Search found 3008 matches

by chrish
July 6th, 2010, 7:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: DOR's as vouchers and the DOR category
Replies: 10
Views: 2935

Re: DOR's as vouchers and the DOR category

When I search roads it almost always is on foot, I use visual encounter if it is alive and DOR if dead. This is OK, but I think we lose data when you do this. I believe Fundad is trying to use the DOR category to allow us to get some estimate of the toll roads take on herp populations. To really un...
by chrish
July 6th, 2010, 7:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sound recording icons?
Replies: 27
Views: 6236

Re: Sound recording icons?

Aren't you two the same two that were against voucher counts being accurate?? :lol: :lol: Hmm I am sensing a trend here.. :D Maybe its just me you don't like?? jk :lol: Fundad FINALLY! He figured it out! :lol: I think there are valid arguments to be made on either side. I think the discussion itsel...
by chrish
July 6th, 2010, 6:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Habu & Owl - A Taiwan Adventure
Replies: 7
Views: 7479

Re: Habu & Owl - A Taiwan Adventure

Great story as usual. I like the Owl shot. Photo ops for small owls require some luck. You scored that time. I particularly liked the "all barrels on the varmint" shot. That third last shot gives me the heeby-jeebies! That flash hand looks a little close to the habu for my liking! :shock: ...
by chrish
July 5th, 2010, 3:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: DAGHESTAN HERP TRIP (North Caucasus, Russia) 2008 pictures
Replies: 20
Views: 5127

Re: DAGHESTAN HERP TRIP (North Caucasus, Russia) 2008 pictur

Toomas,

Thank you for sharing this. Seeing a post from a place this "foreign" to most of us is always a treat.

I hope you get to go back because I would love to see another post from this region!

Chris
by chrish
July 3rd, 2010, 9:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Suggestion for record verification
Replies: 44
Views: 9566

Re: Suggestion for record verification

I do understand that it is "your data", but I think we have a larger responsibility to the database to make sure your data is as correct as possible. If you are asked to fix something, I think you have the responsibility to fix it for the benefit of all other database users. So if you refu...
by chrish
July 3rd, 2010, 10:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Suggestion for record verification
Replies: 44
Views: 9566

Re: Suggestion for record verification

I'm not sure that we want to have every single record "pending verification". That may be an insurmountable task and therefore most of our data would be in this state. What if we just had the ability to "flag" a record as containing possible errors. Those could be identification ...
by chrish
July 3rd, 2010, 9:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Map of your counties" link giving incorrect data
Replies: 11
Views: 3125

Re: "Map of your counties" link giving incorrect data

I wonder if it is tied to an error I sometimes get. Once in a while, I will choose one category and when I get to the next subcategory it is listing the wrong set of subcategories. For example: - I choose Snakes and the next box lists the genera of Salamanders instead of snakes. - I choose United St...
by chrish
July 2nd, 2010, 3:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Map of your counties" link giving incorrect data
Replies: 11
Views: 3125

Re: "Map of your counties" link giving incorrect data

I've seen a few cases where records are marked for a county in a different state that has the same name as the actual county desired. I am not sure exactly what leads to this issue though, if it is human error, or code error. But when I hit "View my records" or export the kmz file, it doe...
by chrish
July 2nd, 2010, 10:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Map of your counties" link giving incorrect data
Replies: 11
Views: 3125

"Map of your counties" link giving incorrect data

I just found the link to how to see a map of the counties I have records in - very cool! Except it has a bunch of counties shown that I've never been to or herped in. Is there a glitch in the system somewhere? For example, I have entered no records in the database for CO, IL, KY, TN, northern GA, or...
by chrish
July 2nd, 2010, 5:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: narrowmouth toad or narrowmouth frog
Replies: 12
Views: 3436

