Search found 440 matches

by Shane_TX
December 15th, 2010, 11:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Ladies and Gentlemens, I present to you...
Replies: 21
Views: 3268

Re: Ladies and Gentlemens, I present to you...

Congrats Van! Where's the post-doc taking you?

Shane
by Shane_TX
December 11th, 2010, 7:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake ID Help
Replies: 14
Views: 3082

Re: Snake ID Help

The first photo is very deceiving and gave me the first impression of sipedon, but the second is straightforward.......ratsnake.

Shane
by Shane_TX
December 8th, 2010, 9:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Is Not A Crime
Replies: 152
Views: 24000

Re: Herping Is Not A Crime

Another issue is determining what land is public and which is not. A fence does not constitute private property; from what I understand, private property has to be posted with signs and/or purple paint. There is a large plot of land near my house that is fenced around but belongs to the Army Corps ...
by Shane_TX
November 18th, 2010, 7:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Officers
Replies: 9
Views: 1723

Re: Officers

I vote for status quo.

Shane
by Shane_TX
November 18th, 2010, 7:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: TPWD website posts FAQ page on Rattlesnake Gassing
Replies: 15
Views: 3708

Re: TPWD website posts FAQ page on Rattlesnake Gassing

Thanks for the replies. I would say that TCEQ is most definitely a stakeholder; it's more than a wildlife concern. I don't know how seriously (bigger fish to fry, etc.) they may take the issue, but it is (I think) an illegal practice from a standpoint of environmental pollution. The TCEQ may be requ...
by Shane_TX
November 16th, 2010, 8:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: TPWD website posts FAQ page on Rattlesnake Gassing
Replies: 15
Views: 3708

Re: TPWD website posts FAQ page on Rattlesnake Gassing

Gerald,

Thanks for posting the SWCHR link. Were representatives from the TCEQ present at the meeting?

Shane
by Shane_TX
November 11th, 2010, 6:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First living Central Ranges taipans found
Replies: 15
Views: 3188

Re: First living Central Ranges taipans found

It's easy to assume that all the ground has been covered. It's hard for Americans to comprehend how truly remote most of Australia is. It's utterly amazing. Nice discovery. From reading the article it appears that the snakes aren't hard to find. I wonder what types of elusive serpents will turn up?...
by Shane_TX
November 10th, 2010, 6:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: TPWD website posts FAQ page on Rattlesnake Gassing
Replies: 15
Views: 3708

Re: TPWD website posts FAQ page on Rattlesnake Gassing

I think it's pathetic that they're even politicking on this one. I'd be surprised if the EPA doesn't have regs that make it illegal to intentionally discharge gasoline in a fashion that it is not intended for. I really like their answer to the overpopulation question........."data doesn't sugge...
by Shane_TX
November 2nd, 2010, 9:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: turtles in trap
Replies: 6
Views: 1343

Re: turtles in trap

these snapper trappers should have TED devices on the traps.......like the crabbers..... It'd definitely be entertaining to watch someone incorporate a TED on a turtle trap! I suppose due to physiological reasons some trappers don't worry much about actually drowning snappers (and softshells) to de...
by Shane_TX
November 1st, 2010, 10:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The MOST bitchenist looking herp?
Replies: 70
Views: 29097

Re: The MOST bitchenist looking herp?

Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis , from the Western Ghats: http://www.zoopicture.ru/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/nasikabatrachus_sahyadrensis08.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Nasikabatrachus_sahyadrensis.jpg/791px-Nasikabatrachus_sahyadrensis.jpg I originally coined the term...
by Shane_TX
October 26th, 2010, 10:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: It Ain't Easy Bein' Green...In Photographs. Why?
Replies: 83
Views: 11450

Re: It Ain't Easy Bein' Green...In Photographs. Why?

Has anyone sent Jamie and Adam a link to this thread yet? It's funny to see people getting pissy about perception versus reality. Perception is real to the observer, but it's not necessarily fact. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/files/2009/06/colors.gif If you see blue and green in th...
by Shane_TX
October 25th, 2010, 8:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: It Ain't Easy Bein' Green...In Photographs. Why?
Replies: 83
Views: 11450

Re: It Ain't Easy Bein' Green...In Photographs. Why?

I think Jeremiah's partly correct but I would say it is the mind of some that over-exaggerates the hue. Most herpers I know (myself included) are quite fond of greens and blues, especially on snakes. I remember someone excitedly radioing me all about the green lepidus they found and how neat it was....
by Shane_TX
October 25th, 2010, 6:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hog Heaven
Replies: 13
Views: 1813

Re: Hog Heaven

If you'd have found a real "gloydi" it would have made a complete post, lol. Did you get all of those this year? I wish I could find a live hog of any species more often than once every five or so years. I like that second platyrhinos shot.

