Search found 458 matches

by MaartenSFS
January 12th, 2012, 9:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #39 - Hong Kong. Final China post
Replies: 40
Views: 18111

Re: China post #39 - Hong Kong. Final China post

Haha, I'm saving for a camera but funds continuously disappear and there is a baby on the way.. ;)
by MaartenSFS
January 12th, 2012, 9:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011
Replies: 19
Views: 8075

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011

With my pregnant wife, I'll be lucky if I can get to Hainan this year. ;) Looks like a mostly local 12 months for me, but I'll make the most of it. I also had someone ask me to go up to Shandong for some professional fights. I'd get paid, but I'm nowhere near professional level and need my arms and ...
by MaartenSFS
January 12th, 2012, 2:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2005-2009 REDUX
Replies: 93
Views: 21105

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2005-2009

Thank you! At the time I had no idea what species were found here and I hadn't found this forum yet, so I was hesitant to get too close. Also, my camera was only 3X zoom. :P Check out my new 2011 post and Kevin's Guilin post for more shots of the area and heaps more herps. They should both still be ...
by MaartenSFS
January 11th, 2012, 5:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #39 - Hong Kong. Final China post
Replies: 40
Views: 18111

Re: China post #39 - Hong Kong. Final China post

Sh!t, I'll be almost a year without sex (wife pregnant) and no king cobras! :cry: Amazing tales, withalligators. Finding a king in the wilderness will always be my dream encounter. They have been found near me, I just need at least one companion and about three to five days to mount an expedition fo...
by MaartenSFS
January 10th, 2012, 7:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #21: Wallace's Flying Frog
Replies: 18
Views: 5615

Re: Borneo Dispatches #21: Wallace's Flying Frog

Nice find, Hans! Now I am sure that a mystery frog I found many years ago in a kindergarten surrounded by mountains, that have since been wiped out by evil mountaintop removal mining, is in the same genus. Not sure if mine could fly (don't think that species ranges into my area, though Draco does), ...
by MaartenSFS
January 8th, 2012, 6:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #39 - Hong Kong. Final China post
Replies: 40
Views: 18111

Re: China post #39 - Hong Kong. Final China post

I just may take you up on that as well, Hans. :)

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/snakes-sl ... 6238981168

The end of this article may explain your dried snake, Kevin.
by MaartenSFS
January 8th, 2012, 8:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #39 - Hong Kong. Final China post
Replies: 40
Views: 18111

Re: China post #39 - Hong Kong. Final China post

I'll try to get to John before he leaves for Malaysia/Thailand on Thursday. 77 snakes in overpopulated Hongkong versus 12 or something in the middle of nowhere out here is ridiculous, especially since there are at least 97 species here. Dan has invited me down there, so I'll have to take up his offe...
by MaartenSFS
January 7th, 2012, 5:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #39 - Hong Kong. Final China post
Replies: 40
Views: 18111

Re: China post #39 - Hong Kong. Final China post

Wouw, Kevin, you were sure successful down there. I could only see about half of the photos, but those conduits are every bit as impressive as you said and more than I imagined. So, Hongkong must be your best herping destination so far?? Are you sure that the gekkoes in my neighbourhood are Hemidact...
by MaartenSFS
January 7th, 2012, 5:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011
Replies: 19
Views: 8075

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011

That is all that counts. In some ways I am blessed, definitely.. I'm still young, so I have time to work out the kinks in my life. I finally got around to creating a record of all lizard species in South China and here are the ones I've found so far: Eumeces chinensis Eumeces elegans Hemidactylus fr...
by MaartenSFS
January 5th, 2012, 8:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011
Replies: 19
Views: 8075

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011

I'm glad we are of the same mind in regards to posting. I'm living a day, but the reality is that I have no heating in my apartment and it's hovering just above zero degrees, I don't have a car and a motorcycle, while fun, can be a pain in the arse, I struggle to save money, and China is doing a fin...
by MaartenSFS
January 5th, 2012, 5:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2005-2009 REDUX
Replies: 93
Views: 21105

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2005-2009

Haha, no. Nowhere near the panda. That's way West. China is huge. I prefer ferocious animals, anyways. ;)
by MaartenSFS
January 5th, 2012, 7:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011
Replies: 19
Views: 8075

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011

Thanks, mate. :)
by MaartenSFS
January 4th, 2012, 9:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2005-2009 REDUX
Replies: 93
Views: 21105

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2005-2009

I remember this post now. Much like the last comment - the iced over bamboo shots are really amazing! (Again) And I was obviously wrong about the snake in the bucket - which I think we went over while I was there - it is Amphiesma stolata, not Xenochrophis Ah! I forgot to change the caption (if the...
by MaartenSFS
January 4th, 2012, 9:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #38 - Danshui, Guangdong Province
Replies: 24
Views: 12485

Re: China post #38 - Danshui, Guangdong Province

I'm looking at your Flickr account photos right now on John's computer.