Re: narrowmouth toad or narrowmouth frog

If you look at the "official" US lists of common names - CNAH - http://www.cnah.org/nameslist.asp?id=3 - SSAR - http://www.ssarherps.org/pdf/HC_37_6thEd.pdf both Gastrophryne carolinensis , G. olivacea (and G. elegans ) are know as Narrow-mouthed Toads. I don't think the name "Narrow-...
by chrish
July 1st, 2010, 10:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: DOR's as vouchers and the DOR category
Replies: 10
Views: 2935

Re: DOR's as vouchers and the DOR category

The AOR idea was discussed when we decided to add DOR to the methods. However I cannot remember the reasoning for not changing Road Cruising to AOR. Perhapse some were concerned people would be less familiar with the term, but I feel like there was another reason. Someone with a good memory should ...
by chrish
July 1st, 2010, 7:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: DOR's as vouchers and the DOR category
Replies: 10
Views: 2935

DOR's as vouchers and the DOR category

I thought I would move this topic up here since Fundad and I have been going back and forth about it. If you want to read how we got here....http://fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=764 I was wondering along these lines why we don't call "Road Cruising" "AOR" inst...
by chrish
July 1st, 2010, 7:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sound recording icons?
Replies: 27
Views: 6236

Re: Sound recording icons?

Psyon Are you assuming they bagged the dead animal? Otherwise, they picture of the dead snake would be the voucher. The Icon represents the "type" of voucher, and I consider a DOR entry to be a "type" of "photo" voucher, thats all. Fundad I think it is simply a photo v...
by chrish
July 1st, 2010, 1:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sound recording icons?
Replies: 27
Views: 6236

Re: Sound recording icons?

I am really not sure how you connect county records to DOR's in importance.. :roll: I wasn't. I was just pointing out that if we start making every variable get its own icon the system gets bogged down. I think the potential for using the database to demonstrate the extraordinary toll highways take...
by chrish
July 1st, 2010, 8:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sound recording icons?
Replies: 27
Views: 6236

Re: Sound recording icons?

I thought I responded to this yesterday but it seems to have not made it? I think a more useful way to chronicle DORs would be to have Method as a criterion on the search query page. That way you could search for all DOR records. It would be much easier than having to scroll through thousands of rec...
by chrish
June 29th, 2010, 10:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Your total list of herpspecies!
Replies: 20
Views: 8062

Re: Your total list of herpspecies!

As a birder, I do try to keep a herp life list, but it is woefullly inadequate. It doesn't include lots of species I never identified in Mexico and Indonesia in the 1980s. I have probably have left 30 species off it, particularly Australian things and some from Panama. I don't it to subspecies becau...
by chrish
June 29th, 2010, 9:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sound recording icons?
Replies: 27
Views: 6236

Sound recording icons?

I know we discussed this previously, but is there a way to change the icon for those vouchers that are sound recordings rather than photos? Maybe a speaker icon? I would like to be able to search for other recorded vouchers like these - http://www.naherp.com/viewrecord.php?r_id=49273 http://www.nahe...
by chrish
June 29th, 2010, 9:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Benin, West Africa trip results May-June 2010
Replies: 23
Views: 6942

Re: Benin, West Africa trip results May-June 2010

Toby, Very cool. I would love to go to West Africa herping and Benin seems one of the safer places to go. I was disappointed not to see any Eryx muelleri or Ball Python pics. You'll have to go back! ;) I think you are right about the Lamprophis. I'm not an expert, but that things head looks more lik...
by chrish
June 29th, 2010, 9:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Brief (but fun) Big Bend Sojourn
Replies: 18
Views: 7679

Re: Brief (but fun) Big Bend Sojourn

I agree about the scut. I've seen a lot of scuts and diamondbacks from that area (Jeff Davis/Culberson/Hudspeth Cos) and that thing really looks like an atrox to me. The blotches are somewhat scut-like but everything else says atrox (loss of pattern posteriorly, head pattern, general coloration, etc...
by chrish
June 28th, 2010, 9:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Contest PHP not updating
Replies: 14
Views: 3714

Re: Contest PHP not updating

I just realized that was the problem...and sent you a PM about it. However, it really is a pain in the arse when some people are too lazy to list the subspecies they find... I think it should be mandatory that everyone place their entries under the full names, not just species. That would eliminate...
by chrish
June 28th, 2010, 8:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How do you organize your photos?
Replies: 17
Views: 5205

Re: How do you organize your photos?

