Search found 126 matches

by mrichardson
July 16th, 2015, 11:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Nicaragua and Corn Island
Replies: 6
Views: 3426

Re: Herping Nicaragua and Corn Island

I spent two weeks in Nicaragua this February, mostly looking for mammals. Our local guide was a fantastic herper with limitless knowledge and awesome field skills. If you're short of time you could always hire him for a day or two. Please PM me for his details. Nicaragua is an excellent country and ...
by mrichardson
May 23rd, 2015, 1:28 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Some mammalian highlights from the past year
Replies: 3
Views: 13428

Re: Some mammalian highlights from the past year

Some fantastic mammal sightings and photos. Not sure I've seen a photo of a Mountain Coati before. Thanks for posting.
by mrichardson
January 25th, 2015, 9:07 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Morocco - january 2015
Replies: 6
Views: 3454

Re: Morocco - january 2015

The check points where everywhere, but after traveling down to both Guelmin and Agadir - I think it was much the same. But the french talking guy up in a small village in the Atlas was a bit more on the etiquette on stopping before the check point :)[/quote] We had some interesting experiences at po...
by mrichardson
January 24th, 2015, 10:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Morocco - january 2015
Replies: 6
Views: 3454

Re: Morocco - january 2015

Great photos. Unfortunately the police check points seem to get worse the further south you go.
by mrichardson
December 22nd, 2014, 9:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Any Big Plans For Next Year?
Replies: 20
Views: 8830

Re: Any Big Plans For Next Year?

All being well I'll be making my first trip to Central America in February with a trip to Nicaragua. It's mostly a mammal focused trip (including bats and rodents) but I'm hoping for plenty of reptiles and amphibians. Hopefully I'll get chance to visit a couple of European destinations as well.
by mrichardson
October 16th, 2014, 1:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Morocco Herptrip 2014
Replies: 17
Views: 9916

Re: Morocco Herptrip 2014

Fantastic post! I visited Morocco and Western Sahara earlier in the year and really enjoyed the experience. I was mainly targeting mammals (Fennec Fox, Sand Cat etc) but I also came across some nice herps. It's definitely an area to which I would like to return soon.
by mrichardson
July 17th, 2014, 11:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Bangladesh Sundarbans
Replies: 12
Views: 8774

Re: The Bangladesh Sundarbans

Sounds like you had a fantastic trip in a part of the world where not many people have the pleasure of visiting. I look forward to your next post on the python project.
by mrichardson
June 15th, 2014, 1:36 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Mole
Replies: 14
Views: 20742

Re: Mole

I'm no expert but I think in Florida you only have Eastern Moles Scalopus aquaticus . In the UK we have the European Mole which are extremely common but rarely ever seen. In fact it's the only British mainland terrestrial mammal I have yet to see! I know plenty of people that have seen them crossing...
by mrichardson
May 4th, 2014, 5:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping vehicle
Replies: 15
Views: 3959

Re: Herping vehicle

Looks like everyone likes the F150, so I came here to show some love for the Frontier. I recently picked up a 2014 Frontier and love it. It was technically used, but only had 4500 miles on it. This is my 3rd Nissan in a row and they've all been good for me. You could probably get a Frontier for les...
by mrichardson
April 4th, 2014, 8:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ^%$#@KingCobra&^%#!grrrrhhhh!!!!
Replies: 16
Views: 5348

Re: ^%$#@KingCobra&^%#!grrrrhhhh!!!!

Maybe his snake stick was a lucky charm? And the fact that they were BIRDING. None of those guys are herpers in the classical sense, they're naturers. They went to check out that road for birds. Maybe I should lie to the fates about my target species before I hit the road next time. "Just goin...
by mrichardson
March 8th, 2014, 1:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Florida (repost from SE chapter)
Replies: 3
Views: 3700

Re: South Florida (repost from SE chapter)

Excellent trip! I've spent many hours driving Big Cypress hoping for a glimpse of a Panther. To get some photos is just fantastic.
by mrichardson
March 8th, 2014, 6:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: King cobra anecdote
Replies: 15
Views: 6619

Re: King cobra anecdote

Mercedes are way overrated. I'd take the cobra any day. Fantastic story.
by mrichardson
February 27th, 2014, 8:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southern Africa (updated species names)
Replies: 18
Views: 5759

