Whew! Thanks for giving me my panhandle fix.
That greater siren was surely impressive.
Search found 360 matches
- April 5th, 2017, 3:57 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: First Quarter
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4944
- January 29th, 2017, 5:24 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: EOY 2016 (FL, MI, Canada)
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5112
Re: EOY 2016 (FL, MI, Canada)
Thanks for the visits to my old stomping grounds! I've always felt that many of the corn snakes from the Devil's Garden area resemble Okeetee corns. Some (like one you posted a photo of) have very thick and clean black borders to the red blotches resulting in a nicely contrasting pattern.
- January 3rd, 2017, 4:24 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2016 - A good year pt. 2
- Replies: 11
- Views: 6236
Re: 2016 - A good year pt. 2
Another totally absorbing thread. I need to start dip-netting when I'm up that way as I'm missing a lot of amphibians.
For me there is nothing cooler than being on a remote creek or river and just seeing whatever turns up.
Thanks!
For me there is nothing cooler than being on a remote creek or river and just seeing whatever turns up.
Thanks!
- January 3rd, 2017, 4:07 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2016 - A good year pt. 1
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3093
Re: 2016 - A good year pt. 1
Wonderful finds! As a turtle nerd I really appreciate seeing species that I typically have to drive 7 or more hours to find.
That clear seepage was awesome!
That clear seepage was awesome!
- October 20th, 2016, 12:21 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Fall herping
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4782
Re: Fall herping
Agree with everyone else. Wonderful finds and cool narrative.
All too familiar with 'curious locals' showing up just as I find something neat I want to photograph.
All too familiar with 'curious locals' showing up just as I find something neat I want to photograph.
- September 5th, 2016, 10:07 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Brooks Kingsnakes and a Pygmy
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2490
Re: Brooks Kingsnakes and a Pygmy
Nothing like finding brooksi. Especially 'out of season' !
- August 15th, 2016, 4:33 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: A Cali Boy's Trip to Southern Arizona (Az forum repeat)
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2812
Re: A Cali Boy's Trip to Southern Arizona (Az forum repeat)
Spectacular finds Jeremy. The final cactus bloom photo was a great ending too. I've only been to that region twice and it was in the late 80s. Everything I saw was a lifer needless to say. It's hard to explain but southern Arizona has an appeal unlike anywhere else in the country...I think it's the ...
- August 11th, 2016, 4:21 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Some stuff
- Replies: 8
- Views: 3800
Re: Some stuff
Bluish or more accurately, turquoise colored garter snakes are very common from south of Lake Okee (South Bay, Belle Glade, etc) all the way down to the ENP. These are snakes with an OVERALL wash of the turquoise hue. But the real blue striped garter snake from the Gulf Hammock region are typically ...
- August 11th, 2016, 4:13 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Herping Appalachicola National Forest
- Replies: 16
- Views: 5790
Re: Herping Appalachicola National Forest
I've had a couple of nights lately where I also saw nothing. it has been raining everyday between 3.00 and 5.00 pm. I notice when it was wet outside I saw very little if anything. But if we go a couple of days without rain I will see 4-6 snakes between 9.00 and 11.00 pm. I still go if it's been rai...
- August 9th, 2016, 3:46 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Herping Appalachicola National Forest
- Replies: 16
- Views: 5790
Re: Herping Appalachicola National Forest
Eastern glasses may be longer, but by that age they wouldn't look like this. The other option based on the color is mimicus , my favorite of the four. But most are much smaller than a couple of feet. Eastern slender is more likely, but this is also why I said I couldn't say with 100% certainty. I t...
- August 7th, 2016, 5:57 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Herping Appalachicola National Forest
- Replies: 16
- Views: 5790
Re: Herping Appalachicola National Forest
Nice finds! Those are all representative of the region.
Your DOR king is indeed an 'Apalach'. Did you take other images of it?
You've discovered a very cool part of Florida and have only scratched the surface. I wish you countless hours of interesting times there!
Your DOR king is indeed an 'Apalach'. Did you take other images of it?
You've discovered a very cool part of Florida and have only scratched the surface. I wish you countless hours of interesting times there!
- June 22nd, 2016, 4:43 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Post-Tropical Storm Colin and a Day with Noah M.
- Replies: 11
- Views: 5836
Re: Post-Tropical Storm Colin and a Day with Noah M.
A great example of enjoying ALL of the critters that a specific region offers. I too try and learn about even the obscure invertebrates, mollusks, insects and the like. For me the most interesting shots in this group are those of the fallen trees and their roots along the coast! One wonders how old ...
- June 5th, 2016, 3:38 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Triple Cruise FL Pines
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1987
Re: Triple Cruise FL Pines
mtratcliffe wrote:That...is something. I was expecting to see three different Pines cruised in one day, not a Lovecraftian horror of a mating ball! Awesome stuff.
