Search found 574 matches

by Ribbit
February 18th, 2016, 7:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 21
Views: 14888

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula

Thanks for correcting the ID. I hope that is the only snake I got wrong -- those medium-to-large elapids are hard for my untrained eyes to tell apart.

John
by Ribbit
February 13th, 2016, 1:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 21
Views: 14888

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula

Thanks Ingrami. What identifies it as a tiger snake?

John
by Ribbit
February 12th, 2016, 2:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 21
Views: 14888

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula

Thanks Mattsnake! I didn't get any great photos of that snake as it slithered across the road, but here's one more:

Image
by Ribbit
February 12th, 2016, 2:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 7, Northern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 13
Views: 9857

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 7, Northern Eyre Peninsula

Thanks Fieldnotes. I'm sure an Australian local herper would have found three times as many species, but I found enough to make me very happy.

Interesting to consider just breaking the reluctant lugs off. Of course, that requires the right tools too!

John
by Ribbit
January 29th, 2016, 7:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 21
Views: 14888

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula

ClosetHerper, I suspect I hit peak Shingleback when I was there. Obviously you will have to go back to see some!
by Ribbit
January 13th, 2016, 6:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 21
Views: 14888

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula

Thanks again everyone!

BayFun: I don't remember seeing any iceplant. Does one of my photos seem to show iceplant?

Jim: Thanks for the good wishes. I hope that also!

John
by Ribbit
January 10th, 2016, 12:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 21
Views: 14888

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula

Thanks everyone! John Martin, I'm sorry I didn't have enough time to visit with you when I was in the Adelaide area.

Australia is such a fun place for herping. I'm starting to consider another long trip in early 2017, perhaps to Queensland and/or the Top End during the Wet. So many possibilities!
by Ribbit
January 9th, 2016, 8:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 7, Northern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 13
Views: 9857

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 7, Northern Eyre Peninsula

Kelly Mc, I am honored!
by Ribbit
January 9th, 2016, 12:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 21
Views: 14888

Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 8, Southern Eyre Peninsula

Here's the final part of my 8-part write-up for my month of October 2015 herping in Australia. Previous parts: Part 1, featuring an echidna! Part 2, featuring two thorny devils! Part 3, featuring four species of snakes! Part 4, featuring the first shinglebacks and beardies! Part 5, featuring the mos...
by Ribbit
January 9th, 2016, 3:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 7, Northern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 13
Views: 9857

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 7, Northern Eyre Peninsula

They are indeed, MISter Pingleton! Hopefully I will finish writing Part 8 on the plane flight I'm about to take. This darn holiday family stuff slows a person down.

John
by Ribbit
December 31st, 2015, 6:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara
Replies: 25
Views: 16526

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!
by Ribbit
December 30th, 2015, 7:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 7, Northern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 13
Views: 9857

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 7, Northern Eyre Peninsula

Thanks chrish. It's only tragic in that I do eventually have to leave Australia and return home.

John
by Ribbit
December 29th, 2015, 9:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 6, Wilpena Pound to Arkaroola to
Replies: 16
Views: 12468

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 6, Wilpena Pound to Arkarool

Thanks a lot Nick. Of course I saw only a minuscule fraction of Australia's skinks, but it was still a lot of skinks.

Part 7 is now posted at viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22933
by Ribbit
December 29th, 2015, 9:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 7, Northern Eyre Peninsula
Replies: 13
Views: 9857

Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 7, Northern Eyre Peninsula

Here's Part 7 of my 8-part write-up for my month of October 2015 herping in Australia. Previous parts: Part 1, featuring an echidna! Part 2, featuring two thorny devils! Part 3, featuring four species of snakes! Part 4, featuring the first shinglebacks and beardies! Part 5, featuring the most beauti...
by Ribbit
December 29th, 2015, 2:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 5, Flinders Ranges National Park
Replies: 22
Views: 16122

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 5, Flinders Ranges National

The first barking gecko was much smaller than the second one, maybe half the size. I assumed it was a juvie, but maybe females are way smaller? I looked in Wilson & Swan 4th edition, and Cogger 7th edition, and neither described gender differences. Cogger says that regenerated tails are uniform ...
by Ribbit
December 27th, 2015, 10:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 4, Adelaide to Flinders Ranges
Replies: 7
Views: 8204

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 4, Adelaide to Flinders Rang

Thanks Patrick. Australia is full of such unusual creatures and place names, and such cheerful people, that a sense of humor is practically unavoidable.

