Search found 427 matches

by MCHerper
May 21st, 2015, 5:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp heroes
Replies: 39
Views: 19013

Re: Herp heroes

I certainly respect them for their work in educating children! Regarding the superheroes, it's a cool idea, but Kelly took the words out of my mouth with what he said. While the concept is great, and the spirit of conservation should be fostered, assigning anthropomorphic qualities to the animals ma...
by MCHerper
May 19th, 2015, 8:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Timing of AC Checks?
Replies: 10
Views: 3497

Re: Timing of AC Checks?

Thank you, Beemaster, that info is very helpful! Consistent with your post, I flipped one of my boards after sundown on Sunday evening, and found 7 juvenile garters under it. They were so small that it took a few seconds of looking to even register that they were there. I think that my major target ...
by MCHerper
May 14th, 2015, 6:31 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Navy wont let me herp!!!
Replies: 15
Views: 6111

Re: Navy wont let me herp!!!

Are you allowed to go "bird watching" and do some "nature photography" along the way? :D Seriously, what is his reasoning? To someone who does not understand field herping, I always present it as akin to bird watching, but I am observing and photographing reptiles and amphibians....
by MCHerper
May 14th, 2015, 6:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SOUTH AFRICA - THE KAROO [PHOTO HEAVY]
Replies: 14
Views: 9512

Re: SOUTH AFRICA - THE KAROO [PHOTO HEAVY]

Some outstanding photos. The cobra pics are absolutely stunning, I want one on my wall!
by MCHerper
May 12th, 2015, 2:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica jackpot
Replies: 10
Views: 4497

Re: Costa Rica jackpot

Awesome!
by MCHerper
May 12th, 2015, 2:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Aquatic Behavior in Red-Backed Salamanders?
Replies: 9
Views: 4031

Re: Aquatic Behavior in Red-Backed Salamanders?

Alex, this is good info. It's been very dry here lately too, which I agree will affect the behavior of quite a few of the herps. Thanks again!
by MCHerper
May 11th, 2015, 5:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Buddy 'Chester'
Replies: 10
Views: 2979

Re: My Buddy 'Chester'

I've heard that while carriers, bat don't exhibit 'batshit' behavior when they have it. I don't think that is accurate. Rabid bats show atypical behavior, such as diurnal activity, biting and attacking people. You kind of have a "textbook" case there. Bats acting like yours test positive ...
by MCHerper
May 10th, 2015, 1:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: May 8th 2015, 10:45 AM, Burlington County, NJ
Replies: 3
Views: 2045

Re: May 8th 2015, 10:45 AM, Burlington County, NJ

Beautiful! Lucky you for spotting him!
by MCHerper
May 8th, 2015, 9:22 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Some local birds ...updated with new photos
Replies: 115
Views: 297335

Re: Some local birds ...updated with new photos

Every shot is beautiful! I'm really stuck on that leucistic red-bellied woodpecker, amazing.
by MCHerper
May 8th, 2015, 9:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First Third of 2015.... early Year in Review
Replies: 8
Views: 2584

Re: First Third of 2015.... early Year in Review

Awesome! I concur with Kelly, you definitely have an artistic eye!
by MCHerper
May 7th, 2015, 4:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID request
Replies: 4
Views: 1540

Re: ID request

Trachemys s. scripta?
by MCHerper
May 5th, 2015, 6:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Timing of AC Checks?
Replies: 10
Views: 3497

Re: Timing of AC Checks?

Thanks Andrea! Do you also find that early evening produces as well?

Thanks,

MC
by MCHerper
May 5th, 2015, 6:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Salamander ID Help
Replies: 1
Views: 1282

Re: Salamander ID Help

Hi Kari, I believe that they are all two-lined. Two lined larvae have a squared snout and the back legs are about as thin as the front legs. Also, they have "spots" which are actually rings of melanic pigment that are diagnostic. Duskies have back legs that are obviously thicker than the f...
by MCHerper
May 1st, 2015, 11:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Herping Values for da youts....
Replies: 85
Views: 52153

Re: Field Herping Values for da youts....

Peter, something just popped into my head when I was reading Bill's post. It might not be a bad idea to give the students a firm heads up about the occasional stinging insects that are found in rotting logs. One of my reservations about being out with groups of kids is that one of them may be allerg...
by MCHerper
April 30th, 2015, 2:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Herping Values for da youts....
Replies: 85
Views: 52153

Re: Field Herping Values for da youts....

