Search found 2548 matches

by monklet
July 19th, 2016, 12:02 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Replies: 24
Views: 28949

Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...

It was the name of the Acadian/Willow Flycatcher group before they split. Birds in field can only be reliably separated by call.

As for empid identification in general, I suspect they are often misidentified, even sometimes by the most skillful birders when no vocalization is given.
by monklet
July 6th, 2016, 12:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Massive sea turtle deaths in Florida following fireworks
Replies: 23
Views: 9974

Re: Massive sea turtle deaths in Florida following fireworks

This might be a good cause for the NAFHA SE Chapter to pursue to spur an investigation and hopefully prosecution. Seems to be a clear violation of ESA and should be easy to prove.
by monklet
July 6th, 2016, 8:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Massive sea turtle deaths in Florida following fireworks
Replies: 23
Views: 9974

Re: Massive sea turtle deaths in Florida following fireworks

This is an outrageous! Loggerheads are an endangered species. I'd think the jurisdictions that permitted and supported that disaster would be highly exposed legally, i.e., law suits. U.S. Fish & Wildlife and NGOs like "The Natural Resources Defense Council" would likely consider action...
by monklet
April 1st, 2016, 9:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My trip to the Mohave
Replies: 17
Views: 9322

Re: My trip to the Mohave

Congrats Zach, that Lyre is one of very few from MNP I believe. ...as in like 3 or 4 from my understanding! They're probably common there, just not found very often. Does anyone know different?
by monklet
December 25th, 2015, 8:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 Calendar and some pretty photos from this year
Replies: 7
Views: 6750

Re: 2016 Calendar and some pretty photos from this year

To my eye that is the best collection of herp images I've ever seen. Your technique for framing the snakes in such natural poses takes it to a new level!!! That and such awesome finds and adventures!!! :beer: :beer: :beer:
by monklet
December 19th, 2015, 8:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Not quite a snake but...
Replies: 11
Views: 6562

Re: Not quite a snake but...

Nick, the only places I've snorkeled yet in on Cruz have be Scorpion Landing and Prisoner's Harbor, both of which are protected. The islands are sort of a checkerboard of protected and non-protected waters. One thing that may likely limit abundance would be the boat and kayak traffic at those two lo...
by monklet
December 18th, 2015, 2:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Not quite a snake but...
Replies: 11
Views: 6562

Re: Not quite a snake but...

btw, what's up with the Triggerfish? Are they regular in So Cal waters or an exception due to El Nino? Never imagined we had any species of triggerfish here.
by monklet
December 18th, 2015, 2:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Not quite a snake but...
Replies: 11
Views: 6562

Re: Not quite a snake but...

Hi Nick, this is fantastic stuff and rather coincidental to me as I just started doing some snorkeling on Santa Cruz Island last summer and made a few visits this season. The variety of your finds and photos is awesome, so much stuff I haven't seen yet. And you solved a life-long mystery for me. I w...
by monklet
October 17th, 2015, 11:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Not My Find, but I Wish...
Replies: 30
Views: 12033

Re: Not My Find, but I Wish...

most poisonous venom
...there's a new twist on an old and common gaffe :shock: Seems that should get entered in the NA Herp DB, by whatever means.
by monklet
September 5th, 2015, 10:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: In Memory of Kent VanSooy
Replies: 25
Views: 11735

Re: In Memory of Kent VanSooy

I never had the pleasure of meeting Kent in the person, but through this forum, have known him to be a man of sterling character ...someone I loved and respected for his words and deeds alone, and the kind of person this world sorely needs more of. A peer in age but someone I always looked up too. M...
by monklet
June 8th, 2015, 10:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: I've seen it, you seen it ... we've all seen...
Replies: 58
Views: 30462

Re: I've seen it, you seen it ... we've all seen...