John
by Ribbit
December 27th, 2015, 7:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 6, Wilpena Pound to Arkaroola to
Replies: 16
Views: 12468

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 6, Wilpena Pound to Arkarool

Thanks Roki! You can't go wrong with a herping trip to Australia. Thanks Field Herper! Have you been out that way to see those sculptures? It was a wonderful thing to stumble upon in the middle of nowhere. I've got relatives over for the holidays so part 7 is slower in coming. Should be up in a few ...
by Ribbit
December 23rd, 2015, 7:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara
Replies: 25
Views: 16526

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara

Oh Hans, Hans, Hans. Birding! That is a sad tale.

John
by Ribbit
December 22nd, 2015, 9:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara
Replies: 25
Views: 16526

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara

Surely you mean "all installments *so far*". Still two to go! Who knows what new creatures or old friends might be lurking in those final two episodes?

Thanks Hans. If I can entertain you, I am doing something right!

John
by Ribbit
December 22nd, 2015, 1:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Prelude and Part 1, Sydney area
Replies: 21
Views: 18956

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Prelude and Part 1, Sydney area

Patrick, thanks very much for the correction. I wasn't aware of the distinctive postocular marks on S. mustelinus , but now that I look at the descriptions in my books I see that everyone mentions them. I'll call David's attention to this since he is the one who found the skink, plus it was in his b...
by Ribbit
December 21st, 2015, 7:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Queensland over Xmas...2014 - The Reptiles - Installment One
Replies: 2
Views: 2701

Re: Queensland over Xmas...2014 - The Reptiles - Installment

Your writeup makes me feel like I was there, great job. Wonderful photos of the scrubbie and the turtles. I also really appreciate the habitat shots. I usually forget to take enough of those (and they don't come out as nice as yours when I do remember.) I know the feeling of thinking you saw a snake...
by Ribbit
December 20th, 2015, 9:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Queensland over Xmas...2014 - The Reptiles - Installment Two
Replies: 6
Views: 4879

Re: Queensland over Xmas...2014 - The Reptiles - Installment

Great photos and narrative. I've got to get back to Queensland one of these years. The 4th edition Wilson & Swan field guide says that only the breeding male Carlia rostralis actually have black throats. However, the females and non-breeding males should have prominent dorsolateral and midlatera...
by Ribbit
December 20th, 2015, 9:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 5, Flinders Ranges National Park
Replies: 22
Views: 16122

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 5, Flinders Ranges National

Thanks Rye! I can strongly recommend that you make that dream come true someday. You won't regret it!

Thanks David! It was such a thrill to see this species, and especially such a beautiful individual. You get the credit for making me particularly interested in finding this species.

John
by Ribbit
December 20th, 2015, 8:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 6, Wilpena Pound to Arkaroola to
Replies: 16
Views: 12468

Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 6, Wilpena Pound to Arkaroola to

Here's Part 6 of my 8-part write-up for my month of October 2015 herping in Australia. Previous parts: Part 1, featuring an echidna! Part 2, featuring two thorny devils! Part 3, featuring four species of snakes! Part 4, featuring the first shinglebacks and beardies! Part 5, featuring the most beauti...
by Ribbit
December 19th, 2015, 9:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 5, Flinders Ranges National Park
Replies: 22
Views: 16122

Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 5, Flinders Ranges National Park

Here's Part 5 of my 8-part write-up for my month of October 2015 herping in Australia. Previous parts: Part 1, featuring an echidna! Part 2, featuring two thorny devils! Part 3, featuring four species of snakes! Part 4, featuring the first shinglebacks and beardies! My first multi-day stop in South ...
by Ribbit
December 16th, 2015, 5:52 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 3, West MacDonnell Ranges
Replies: 6
Views: 7537

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 3, West MacDonnell Ranges

OK, good to know. Maybe this year had an unusual weather pattern, or maybe I just overlooked a ton of snakes (but that seems unlikely).

John
by Ribbit
December 16th, 2015, 5:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: An introduction and some shots from the Northern Territory
Replies: 7
Views: 3982

Re: An introduction and some shots from the Northern Territo

Wow, interesting, thanks.

John
by Ribbit
December 15th, 2015, 10:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 4, Adelaide to Flinders Ranges
Replies: 7
Views: 8204

Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 4, Adelaide to Flinders Ranges

Here's Part 4 of my 8-part write-up for my month of October 2015 herping in Australia. Previous parts: Part 1, featuring an echidna! Part 2, featuring two thorny devils! Part 3, featuring four species of snakes! The rest of my month was spent in South Australia, an Australian state I had never befor...
by Ribbit
December 14th, 2015, 5:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Australian Frog Research '15 - Long and Pic Intensive!
Replies: 13
Views: 7984

Re: Australian Frog Research '15 - Long and Pic Intensive!

