Search found 314 matches

by MonarchzMan
November 23rd, 2014, 6:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1
Replies: 40
Views: 19457

Re: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1

Thanks for the compliments! I'm hoping I can make good progress next year. I figure if I can get to 75 species by this time next year, I'll be doing really well.
by MonarchzMan
November 18th, 2014, 8:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1
Replies: 40
Views: 19457

Re: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1

It may be interesting to note that many of the species already covered are possible or probable composites of cryptic species [ Desmognathus marmoratus, D.ocoee, D.quadramaculatus, D.conanti, Aneides aeneus, Eurycea spp ., etc], as are a number of those yet-to-be-recorded. Yea, I know. Those and th...
by MonarchzMan
November 18th, 2014, 6:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1
Replies: 40
Views: 19457

Re: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1

I must say I really actually enjoyed the white backgrounds that displayed the species range maps. This has really opened my eyes to what salamanders I have yet to see in Northwest Florida and has inspired me to get the heck out there this winter and really scope out some areas more closely on Eglin...
by MonarchzMan
November 17th, 2014, 2:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NAFHA - Hands off Amphibs policy?
Replies: 31
Views: 19138

Re: NAFHA - Hands off Amphibs policy?

I wrote my response fast. What you suggest would also be acceptable, although much more difficult to execute. Oh, I definitely agree. I think, realistically, think it has the best chance of actually limiting the spread of the disease, but it would, also realistically, be difficult to execute (and w...
by MonarchzMan
November 17th, 2014, 9:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NAFHA - Hands off Amphibs policy?
Replies: 31
Views: 19138

Re: NAFHA - Hands off Amphibs policy?

If you really dont want to see our populations decimated by this new disease you will support importation bans on animals that could be infected (ie. salamanders from Europe and Asia). IMO, this is a bad or worse policy to take. I don't think bans would be good because it would force the market und...
by MonarchzMan
November 17th, 2014, 8:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NAFHA - Hands off Amphibs policy?
Replies: 31
Views: 19138

Re: NAFHA - Hands off Amphibs policy?

My $0.02 and take it for what you will, but a hands off policy isn't really going to do much in the way of stopping the movement of chytrid, if that is the purpose of the hands-off policy. Chytrid can be transported on any gear one takes into the field, so while you may not directly transfer chytrid...
by MonarchzMan
November 17th, 2014, 8:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1
Replies: 40
Views: 19457

Re: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1

You should come and explore - it's a wonderful place to visit (and to live). I worked closely with a guy back in the early '80s who was a weekend pot hunter and he used to talk about finding salamanders in quite a few of the small caves where he was looking for artifacts. He was an all-round natura...
by MonarchzMan
November 17th, 2014, 6:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1
Replies: 40
Views: 19457

Re: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1

I can't believe the range restrictions on some of these. It really shows the value of Appalachia. This is a neat project. I wish you the best of luck. Whenever I get to spend more time on the West Coast, you'll see that it's just as impressive. Then there's the odd Eurycea radiation in and around A...
by MonarchzMan
November 15th, 2014, 9:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1
Replies: 40
Views: 19457

Re: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1

\cbernz, I don't think it's D. ocoee. It was found just south of Johnson City, TN, which would be out of the range of D. ocoee, as best as I can tell. That would make it carolinensis or orestes, depending on where you are. I'm not certain where the divide is, or whether there is any overlap. Desmog...
by MonarchzMan
November 15th, 2014, 4:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1
Replies: 40
Views: 19457

Re: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1

http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah40/JPLarry/Desmognathusfuscus_zpsbe18bb7d.jpg This looks to be a young quadramaculatus. The two rows of white spots along the sides are indicative. The belly is just beginning to develop the black coloration. And I agree that your pygmy is probably an ochrophae...
by MonarchzMan
November 15th, 2014, 3:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1
Replies: 40
Views: 19457

Re: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1

As opposed to a coffee table book (which of course is up to you, and I'd still buy it), how about a good-sized book that mostly chronicles in detail your major searches and successes (and possible failures: Eurycea robusta , perhaps) and has color plates of each US species in the center. Throughout...
by MonarchzMan
November 15th, 2014, 2:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1
Replies: 40
Views: 19457

Re: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1

I'd love to make some sort of book at the end of the project. I haven't quite thought that far ahead, but I think this sort of style would lend itself well to a coffee table type of book. Chrish, I've thought about cross polarization in the past, and it might be worth looking into, not only for the ...
by MonarchzMan
November 14th, 2014, 10:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1
Replies: 40
Views: 19457

My Quest: Salamanders of the U.S. - Year 1

I decided at the beginning of the year that I wanted to go with a Year of the Salamander photo project to photograph salamanders in the Meet Your Neighbours style (read: on white). I know some don't like this particular style of photography, but I think it's useful to highlight the animal, which for...
by MonarchzMan
November 9th, 2014, 6:31 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: County Record Database?
Replies: 2
Views: 3794

County Record Database?