Well said! I was thinking the same thing...maybe three pines out on the roads on a magical day. Not three pines in a Walking Dead love-fest.
- June 1st, 2016, 6:58 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: FL Keys Exotics
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3528
Re: FL Keys Exotics
Sorry for the delay in responding Noah. You're correct, ashy geckos are (or were) quite common from at least Lower Matecumbe thru Grassy, Duck and Key Colony Beach.
My sister used to have a house on Duck Key that would have adults as well as juveniles emerge nightly in her carport.
My sister used to have a house on Duck Key that would have adults as well as juveniles emerge nightly in her carport.
- May 23rd, 2016, 9:19 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: FL Keys Exotics
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3528
Re: FL Keys Exotics
Nice photos Noah. I have my issues with ashy geckos always being listed as 'non-native' or exotic. From what I understand, they've always been found in (at least) the lower Keys and there is no real specific point at which one can identify as their origin there. I've never been clear why it is assum...
- April 9th, 2016, 4:49 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 1st quarter 2016
- Replies: 10
- Views: 4652
Re: 1st quarter 2016
Nice adventures Tamara.
The variability of our garter snakes never ceases to amaze me. They are so weird!
The variability of our garter snakes never ceases to amaze me. They are so weird!
- March 25th, 2016, 5:11 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Herpetology Conference in Gainesville
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2007
Herpetology Conference in Gainesville
It's time for the 39th Annual Herpetology Conference in Gainesville. Anybody going? https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology-conference/schedule/ I remember when this was THE event to attend and when there were numerous vendors filling up the 2nd floor of the Reitz Union at UF. There were live specimen...
- February 16th, 2016, 4:28 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Tiger Salamander (Long Read)
- Replies: 14
- Views: 4405
Re: Tiger Salamander (Long Read)
Nice read and photos Adam. sigh...yes, many of us have our own personal white whale.
The shot of yours swimming away is quite neat looking!
The shot of yours swimming away is quite neat looking!
- February 3rd, 2016, 4:28 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Request for Apalachicola NF info and Possible Hook up
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2077
Re: Request for Apalachicola NF info and Possible Hook up
St Marks NWR, Torreya State Park and Wakulla Springs SP are places near the area worth checking out if you have the time. One thing I have noticed, there is not much junk to flip in the ANF proper but you might have better luck in some of the coastal towns with that. Should be plenty of daytime sur...
- January 13th, 2016, 4:18 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Year in Review, Final Third of 2015 and Herp List
- Replies: 13
- Views: 6753
Re: Year in Review, Final Third of 2015 and Herp List
Is typing up a note on your iPhone that hard? Typing anywhere is that hard....or maybe just unwanted. Whichever you like more. ;) Agree with Jake. For me the idea of compiling lists (for birds, herps, whatever) seems exhausting. I might make a little notation in my old Conant's Field Guide--that I ...
- January 8th, 2016, 4:32 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: End of 2015 (Salamanders and a trip to SoFla)
- Replies: 7
- Views: 4427
Re: End of 2015 (Salamanders and a trip to SoFla)
Awesome photos...as usual, of course!
I've caught a lot of Brook's kings in my day, but those two are about the fattest and healthiest looking winter kings I've ever seen. Look like fatty captives!
I've caught a lot of Brook's kings in my day, but those two are about the fattest and healthiest looking winter kings I've ever seen. Look like fatty captives!
- December 25th, 2015, 5:27 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Jewel of the Flatwoods.
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3671
Re: Jewel of the Flatwoods.
Jaw dropping clarity in those photos Josh! Almost 3-dimensional.
What great finds too. Jelly, jelly, jealous!
What great finds too. Jelly, jelly, jealous!
- November 30th, 2015, 4:49 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: A Little Thanksgiving Salamander Love
- Replies: 15
- Views: 5094
Re: A Little Thanksgiving Salamander Love
Neat shots Noah. The panhandle is a great region in Florida to find such variety!
Now I'm thinking of a winter trip...
Now I'm thinking of a winter trip...
- November 16th, 2015, 5:41 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Turtle ID?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2293
Re: Turtle ID?
Old scripta. They get like that.
- November 4th, 2015, 11:26 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: On the River With an Old Friend
- Replies: 10
- Views: 6894
Re: On the River With an Old Friend
baurii certainly warrants further genetic studies, and I haven't heard of the idea of hippocrepis as being a western variety of baurii , that's really interesting. You'll need a PhD project before too long, right? Your female looks like a typical subrubrum to me, but that male is interesting. You c...
- November 1st, 2015, 4:15 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Lifer I wasn't expecting, ID Q, neat geography
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2575
Re: Lifer I wasn't expecting, ID Q, neat geography
The best lifers are the ones you never expected to see!