Re: Southern Africa

Great post! A nice mix of herps, mammals, birds and food! South Africa is a fantastic country and you did well to see so much in such a relatively short time.
by mrichardson
October 29th, 2013, 3:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Western Ghats monsoon herping 2013
Replies: 11
Views: 5225

Re: Western Ghats monsoon herping 2013

A very interesting post. I should really get to India some day!
by mrichardson
September 21st, 2013, 1:44 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Alaska Inside Passage Mammals
Replies: 8
Views: 17341

Re: Alaska Inside Passage Mammals

Looks like a fantastic trip! Thanks for posting.
by mrichardson
September 9th, 2013, 2:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Rattlers are Out! (redux)
Replies: 7
Views: 2451

Re: The Rattlers are Out! (redux)

Fantastic! Some great looking snakes there.
by mrichardson
September 7th, 2013, 7:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI Florida
Replies: 6
Views: 2602

Re: RFI Florida

Night cruising in that forest is awful. x2 Though, the bears I have seen were at dusk (and it was summer) so perhaps cooler fall temps will mean they're active during the day. Here is my example. http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j122/captainjack0000/Wildlife/IMG_1685-1_zpsc07d85ae.jpg~original Exc...
by mrichardson
September 6th, 2013, 10:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI Florida
Replies: 6
Views: 2602

Re: RFI Florida

Thanks for the advice Intermedius and Jake, it's greatly appreciated. I'm pretty easily pleased when it comes to wildlife so hopefully I'll see something no matter the conditions.

Kind regards

Mike
by mrichardson
September 4th, 2013, 12:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI Florida
Replies: 6
Views: 2602

RFI Florida

Hi guys I will be visiting Florida in mid-October and have a couple of questions. Firstly, I plan to do a little evening road cruising (both in Ocala NF and Big Cypress). Is there a cut off temperature below which snakes are unlikely to be on the road? What are ideal conditions for road cruising in ...
by mrichardson
August 23rd, 2013, 9:13 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Melanistic morphs?
Replies: 23
Views: 29915

Re: Melanistic morphs?

In the UK I have seen melanistic Grey Squirrel, European Rabbit, Fallow Deer and Water Vole. I see no reason why you couldn't get melanistic Bobcats.
by mrichardson
August 20th, 2013, 11:31 am
Forum: News
Topic: And the Canadian anti-python propaganda begins... again
Replies: 3
Views: 3549

Re: And the Canadian anti-python propaganda begins... again

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/story/2013/08/16/pythons-motel-brantford.html "Invasive pythons can/will interbreed with native venomous snakes creating a 20 foot long rattlesnake-python." Terry This fact is actually true. I saw it on a very bad movie late one night :lol:
by mrichardson
June 22nd, 2013, 6:07 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Eremean Easter: south-west Queensland, Australia
Replies: 17
Views: 9844

Re: Eremean Easter: south-west Queensland, Australia

Great post. I envy that fact you can just drive off into the bush (albeit for several hours) and see such a large selection of herps. Nice to see the roadhouses are still serving such high quality food.
by mrichardson
June 15th, 2013, 7:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Opportunistic Mediterranean cruise herping
Replies: 28
Views: 23045

Re: Opportunistic Mediterranean cruise herping

Not a bad list considering you didn't have much time to herp! Shame you didn't have more time to spend on Corfu.
by mrichardson
June 15th, 2013, 7:02 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Oman, June 2013
Replies: 20
Views: 9745

Re: Oman, June 2013

A very interesting post. I especially like the the viper. Did you come across any mammals in the short time you were there?
by mrichardson
June 7th, 2013, 12:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northern Spain
Replies: 3
Views: 2203

Re: Northern Spain

Excellent report from a part of Spain not often visited by herpers. Glad you got the viper in the end.
by mrichardson
June 4th, 2013, 1:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some time poking around FL.
Replies: 13
Views: 3972

Re: Some time poking around FL.