I'm not sure if this is the correct spot, but if it isn't I apologize. I would like to entertain the idea of making range maps base on county records for salamanders (which may extend to herps in general). I figure it would be easy enough to create such a map on ArcGIS, but I'm not sure where I can ...
by MonarchzMan
September 22nd, 2014, 9:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Suggestions for spots to herp
Replies: 5
Views: 2231

Re: Suggestions for spots to herp

Fantastic, thanks! I guess I'm still adjusting to the idea that, unlike MS (or most other states), Texas is a bit bigger and things aren't a relatively short drive away. What about seeing the Eurycea in/around the Austin area? I know a number of them are protected, so it is the sort of thing where I...
by MonarchzMan
September 20th, 2014, 4:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Suggestions for spots to herp
Replies: 5
Views: 2231

Re: Suggestions for spots to herp

Google Maps has be going via I-20 from Jackson to Tyler.
by MonarchzMan
September 19th, 2014, 5:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Suggestions for spots to herp
Replies: 5
Views: 2231

Suggestions for spots to herp

I'm going to be driving from Mississippi to Austin mid next month for a wedding, and I am toying with going a little early and seeing what I can find along the way. I don't really care what I see as long as I see stuff (well, I really would like to find a horned lizard and any of the rattlesnakes wo...
by MonarchzMan
September 7th, 2014, 4:58 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Canon VS. Nikon Debate
Replies: 19
Views: 10067

Re: Canon VS. Nikon Debate

Guilty as charged on one count, my comment about the MP-E was hyperbolic. It isn't useless, it just isn't a lens that 95% of Canon users would never consider buying....nor Nikon users for that matter. I guarantee Canon sell a lot more 400mm lenses than they do MP-Es. I'm actually not so sure about ...
by MonarchzMan
September 7th, 2014, 8:23 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Canon VS. Nikon Debate
Replies: 19
Views: 10067

Re: Canon VS. Nikon Debate

The useless comment was in reference to chrish's comment about the MP-E being a useless lens. I would alter his comment to Canon has a wider variety of specialized lenses, which for people who are wildlife photographers or wedding photographers or landscape photographers can be great intrigue. I swi...
by MonarchzMan
September 7th, 2014, 8:00 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Canon VS. Nikon Debate
Replies: 19
Views: 10067

Re: Canon VS. Nikon Debate

That sounds like a criticism from a Nikon user ;) I wouldn't call the MP-E useless. I love mine. The clarity of photos of subjects that I could not normally shoot is fantastic. I've heard a number of Nikon users lament not having an option like that. Totally not useless. You'll have to admit this i...
by MonarchzMan
September 7th, 2014, 7:13 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Canon VS. Nikon Debate
Replies: 19
Views: 10067

Re: Canon VS. Nikon Debate

That sounds like a criticism from a Nikon user ;)

I wouldn't call the MP-E useless. I love mine. The clarity of photos of subjects that I could not normally shoot is fantastic. I've heard a number of Nikon users lament not having an option like that. Totally not useless.
by MonarchzMan
September 4th, 2014, 9:36 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Getting started with flash photography
Replies: 4
Views: 4079

Re: Getting started with flash photography

I'll generally shoot with MT-24EX twin flash for most of my macro work with a homemade diffuser (same as what Alex Wild uses for his invert photos). Otherwise, I'll use the 430EX flash with a softbox diffuser. Both work quite well in the tropics, in my experience. If I use the 430EX, I'll have it re...
by MonarchzMan
September 4th, 2014, 9:30 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: General Macro Questions
Replies: 10
Views: 5637

Re: General Macro Questions

I typically shoot in manual mode. For flash photography, I'll general shoot around f11 or f13 at 1/250 second and ISO at 100. I may shift that around to get the right lighting, but usually my first step is to adjust the exposure on the flash (which you should be able to do with the 60D, I would thin...
by MonarchzMan
September 4th, 2014, 9:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mississippi Herpers?
Replies: 1
Views: 1035

Re: Mississippi Herpers?

