Search found 355 matches

by Martti Niskanen
July 1st, 2013, 12:24 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Turning dead animals into fishing lures.
Replies: 9
Views: 5291

Re: Turning dead animals into fishing lures.

First of all: I didn't think anyone read this bit of the forum, so appreciating your comments. I always thought making lures was cool. I admire the skill highly. I had a grandfather who made lures he kept them in a faded aquamarine tackle box. It was a mysterious, priceless oracle to me. When he die...
by Martti Niskanen
July 1st, 2013, 8:17 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Turning dead animals into fishing lures.
Replies: 9
Views: 5291

Turning dead animals into fishing lures.

This is probably the most suitable place for this post as it has a bit to do with captive keeping. A friend of mine lost most of his extensive and very expensive snake collection (all CB of course, but some rare species) to a virus some time ago. After the huge disappointment and the following loss ...
by Martti Niskanen
June 27th, 2013, 12:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Opportunistic Mediterranean cruise herping
Replies: 28
Views: 23122

Re: Opportunistic Mediterranean cruise herping

Tragically, Dick, I saw neither feral nor native chameleons. I guess I'll have to head back to Florida to get my next chameleon hit! (Hmm, now you've got me thinking about chameleons, and I haven't been to Madagascar in awhile...) No native chameleons where you went, I'm afraid. Madagascar is obvio...
by Martti Niskanen
June 25th, 2013, 3:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Epic Return to Taiwan
Replies: 9
Views: 4798

Re: Epic Return to Taiwan

Weeeee!

Thanks for the post, Hans. Nice to see you back in Taiwan.
by Martti Niskanen
June 17th, 2013, 6:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Photos from the UAE, June 2013
Replies: 13
Views: 5683

Re: Photos from the UAE, June 2013

Mighty nice stuff again. Great seeing sandfish.
The habitats look great and I'd definitely enjoy more habitat shots.
by Martti Niskanen
June 16th, 2013, 3:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Opportunistic Mediterranean cruise herping
Replies: 28
Views: 23122

Re: Opportunistic Mediterranean cruise herping

In relation to identification, I have no knowledge of any distinguishing features besides those mentioned in Arnold's field guide. My somewhat tentative ID was based on jizz rather than any specicfic features. I must admit to limited experience with melisellensis , though, so you might want to seek...
by Martti Niskanen
June 15th, 2013, 9:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Opportunistic Mediterranean cruise herping
Replies: 28
Views: 23122

Re: Opportunistic Mediterranean cruise herping

Nice stuff. As the previous commenter have said, you did really well considering it not being a herping trip. Your cruise must have been a nice way to see the important historical and natural sites efficiently and in comfort, but I'd highly recommend flying over and hiring a car for a week or two. C...
by Martti Niskanen
June 15th, 2013, 9:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Oman, June 2013
Replies: 20
Views: 9746

Re: Oman, June 2013

Very nice post. Cheers for that.
by Martti Niskanen
June 5th, 2013, 8:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spain with Fåkkel and four more people
Replies: 7
Views: 3331

Re: Spain with Fåkkel and four more people

Nice post, Magnus. That's a gorgeous seoanei.
by Martti Niskanen
May 29th, 2013, 10:19 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: non-fiction pleasure reading?
Replies: 29
Views: 14344

Re: non-fiction pleasure reading?

Not quite what you're looking for, but contains second hand info on fishing expeditions. Mark Kurlansky's "Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World" is a fantastic read. I started reading it with a *meh*-attitude after my gf's recommendation but got really into it and was mighty...
by Martti Niskanen
May 14th, 2013, 7:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Epirus, Greece. May 2013
Replies: 11
Views: 5594

Re: Epirus, Greece. May 2013

Nice stuff and well done with the quatuorlineata.
by Martti Niskanen
May 11th, 2013, 2:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: You might wanna see this!
Replies: 12
Views: 4599

Re: Recent encounters

Nice stuff. If only there were more photos of that gorgeous [/i]Naja sumatrana[/i].
by Martti Niskanen
May 9th, 2013, 3:25 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Another Fellow Possibly Upgrading *EDIT* + Current Question
Replies: 35
Views: 13207