Jim wrote:King Cobras for example, are known to be one of the few animals that will actively stalk and kill a human
I like your comments but ...Say what?
by monklet
February 6th, 2015, 9:47 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Birds of the Cayman Islands and Pantanal, Brazil
Replies: 6
Views: 19207

Re: Birds of the Cayman Islands and Pantanal, Brazil

Truly SPECTACULAR birds and bird photography!!! :crazyeyes: :shock: :thumb:
by monklet
November 8th, 2014, 8:15 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Biking ABA Big Year Blog
Replies: 0
Views: 3446

Biking ABA Big Year Blog

This is epic quest and well worth following, even if you're not a birder. It's interesting on so many levels. Wish I had known about it Jan. 1st.
http://bikingforbirds.blogspot.com/
by monklet
September 15th, 2014, 10:02 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Birds From Around Home
Replies: 4
Views: 4987

Re: Birds From Around Home

Nice stuff. The Red-tailed in flight/hover is especially appealing! :thumb:
by monklet
September 12th, 2014, 11:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: HL on my AZ property, so happy.
Replies: 9
Views: 4853

Re: HL on my AZ property, so happy.

DesertZone wrote:I also noticed that this AZ field guide (http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-Sub ... estum.html ) doesn't show them found that far east. My place is just south of Old Pearce AZ.
Just to clarify, you did mean "that far west" right?
by monklet
September 12th, 2014, 11:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: HL on my AZ property, so happy.
Replies: 9
Views: 2745

Re: HL on my AZ property, so happy.

DesertZone wrote:I also noticed that this AZ field guide (http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-Sub ... estum.html ) doesn't show them found that far east. My place is just south of Old Pearce AZ.
Just to clarify, you did mean "that far west" right?
by monklet
September 11th, 2014, 8:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: So far in SoCal 2014 - a tale of drought and fire
Replies: 19
Views: 7578

Re: So far in SoCal 2014 - a tale of drought and fire

Thanks for the response Kent. I wasn't suggesting your's was a hybrid, just that it helped me see more how that other snake might have some ruber in it. ...the way I phrased my comment was definitely misleading.
by monklet
September 9th, 2014, 1:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: AZ and NM, 12 days including the NAFHA meeting
Replies: 20
Views: 8306

Re: AZ and NM, 12 days including the NAFHA meeting

Burning green! :mrgreen: You guys always clean up. Must be one heck of a team :thumb: :thumb: :beer:
by monklet
September 9th, 2014, 12:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: So far in SoCal 2014 - a tale of drought and fire
Replies: 19
Views: 7578

Re: So far in SoCal 2014 - a tale of drought and fire

Always LOVE your posts Kent!!! ...they have such a natural, play it as it lays feel :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: btw, this pic almost suggests that controversial speck hybrid. http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/lamprophil/2014%20so%20far%20in%20so%20cal/124neoruber.jpg If you agree then maybe you s...
by monklet
September 4th, 2014, 3:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Cobra on the loose in Thousand Oaks
Replies: 11
Views: 5342

Re: Cobra on the loose in Thousand Oaks

I'm an hour away from T.0. in Ventura and everyone here is pretty much on lock down, businesses are closed and everyone is just waiting for the all clear. Let us pray! As long as I could get a timely dose of the appropriate antivenin/anitvenom, whatever you call it, I'd much rather get bit by a cobr...
by monklet
September 4th, 2014, 12:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: It's been a while.....
Replies: 6
Views: 4368

Re: It's been a while.....

Really fun post, thanks :thumb: Say, I'm trying to figure out what is that odd object in the first Black-necked Garter image that is obscuring the head of the snake? ...looks like some kind of gastropod shell???
by monklet
September 4th, 2014, 8:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Cobra on the loose in Thousand Oaks
Replies: 11
Views: 5342

Re: Cobra on the loose in Thousand Oaks

CNN.com Headline wrote:NEW Escaped cobra menaces SoCal
:lol: :lol: :lol:
by monklet
September 3rd, 2014, 2:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: hybrid speck×red !?
Replies: 57
Views: 24378

Re: hybrid speck×red !?

Four very distinct black bands on white seems unusual to me (limited experience), and that was really the only thing that indicated possible hybrid. Can't see the face well in those pics and was hoping Robert's pic would show that.
by monklet
September 2nd, 2014, 9:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: hybrid speck×red !?
Replies: 57
Views: 24378

Re: hybrid speck×red !?

