Search found 246 matches

by Adam Cooner
July 7th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Second Quarter 2017: Alabama and Colorado
Replies: 7
Views: 5011

Re: Second Quarter 2017: Alabama and Colorado

NACairns wrote:Beautiful shots, given the geographic coverage this is a perfect post unification post. Love the diversity.
Thanks,
Nick
Thanks, Nick! My Colorado fun has definitely inspired me to leave the Southeast a little more often.
Barry R wrote:good stuff Adam!
Thanks, Barry!
by Adam Cooner
July 4th, 2017, 6:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Second Quarter 2017: Alabama and Colorado
Replies: 7
Views: 5011

Re: Second Quarter 2017: Alabama and Colorado

Tamara D. McConnell wrote:Adam, I always enjoy your posts. Your photography is glorious!
Thanks, Tamara!
by Adam Cooner
July 2nd, 2017, 5:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Second Quarter 2017: Alabama and Colorado
Replies: 7
Views: 5011

Re: Second Quarter 2017: Alabama and Colorado

:thumb: :thumb: Looks like you got to make a midwestern trip, Adam? :thumb: :thumb: Thanks, Bill! I had the opportunity to take a few days to herp in Colorado in early June. I had a conference for work, so I added a few personal days pre-meeting. Thanks to some good weather and Tim Warfel's help, I...
by Adam Cooner
July 2nd, 2017, 6:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Second Quarter 2017: Alabama and Colorado
Replies: 7
Views: 5011

Second Quarter 2017: Alabama and Colorado

Here's my first post since the Great Unification, covering my finds over the last 3 months. You can find my first quarter post here . April https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2894/33937935635_aa9b45cc52_c.jpg Midwestern Worm Snake by Adam Cooner , on Flickr, Bibb County, AL https://c1.staticflickr.com/3...
by Adam Cooner
April 7th, 2017, 2:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First Quarter 2017
Replies: 3
Views: 3626

First Quarter 2017

Another three months have come and gone, and here's a recap of my first quarter. January https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/723/32059038185_5e3cac00ba_c.jpg Northern Slimy Salamander by Adam Cooner , on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/289/31248917553_c5f0237394_c.jpg Marbled Salamander by Adam Coone...
by Adam Cooner
April 7th, 2017, 1:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First Quarter
Replies: 8
Views: 4934

Re: First Quarter

Good stuff! Congrats on the lifer coral: I can still remember that thrill from mine several years ago.
by Adam Cooner
January 18th, 2017, 10:06 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Since last time
Replies: 2
Views: 2275

Re: Since last time

Great stuff, as always, Robb. I particularly like your ornata photo: it makes me want to get out to photograph one before it's too late this year and then be disappointed that my photo's not as good. :beer:
by Adam Cooner
December 31st, 2016, 8:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fourth Quarter 2016
Replies: 6
Views: 3250

Re: Fourth Quarter 2016

Thanks for sharing! Glad to see some Alabama herps on here. I used to live there, but that was long before I was a herper. I hope I can make it back and herp there sometime. Feel free to message me if you ever make it back. There's a sizeable number of Alabama herpers (many on this forum), and I'm ...
by Adam Cooner
December 31st, 2016, 8:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fourth Quarter 2016
Replies: 6
Views: 3250

Re: Fourth Quarter 2016

Phew! Still catching my breath from those images! So freaking remarkable! Thanks, Tamara, though that's far more effusive praise than my photography warrants. Thanks for showing me my first mole king in 2016 (I would later actually be present when one was flipped), and here's hoping we can make it ...
by Adam Cooner
December 30th, 2016, 9:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Year in Herps
Replies: 8
Views: 4036

The Year in Herps

A month-by-month look at some of the herps I saw in 2016 January https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5779/23783079629_8b0484d719_c.jpg Southern Red Salamander by Adam Cooner , on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1590/24132386926_f54f21a420_c.jpg Southern Chorus Frog by Adam Cooner , on Flickr https:...
by Adam Cooner
December 30th, 2016, 5:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Kentucky Caudates
Replies: 7
Views: 3065

Re: Kentucky Caudates

This is really cool, Kevin. I hope to someday be able to do the same for Alabama. I'm almost there for the terrestrial species but have neglected some of the aquatic ones.