Re: Another Fellow Possibly Upgrading *EDIT* + Current Quest

qaz wrote:Would you recommend anything else as a substitute?
Depends on whether you need a wide focal range as all superzooms are compromised. If you can manage with a narrower range, maybe have a look at f2.8 lenses at the 18-55mm range from third parties.
by Martti Niskanen
May 8th, 2013, 9:58 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Another Fellow Possibly Upgrading *EDIT* + Current Question
Replies: 35
Views: 13207

Re: Another Fellow Possibly Upgrading

As for lenses, I'm probably gonna get the Nikon 105mm macro and the 18-200 zoom. Does anyone have anything to add about this choice before I commit? Any more suggestions/comments about it? The 105mm Micro Nikkor is fantastic, but only get the 18-200 if you really need a superzoom. It's quite compro...
by Martti Niskanen
May 3rd, 2013, 8:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo and West Malaysia - The Snakes! (Now Frogs!)
Replies: 34
Views: 15479

Re: Borneo and West Malaysia - The Snakes!

Hans Breuer (twoton) wrote: But you should take very serious any such sightings in Putrajaya. That place is teeming with cutthroats and con artists.
Ooh! Going political.
by Martti Niskanen
April 24th, 2013, 10:38 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: OK, now this is just stupid
Replies: 16
Views: 6287

Re: OK, now this is just stupid

A setup like this was used on a truffle-dog on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations' Croatia episode. Worked pretty well.

And you know how people are like with their pets. At 50 bucks you'd think that they'll sell quite a few.
by Martti Niskanen
April 9th, 2013, 10:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Update: Last five days!
Replies: 9
Views: 4145

Re: Update: Last five days!

Nice, but needs snow. You're bringing our fennoscandian credibility down :)
by Martti Niskanen
April 3rd, 2013, 9:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #50, HongKong, herping with Noel
Replies: 18
Views: 7894

Re: China post #50, HongKong, herping with Noel

Great post again, Kevin. I think I enjoy the non-herp photos than the herpy ones. Great to see snaps of the landscapes, culture, life and food. The food in that indian place looks amazing.
by Martti Niskanen
April 3rd, 2013, 9:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #68: Phantasmagasmical Photo Phalanx!
Replies: 17
Views: 10176

Re: Borneo Dispatches #68: Phantasmagasmical Photo Phalanx!

Nice stuff, Hans. I agree with Bill above that it's nice to see photos of culture and landscapes. The photo of the drying peppercorns reminded me how amazing the fresh dried peppers taste in S.E. Asia. Really want some squid fried with pepper now. Also good to see people putting roadkill to good use.
by Martti Niskanen
April 2nd, 2013, 12:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A New Snake for Borneo
Replies: 15
Views: 3207

Re: A New Snake for Borneo

jimoo742 wrote:Yeah, I was being a bit snarky.
I know/knew what you meant.

And on subject: A mighty cool find, Hans, and congrats for the paper.
by Martti Niskanen
April 1st, 2013, 10:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A New Snake for Borneo
Replies: 15
Views: 3207

Re: A New Snake for Borneo

Except when you're a master's student! This varies a lot. The two groups I work in (both within the Centre of Excellence of the Finnish Academy) have a policy as follows: A BSc student in training gets coauthor credit if they're not being paid for their work. MSc students always get credit and are ...
by Martti Niskanen
March 24th, 2013, 12:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Pythons and other snakes from March!
Replies: 22
Views: 7204

Re: Pythons and other snakes from March!

Very nice post again, Rupert. However, once realising how easily the *world strongest snake* could cripple the tongs I spent over a 120 USD getting over to Thailand. I'm guessing you bought from Midwest. Their delivery costs are ridiculous. I found a way round this and had Midwest stuff delivered to...
by Martti Niskanen
March 23rd, 2013, 2:07 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Peruvian Amazon Part 3, Snakes
Replies: 35
Views: 65129

Re: Peruvian Amazon Part 3, Snakes

Fantastic set of posts.
by Martti Niskanen
March 22nd, 2013, 11:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID Help... Kind of
Replies: 5
Views: 1467

Re: ID Help... Kind of

It's a Popeia buniana, endemic to Tioman island.