In the first photo without the flash the viewer gets that natural light shading and softness--very nice. Beautiful specimen.
That cave with the creek would be a place to explore after dark!
In the first photo without the flash the viewer gets that natural light shading and softness--very nice. Beautiful specimen.
That cave with the creek would be a place to explore after dark!
- October 29th, 2015, 4:20 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: New to Florida area
- Replies: 16
- Views: 5919
Re: New to Florida area
And don't forget about fishing...you're in a great spot for coastal species like speckled sea trout, flounder and redfish. Just sayin'...
Also, as was mentioned you should be able to find amphibians on base fairly easily.
Also, as was mentioned you should be able to find amphibians on base fairly easily.
- October 22nd, 2015, 8:22 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: On the River With an Old Friend
- Replies: 10
- Views: 6894
Re: On the River With an Old Friend
Any trip with a Macrochelys is a good trip. The first (and still only) one I have personally snorkeled up I caught a glimpse of the tail around a boulder and thought was an alligator, too, until I saw the shell. Interesting mud turtles. In southeastern Georgia, K. baurii are pretty easy to identify...
- October 22nd, 2015, 4:35 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: On the River With an Old Friend
- Replies: 10
- Views: 6894
On the River With an Old Friend
I've known author and photographer Dick Bartlett for well over 30 years. He befriended me when I was about 22 years old and eager to learn as much as I could about reptiles and amphibians, fish, plants and just about everything else in the wild. Dick (who is known by his close associates as 'Dicky')...
- August 30th, 2015, 5:15 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: May through beginning of August. (Updated)
- Replies: 8
- Views: 3991
Re: May through beginning of August. (Updated)
Stunning photography and imaginative compositions too! And of course, some great finds.
The reddish colored garter snake is similar to a couple of found in the ANF---which is the only locality where Ive seen that color of eastern garters before.
The reddish colored garter snake is similar to a couple of found in the ANF---which is the only locality where Ive seen that color of eastern garters before.
- August 19th, 2015, 10:58 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Guess the Swamp Denizen!
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1817
Re: Guess the Swamp Denizen!
Looks like a Synbranchus marmoratus to me.
I think they're established in a few places in Florida now.
I think they're established in a few places in Florida now.
- June 22nd, 2015, 4:05 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Two Turtles
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2086
Re: Two Turtles
That soft-shelled turtle was likely a young male that was still retaining some juvenile color. But even then, it was a beauty!
The striped mud turtle was also rather nice and that is one turtle that is highly variable depending on where they come from.
The striped mud turtle was also rather nice and that is one turtle that is highly variable depending on where they come from.
- June 11th, 2015, 4:38 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: May 7th-June 10th. Highlights and heartbreaks. (pic heavy)
- Replies: 8
- Views: 3680
Re: May 7th-June 10th. Highlights and heartbreaks. (pic heav
I echo Bree's thoughts regarding your grandfather. Sorry about your loss.
Some super good photo in the post---but the bad hair day shot at the en is just grand!
Some super good photo in the post---but the bad hair day shot at the en is just grand!
- June 10th, 2015, 4:27 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Best Night of the Year So Far
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2468
Re: Best Night of the Year So Far
Great night indeed Noah.
Still need to get my canebrake. Yours was a beauty!
Still need to get my canebrake. Yours was a beauty!
- June 6th, 2015, 5:47 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Florida's Green Swamp - Updated June 15th
- Replies: 11
- Views: 4558
Re: Florida's Green Swamp
Coluber Constrictor wrote:The weird looking bullfrog is probably a metamorph.
Hadn't thought of that.
- June 4th, 2015, 3:41 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Florida's Green Swamp - Updated June 15th
- Replies: 11
- Views: 4558
Re: Florida's Green Swamp
There is something very wrong with that bloated bullfrog. Not sure what, but he aint right!
Nice explanation of the differences in bull and pig frogs.
Nice explanation of the differences in bull and pig frogs.
- May 26th, 2015, 4:06 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Family Florida Trip May 2015(Pythons, Tegus & More Snakes)
- Replies: 25
- Views: 8741
Re: Family Florida Trip May 2015
Tegus at KFC... What would the Colonel say?
Looks like you had a great experience and your family had fun.
Looks like you had a great experience and your family had fun.
- May 22nd, 2015, 5:07 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Lost in (carnivorous plant) Paradise
- Replies: 9
- Views: 3983
Re: Lost in (carnivorous plant) Paradise
And why haven't you turned up a photo of a live Wooly-booger yet, hmm? The meadows with the pitcher plants look fantastic. It must be a surreal experience to drive through that forest on a foggy morning. I also enjoy the hatchling Barbour's Map Turtles - were the little ones just out in the open ba...