Shane
by Shane_TX
October 15th, 2010, 10:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: GPS - Custom Maps
Replies: 14
Views: 3253

Re: GPS - Custom Maps

What do google earth maps really tell you though that you need in the field? How much benefit it has to offer in the field really depends on the area and the person who's looking at the imagery. I guess an easy way to sum it up is that it boosts your micro-level situational awareness by providing a...
by Shane_TX
October 12th, 2010, 9:29 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: It's not the camera.....
Replies: 31
Views: 8584

Re: It's not the camera.....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3405731927_60e79339c7_z.jpg?zz=1 You can certainly get good results with prosumer P&S cameras (especially if they don't need to be enlarged too much). It's a given that the same photographer will get better results with a better camera, but IT IS the photogra...
by Shane_TX
October 12th, 2010, 8:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: GPS - Custom Maps
Replies: 14
Views: 3253

Re: GPS - Custom Maps

That is cool, although I hope it works on more than just the few Garmin units they list there. I have an older C60S that I would like to try this on. There's a step-by-step online guide to making custom maps for Garmin handhelds but it's complicated......hence why I waited for the current situation...
by Shane_TX
October 11th, 2010, 10:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Illegal Alien Invasion In Harbor City (DUW)
Replies: 42
Views: 8243

Re: Illegal Alien Invasion In Harbor City (DUW)

Cool report. Was the idea ever tossed around that they were released to become an easy feeder supply for Ophiophagus, etc.? I believe that is how the south TX population of floridana came to be.

Shane
by Shane_TX
October 11th, 2010, 9:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guess this Coluber game
Replies: 10
Views: 2076

Re: Guess this Coluber game

I don't see any reason to consider it a coachwhip though the missing chunk on the left side of its head does give it a coachwhipy look. I've never found a juvie coachwhip with blotches that were even close to that defined. Also, though I can't say that I've paid attention the the belly pattern on ju...
by Shane_TX
October 11th, 2010, 7:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: GPS - Custom Maps
Replies: 14
Views: 3253

GPS - Custom Maps

I don't know if a similar thread has been posted, but this was news to me: http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/onthetrail/custommaps A couple of years ago I was looking at how to create custom maps for my Garmin but decided it wasn't worth the effort.......paper still works. Now it appears to b...
by Shane_TX
September 27th, 2010, 5:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A simple request....
Replies: 32
Views: 6891

Re: A simple request....

I'm on the mob hitlist so it's too risky for me to use my real name or list my location. I'm also on a nationwide LE watchlist, so I can't post reports.

Shane
by Shane_TX
September 26th, 2010, 9:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Central Chapter Fall Outing
Replies: 8
Views: 1973

Re: South Central Chapter Fall Outing

I won't be able to make it........just bought a kayak and have a lot of local exploring to do while things are moving. Good luck on the outing; it sounds like a great area.

Shane
by Shane_TX
September 19th, 2010, 2:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: roadkill of a different sort
Replies: 15
Views: 2363

Re: roadkill of a different sort

What's the problem? Have they issued any roadcruising tickets? On a serious note: About 16 years ago, I took Mom's Corolla out for a roadcruise. On the way home, I saw a large frog jump and then heard a solid sound. I knew what had transpired, but chose to ignore it. The next morning, Mom wasn't in ...
by Shane_TX
September 19th, 2010, 12:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Japanese Snake ID??
Replies: 34
Views: 8463

Re: Japanese Snake ID??

The turtle is Chinemys reevesi and the snake is Elaphe climacophora.

There is a decent English field guide to Japanese herps that you should pick up. The Tokyo sprawl isn't exactly a herper's mecca, but you're seeing a lot of the main island snakes.

Shane
by Shane_TX
September 15th, 2010, 6:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Japanese Snake ID??
Replies: 34
Views: 8463

Re: Japanese Snake ID??

I've been herping there, on and off, for the past decade. Natural forested edges are best for all but E. quadrivirgata and R. tigrinus. Good luck.

Shane
by Shane_TX
September 14th, 2010, 6:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Japanese Snake ID??
Replies: 34
Views: 8463

Re: Japanese Snake ID??

That is Dinodon orientale. A really good place to find them is in deeply layered tin.

Image

Shane
by Shane_TX
September 13th, 2010, 8:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Happy Photographic Surprises
Replies: 41
Views: 6915

Re: Happy Photographic Surprises

I've taken a handful of surprise pics over the years, but here is a recent capture while messing with a camera: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4988451967_8afe7bf4de_b.jpg I didn't notice the 'gator until pics were downloaded. It looks like the 'gator was just out of frame on the shot taken a fe...
by Shane_TX
September 11th, 2010, 11:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gulf state pine snakes - anyone herp for them...
Replies: 7
Views: 1711

Re: Gulf state pine snakes - anyone herp for them...