Fantastic post from start to end. I'm heading to Florida (Orlando) in October and would love to see a Black Bear. Where would be a good area to look for them?
Cheers.
by mrichardson
May 24th, 2013, 10:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: India Round-up
Replies: 20
Views: 6897

Re: India Round-up

A very interesting post. It's amazing how much wildlife survives in the heavily polluted slum areas.
by mrichardson
May 18th, 2013, 1:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Pilbara, Western Australia
Replies: 21
Views: 7656

Re: The Pilbara, Western Australia

The above posts say it all... AWESOME! I really need to go back to Oz soon. Last time I was fresh out of university and had no money.
by mrichardson
April 11th, 2013, 7:45 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Bad News for Wolves
Replies: 54
Views: 22755

Re: Bad News for Wolves

Well done, both Michael and Andy! :lol: Seriously, as long as we're on this (very tenuously) peripheral topic, anyway, let me ask you, Michael: Do you find any American English gaining ground over British English over there, too, as British English is doing to American English here? I've always won...
by mrichardson
April 11th, 2013, 7:17 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Bad News for Wolves
Replies: 54
Views: 22755

Re: Bad News for Wolves

Hey, I just realized that I want to offer a big THANK YOU! to everyone for referring to these animals as gray wolves rather than grey wolves throughout this thread. The relatively recent but widespread American adoption of the British spelling of the color gray bugs me considerably! Gerry What abou...
by mrichardson
April 10th, 2013, 2:04 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Bad News for Wolves
Replies: 54
Views: 22755

Re: Bad News for Wolves

Hey, I just realized that I want to offer a big THANK YOU! to everyone for referring to these animals as gray wolves rather than grey wolves throughout this thread. The relatively recent but widespread American adoption of the British spelling of the color gray bugs me considerably! Gerry What abou...
by mrichardson
April 6th, 2013, 12:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #51, Thailand and final days in HK
Replies: 9
Views: 6562

Re: China post #51, Thailand and final days in HK

Thanks for taking the time to post this! Just when I thought it couldn't get any better you throw in the Jeep! I also enjoyed all the habitat/food/people shots. Great work!
by mrichardson
March 24th, 2013, 11:15 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Iberian Lynx and other beasties trip report
Replies: 18
Views: 11570

Re: Iberian Lynx and other beasties trip report

And that is why I want my next European trip to be Spain. I just couldn't squeeze it in last year when I went to Germany. Epic! Love the interest in all things from herps to mammals to birds to bugs to plants. And so many Lynx. I would probably die of excitement. thanks for the comment about the wi...
by mrichardson
March 22nd, 2013, 8:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SE Arizona in mid April?
Replies: 10
Views: 3800

Re: SE Arizona in mid April?

Heed everything Kris says. Rare herps line up and beg to be photographed by him. Most crotes waive their modeling fees at the sight of his lens. Sorry we'll just miss crossing paths. We'll be in Madera the week before you arrive. I love that place. That's a shame. Hope you have a fantastic time at ...
by mrichardson
March 22nd, 2013, 8:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SE Arizona in mid April?
Replies: 10
Views: 3800

Re: SE Arizona in mid April?

Mid April is a good time for both the Phoenix area and SE Az...We got a good amount of rain this past winter (esp. compared to the past few years) so animals should be out. As far as what you can expect to see, there aren't many animals that won't be seen with enough effort. My best advice is GE th...
by mrichardson
March 19th, 2013, 3:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SE Arizona in mid April?
Replies: 10
Views: 3800

Re: SE Arizona in mid April?

Larry Jones is a wildlife biologist on the Coronado National Forest. He's a friendly, knowledgeable guy who wants visitors to enjoy themselves (safely, legally, etc). Look him up & say hi. He can probably help you out. He does some awesome guided lizard walks (binocs & field guides) in Sabi...
by mrichardson
March 18th, 2013, 4:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SE Arizona in mid April?
Replies: 10
Views: 3800

Re: SE Arizona in mid April?

I love SE AZ (or AZ in general) in April... it is the month of my bday, animal activity is good, and less herper traffic. lol. There are lots of birders though especially if elegant trogons, aztec thrushes, spotted owls, etc are on the menu. The places you listed are beautiful and great areas for a...
by mrichardson
March 17th, 2013, 10:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Peruvian Amazon part 2 Lizards, Turtles, and Crocodilians
Replies: 15
Views: 27081

Re: Peruvian Amazon part 2 Lizards, Turtles, and Crocodilian

That Caiman Lizard is awesome. Thanks for a very informative post.
by mrichardson
March 17th, 2013, 9:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SE Arizona in mid April?
Replies: 10
Views: 3800

Re: SE Arizona in mid April?