Chris are you adding a Copyright watermark from Lightroom? I use 2.something... I have loved it so far and I'm eagerly awaiting 3 as 2 was so much better than 1. If you're adding your copyright to the photo can you tell me how you're doing it? Justin, Most of my photos have the copyright added auto...
by chrish
June 28th, 2010, 3:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Show your pics of some of your rarest finds!
Replies: 124
Views: 33093

Re: Show your pics of some of your rarest finds!

Here's a Texas Scarlet Snake (C.c. lineri). These are very rarely found, but I think they might be at least "uncommon" in the small area they occur. http://www.pbase.com/sandboa/image/126048939.jpg Since we are apparently expanding our bounds out of the US, here's a snake I've never seen a...
by chrish
June 28th, 2010, 11:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Little Bit of West Texas,.... DBD Style -
Replies: 73
Views: 16983

Re: A Little Bit of West Texas,.... DBD Style -

Finally a rational person! Yes, some alterna are ugly and yes that is one. :lol: That's a couple of interesting firsts that most herpers never get: - walking up to an alterna when you aren't 2 minutes from your car (i.e. a real field collected alterna). You'll walk a lot of miles to find you next on...
by chrish
June 26th, 2010, 6:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New Features
Replies: 21
Views: 4841

Re: New Features

I haven't tried the wrench, but having that map on there is f'ing awesome.

This NAHerp just gets better and better. Now if I could just have it come to my house, scan all my slides, and enter my old data I'll have Hubbs beat like a rented dog!

Chris
by chrish
June 24th, 2010, 9:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: One Week to Collect Data for Contest! Expanded Leaderboard!
Replies: 22
Views: 5970

Re: One Week to Collect Data for Contest! Expanded Leaderbo

I noticed I entered a new species, is there a way to find out what it was? Josh http://www.naherp.com/viewrecord.php?r_id=47234 That is the record that got you that point. There are two other records for the species, but they were created after your record was. I hate to question but there are thre...
by chrish
June 24th, 2010, 8:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Getting GPS coordinates from Google Earth
Replies: 13
Views: 5614

Re: Getting GPS coordinates from Google Earth

Isnt there a way to center the map to where your cursor is so that when you move the mouse, or bump it while you are copying down the coords (which I do all the time) the coords do not change? I simply click onto the other window. I think if you move the cursor off the map it gives the coordinates ...
by chrish
June 24th, 2010, 3:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bermuda Mudsnakes, Chinese Rattlers, Kansas barrier Islands
Replies: 18
Views: 5318

Re: Bermuda Mudsnakes, Chinese Rattlers, Kansas barrier Isla

chrish - do you check any other way than just a visual inspection of where your data falls on the map? I only have a few hundred records in there right now so it isn't too hard to eyeball. I'm really not looking for things a few miles off, I'm looking for obvious things. I guess I could go in and l...
by chrish
June 24th, 2010, 3:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How do you organize your photos?
Replies: 17
Views: 5205

Re: How do you organize your photos?

I use the keywording capabilities of Adobe Lightroom to keep my photos organized. I keep them in folders based on place and date (so I have a folder called "Yucatan Peninsula 2010-05"). I have those grouped by locality (so that folder is under my Mexico folder). When I import the photo int...
by chrish
June 23rd, 2010, 10:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Getting GPS coordinates from Google Earth
Replies: 13
Views: 5614

Re: Getting GPS coordinates from Google Earth

My easiest solution to date is to get centered on the spot on Google earth and open NA Herp in a browser window that is slightly smaller than the google earth screen so that I can see the google earth data from underneath the bottom of the browser window. If you have a large widescreen monitor, just...
by chrish
June 23rd, 2010, 10:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bermuda Mudsnakes, Chinese Rattlers, Kansas barrier Islands
Replies: 18
Views: 5318