I've found Sternotherus and Kinosternon minor up in northern MS (minnow trap overnight with a piece of fish skin, and I had half a dozen turtles in the trap). I'd like to get down to southern MS to look for some Diamondbacks (both of the snake and the turtle varieties).
by MonarchzMan
August 4th, 2014, 1:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Head torches/headlamps
Replies: 57
Views: 31199

Re: Head torches

Andrew Kathriner wrote:No other zebra light users on here?
Check em out!
http://www.zebralight.com/
I'm a Zebralight user! I'm surprised there aren't more here. Absolutely love mine (the H600). Battery lasts forever. Incredibly bright. Incredibly light(weight). Highly recommended.
by MonarchzMan
May 28th, 2014, 7:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How were your Ambystoma this year? plus belly patterns
Replies: 14
Views: 2893

Re: How were your Ambystoma this year? plus belly patterns

I spent last week going through the southern Appalachians, and while I don't have long-term data on the salamanders there, I did notice finding Plethodons was very hit and miss. In some areas, I could find salamanders under every third log, and in others I could flip for hours and not come up with a...
by MonarchzMan
May 22nd, 2014, 10:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: tree frog I.D. help Agua Buena, Panama
Replies: 2
Views: 702

Re: tree frog I.D. help Agua Buena, Panama

Do you have any side shots or head shots? It strikes me as a Smilsca species, personally.
by MonarchzMan
May 14th, 2014, 6:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains - Good places to herp?
Replies: 3
Views: 1153

Re: Visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains - Good places to herp?

I'm going to be going up the Appalachians over the next week. I'm mainly going to be stationed in Tellico Plains, Erwin, and Whitetop, and hitting places along the way. I feel like I'll be in the range of the greatest variety of species in those areas.
by MonarchzMan
April 13th, 2014, 9:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!
Replies: 132
Views: 26916

Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

I should mention that by "collecting" this means that we'll be bringing some specimens back to camp for photographs then releasing back where they were found (i.e. "detaining")- as with all NAFHA events, this is a "no collecting" event. Just for clarification, it is ok...
by MonarchzMan
April 13th, 2014, 7:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!
Replies: 132
Views: 26916

Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

I'm 95% sure I'm going to go. I'm currently deciding if it's worth ducking out of the E.O. Wilson symposium thursday afternoon and getting there in the evening on thursday or coming down sometime friday.
by MonarchzMan
April 8th, 2014, 4:29 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Tips for night photography?
Replies: 9
Views: 4641

Re: Tips for night photography?

Diffusers will help greatly. You won't completely get rid of hotspots, but they won't be as large as a direct flash.
by MonarchzMan
February 23rd, 2014, 12:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!
Replies: 132
Views: 26916

Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

I'm going to chime in as a strong maybe. I'd really like to get that EDB that eluded me last year.
by MonarchzMan
February 23rd, 2014, 9:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NC/TN Salamandering Trip
Replies: 7
Views: 2071

Re: NC/TN Salamandering Trip

That's unfortunate to hear about the larger Plethodon. How about the smaller ones?
by MonarchzMan
February 23rd, 2014, 6:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NC/TN Salamandering Trip
Replies: 7
Views: 2071

Re: NC/TN Salamandering Trip

I'm going to bring waders to flip the rocks for Hellbenders. At least, that's the plan. We'll see if that actually happens. I suspect I'll be restricted to the edges and only flipping in still pools. So I may not get full grown adults, but larvae could be a possibility. I'm coming from Mississippi, ...
by MonarchzMan
February 22nd, 2014, 9:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NC/TN Salamandering Trip
Replies: 7
Views: 2071

Re: NC/TN Salamandering Trip

Sounds good and ordered :)

I'm glad for the recommendation because I was otherwise going to use my Conant and Collins and/or Audubon guide for ID, but I'm not confident in either for groups like Desmogs.
by MonarchzMan
February 21st, 2014, 9:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NC/TN Salamandering Trip
Replies: 7
Views: 2071

NC/TN Salamandering Trip

I'm 90% sure that I'm going to be doing a salamandering trip from March 7-16 along the NC/TN border. In conjunction with the PARC Year of the Salamander, I am doing my own Year of the Salamander photography project for the year to document as much salamander diversity as I can. NC/TN is almost a req...
by MonarchzMan
February 2nd, 2014, 1:03 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Playing with the new toy: Nitecore CU6
Replies: 18
Views: 11618

Re: Playing with the new toy: Nitecore CU6

I might have to consider getting one. I already have a Zebralight which uses the 18650s (which really lasts forever), so I have the equipment to charge (just would need more 18650s). I always kick myself not bringing my UV light, and it'd just be easiest to put it in the pack and forget about it (ma...
by MonarchzMan
February 2nd, 2014, 8:26 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Playing with the new toy: Nitecore CU6
Replies: 18
Views: 11618

Re: Playing with the new toy: Nitecore CU6

Any idea on how long the light lasts? I have a cheap UV flashlight which worked pretty well and has good throw, but I like that this one looks like it has pretty far throw and is much more compact (something I can toss and leave in my camera bag, which I can't really do with my current UV light). It...
by MonarchzMan
January 3rd, 2014, 8:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NAFHA SE Chapter 2014 Field Trip(s)?
Replies: 32
Views: 11931

Re: NAFHA SE Chapter 2014 Field Trip(s)?