Doesn't need to be 50/50 ...could be 75/25 speck/red??? Certainly would seem to favor speck. Great find :beer:
by monklet
September 2nd, 2014, 5:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hypermelanistic Gopher Tortoise
Replies: 5
Views: 3068

Re: Hypermelanistic Gopher Tortoise

Maybe that's what happens after being doused with too much gasoline :cry: ...not perfectly serious but???
by monklet
August 15th, 2014, 9:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Kiss the Arroyos/WPT goodbye
Replies: 23
Views: 7888

Re: Kiss the Arroyos/WPT goodbye

Pretty much agreed Jim, but even if we live as part of nature, we retain our innate compulsion to reproduce and serve the greatest advantage to ourselves, and our progeny, as possible. It would indeed be unnatural to assume any other manner.
by monklet
August 15th, 2014, 8:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Kiss the Arroyos/WPT goodbye
Replies: 23
Views: 7888

Re: Kiss the Arroyos/WPT goodbye

I don't think the human species will go extinct on this planet as long as there's water, oxygen and sunlight. BUT, it is a fact that the human population on earth will stabilize or reverse at some point in the future. Just how that will come about is pretty much up to us, but I expect it won't be ni...
by monklet
August 6th, 2014, 11:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake Bite Stats?
Replies: 20
Views: 7611

Re: Snake Bite Stats?

I'd love to know that the snake survived unharmed! :lol:
by monklet
August 6th, 2014, 9:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Summer Herping in the RGV - Part 1: The Quest for Leptodeira
Replies: 11
Views: 6223

Re: Summer Herping in the RGV - Part 1: The Quest for Leptod

That's just flamin' amazing!!! :beer: :beer: :beer: Don't recall any U.S. records ever posted here and only two records in the NA Herp database. Awesome looking snakes.
by monklet
August 6th, 2014, 9:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake Bite Stats?
Replies: 20
Views: 7611

Re: Snake Bite Stats?

Musta been some serious alcohol/drugs involved in this one. Hernandez-Hernandez became the first person to die in the United States from a fatal coral snake bite since 1967. He and Jesus Moreida, both of Bonita Springs, Florida, were bitten by a coral snake they tried to kill.[ :roll: WTF??? Guidry,...
by monklet
August 3rd, 2014, 9:34 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Albino Garter?
Replies: 5
Views: 2951

Re: Possible Albino Garter?

I can't tell just what's up with the eye at all, even blown up in Photoshop ...BUT, since no one else has expressed any opinion, I'll go with the default, peak shed cycle!

Never knew there was a correlation between keeled scales and "burly" eye caps.
by monklet
August 2nd, 2014, 12:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Albino Garter?
Replies: 5
Views: 2951

Re: Possible Albino Garter?

Inexplicably, that didn't occur to me ...but seen lots of snakes in shed cycle and that would be the most obscured I recall. Let's see what others say.
by monklet
August 2nd, 2014, 10:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Albino Garter?
Replies: 5
Views: 2951

Possible Albino Garter?

http://serpentrack.com/herps/misc_field_herps/snakes/gartersnake_possible_albino_1a.jpg Thought some here might find this one interesting. Snake found by someone in Oregon, somewhere between Eugene and Portland. Trying to get better pics. Apparently it is resident in a compost pile, so may be seen ...
by monklet
July 31st, 2014, 7:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: HDW Update... contest results
Replies: 2
Views: 2201

Re: HDW Update... contest results

Greater Short-horned Lizard? Range extension?

edit:
Wikipedia wrote:The Short-horned Lizard is more cold tolerant than other species and is able to reach higher elevations and a greater distribution where the temperature is much cooler. They live in many places around the world
...so what do I know ;-)
by monklet
July 15th, 2014, 4:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mertensian mimicry
Replies: 5
Views: 3937

Re: Mertensian mimicry

There's one example in the bird world that I'm aware of and that is the apparent mimicry of Turkey Vulture by the Zone-tailed Hawk, which often mixes in with Turkey Vulture flocks. The overall color pattern (aside from the white tail bands) and the flight style whereby the wings are held in a shallo...
by monklet
July 12th, 2014, 10:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: [URGENT] Native and non-native turtles NEED HELP
Replies: 66
Views: 25378