Bermuda Mudsnakes, Chinese Rattlers, Kansas barrier Islands

I downloaded my NAHerp data in the KMZ format today just to check for errors. Sometimes it helps to see it on a map. What did I find? - a mudsnake found in a log about 150 SE of Hamilton, Bermuda (it did say the log was partially submerged!) - a DOR Western Diamondback and a Great Plains Rat found c...
by chrish
June 22nd, 2010, 4:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: What NON-SNAKE Herp Challenged You the Most?
Replies: 20
Views: 6352

Re: What NON-SNAKE Herp Challenged You the Most?

Big Bend Geckos have eluded me on the few occasions I have tried to look for them. I haven't tried too hard, but I have herped in their range. Several Ranid frogs have managed to evade me over the years: Wood Frog Gopher Frog Crawfish Frog Pickerel Frog Probably my biggest "whiff" so far h...
by chrish
June 22nd, 2010, 4:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Show your pics of some of your rarest finds!
Replies: 124
Views: 33093

Re: Show your pics of some of your rarest finds!

Mexican Hognose Snakes aren't rare. They can be quite common under the right conditions and reasonably easy to find. Not as easy as Western Hogs, but still not "rare". Here's a species that rarely gets posted due to its limited range. It isn't rare in its small range, but its range is smal...
by chrish
June 22nd, 2010, 4:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Neelaps, WA burrowers
Replies: 11
Views: 3576

Re: Neelaps, WA burrowers

Cool snakes - neat shots.
by chrish
June 22nd, 2010, 3:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hiking Boots/Shoes
Replies: 16
Views: 8469

Re: Hiking Boots/Shoes

I've researched some, but I'm hesitant to spring for a $100 pair of shoes without getting some good advice from some seasoned vets. :) I wont pay more than $100 for ANY shoe period. Thats my range. Thanks Brandon I used to feel the same way. I only bought hiking boots that were in this range (altho...
by chrish
June 22nd, 2010, 10:48 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Newbie Question
Replies: 10
Views: 4559

Re: Newbie Question

There is no easy answer to this question. There are a lot of things that go into making a good herp photo and there is no recipe for success. Make sure you understand the principles of exposure and what the purpose of the iris (f/stop) and shutter speed are. Once you understand that you will have a ...
by chrish
June 18th, 2010, 1:11 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Tripod
Replies: 8
Views: 3631

Re: Tripod

I thought about the bean bag. I think I'm gonna check out that low one that Chris is talking about too. I want to raise the quality of my pictures, but without lugging too much around. I'll check all your suggestions before I make any decisions. Thanks guys. Really Right Stuff make an interesting l...
by chrish
June 17th, 2010, 7:55 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Tripod
Replies: 8
Views: 3631

Re: Tripod

You get what you pay for with tripods. A $35 tripod will work, but you will never be happy with it. I would take a serious look at Adorama's Flashpoint carbon fiber tripods. A friend of mine bought one of these and I was surprised at the quality of this tripod. It was pretty much as good as my CF tr...
by chrish
June 17th, 2010, 2:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Great trip to the Trans Pecos!
Replies: 20
Views: 6602

Re: Great trip to the Trans Pecos!

Sounds like a cool trip. Even though I lived in San Angelo for 3 years, I never did see (or really try to see) a Concho Watersnake. :oops: Guess I have to drive out there and punch that one off the list. I like the in situ photo of that critter. Great find. Your lifer Tantilla hobartsmithi looks lik...
by chrish
June 17th, 2010, 1:07 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Your worst piece of camera gear
Replies: 9
Views: 4364

Re: Your worst piece of camera gear

Wow, I have some contenders for biggest waste of money: Sigma - 180 APO F5.6 Macro - bought this to have a longer macro 10+ years ago. It won't autofocus in anything but the brightest light, it isn't as sharp as a macro should be and mine has some fungus issues (it appears). Tokina AT-X AF 24-200 F3...
by chrish
June 16th, 2010, 11:27 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: I need a new camera
Replies: 5
Views: 3279

Re: I need a new camera

The best advice I can give is go to a retailer and handle as many of these as you can. The "feel" of the camera and position of the settings you will use are important. Remember, you are buying into a system. Evaluate what that system offers and which of those things you might need in the ...
by chrish
June 16th, 2010, 1:48 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 998716

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Curtis,

Cool lifer. Procellariform lifers always trump passerines!