Robb's right: that mud is stunning!
by Adam Cooner
December 30th, 2016, 4:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fourth Quarter 2016
Replies: 6
Views: 3250

Fourth Quarter 2016

My Fourth Quarter post will, in reality, just consist of a few December finds: I shared our October mole kingsnake post at the end of the Third Quarter post, and Alabama's drought killed the herping in November. With the return of rain, amphibian activity has picked up a little, and I'm hopeful for ...
by Adam Cooner
October 2nd, 2016, 12:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Third Quarter 2016
Replies: 6
Views: 3697

Third Quarter 2016

Time flies, and it's already time for a third quarter report. Work, family trips, and life in general have meant a slow-down in herping; however, I've managed to get out and see a few things over the summer. ____________________________________________________________________________________________...
by Adam Cooner
July 13th, 2016, 6:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast
Replies: 6
Views: 5253

Re: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast

Awesome stuff! I especially love the salamander diversity (the Aneides is especially cool) and the mole king. Thanks! In recent years, salamanders may have supplanted snakes as my favorites targets. Very nice work, thank you for sharing it. The marbled salamander really caught my eye, a robust beas...
by Adam Cooner
July 7th, 2016, 6:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: January-May critters
Replies: 6
Views: 4980

Re: January-May critters

Great stuff as always, Robb. While I never thought I'd say this, I think the ringneck's my favorite.

I'm ready to see the massive Costa Rica post you're going to have to put together so the rest of us can live vicariously.
by Adam Cooner
July 7th, 2016, 5:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Second Quarter 2016
Replies: 5
Views: 3068

Re: Second Quarter 2016

Ecto Hunter wrote:Very well done! You've killed it in the Lampro department. Can't wait to get back and herp with you and the rest of the gang!

-Robb Herrington
Thanks, Robb. It's been a pretty good summer. Ready for some Heterodon and salamander action with you guys this fall, though.
by Adam Cooner
July 1st, 2016, 6:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast
Replies: 6
Views: 5253

2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast

Here's a photo recap of January - June, presented without commentary (happy to offer more, nonlocale-specific, info as requested). I've spent time in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, with the vast majority of my finds coming in Alabama. January https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5779/23783079629_8b048...
by Adam Cooner
June 29th, 2016, 8:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Second Quarter 2016
Replies: 5
Views: 3068

Re: Second Quarter 2016

Tamara D. McConnell wrote:Your photography blows me away. Love the entwined mocs, especially.
Thanks, Tamara. There are times you could just stop that first sentence at "Your photography blows," though. It's a work in progress, but I have fun with it.
by Adam Cooner
June 26th, 2016, 8:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Second Quarter 2016
Replies: 5
Views: 3068

Second Quarter 2016

With only a few days left in June and a little free time on my hands this morning, here's my second quarter recap. Over this time frame, I've herped with Chris Montross (Darkhorse), Tamara and Raymond McConnell, Matt Arnold, Micah Riddle, Robb Herrington (ectohunter), Kevin Messenger, and Frank Wide...
by Adam Cooner
May 6th, 2016, 8:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alabama Herping Weekend and Lampropeltis Hat Trick
Replies: 9
Views: 5524

Re: Alabama Herping Weekend and Lampropeltis Hat Trick

Really nice pictures. The picture of the gray rat snake, near the top, exhibits a kind of kink or non-snake-like flow. I think I've heard people say that's a characteristic of gray rat snakes. I remember seeing that same tightness in some kind of black snake when I was hiking on the Appalachian Tra...
by Adam Cooner
April 21st, 2016, 7:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI: Alabamian Visiting Kansas
Replies: 5
Views: 3402

Re: RFI: Alabamian Visiting Kansas

I was completely unaware about Kanza. Just spitting out a few things I saw on a Google search. Glad I mentioned it, as it seems like it would have been a wasted trip. Thanks for the heads up. Won't be a wasted trip--just don't go to the actual Kanza Prairie reservation...the entire area looks about...
by Adam Cooner
April 19th, 2016, 4:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alabama Herping Weekend and Lampropeltis Hat Trick
Replies: 9
Views: 5524

Re: Alabama Herping Weekend and Lampropeltis Hat Trick

Omigod, those red milksnakes are gorgeous! Thank you, Adam, for hosting a never-to-be-forgotten herp weekend. I can't begin to describe how painful it was to come back to Real Life, after such a splendid time. You are a killer herp host. Much gratitude from this end. It was my pleasure to coordinat...
by Adam Cooner
April 18th, 2016, 10:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI: Alabamian Visiting Kansas
Replies: 5
Views: 3402

Re: RFI: Alabamian Visiting Kansas

How are you going to get into Kanza? It's maintained by the University of Kansas for their various environmental-related programs and I don't think you can just walk in. That being said, there are lots of other areas nearby that have plenty of herps. Find one of the back roads along the interstate ...
by Adam Cooner
April 18th, 2016, 5:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alabama Herping Weekend and Lampropeltis Hat Trick
Replies: 9
Views: 5524

Alabama Herping Weekend and Lampropeltis Hat Trick

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of getting out into the field with a number of Alabama's finest herpers, including Chris Montross (Darkhorse), Robb Herrington (EctoHunter), Micah Riddle, Matt Arnold, Frank Wideman (not a forum member, for shame) and Tamara and Ray McConnell. Micah, Tamara, Ray ...
by Adam Cooner
April 14th, 2016, 5:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI: Alabamian Visiting Kansas
Replies: 5
Views: 3402

RFI: Alabamian Visiting Kansas

Between May 18-20 I'm going to be in Lawrence, Kansas, for a work-related meeting. It's my first trip to Kansas. I'm not sure I'll even have the luxury of downtime, but, if I do, does anyone have any opinions on a decent spot to check out? I've done a little research into the area and found the KANZ...
by Adam Cooner
April 7th, 2016, 10:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Post your favorite Rattlesnake photo!
Replies: 34
Views: 18178

Re: Post your favorite Rattlesnake photo!