Re: [URGENT] Native and non-native turtles NEED HELP

Well, for snake's sake, wtf do I know? ;o
by monklet
July 12th, 2014, 9:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: [URGENT] Native and non-native turtles NEED HELP
Replies: 66
Views: 25378

Re: [URGENT] Native and non-native turtles NEED HELP

the largemouth can weigh 25 lbs or more Largest bass I'm aware was a Florida strain at Lake Castaic, in SoCal, but that's been topped by one in Japan at 22.311 pounds. Of course those are always gravid and heavy with eggs. The GA record has always been dubious, so not including that, although this ...
by monklet
July 11th, 2014, 10:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: [URGENT] Native and non-native turtles NEED HELP
Replies: 66
Views: 25378

Re: [URGENT] Native and non-native turtles NEED HELP

I beaned a coon with a can of peas (or some sh*t) once while I was van camping ...the frickin varmint didn't eve flinche ...I was surrouned by the evil bastards! Calledi in for some A-10 suppression and they blew their asses right off the planet! God bless! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9La3Yc2u3NM
by monklet
July 11th, 2014, 9:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Pattern variant C. oreganus
Replies: 22
Views: 9695

Re: Pattern variant C. oreganus

Oreganus seems so full of surprises, but that takes the cake IMHO! :) :beer: :beer: :beer:
by monklet
July 11th, 2014, 9:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: [URGENT] Native and non-native turtles NEED HELP
Replies: 66
Views: 25378

Re: [URGENT] Native and non-native turtles NEED HELP

Dude, that's just like too ...well, can't say it and be politically correct LOL!
by monklet
July 11th, 2014, 9:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: [URGENT] Native and non-native turtles NEED HELP
Replies: 66
Views: 25378

Re: [URGENT] Native and non-native turtles NEED HELP

Awesome pics Brian, but I'm cornfused about the assertion and your rejection regarding "they prey on the eggs and babies of the California native Western pond turtle" , and your coment ..."What a load of BS" ???
by monklet
July 10th, 2014, 4:01 pm
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Anyone Know what species this Jellyfish is...?
Replies: 13
Views: 20438

Re: Anyone Know what species this Jellyfish is...?

I always thought it was Al Gore who invented global warming, or was that just the internets?
by monklet
July 10th, 2014, 9:12 am
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Anyone Know what species this Jellyfish is...?
Replies: 13
Views: 20438

Re: Anyone Know what species this Jellyfish is...?

Geez, that pretty much proves it. You should send the heartland.org link to the IPCC, and Obama too for that matter. They obviously aren't too good a Google searching and need access to better information than they get from MSNBC.
by monklet
July 9th, 2014, 9:32 am
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Anyone Know what species this Jellyfish is...?
Replies: 13
Views: 20438

Re: Anyone Know what species this Jellyfish is...?

It's a new species that has evolved in response to global warming, which is proven by the melting ice in that pic. ;-)
by monklet
July 1st, 2014, 8:21 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 968109

Re: What was your last lifer?...

A Laysan was once recorded in the Cajon Pass, the corridor between San Bernardino and the high desert so... But that is the first time I've heard of one being seen on the coast in SoCal! That's be a lifer for me too.
by monklet
June 29th, 2014, 8:06 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 968109

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Did the Laysan appear healthy? If so, that is truly remarkable. Was it flying or roosting? What day was that? I've gone back though June 15th on the Orange County Listserve and can't find any mention. That sighting is definitely worth documenting and reporting to the county compiler. Also, I assume ...
by monklet
June 23rd, 2014, 11:46 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Which is best?
Replies: 8
Views: 7131

Re: Which is best?

2
by monklet
June 22nd, 2014, 8:14 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Striped racer in a tree
Replies: 10
Views: 3493

Re: Striped whipsnake in a tree

Can almost guarantee the hummer had a nest in proximity. The snake may already have cleaned it out.