Nice Xenochrophis and variety of frogs! It's not nearly as bad-looking there as I imagined!
by MaartenSFS
January 4th, 2012, 9:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011
Replies: 19
Views: 8075

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011

Warren wrote:Nice work Maarten! Thanks for posting.
Thank you and you're welcome. :D
by MaartenSFS
January 4th, 2012, 7:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011
Replies: 19
Views: 8075

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011

See my first China post for the other herps. Can't find the direct links on Photobucket for some reason. Here is the link: http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4352 Here is the complete snake list: *Amphiesma craspedogaster *Amphiesma optata *Amphiesma stolata *Cyclophiops maj...
by MaartenSFS
January 4th, 2012, 7:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011
Replies: 19
Views: 8075

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011

Kevin Messenger wrote:wow, dude, some of those scenery shots in the 2nd post were amazing! gorgeous shots. Especially that one shot with the rock in it!! Granted it would be better without the rock, but still, a really AWESOME shot. Love it
Thank you! Have I mentioned.. "Damn that rock!!!"???
by MaartenSFS
January 4th, 2012, 7:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011
Replies: 19
Views: 8075

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011

I really LOVE that first shot, but you should post some of the DORs you found and emailed - like the Sinomicrurus, Xenochrophis, Macropisthodon, Oligodon - you've had some cool DORs. Oh, and the "Bufo melanostictus" - though the photo is of scenery, I think the photo you are thinking of i...
by MaartenSFS
January 4th, 2012, 7:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011
Replies: 19
Views: 8075

Re: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011

My journey was far from over, though. I live here! http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/MaartenSFS/China%202011/P1010044.jpg According to John I look like a "F*cking ninja"! http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/MaartenSFS/China%202011/P1000986.jpg Dinodon flavozonatum More images of &q...
by MaartenSFS
January 4th, 2012, 6:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011
Replies: 19
Views: 8075

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 2011

For my massive 2005-2009 Report see the link: http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4352 Well, as some of you know, I am a self-confessed hoarder (of photos, nothing else!). In truth I haven't posted any of these yet because I wasn't able to find much this year. I mean, I found...
by MaartenSFS
January 3rd, 2012, 7:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #38 - Danshui, Guangdong Province
Replies: 24
Views: 12485

Re: China post #38 - Danshui, Guangdong Province

Haha, that's kind of the point. ;) Just don't tell them that.
by MaartenSFS
January 3rd, 2012, 7:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Asia year in review
Replies: 13
Views: 6361

Re: Asia year in review

Wouw, that's very impressive for daytime flipping. I would say that my flipping was futile because there aren't as many snakes, but I have seen so many DORs that this simply isn't the case. There isn't much left in the city itself, though, after all the recent urbanisation. I'm also in the subtropic...
by MaartenSFS
January 3rd, 2012, 4:23 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #38 - Danshui, Guangdong Province
Replies: 24
Views: 12485

Re: China post #38 - Danshui, Guangdong Province

Well, my book wasn't going to sell anyways, as it spanned many genres. If I ever try my hand at fiction again I will develop another story where different superpowers have colonised their own planets after Earth is destroyed. The story would focus on the planet China colonised and leaders live in la...
by MaartenSFS
January 2nd, 2012, 11:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #38 - Danshui, Guangdong Province
Replies: 24
Views: 12485

Re: China post #38 - Danshui, Guangdong Province

I wonder if Flickr is blocked or something because you can attach location information to the photo. That's why the GPS on my camera doesn't work in China. Quite annoying.. Anyways, I'm glad you weren't dehydrated in Danshui, but... I think it would be safe to prematurely diagnose you with a Pepsi a...
by MaartenSFS
January 2nd, 2012, 10:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plungi
Replies: 19
Views: 8889

Re: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plun

Haha, no. I choose it for watching a large array of free television programmes and uploading my own videos (which with my new camera aren't blurry anymore). I was always able to access Wikipedia content through reference.com. Losing Facebook is of little import. Also, Flickr tends to have problems h...
by MaartenSFS
January 2nd, 2012, 8:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Asia year in review
Replies: 13
Views: 6361