Peter, First, I don't have any photos of good or bad herping etiquette. I wanted you to know that I didn't overlook your request. Second, I, as well as several others have posted ideas about the actual delivery of the lesson, and I didn't hear much in the way of discussion about the suggestions-do y...
by MCHerper
April 26th, 2015, 6:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Herping Values for da youts....
Replies: 85
Views: 52153

Re: Field Herping Values for da youts....

It's a guided discussion to get the kids to arrive at the conclusion you desire, but they think it's their idea. 8-) I like to think that it's something more elaborate like a Socratic way of teaching, but I do believe that you summed much of it up in a nutshell. Truthfully, I like to hear kids' ide...
by MCHerper
April 26th, 2015, 3:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Herping Values for da youts....
Replies: 85
Views: 52153

Re: Field Herping Values for da youts....

Hey Peter, I had another thought that I wanted to share, an idea for a pre-lecture before taking the kids in the field. Suppose you laminated a card, on one side of the card was whatever mantra you wanted for them. Say, hypothetically, it was respect and protect... . On the opposite side of the card...
by MCHerper
April 25th, 2015, 12:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Herping Values for da youts....
Replies: 85
Views: 52153

Re: Field Herping Values for da youts....

The only other thing I have to suggest is that you try to emphasize the fun side of herping to the kids, not just lower the boom on them with the serious side. Show them your enthusiasm (not just your concern) for these animals and their habitats and they'll be more likely to share it with you by t...
by MCHerper
April 25th, 2015, 12:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Herping Values for da youts....
Replies: 85
Views: 52153

Re: Field Herping Values for da youts....

Hi Peter, First of all, good for you for doing this! I think that this is a great thing that you are doing and I am happy to see that children are going to be exposed to the wonderful hobby of field herping through your tutelage. I am a high school science teacher and the father of two young boys. W...
by MCHerper
April 22nd, 2015, 6:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Carnivory and Cannibalism in Anuran Tadpoles?
Replies: 1
Views: 1048

Carnivory and Cannibalism in Anuran Tadpoles?

Hi Folks, I was wondering if someone could provide some good resources or info for me to learn more about carnivorous and cannibalistic feeding in anuran tadpoles, especially for species in the Northeastern US? I was under the impression that the Northeastern ranid and hylid tadpoles were exclusivel...
by MCHerper
April 22nd, 2015, 6:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Cannibalism and Carnivory in Anuran Tadpoles?
Replies: 0
Views: 1035

Cannibalism and Carnivory in Anuran Tadpoles?

Hi Folks, I was wondering if someone could provide some good resources or info for me to learn more about carnivorous and cannibalistic feeding in anuran tadpoles, especially for species in the Northeastern US? I was under the impression that the Northeastern ranid and hylid tadpoles were exclusivel...
by MCHerper
April 22nd, 2015, 6:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: April 2015 Species Counts
Replies: 12
Views: 5611

Re: April 2015 Species Counts

Mercer County, Saturday, April 18th, 2015: 70 degrees F, winds calm to 5 mi/hr, abundant sunshine and dry conditions 15 Bullfrogs 10 Green frogs 13 Eastern painted turtles 2 Red-eared sliders 1 Northern water snake 8 Eastern garter snakes (6 were in a mating ball) Mercer County, Sunday, April 19th, ...
by MCHerper
April 22nd, 2015, 5:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Question re future Interstate 11
Replies: 11
Views: 4165

Re: Question re future Interstate 11

I would like to chime in with a question that I admit probably sounds naïve, but if data has been collected in this location, and IF it has been documented that endangered species (or those of special concern) are present, wouldn't that be a consideration in their development of the area? My next qu...
by MCHerper
April 21st, 2015, 6:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Timing of AC Checks?
Replies: 10
Views: 3497

Re: Timing of AC Checks?

Thanks Incuhead!
by MCHerper
April 18th, 2015, 12:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My FIRST in situ photographs - POST YOURS
Replies: 33
Views: 12732

Re: My FIRST in situ photographs - POST YOURS

Soopaman wrote: Favorite in-situ from last year:

Image
Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn Snake) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr
That corn snake shot is phenomenal! The man-made elements in it really complement the snake. Love it!
by MCHerper
April 17th, 2015, 1:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: you might be done herping for the day...
Replies: 15
Views: 4338

Re: you might be done herping for the day...