Hi, Mike. E-mail me and I'll talk to you about the herps and mammals in Madera Canyon. April is a good month for herps coming out of brumation. The canyon should have some water in it and you could see canyon treefrogs, garter snakes, etc, along with all the lizards. Also lots of mammals in the San...
by mrichardson
March 17th, 2013, 7:40 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: South American Mouse ID+update (3/29/13)
Replies: 17
Views: 10240

Re: South American Mouse ID

I've found both Jon Hall and Fiona Reed very helpful in the past. Fiona is certainly the expert when it comes to obscure mammals! Great pics of the mouse BTW. Happy that you're a little bit nearer with the ID.
by mrichardson
March 17th, 2013, 7:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SE Arizona in mid April?
Replies: 10
Views: 3800

SE Arizona in mid April?

Hi guys I will be visiting South East Arizona and the Phoenix area in mid April for two weeks. The first week will be split between Cave Creek and Madera Canyon where I plan to spend as much time as possible searching for herps and mammals. Just to be clear I’m not hinting for information on specifi...
by mrichardson
March 16th, 2013, 9:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Success! Florida Python Bio-Blitz
Replies: 57
Views: 18203

Re: Success! Florida Python Bio-Blitz

How could they tell that the last one had been killed? John Good question! I guess they surveyed the area looking for sign, perhaps for many months before they issued the bonus. Not really sure without looking it up. One thing's for certain, it will be much harder to know when the last python has b...
by mrichardson
March 16th, 2013, 7:14 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Success! Florida Python Bio-Blitz
Replies: 57
Views: 18203

Re: Success! Florida Python Bio-Blitz

Is there precedent for this particular scenario? In other words, has a bounty ever been used for an invasive species? That seems like a more valid comparison, rather than biologically-bad bounties on native components of the ecosystem. The Nutria (Coypu) gained a foothold in the Norfolk Broads (Eng...
by mrichardson
March 13th, 2013, 4:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Too hot for snakes.. Western QLD Summer
Replies: 11
Views: 5250

Re: Too hot for snakes.. Western QLD Summer

Excellent post! What I wouldn't give to back in Australia right about now *looks out of window at snow covered street*
by mrichardson
February 13th, 2013, 7:06 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northern Cape, South Africa 2013
Replies: 21
Views: 7469

Re: Northern Cape, South Africa 2013

Great post. I've visited South Africa several times and feel I've only scratched the surface of this awesome country. No need for malaria pills if you visit the Northern Cape, or in fact most of the country. It's only the extreme north east of the country where anti malaria tablets are advised (alth...
by mrichardson
January 23rd, 2013, 4:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Alaskan Transplant 1: 2012-2013 California and Arizona
Replies: 22
Views: 6191

Re: The Alaskan Transplant 1: 2012-2013 California and Arizo

Yup, nice post. I'll look forward to more!
by mrichardson
January 2nd, 2013, 6:04 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Primates, squirrel, colug, bat.
Replies: 6
Views: 3922

Re: Primates, squirrel, colug, bat.

Ooooo! The bats are awesome, all right, but I actually like the squirrel best. Such a beautiful animal! I really don't understand why zoos don't display more of the world's squirrel species. (I've tried to talk zoos I've worked for/with into it, but they've all pretty much just said "Meh."...
by mrichardson
December 4th, 2012, 6:07 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Bats, Bats, Bats!
Replies: 18
Views: 26011

Re: Bats, Bats, Bats!

A couple of bats from Kruger National Park in South Africa (October, 2012). The first is a probable Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit-bat ( Epomophorus wahlbergi ). Peters' Epauletted Fruit-bat also occurs in the area and the two species can only be seperated in the hand. The famous Shukuza restaurant bat...
by mrichardson
November 19th, 2012, 2:30 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Leucistic Opossum
Replies: 19
Views: 37382

Re: Leucistic Opossum

Wow, that's a cool looking animal! It also looks pretty docile, don't those things bite? I guess any leucistic animal that size would be very rare, partly because they would be very vulnerable to predation and not live long enough to pass on their genes.
by mrichardson
November 1st, 2012, 1:19 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?
Replies: 121
Views: 191240

Re: What was your last lifer?

Just thought I'd add a few pictures from my latest trip to South Africa. The first is not a lifer for me but it was the first time I've had such great views of a Caracal. Photo taken at Marrick Safari, Kimberley. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8132022787_9acd72bfff.jpg The second is a Honey Badg...