4th, 2017, 1:03 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Best Month For Arizona and Lizards?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 6623
Re: Best Month For Arizona and Lizards?
Hey Yonkers, I'm a fellow Michigan herper chiming in (usually SW but often in SE). :) I had my first AZ herping trip over the summer and would be happy to talk to you about it. Jimi has (much) more knowledge than I do, but I can certainly provide any info your way via pm or whatever. Hope your trip ...
- December 1st, 2017, 10:32 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Requesting Images of the Commonly CB in the Wild
- Replies: 14
- Views: 10738
Re: Requesting Images of the Commonly CB in the Wild
Hi Kelly, I managed to find this beautiful carpet python in Queensland last week. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4578/24805011918_d7d5462a88_z.jpg Carpet Python (Morelia spilota) by phl_with_a_camera1 , on Flickr https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/38677425381_da25276eff_z.jpg Carpet Python (Morelia...
- November 29th, 2017, 7:36 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Treasures of Taiwan 2017. Part 2
- Replies: 4
- Views: 5723
Re: Treasures of Taiwan 2017. Part 2
I really enjoyed reading your two posts. It looks like you had a nice time.
Best,
-Derek
Best,
-Derek
- November 13th, 2017, 4:17 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Could Pattern Mimicry in Snakes be Misinterpreted?
- Replies: 97
- Views: 142218
Re: Could Pattern Mimicry in Snakes be Misinterpreted?
Hey Kelly, The text I am looking at is Savage (2002) "The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica." I understand some things, particularly, taxonomy have changed in the subsequent 15 years, but much of the information in the book is relevant to this. When introducing micrurus (p. 704-705), h...
- November 12th, 2017, 7:17 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Could Pattern Mimicry in Snakes be Misinterpreted?
- Replies: 97
- Views: 142218
Re: Could Pattern Mimicry in Snakes be Misinterpreted?
Hey Kelly, I think one difficulty you are having here is to think that traits must encode for one function alone (e.g, Red=X ∨ Red=Y). It is more precise to say that traits, such as color, may be encoding a variety of functions and that you/we may be assigning a category to that. So there could be a...