I'm thinking of doing a salamandering trip in western NC, personally, in March. I'm in northern Mississippi, so I don't know how many I'd personally be able to participate in.
by MonarchzMan
December 13th, 2013, 8:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Indigo hunts in Conecuh 2014
Replies: 68
Views: 15041

Re: Indigo hunts in Conecuh 2014

I've been thinking of a trip south in January, and the 10-12 would be perfect for me.
by MonarchzMan
October 12th, 2013, 10:01 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Herps on White
Replies: 12
Views: 6306

Re: Herps on White

The big cost will be the camera equipment (having the remote flash is a must). I suspect you could do this pretty well with a bright LED light to light your white plastic substrate. White balancing it would be easy since you know exactly what color you wanted it. I have to say though, I'm not a big...
by MonarchzMan
October 12th, 2013, 9:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Purple and black Harlequin toad, is it real?
Replies: 12
Views: 7956

Re: Purple and black Harlequin toad, is it real?

The Atelopus is real and from Suriname (I believe). Great to see my Dendrobates auratus photo being used without permission and being incorrectly identified as Atelopus varius. :roll: I've been using your photos without permission to throw darts at, just an fyi. I love your stuff though, I really d...
by MonarchzMan
October 9th, 2013, 8:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Purple and black Harlequin toad, is it real?
Replies: 12
Views: 7956

Re: Purple and black Harlequin toad, is it real?

The Atelopus is real and from Suriname (I believe). Great to see my Dendrobates auratus photo being used without permission and being incorrectly identified as Atelopus varius. :roll:
by MonarchzMan
October 9th, 2013, 6:51 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Herps on White
Replies: 12
Views: 6306

Re: Herps on White

I think you could do the set up for less than $20 depending on the size you want your table to be. The acrylic was something like $6 for a 12"x12" sheet (estreetplastics.com; you want the 2447 white) and a couple bucks for the PVC and connectors. I make a diffuser for my twin flash to copy...
by MonarchzMan
October 9th, 2013, 6:35 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Herps on White
Replies: 12
Views: 6306

Re: Herps on White

Here is what I use, which works great for the smaller animals (I have been able to do a 7-8" Leptodactylus savagei on it, however). It breaks down and I can fit it all into my camera backpack. This is what I used in the tropics. I have a larger one, but it's cumbersome to take into the field (s...
by MonarchzMan
May 21st, 2013, 6:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Jean Lafitte Preserve Herp Survey
Replies: 8
Views: 2315

Re: Possible Jean Lafitte Preserve Herp Survey

I definitely enjoyed myself herping the area. Looking at the list of what has been found there, it's obvious that there were a number of species that avoided detection for the bioblitz. I would love to spend more time in the area (and in the other natural areas around NOLA of which there seems many)...
by MonarchzMan
May 16th, 2013, 8:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NPS/NatGeo Bioblitz - Jean Lafitte NP (New Orleans)
Replies: 5
Views: 2183

Re: NPS/NatGeo Bioblitz - Jean Lafitte NP (New Orleans)

I (J.P. Lawrence) think I will be on one of your surveys. I, and a friend, signed up for the longest of the herp surveys for each day. Something like 14 hours of herping all together :D
by MonarchzMan
May 7th, 2013, 3:00 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Adobe's slap in the face to long term photoshop users?
Replies: 8
Views: 4397

Re: Adobe's slap in the face to long term photoshop users?

There are a few things that I would like Photoshop for, but the majority of my editing is done in Lightroom. The price tag for Photoshop to begin with is steep for me, but I could manage the student edition if it came down to it. But I'm really not a fan of this monthly subscription service. $360 a ...
by MonarchzMan
April 25th, 2013, 3:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Photo piracy
Replies: 16
Views: 3480

Re: Photo piracy

I’ve come to the conclusion that if you’re sharing your photos on FaceBook, here, any other herp forum, Flickr, Photobucket, etc…you’re basically giving away the photo. There’s really nothing stopping someone from stealing your photo, cropping out the watermark and using it as they see fit. Sucks, ...
by MonarchzMan
April 24th, 2013, 4:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Photo piracy
Replies: 16
Views: 3480

Re: Photo piracy

Seems as though since this was published, IFLS has started including sources/credits of photos it posts.