Re: Asia year in review

I'm really surprised that you found that much during the day by flipping. I flip like mad too and have only found one snake under a rock centuries ago. Is there a particular season that they hang out under things? The most I've seen here are DORs, which means that I need to road cruise a lot more. I...
by MaartenSFS
January 2nd, 2012, 10:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plungi
Replies: 19
Views: 8889

Re: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plun

Ah, thank you for that definition. That explains why as soon as the weather is warm for even a day I see reptiles out and about. Wikipedia is strangely the only thing not blocked.. I'd trade it for Youtube.. :cry:
by MaartenSFS
January 2nd, 2012, 10:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #20: Huge Mangrove Snake on New Year's Eve
Replies: 19
Views: 7067

Re: Borneo Dispatches #20: Huge Mangrove Snake on New Year's

Thank you, Hans. So far no one has hoped one way or the other, but many have speculated using wives tale hogwash. Her friends thinks she needs a girl and my friends say I need a boy for martial arts and herping. Both are right so I suppose we need one of each, to be fair. ;) @DavidG: Slayertown. It ...
by MaartenSFS
January 2nd, 2012, 2:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #20: Huge Mangrove Snake on New Year's Eve
Replies: 19
Views: 7067

Re: Borneo Dispatches #20: Huge Mangrove Snake on New Year's

Nice find! It's been too cold here for just over a month now and won't be good enough to herp until March or so (depending on how bad the monsoons are this year). Subtropics vs Tropics.. My wife is expecting. And not just me arriving home this evening after martial arts class. I look forward to havi...
by MaartenSFS
January 2nd, 2012, 2:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Asia year in review
Replies: 13
Views: 6361

Re: Asia year in review

That's quite a list there. Either you are more dedicated than I or Thailand is great for herps (probably both). I haven't found as much up here in South China. Did you find most of these during the day? Are you always out there alone? You mentioned before that you are using an FZ series Panasonic ca...
by MaartenSFS
January 2nd, 2012, 2:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plungi
Replies: 19
Views: 8889

Re: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plun

What's brumation?

I have seen too many fatal accidents in China to forego safety. One close call per week on average. China must be the worst country in the world to drive in. (Especially the smaller cities where any sort of vehicle is allowed on the road). ;)
by MaartenSFS
January 1st, 2012, 7:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plungi
Replies: 19
Views: 8889

Re: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plun

Well, since July, but the weather got too cold the last week of November (also had one month of unseasonally cold weather in September/October - the best herping month according to farmers) and no, I didn't roadcruise a lot because it's just me and by the time I stop, park, take off my motorcycle he...
by MaartenSFS
January 1st, 2012, 7:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #37 - Guilin, Guangxi Province
Replies: 8
Views: 12139

Re: China post #37 - Guilin, Guangxi Province

Oath. Seafood in California was amazing and cheap. And I don't like seafood??
by MaartenSFS
December 31st, 2011, 10:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plungi
Replies: 19
Views: 8889

Re: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plun

DavidG wrote::D , What do you call a guy who goes into a bar and buys everyone a drink?
Compensating?? ;)
by MaartenSFS
December 31st, 2011, 10:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plungi
Replies: 19
Views: 8889

Re: Borneo Dispatches #19: Bornean Miscellany, Part 2 - Plun

Even though people rarely photograph the "other things" in the forest, without them it just wouldn't be a complete experience. And, unless the people viewing your photos were there, you need these to give them a glimpse of what it was really like; an attack on all senses. Thanks for sharin...
by MaartenSFS
December 31st, 2011, 10:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #37 - Guilin, Guangxi Province
Replies: 8
Views: 12139

Re: China post #37 - Guilin, Guangxi Province

You know, Hans, before I found the FHF I couldn't even find out what species were in my range or ID them. Now, with a new Chinese catalogue of life and Kevin's hard work (especially the photos on Flickr help a lot with IDing) and experience rubbing off on me this year I am starting to get a picture ...
by MaartenSFS
December 31st, 2011, 7:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #38 - Danshui, Guangdong Province
Replies: 24
Views: 12485

Re: China post #38 - Danshui, Guangdong Province

Wouw, I can see why you didn't mention Danshui much when we texted. You must have started hallucinating in your dehydrated state and wondering when Dan would ever return. =P Your viper was also the biggest lost opportunity since I've been back in Guilin. Vipers are cool. Green snakes are cool. Green...
by MaartenSFS
December 31st, 2011, 7:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #37 - Guilin, Guangxi Province
Replies: 8
Views: 12139