- May 21st, 2015, 9:30 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Lost in (carnivorous plant) Paradise
- Replies: 9
- Views: 3983
Lost in (carnivorous plant) Paradise
On a recent trip to the Apalachicola National Forest (ANF) I encountered a couple of the more commonly seen turtles crossing the roads. This female Gulf Coast box turtle was trying to get across busy Hwy 20, presumably to lay eggs somewhere, while a number of logging trucks thundered toward her. htt...
- May 20th, 2015, 4:45 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Florida Keys Exotics & Friends
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2338
Re: Florida Keys Exotics & Friends
Oh, nice agama too.
- May 20th, 2015, 4:44 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Florida Keys Exotics & Friends
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2338
Re: Florida Keys Exotics & Friends
All nice finds Captainjack. Very happy the trip was a success. The spiny iguana is a species I had forgotten about but we did see one big male and some smaller females a few years ago that were living on-- and under a pile of discarded old telephone poles. That male was an impressive brute! Would lo...
- May 9th, 2015, 4:50 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Big Cypress/Everglades Questions - *TRIP UPDATE*
- Replies: 15
- Views: 6945
Re: Big Cypress/Everglades Questions
As for dining, Robert mentioned Rosita's which is quite good...but it's in Florida City, not Homestead. He's correct in that it's right on Palm Drive (south side) as you head west toward the park. It's in 'downtown' Florida City. Someone else mentioned Shiver's Barbeque...oh man, that place has been...
- May 7th, 2015, 4:38 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: First Third of 2015.... early Year in Review
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2614
Re: First Third of 2015.... early Year in Review
Wonderful! You managed to capture the essence of Spring in the southeast perfectly...plus, the tragedy of hognose love!
Do you have the citation or link for your musk turtle observation? Would like to see it.
Do you have the citation or link for your musk turtle observation? Would like to see it.
- May 6th, 2015, 4:42 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: The Mystery of the Suwannee Cooter Range Gap
- Replies: 9
- Views: 3118
Re: The Mystery of the Suwannee Cooter Range Gap
Did some further checking...according to Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles the population of loggerhead musk turtles in the Withlacoochee River system in Marion, Citrus and Sumter Counties was introduced in the 1950s. However this book doesn't mention the population of Sternotherus minor i...
- May 5th, 2015, 4:37 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: The Mystery of the Suwannee Cooter Range Gap
- Replies: 9
- Views: 3118
Re: The Mystery of the Suwannee Cooter Range Gap
The first thought that comes to mind with me is the possibility that early Floridians introduced the Suwanee cooters to the Alafia River as a food source. It is known--or at least highly suspected-- that the South American red-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis carbonaria reached some of islands of the Ca...
- May 4th, 2015, 4:32 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: First 1/3 of 2015
- Replies: 11
- Views: 4125
Re: First 1/3 of 2015
Agree. You clearly have waaay more patience than I do and a great imagination for setting up shots!mtratcliffe wrote:Good finds and great shots! Not sure what sorcery you employed to get the two Chorus Frogs to pose together like that. Those are some striking frogs!
- May 4th, 2015, 4:27 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Fire Snakes
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2118
Re: Fire Snakes
I've always wondered about these events too but never tried cruising the edges as you did.
Regarding the fires: walking through the recently burned over areas in the ANF will yield about 1 dead box turtle per acre and sometimes more.
Regarding the fires: walking through the recently burned over areas in the ANF will yield about 1 dead box turtle per acre and sometimes more.
- May 2nd, 2015, 6:36 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Hiking the Everglades National Park
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2467
Hiking the Everglades National Park
Hiking the Everglades national Park (ENP) is awesome and I have done so many, many times and trekked countless miles in that place. But it isn't for very young children, at least not where I've gone. I usually hike the region around the Dwarf Cypress Forest and I simply find a distant tree island to...
- April 27th, 2015, 4:45 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Big Cypress/Everglades Questions - *TRIP UPDATE*
- Replies: 15
- Views: 6945
Re: Big Cypress/Everglades Questions
I can give you a few pointers about Day 3 in the ENP... First, keep in mind that Flamingo is really nothing more than a marina and boat ramp. There is a little convenience store but no real restaurant per se. My wife would be really disappointed if I said, "lets drive all the way to Flamingo fo...
- April 26th, 2015, 5:06 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Veteran Florida herper and reptile store owner dies...
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2587
Re: Veteran Florida herper and reptile store owner dies...
Like everyone else, I also had nothing but good memories of Doug. His goofy laugh and over-sized grin were infectious. A couple of times I visited him at his home and was astounded at his mammals that included big cats. He maintained a breeding group of African 'lynx' caracal cats that were simply i...