Been there. Didn't find it.
by Martti Niskanen
March 11th, 2013, 1:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Excursion to Edinburgh (any advice on Scottish herping?)
Replies: 10
Views: 2762

Re: Excursion to Edinburgh (any advice on Scottish herping?)

Rags wrote: Most important of all - don't forget to sample the whiskey.
Whisky, surely. You'll get in trouble calling it whiskey :)
by Martti Niskanen
March 5th, 2013, 3:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bora Bora (Warning, extremely limited herp encounters!)
Replies: 14
Views: 4506

Re: Bora Bora I (Warning, extremely limited herp encounters!

Great shots. Were the mantas Manta alfredi or M. birostris ? A long shot, but kinda looks like the latter.
by Martti Niskanen
March 3rd, 2013, 2:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First adder of the year
Replies: 9
Views: 2997

Re: First adder of the year

Bloody swedes. -11 degrees C here and just got another 20cm of snow. Still 3 to 4 weeks to go.
by Martti Niskanen
March 2nd, 2013, 9:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Kraits, Corals, Cat Snakes and much, much more!
Replies: 30
Views: 13524

Re: Kraits, Corals, Cat Snakes and much, much more!

Finding one of these, all the way down in Trang, was quite surprising as I had read that it's most southern range was Phuket and Surat Thani provinces! A classic case of herps not reading books. Very nice post. The yellow Ahaetulla looks particularly nice. I hope Andy was ready to let go of the kra...
by Martti Niskanen
March 2nd, 2013, 6:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping the philippines
Replies: 11
Views: 2678

Re: Herping the philippines

Brian Santos wrote: Calliophis calligaster
Or Hemibungarus if you prefer, although the taxonomy seems a bit of a mess.
by Martti Niskanen
March 2nd, 2013, 5:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis and mosquito
Replies: 5
Views: 1927

Re: Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis and mosquito

Titiwang *sniggers*

But seriously. Nice find.
by Martti Niskanen
February 28th, 2013, 10:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Panamanian Poison Frog Research '09 - Pic Intensive
Replies: 44
Views: 16952

Re: Panamanian Poison Frog Research '09 - Pic Intensive

Missed this on the first round. What a great post. I knew that O. pumilio were varible, but that variable.

Good stuff.
by Martti Niskanen
February 28th, 2013, 10:17 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Best diffuser for (treefrog) photography at night.
Replies: 20
Views: 11729

Re: Best diffuser for (treefrog) photography at night.

A completely subjective and not so useful reply:
I use a Lumiquest Softbox III and like it a lot.
by Martti Niskanen
February 28th, 2013, 10:12 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Another Fellow Possibly Upgrading *EDIT* + Current Question
Replies: 35
Views: 13207

Re: Another Fellow Possibly Upgrading

And I will reiterate Antonsrkn's point - don't spend your budget on a camera body, save it for lenses. Good lenses make more difference than a high dollar body. ^ Definitely this. Bodies come and go, but a good lens will remain good for a long time. Spend as much on the lenses as possible. Furtherm...
by Martti Niskanen
February 19th, 2013, 12:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping in New Zealand
Replies: 16
Views: 6293

Re: Herping in New Zealand

Nice stuff. The habitat photo looks amazing.

Is this a NZ or a dutch project? I'd obviously assume the former.
by Martti Niskanen
February 19th, 2013, 7:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best place to live for herping and every day life
Replies: 114
Views: 50030

Re: Best place to live for herping and every day life

Easy. Central Finland.
No, wait....

I'd happily go live in Malaysia or Australia if given a chance (and a visa).
by Martti Niskanen
February 3rd, 2013, 10:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Off Topic: Superbowl!
Replies: 12
Views: 2717

Re: Off Topic: Superbowl!

Rags wrote:Anyone but Man. Utd.!!
I can certainly agree with this.