Chris
by chrish
June 15th, 2010, 1:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: I GET TO GOTO TEXAS THURSDAY-MONDAY WHAT>>>
Replies: 4
Views: 1923

Re: I GET TO GOTO TEXAS THURSDAY-MONDAY WHAT>>>

I hope by going to Texas it isn't somewhere like Dalhart! :lol:
Texas is a really big state.

Actually Dalhart wouldn't be bad, you just wouldn't see many "Texas" herps. You would have to drive 7-8 hours south from there.
by chrish
June 15th, 2010, 7:01 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: How to Photograph Snakes at Night?
Replies: 8
Views: 5887

Re: How to Photograph Snakes at Night?

I shoot photos at night all the time with wireless handheld flash (powered by the popup flash). I don't generally have a problem and I don't manually tweak my flash at all. I leave it totally on Auto/Wireless fill-flash mode. At ISO 400 you should have plenty of light. In fact, I rarely need more th...
by chrish
June 15th, 2010, 6:49 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Animals in water?
Replies: 6
Views: 3666

Re: Animals in water?

I think a polarizing filter is the obvious answer. You can buy adapters that will allow you to put a small polarizer on many point&shoot lenses. It depends on how small your lens is.

There are times that it is almost impossible to avoid the reflective glare. Bright overcast days are the worst.
by chrish
June 15th, 2010, 6:46 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Any Nikon Users using lightroom?
Replies: 9
Views: 16676

Re: Any Nikon Users using lightroom?

I don't do Nikon, but I have had similar problems with Sony RAW in lightroom. I tried a few user profiles I found online but never found one I really liked. I think the issue is that no two people's monitors or tastes are exactly alike and finding a profile that matches what you want is mostly trial...
by chrish
June 14th, 2010, 7:07 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photo Hosting Site questions
Replies: 7
Views: 3576

Re: Photo Hosting Site questions

I used photobucket for years until I found out their "free-for-all" rights policy (i.e. anyone can steal your photos at any time). I had a Pro account there. Pbase is really the standard used by many professionals. I have been using it about a year now and couldn't be happier. The thing I ...
by chrish
June 14th, 2010, 7:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some NM inspiration
Replies: 7
Views: 3183

Re: Some NM inspiration

That dripping springs fire shot is still one of the best Landscape shots FHF has ever hosted.

You could make some money with that shot.
by chrish
June 12th, 2010, 1:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Your All-time Best Rattlesnake Shot!
Replies: 122
Views: 42396

Re: Your All-time Best Rattlesnake Shot!

bgorum, your NM atrox shot is a standout so far. Simply a beautiful photo. I don't know if this is my single best rattlesnake shot, but this is one of my favorites because it is uncropped and totally in situ. The snake was basking on a quiet south Texas dirt road so I layed in front of it with a 300...
by chrish
June 11th, 2010, 9:09 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 998716

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Botteri's Sparrow - not a lifer, but my first ABA record for the species.

Image
by chrish
June 9th, 2010, 6:11 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: panorama help (ChrisH, I need your help)
Replies: 7
Views: 3956

Re: panorama help (ChrisH, I need your help)

Actually, when I started playing with this photo, I realized there is a better approach. When I tried applying a levels gradient mask: - Create a new Levels Adjustment Layer - Lighten the adjustment layer to bring up the foreground to an accepatble level - Click the gradient tool on the toolbar (on ...