If you find yourself dreamily wafting the musk on your hand from the garter snake that you found 6 hours ago... Ha, I swear I'd never done that before. But earlier this week, when I found my first kingsnake after 2 years of being out of the country (and my first one ever at a spot that I'd been che...
by MCHerper
April 17th, 2015, 5:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Advice for Timing of AC Checks?
Replies: 5
Views: 2403

Re: Advice for Timing of AC Checks?

David O wrote:The best time to check is when there are snakes underneath. I put an occupied/unoccupied wheel under a little half window (you know, like the port-a-johns have) on top of the AC and post instruction underneath so the snakes know how to operate it.

8-)
:lol:
by MCHerper
April 16th, 2015, 10:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Advice for Timing of AC Checks?
Replies: 5
Views: 2403

Advice for Timing of AC Checks?

Hi Folks, Regarding AC (boards) in the Northeast, I was wondering if anyone could advise me on what time of day would be best to check the boards in the spring, summer, and fall? I assumed that the time of day would be different depending on the season, but I don't want to go on assumptions! Thanks ...
by MCHerper
April 16th, 2015, 7:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Please Be Prudent with Ticks
Replies: 1
Views: 1913

Please Be Prudent with Ticks

There have been several articles this week on different sites about the spread of Powassan virus into the Northeast, which sounds quite scary based on the articles. The major vector appears to be the white-footed mouse, the same mouse that is the major vector of Lyme, and the disease is carried by t...
by MCHerper
April 16th, 2015, 6:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: you might be done herping for the day...
Replies: 15
Views: 4338

Re: you might be done herping for the day...

If you find yourself dreamily wafting the musk on your hand from the garter snake that you found 6 hours ago... If you begin thinking that flipping a nest of stinging insects might be a nice change of pace... or if you start licking the newts to find out if they really do have that cool hallucinogen...
by MCHerper
April 16th, 2015, 6:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: you might be done herping for the day...
Replies: 15
Views: 4338

Re: you might be done herping for the day...

When you've searched the ground at your feet for hours and still can't find the treefrogs that you are hearing all around you...you might be done herping for the day.

(I also like to call this the herp-a-derp)
by MCHerper
April 9th, 2015, 12:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Early Spring So Far, Long Island, NY!
Replies: 5
Views: 3296

Re: Early Spring So Far, Long Island, NY!

Hell yeah buddy, I'm glad to see that you got your wood frogs! Good pics too.

Best of luck with herping this year!!!
by MCHerper
April 9th, 2015, 12:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alaska Frawgs
Replies: 18
Views: 7656

Re: Alaska Frawgs

There is no such thing as a stupid nuby question. That's a very cool find and interesting (and it brought some dignity to a really bad joke!) Very kind of you to say, thank you. Also, it was a good joke and I laughed. When I saw the eye rolling emoticon, that is what made me assume that it was take...
by MCHerper
April 8th, 2015, 5:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alaska Frawgs
Replies: 18
Views: 7656

Re: Alaska Frawgs

I was also interested in whether they have identical vocalizations to ours or if there is a 'dialect' if you will? I think this is true. It's not well known that the 19th century herpetologist and linguist, Spencer Fullerton Frockmorton, recorded these wood frog dialects: Canadian Wood Frogs waaack...
by MCHerper
April 7th, 2015, 11:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: salamander migration
Replies: 61
Views: 98422

Re: salamander migration

I saw a video of a very large wood frog chorus from Long Island taken on Sunday. Looks like things are finally getting underway! Does anybody know for how long wood frogs will be in full on breeding mode? I know they are pretty explosive and quick breeders, but if their initial "explosion"...
by MCHerper
April 5th, 2015, 1:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Handling Wild Herps Poll
Replies: 66
Views: 25990

Re: Handling Wild Herps Poll

The first and most important ethic for any naturalist, field herper, birder, botanist, or whatever, should be to do no harm . If you injure an animal, reflect on what went wrong and prevent it from happening again. Common sense should also prevail. If a 6-foot long rat snake is basking on a hedgerow...
by MCHerper
April 4th, 2015, 1:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: April 2015 Species Counts
Replies: 12
Views: 5611