They haven't trapped one in two years now, and they believe the snakes are not reproducing anymore in the wild in east TX.
Is that a joke? Who are "they"?

Shane
by Shane_TX
September 11th, 2010, 11:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Central Chapter Fall Outing
Replies: 8
Views: 1973

Re: South Central Chapter Fall Outing

I will try to make it. Are you planning on the place just being good for overall herping, or are there a few target species/habitats that need survey data?

Shane
by Shane_TX
September 5th, 2010, 10:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: One September night...Corals
Replies: 33
Views: 8696

Re: One September night...

Nuts! I've had 2-3 coral mornings while flipping tin at a good spot, and maybe a 2 coral roadcruise, but rarely find them on foot. I have to wonder if you and your son may be the only people alive that have witnessed such an occasion. My best guess would be that that particular area is a prime nesti...
by Shane_TX
August 30th, 2010, 8:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Nice Cerb observation
Replies: 50
Views: 7788

Re: Nice Cerb observation

What I have noticed is that some animals, especially the larger adults, have become super stealthy and do not expose themselves to the extent they once did. Does that include passive observation techniques such as sitting down near a rock pile and killing time, or using binoculars? I was worried ab...
by Shane_TX
August 12th, 2010, 10:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Crayfish snakes
Replies: 38
Views: 9374

Re: Crayfish snakes

I find Graham's quite frequently, but never take photos of them. Queen snakes are the easiest to fieldherp, especially in quantity. Glossy and Striped can be quite common, but they are far more aquatic, so you don't see them posted as often. If the rumor I've heard hits paper anytime soon, we'll hav...
by Shane_TX
July 30th, 2010, 9:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp Inventory of Fort Richardson Military Base (DUW)
Replies: 11
Views: 3244

Re: Herp Inventory of Fort Richardson Military Base (DUW)

Ugh. I don't know why you chose to include an ugly airplane in that post, but the rest was good;) Were the sylvatica fairly widespread, or were they limited to a narrow habitat range? No wolverine photos?

Shane
by Shane_TX
July 27th, 2010, 5:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Wild western hognose diet.... surprise!
Replies: 25
Views: 4465

Re: Wild western hognose diet.... surprise!

Cool find. It's pretty well known that nasicus are serious turtle egg predators, but I'd certainly like to observe the behavior.

Shane
by Shane_TX
July 13th, 2010, 3:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp Nation Magazine - Issue 1 - Release Date......
Replies: 30
Views: 7073

Re: Herp Nation Magazine - Issue 1 - Release Date......

Cool. Are you going to advertise on "not allowed"...........huh, what happened to automatic kingsuck.com? Magazine looks good.

Shane
by Shane_TX
June 30th, 2010, 8:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: I want candle power that lasts???
Replies: 46
Views: 16084

Re: I want candle power that lasts???

I don't know much about top-end LED flashlights, but if you want some serious candlepower, and a lot of it: buy a cheap 1,000,000 CP at a dept. store, buy a cheap 12V lawn battery......hook a female DC adapter to the 12V, and voila, plenty of light to go around for several hours. You can also get a ...
by Shane_TX
June 27th, 2010, 10:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Access to JSTOR?
Replies: 7
Views: 2044

Re: Access to JSTOR?

Get a password from someone who does have access to it. I normally just bio-bum an article at a time.

Shane
by Shane_TX
June 21st, 2010, 10:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Need your input for vanishing lizard....
Replies: 2
Views: 2079

Re: Need your input for vanishing lizard....

Holbrookia maculata are also in bad shape in some areas. Please provide some more background on yourself, who you will be forwarding information to, etc.

Shane
by Shane_TX
June 10th, 2010, 7:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Viewer's Choice/Best of the Best Section?
Replies: 16
Views: 5009

Re: Viewer's Choice/Best of the Best Section?

but what happens if the OP is forced to delete (or loses) all of their photos? The obvious answer to that question is that the photos are hosted on the same server as FHF! Voting wouldn't be a good way to select the type of posts I have in mind, it would just flood the pool. I think it would be bet...
by Shane_TX
June 9th, 2010, 9:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Viewer's Choice/Best of the Best Section?
Replies: 16
Views: 5009

Viewer's Choice/Best of the Best Section?

Since we're starting anew (so to speak), it's the perfect time to implement some minor changes. I think a "Best of FHF" (or whatever) section would be a great addition (appearing right below The Forum on the index). Basically a section that features, yup, some of the best field reports to ...