ImageCanebrake Rattlesnake by Adam Cooner, on Flickr

Bibb County, Alabama
by Adam Cooner
April 5th, 2016, 5:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First Quarter 2016
Replies: 7
Views: 3821

Re: First Quarter 2016

Hey Adam, It's a purely anecdotal field mark, but it has a black horizontal bar through the eye, something I've only ever seen in Red Salamanders. But, I'm no salamander expert, so I look forward to hearing how/if I'm wrong on the matter - and how I can tell in the future. Most of my larval disting...
by Adam Cooner
April 5th, 2016, 5:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 1st quarter 2016
Replies: 10
Views: 4649

Re: 1st quarter 2016

I, too, am envious of your garters. I just don't seem to see that many of them and certainly none that attractive. And I won't even get started on the Heterodon. Great stuff. Looking forward to herping with you in the second quarter!
by Adam Cooner
April 3rd, 2016, 5:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First Quarter 2016
Replies: 7
Views: 3821

Re: First Quarter 2016

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Beautiful all around. I think your second Spring Salamander larva is a Red Sally though. Nice! What a cute little baby queen! --Berkeley Thanks, everybody! Josh, I will admit to being so-so on salamander larvae identification, but multiple people (including Jimmy Stile...
by Adam Cooner
March 31st, 2016, 4:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First Quarter 2016
Replies: 7
Views: 3821

First Quarter 2016

January https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5779/23783079629_8b0484d719_c.jpg Southern Red Salamander by Adam Cooner , on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1590/24132386926_f54f21a420_c.jpg Southern Chorus Frog by Adam Cooner , on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1468/24127204810_440222c699_c.j...
by Adam Cooner
February 26th, 2016, 4:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tiger Salamander (Long Read)
Replies: 14
Views: 4399

Re: Tiger Salamander (Long Read)

Congrats Adam! I know the feeling when you FINALLY find a long-sought target herp. With me it was P. m. flavissimus. Many trips, many hours in the field, and then Boom!, it's a great feeling and a relief. What are you gonna chase now? Thanks, Scott. I'm still looking to photograph an adult spring s...
by Adam Cooner
February 23rd, 2016, 3:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tiger Salamander (Long Read)
Replies: 14
Views: 4399

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! Congrats. I enjoyed the read. Sometimes it seems like the harder you look, the less likely you are to find whatever you were looking for. Great story Adam. Yo...
by Adam Cooner
February 14th, 2016, 5:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tiger Salamander (Long Read)
Replies: 14
Views: 4399

Re: Tiger Salamander (Long Read)

:lol: :lol: :lol: That was great, Adam. I think any of us in the east can empathize with your story!! Excellent.. PS The Midwest guys laugh at us that we make such a fuss about such a common salamander (to them)! Thanks, Bill! I lived in the Midwest briefly. I'll take the relative scarcity of tiger...
by Adam Cooner
February 14th, 2016, 5:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tiger Salamander (Long Read)
Replies: 14
Views: 4399

Re: Tiger Salamander (Long Read)

Tamara D. McConnell wrote:So happy for you! I hope you did an appropriately jubilant Lifer Dance. Love the narrative and photos. Well done!
As it turns out, dancing is difficult in chest waders and water-filled boots, but I might have threatened to kiss Chris for successfully catching our target.
by Adam Cooner
February 14th, 2016, 2:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tiger Salamander (Long Read)
Replies: 14
Views: 4399

Tiger Salamander (Long Read)

"All my means are sane, my motive and my object mad." - Captain Ahab, Moby Dick This is the story of how the most widespread salamander in North America became my white whale and how I, unlike the unfortunate Captain Ahab, met my quarry without being dragged down to the depths to drown. W...
by Adam Cooner
January 30th, 2016, 7:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Your 2016 SE Chapter Officer Team and a call to action
Replies: 10
Views: 3724

Re: Your 2016 SE Chapter Officer Team and a call to action

As stated in the election post, I'll volunteer for central and/or northeast Alabama.
by Adam Cooner
January 16th, 2016, 5:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 OFFICER ELECTIONS - PLEASE VOTE
Replies: 15
Views: 8049