Re: April 2015 Species Counts

Friday, April 3rd, 2015. Intermittent showers, 65 degrees F, calm winds 7:40-9:25

Mercer County, NJ

Spring peeper and wood frog vocalizations (2 locations)
7 two-lined salamander tadpoles
1 juvenile Northern dusky salamander
2 red-backed salamanders
1 pile of dog s**t under a log
by MCHerper
April 3rd, 2015, 12:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: April 2015 Species Counts
Replies: 12
Views: 5611

Re: April 2015 Species Counts

Thursday, April 2nd 2015, 6:30-8 pm, approx. 60 degrees with 10-15 mi/hr winds. Dry and clear.

Mercer County, NJ

Vocalizations of spring peeper and wood frog
1 red-backed salamander
1 green frog
1 garter snake

Spring is here!
by MCHerper
April 2nd, 2015, 9:51 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: More Mambas from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Replies: 1
Views: 1547

Re: More Mambas from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Stunning! I hope one day to be able to see them in the wild. Thank you for sharing!
by MCHerper
April 2nd, 2015, 7:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best hand held gps
Replies: 43
Views: 13660

Re: Best hand held gps

Terrain nav = displaying topographic details? My understanding is that yes, terrain navigation is using topographic details on a map to navigate. Peaks, ridges, streams, etc. An example of natural navigation is using such features as vegetation differences in a North vs. South facing area for gener...
by MCHerper
April 2nd, 2015, 5:51 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best hand held gps
Replies: 43
Views: 13660

Re: Best hand held gps

It's funny how even the basics of terrain and natural nav can reliably put you in the right direction. A friend of mine showed me the stick and the shadow trick. Basically you put a stick in the ground, and put rocks or debris down in a straight line to show the shadow of the sun. Come back as litt...
by MCHerper
April 2nd, 2015, 5:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best hand held gps
Replies: 43
Views: 13660

Re: Best hand held gps

Not sure if this is an unpopular opinion, but I believe that no matter how good the gps, functional knowledge of the basics of terrain navigation and topo map and compass use are essential as a backup. The gps is a superior tool, but the old wisdom that "two is one and one is none" still ...
by MCHerper
April 1st, 2015, 12:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Timing of AC Checks?
Replies: 10
Views: 3497

Timing of AC Checks?

Hi Folks,

I was wondering, in your experience, what the best weather conditions and time of day that you have found to be to check AC in spring, summer and fall? I am specifically targeting boards for snakes. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Thanks!
by MCHerper
April 1st, 2015, 12:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best hand held gps
Replies: 43
Views: 13660

Re: Best hand held gps

Not sure if this is an unpopular opinion, but I believe that no matter how good the gps, functional knowledge of the basics of terrain navigation and topo map and compass use are essential as a backup. The gps is a superior tool, but the old wisdom that "two is one and one is none" still h...
by MCHerper
March 29th, 2015, 2:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Aquatic Behavior in Red-Backed Salamanders?
Replies: 9
Views: 4031

Re: Aquatic Behavior in Red-Backed Salamanders?

I found the same thing again today, checking a spring-fed stream in another area in the same county. Weird.
by MCHerper
March 27th, 2015, 7:34 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: salamander migration
Replies: 61
Views: 98422

Re: salamander migration

Mercer County, NJ
by MCHerper
March 27th, 2015, 4:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: salamander migration
Replies: 61
Views: 98422

Re: salamander migration

Peepers were going nuts here (Mercer County) around 7:45 pm. I checked a few pools in the area, lots of wood frogs and peepers in the pools. I did check one known spotted sal vernal later in the evening and there were quite a few spotted sals in it.
by MCHerper
March 25th, 2015, 9:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: salamander migration
Replies: 61
Views: 98422

Re: salamander migration

Temps still predicted to be in the mid-60's here tomorrow with patchy rain and potential for some thunderstorms. I'm still thinking that movement will be patchy because of the severity of the winter, and the fact that the daytime highs over the past week haven't gone much above the mid-40's. Thoughts?
by MCHerper
March 24th, 2015, 5:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Dream find, GABOON!
Replies: 18
Views: 8755

Re: Dream find, GABOON!

Beautiful! What an amazing serpent, and lucky you for seeing it!