Amazing photos! I think my favorite is the Green Tree Snake with the apparently unaware tourists in the background. My wife and I visited Australia Zoo while Steve Irwin was still alive, so I'm sure it felt quite different to you. We hoped he would put in an appearance while we were there, but he di...
by Ribbit
December 14th, 2015, 5:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: An introduction and some shots from the Northern Territory
Replies: 7
Views: 3982

Re: An introduction and some shots from the Northern Territo

September, interesting. I was trying to time the very beginning of the Wet but that year it started late so we just got the end of the build-up, where it's extremely humid as well as hot. We did visit Holmes Jungle and saw a few lizards and frogs but no snakes.

John
by Ribbit
December 13th, 2015, 8:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lizards from Chile, Nov 2015
Replies: 12
Views: 7210

Re: Lizards from Chile, Nov 2015

That's amazing. Synchronized lizard gymnastics!

I haven't yet visited Tasmania or ACT, and I've never herped in Victoria. But there's still time.

John
by Ribbit
December 13th, 2015, 7:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lizards from Chile, Nov 2015
Replies: 12
Views: 7210

Re: Lizards from Chile, Nov 2015

David, I was wondering about the photo with the two parallel lizards, where you thought the lower one to be Liolaemus schroederi. Were they basking on a rock like that? They are in such similar positions and orientations that they look like museum specimens laid out by hand.

John
by Ribbit
December 13th, 2015, 10:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lizards from Chile, Nov 2015
Replies: 12
Views: 7210

Re: Lizards from Chile, Nov 2015

Awesome! I can't believe the number of different bright colors on all those Liolaemus lizards. Now you have added another place I want to visit someday to my ever-growing list.

John
by Ribbit
December 13th, 2015, 6:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara
Replies: 25
Views: 16526

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara

Oh Kelly, I hope so much that "Dtella" is an aboriginal word for something ridiculous and that at least some of the remaining aboriginal people still know it and laugh whenever they see or hear it. The thought makes my day.

I'm very glad you enjoyed my post.

John
by Ribbit
December 13th, 2015, 6:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 3, West MacDonnell Ranges
Replies: 6
Views: 7537

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 3, West MacDonnell Ranges

Thanks Matt! What time of year have you found to be most snakey for this area? Would you also have expected more lizards, in early/mid October?

John
by Ribbit
December 12th, 2015, 11:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: An introduction and some shots from the Northern Territory
Replies: 7
Views: 3982

Re: An introduction and some shots from the Northern Territo

Welcome to the main forum, Derek! Great photos! My favorites are the Banded Tree Monitor and the agamid attempting to hide. I learned from AnoleAnnals.org that there's an official name for the behavior of lizards (and other animals, presumably) that slowly slide to the far side of the branch to avoi...
by Ribbit
December 12th, 2015, 10:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 3, West MacDonnell Ranges
Replies: 6
Views: 7537

Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 3, West MacDonnell Ranges

Here's Part 3 of my 8-part write-up for my month of October 2015 herping in Australia. Previous parts: Part 1, featuring an echidna! Part 2, featuring two thorny devils! . http://wildherps.com/images/misc/fhf/Australia2015/Red-Center-map.jpg You might recognize this map from Part 2. This post covers...
by Ribbit
December 12th, 2015, 8:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara
Replies: 25
Views: 16526

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara

Thanks guys! Australia definitely has very photogenic herps, and so very many of them. Fieldnotes, you owe it to yourself to join the long list of herp photographers who have had a great time there. Kurt, couldn't agree more. David tells me you are due for a trip down under too. I would love to see ...
by Ribbit
December 11th, 2015, 10:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara
Replies: 25
Views: 16526

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara

Very cool. In my limited experience Shinglebacks are pretty darn easy to find within their range. When you're traveling around Australia to study different Pseudophryne species you will be moving through the ranges of so many cool herps. That seems like a dream come true.
by Ribbit
December 11th, 2015, 9:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara
Replies: 25
Views: 16526

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara

5 months, that's awesome. Pseudophryne are such cool little frogs! Shinglebacks don't make it all the way to the east coast, but if you're going to be somewhat inland you shouldn't have trouble finding them. I know frillies are in Queensland but I don't know how easy they are to find there. My under...
by Ribbit
December 11th, 2015, 9:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara
Replies: 25
Views: 16526

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara

There's definitely great herping in the Red Centre. For Shinglebacks you would have to go south or east though, and for Frillies you'd have to go north. The country is so huge that it's hard to even try to hit the herp highlights in a single trip, unless you do a number of internal flights.

John
by Ribbit
December 11th, 2015, 6:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara
Replies: 25
Views: 16526

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara

I certainly didn't expect to see one on the first possible morning. But that meant I didn't have to worry about it for the rest of the trip, which was nice!

John