Re: 2016 OFFICER ELECTIONS - PLEASE VOTE

Somehow never saw this until it was too late, but I feel like we got great officers out of it anyway. I'll join the chorus of folks approving of Bill's outing coordinator idea. Undoubtedly, there are more qualified folks in my state, but I'd be willing to help coordinate something for central and/or...
by Adam Cooner
December 27th, 2015, 10:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Final Quarter of '15
Replies: 5
Views: 3881

Re: Final Quarter of '15

As always, you got really nice shots of some really nice herps. My favorites are the green (mostly out of envy that I've never captured a particularly attractive pose when shooting one) and the marbled: those fall leaves create great contrast with the really crisp black and white of the salamander. ...
by Adam Cooner
December 13th, 2015, 11:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fall/Winter Herps
Replies: 6
Views: 3435

Re: Fall/Winter Herps

Barry R wrote:good stuff Adam!
Thanks, Barry!
by Adam Cooner
December 13th, 2015, 11:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fall/Winter Herps
Replies: 6
Views: 3435

Re: Fall/Winter Herps

As always, I love your images, Adam. The green sally and the reds are just gorgeous. I'm jealous of the four-toed, never ever found one. Tuskegee over Turkey Day weekend sounds awesome...you guys do holidays right. Thanks, Tamara! You need to pick a time this March or April and head just a little n...
by Adam Cooner
December 9th, 2015, 7:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fall/Winter Herps
Replies: 6
Views: 3435

Fall/Winter Herps

I haven't posted here in a while as I haven't gotten out in the field as much as I'd like. "Work is the curse of the herping classes," to badly paraphrase Oscar Wilde. I can't remember if I ever shared my Winston County, Alabama, Aneides from late summer, so I'll start there. https://farm1...
by Adam Cooner
June 1st, 2015, 3:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mojave and beyond (pic heavy)
Replies: 5
Views: 3875

Re: Mojave and beyond (pic heavy)

Awesome post, Andy!
by Adam Cooner
May 27th, 2015, 2:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Replies: 3
Views: 2482

Re: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Next trip you guys need to come up here, 2 hours north, for even more diversity! I'm sold! Thanks for your help on this trip by the way. My first impression is "ocoee" again based on what you can see of the tail and location commonness. That's what I figured. Glad to have it seconded by s...
by Adam Cooner
May 26th, 2015, 10:26 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Replies: 3
Views: 2482

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

I spent Memorial Day weekend in the Salamander Capital of the World, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for a non-traditional bachelor party with my groomsmen and a few other friends. We stayed in a rental cabin in Cocke County, Tennessee. If I had it to do over again, I would likely choose a base...
by Adam Cooner
May 21st, 2015, 7:23 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring 2015
Replies: 12
Views: 5202

Re: Spring 2015

Thanks, everyone!
mtratcliffe wrote:That's a big Queen Snake you've got there! I also like the patterning on the Coachwhip's head. About how long was that snake?
That's a juvenile coachwhip. Maybe 16-18 inches long? We also found a good-sized adult, but it was in shed.
by Adam Cooner
May 19th, 2015, 12:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring 2015
Replies: 12
Views: 5202

Spring 2015

I figured I'd share my finds thus far this spring before my Smokies trip this weekend (which I hope is successful enough to warrant its own post). First, what's a "spring post" without the harbinger of spring itself? https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7596/16964075279_5932506b7a_z.jpg Spring Pe...
by Adam Cooner
May 4th, 2015, 5:14 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First 1/3 of 2015
Replies: 11
Views: 4124

Re: First 1/3 of 2015

Great stuff, Robb! Echoing the posts above, your photos are really nice. I'm especially impressed since you shoot without the benefit of a macro lens (Pringles can accessory notwithstanding).

Looking forward to our next outing . . . and getting myself one of those spring salamanders.
by Adam Cooner
April 13th, 2015, 6:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Going to NE Alabama April 15th
Replies: 9
Views: 2704

Re: Going to NE Alabama April 15th

PM sent
by Adam Cooner
April 6th, 2015, 9:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifer Alabama Salamanders
Replies: 3
Views: 1811

Re: Lifer Alabama Salamanders

Just a word of warning: you need to consider how bad it looks to others, keeping company with the other mentioned herpers. ;) :roll: I'm reminded of an old poem about the company one keeps: One night in late October, When I was far from sober, Returning with my load with manly pride, My poor feet b...
by Adam Cooner
April 5th, 2015, 8:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifer Alabama Salamanders
Replies: 3
Views: 1811

Lifer Alabama Salamanders

I'm not sure there's much more satisfying in this hobby than setting out to find a particular species and succeeding, even if that success comes eventually rather than quickly. I've had great luck/good sites/impressive skill (OK, probably not that last one) when it comes to finding red salamanders (...