Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouver?

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Warren
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Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouver?

Post by Warren »

Day 1 @ WCH 7: I just arrived, and I'm wondering which forum members are here.
The sun is shining!

Warren
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Warren
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Warren »

In the opening speech Harry Greene promoted the Rise Against Rattlesnake Roundups organization. In front of the entire herpetological academic world!
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Warren
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Warren »

Day 2 @ WCH 7: AMAZING TED-style talk by Tyrone Hayes.

Here he is giving an actual TED talk, but with a partner:

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gbin
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by gbin »

I wish! Vancouver just may be my favorite city, and it sounds like a great meeting!

Tyrone Hayes is a real hero in the scientific world. I mean, to the point where someone should make a movie about him and his story. We need more such.
(Not that Harry Greene is a slouch! ;) )

Gerry
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Warren
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Warren »

View of my hotel. Just watched Burbrink and Grismer, then walked 100 m to a path through temperate rainforest, then into a rose garden. It is so beautiful here!!!

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View from the front step of my hotel:

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This area is developed, but 100 m to the left the land slopes down to the water, punctuated by gardens and beautiful trees.
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DaneConley
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by DaneConley »

I was in Vancouver about 2 weeks ago. Its a really cool city. I really wish I was able to go to the meeting.
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MaartenSFS
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by MaartenSFS »

The only problem with Vancouver, though, is that I don't live there. :cry:
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Warren
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Warren »

Day 3 @ WCH 7: Went herping last night with a local biologist and found adults and tadpoles of Tailed Frogs:

"The Tailed Frog retains more primitive characteristics than any other living frog and is the only member of the family Ascaphidae; its closest relatives reside in New Zealand. With a life span of 15 to 20 years, the Tailed Frog is one of the world’s longest lived frogs. It also has the longest larval (tadpole) phase and takes longer to reach sexual maturity than any other North American frog. The age at which it begins breeding – 8 or 9 years – is roughly twice that of other species."

Cool beans!
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Scott Waters
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Scott Waters »

Herp Nation is there. Stop by and say hello to Jeremiah.

Have fun. Wish I could have attended!

Scott
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Chris Smith
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Chris Smith »

Keep us all posted! I wish I could of made it this year but wasn't in the cards (or the budget).

-Chris
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Warren
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Warren »

I took a walk around the exhibitor area and ran into Jeremiah Easter at the Herp Nation magazine booth. This was my first time seeing the magazine, and it is amazing!
Thick, glossy pages, beautiful photos, and almost no commercials. I recognized most of the authors, and it was like holding FHF in my hand! Jeremiah was super friendly and answered all my questions.
Herp Nation is not just the only field herping magazine in the world - it's almost a work of art!

I also visited another booth with a solution for amphibian roadkill. They claimed that, at least in one national park, salamanders would not use metal culverts to cross under roads. Check out their products! They're listed under the "Products" tab.

I had a nice chat with Leslie Anthony (the author of "Snakebit"), and I keep running into forum members, famous biologists, and all-around cool people. I'm loving the World Herp Congress in Vancouver!
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by ksuglennj »

Count me in as being here. It's been a great meeting so far. Looking forward to getting out a bit after things are done.

Glenn
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by ahockenberry »

Warren
Thanks for sharing - great stuff !
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Warren
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Warren »

Day 4 @ WCH 7: Just watched Gil Wizen give a great talk about the beetle that eats frogs:

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Watched Jesus Rivas talk about anacondas:

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And watched Jonathan Losos from Harvard talk about the Horned Anole:

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(Photo by Luke Mahler)
joeysgreen
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by joeysgreen »

Hey Warren, I wish I had seen this when I was there. Didn't have internet access. I didn't have much opportunity to look for tailed frogs, but when I did, I wasn't as lucky. What I did find were plenty of long-toe salamanders, redbacks, and northwestern salamanders (larvae only). Only one herp on the trip, a valley gartersnake. Even passed through the Okanagan on the way home and still only found more longtoes (yes, in the desert, during a heatwave), and a lifer pacific treefrog.

I got to know Jeremiah pretty well; dude, you're an all-round swell guy :) Couldn't win at volleyball worth a darn though!!
Lots of intense and informative talks; and met many of my unofficial mentors and got them to sign my text books and field guides.

Now I have four years to save up for a trip to the 8th meeting in China; here's to wishing :beer:

Ian
Robert Hansen
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Robert Hansen »

A number of WCH pics have been posted on the Herp Review Facebook page, FYI.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Herp-Rev ... 4018791286
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Kyle from Carolina
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Kyle from Carolina »

Warren,
This is a somewhat late and unrelated reply to your post but I noticed that you as well as joeysgreen are located in the central Alberta area. As someone who just moved to Edmonton from North Carolina, it's nice to see other herpers this far north. Got any interesting pics/finds from Western Canada this year?
joeysgreen
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by joeysgreen »

ah, you moved to Edmonton from Carolina? You poor herp'n soul! I'd be happy to show you around for what we do have :) You just missed the ERAS meeting last night, perhaps we'll see you next month?

I'll make a western Canada post at a later date this year; photobucket is frozen at the moment but I had a C.viridis to share. Another time :?

Ian
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Warren
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Warren »

Day 5 @ WCH 7: watched the beautiful Rachunliu Kamei talk about the new caecilian family she helped discover in India:

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Watched Dante Fenolio talk about saving frogs in Chile:

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And watched Blair Hedges talk about CaribHerp:

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Warren
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Re: Are you at the World Congress of Herpetology in Vancouve

Post by Warren »

Day 6 @ WCH 7: had a behind-the-scenes tour of the Beaty museum on the conference grounds and viewed the blue whale skeleton:

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(Photo by Szymek S on flickr)


Watched Sarig Gafny talk about the rediscovery of the extinct Hula Painted Frog:

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And watched Rulon Clark talk about rattlesnake psychology using robotic squirrels:

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It's been a great week in Vancouver!

Warren
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