Re: China post #37 - Guilin, Guangxi Province

I'm glad you finally got this up, Kevin. It was a real pleasure hosting you for five days and I learned a lot. No one else has visited me in China before - not even my family. That has been the best time I've had since I've been back. Remember that the hut man said that he'd seen a four-legged snake...
by MaartenSFS
December 7th, 2011, 6:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #36, Beijing and the return to Shennongjia
Replies: 28
Views: 10656

Re: China post #36, Beijing and the return to Shennongjia

But Kansas doesn't have ......an exotic culture.. *cry* What? If you don't find Americans as a whole and Kansans in particular the least bit exotic, then I suppose nobody can help you :-) When you say you didn't find anything for the last three years, Hans, did you mean on the mainland? I meant &qu...
by MaartenSFS
December 6th, 2011, 8:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #36, Beijing and the return to Shennongjia
Replies: 28
Views: 10656

Re: China post #36, Beijing and the return to Shennongjia

But Kansas doesn't have pointy mountains, rainforest, waterfalls at every turn, amazing food, or an exotic culture.. *cry* When you say you didn't find anything for the last three years, Hans, did you mean on the mainland? Because I have found just a handful of living snakes in the last five months ...
by MaartenSFS
December 6th, 2011, 2:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #36, Beijing and the return to Shennongjia
Replies: 28
Views: 10656

Re: China post #36, Beijing and the return to Shennongjia

As Kevin says, I've been having problems with Flickr. After using this VPN "http://tenacy.hpc.tw/public" I can log onto Flickr and see about 80% of the photos (Sorry, I was premature in telling you that I could see all of them). What I like about this VPN is that you don't have to install ...
by MaartenSFS
September 2nd, 2011, 9:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gunung Mulu National park; Sarawak
Replies: 8
Views: 3064

Re: Gunung Mulu National park; Sarawak

No worries. I know you'll be back in Vietnam soon enough anyways. If you ever make it up to my area I can show you some proper caving as well. I still have five or six caves to explore than no man has ever entered.
by MaartenSFS
August 31st, 2011, 5:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gunung Mulu National park; Sarawak
Replies: 8
Views: 3064

Re: Gunung Mulu National park; Sarawak

Minor correction; Deer Cave was the largest cave passage in the world until 2009, when a mate of mine took part in a surveying expedition to a new cave discovered in central Vietnam. It is so large that an entire block of New York City can fit into it without touching any of the sides. :D
by MaartenSFS
August 29th, 2011, 1:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mount Kinabalu Part 2
Replies: 4
Views: 1928

Re: Mount Kinabalu Part 2

Nice Megophrys! :thumb:
by MaartenSFS
August 29th, 2011, 1:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Point and Shoot suggestions solicited. . .
Replies: 16
Views: 3408

Re: Point and Shoot suggestions solicited. . .

I second a vote for the Panasonic DMC Lumix Zs7. I will be posting photos of the almost two months I have been back in China here shortly, but for image quality and an impressive zoom and macro I have never seen a better P&S. The HD video is also very clear and sometimes the only way to record a...
by MaartenSFS
August 29th, 2011, 1:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping with Camcorder
Replies: 12
Views: 2643

Re: Herping with Camcorder

Or possibly using a memory card with a speed below Class 6? I do not know if camcorders also use these, but I have found this to be the case with normal cameras that can shoot in HD.
by MaartenSFS
August 11th, 2011, 6:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gunung Leuser: Sumatra
Replies: 17
Views: 10628

Re: Gunung Leuser: Sumatra

And here I was thinking that you'd pack up and return home after Vietnam. Great finds. I especially love the shot of that jungle stream. If anyone does not find that inviting they must not be crazy enough for real herping. In both Vietnam and Sumatra, during what hours did you find the most?
by MaartenSFS
August 7th, 2011, 3:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South China Expeditions
Replies: 19
Views: 3790

Re: South China Expeditions

Beijing and Shanghai are some of the worst places in the country for social interaction. Here in the South people are laid back, foreigners are rare outside the tourist hotspots, and saying "Ni hao" will impress a crowd. I speak Mandarin, so search for English-speakers is of no concern to ...
by MaartenSFS
August 7th, 2011, 7:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NT trip, Australia (DUW)
Replies: 8
Views: 1275

Re: NT trip, Australia (DUW)

O, I foolishly assumed you lived in the south and were traveling up north. How is the herping in Singapore? I'll probably make it there at some point in my life, but not on my cheap Chinese salary at the moment. ;)
by MaartenSFS
August 7th, 2011, 5:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NT trip, Australia (DUW)
Replies: 8
Views: 1275

Re: NT trip, Australia (DUW)

Nou! Dan voel ik me echt welkom! Before I get over there, though, keep it up with the photos. :D