Personally I find handegg to be a silly game. Maybe I just don't get it.
by Martti Niskanen
February 1st, 2013, 2:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gonocephalus borneensis - Sabah
Replies: 5
Views: 1965

Re: Gonocephalus borneensis - Sabah

Lovely photos.
by Martti Niskanen
January 24th, 2013, 2:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Cat Dog SNAKE (off season gems)
Replies: 15
Views: 5217

Re: Cat Dog SNAKE (off season gems)

chrish wrote: Wow, just one thing comes to mind when I see that photo.....pants, please! ;)
He is wearing pants, you wrongloid 'merkin. It's English, not 'merkin.

(sorry chish. Had to do it).
by Martti Niskanen
January 23rd, 2013, 9:43 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

Mighty impressive! Your wide-angle photos are especially nice.
by Martti Niskanen
January 22nd, 2013, 10:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Blacktail Rattlesnakes- King of Rattlesnake Sympatry
Replies: 52
Views: 13472

Re: Blacktail Rattlesnakes- King of Rattlesnake Sympatry

Managed to miss this the first time round. Great set of beautiful blacktails. Now thell me which ones are molossus and which ornatus :lol:
by Martti Niskanen
January 8th, 2013, 10:26 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2012 in the carolinas
Replies: 24
Views: 8278

Re: 2012 in the carolinas

That was a great post. Cheers.
by Martti Niskanen
December 20th, 2012, 11:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: In your opinion, whats your rarest reptile or amphibian?
Replies: 39
Views: 6466

Re: In your opinion, whats your rarest reptile or amphibian?

Rarest I've seen was a Proteus anguinus.

Image
by Martti Niskanen
December 14th, 2012, 11:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Cambodia - Beautiful.
Replies: 28
Views: 9421

Re: Cambodia - Beautiful.

Dude.... at the risk of being patronising, I don't think you do understand the risks. Yes, the chance of envenoming IS low, but not SO low that you should even think of risking a bite. Good thing you mentioned this, Wolfgang. I was going to patronise, and wrote a post about it, but decided not to p...
by Martti Niskanen
December 11th, 2012, 4:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thanks Coors for sponsoring the Sweetwater Roundup!
Replies: 22
Views: 5161

Re: Thanks Coors for sponsoring the Sweetwater Roundup!

dery wrote:Well who else but jocks and wankers likes to drink beer anyway?? :lol:
A lot of europeans for once, and there are some great 'merkin beers brewed in the US. Especially in the northeast.

But then again, we don't rate your general piss-water, so fair enough.
by Martti Niskanen
December 8th, 2012, 7:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2012 Rattlesnake Recap
Replies: 58
Views: 13891

Re: 2012 Rattlesnake Recap

A great post. Those dark 'cerbs' are absolutely gorgeous.
by Martti Niskanen
December 3rd, 2012, 4:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Good Times and Great Finds - Several Sweet Snakes
Replies: 20
Views: 5564

Re: Good Times and Great Finds - Several Sweet Snakes

Great post. Your first unknown frog is a Rana (Hydrophylax) raniceps.
by Martti Niskanen
November 28th, 2012, 1:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #47, Shennongjia in August
Replies: 25
Views: 9487

Re: China post #47, Shennongjia in August

You surely made me wait for the food photos. Great post as always.
by Martti Niskanen
November 24th, 2012, 10:05 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Tanzania
Replies: 6
Views: 4998

Re: Tanzania

Thanks everyone for the comments. Awesome post! Makes me pumped for my Safari in Feb to S.A.... great pics man! Cheers. I've got a couple of friends living just off Kruger np. and they go all the time. Apparently it's easy, relatively cheap and there are lots of animals to see. Good luck with your t...
by Martti Niskanen
November 24th, 2012, 1:16 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Tanzania
Replies: 6
Views: 4998

Re: Tanzania

Curtis Hart wrote:Great post!! I really liked the first hippo pic and the Blue Monkey. How many days were you on safari?
Our safari took four days, although the first day was pretty much a transfer from Moshi to Karatu with a visit to a maasai village to see an education project.
by Martti Niskanen
November 23rd, 2012, 10:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Ankle Biters Present: A Weekend Trip to Mexico (DUW)
Replies: 42
Views: 18979

Re: The Ankle Biters Present: A Weekend Trip to Mexico (DUW)

Ooh! That is a fantastic post.