Getting around...

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

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brick911
Posts: 3488
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:52 am
Location: Morrisville, PA

Getting around...

Post by brick911 »

I haven't had any herp-specific trips lately, but I always find a way to work some herping into other activities. I went camping last week in Gettysburg. I checked out the local creek, and did get a few hours to venture a little, but nothing crazy. It was 100 degrees there, so if you assume I found nothing good, you're right. But still, a herp is a herp. If I'm gonna be sweating my face off anyway, I might as well be finding common stuff. Here's the summary. *Don't get bent out of shape about Gettysburg being a locale. Nothing worthwhile was found near there.

So much for the high temperature forecast.

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Lithobates sylvaticus... Wood Frog

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Diadophis punctatus edwardsi... Northern Ring-necked Snake

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Check out this vicious one. If you make fun of their mother's they get testy.

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When I had mapped out where I'd want to look if I had the time, this was like my first stop. Like totally. But don't be fooled. If you were looking to poach bullfrogs, this is not the place to be. I didn't even see water nearby.

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Dude, whatever. I like butterflies. I ain't chasing them around frolicking with a net, but if one lands close enough to me, I'll practice my stealth. Get off my back.

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I was very lazy with posing in the heat. Yes, its an excuse. Maybe not a good one, but I'm going with it. A lot of the stuff I found, I won't even post. If you're really interested, you can check the database for my crappy voucher pics.

Lithobates clamitans melanota... Northern Green Frog

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I went to take a pic of a gorgeous milk and it slithered away and this stupid weed was the only thing left in the shot.

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I had a very brief moment of joy as at first glance, I thought this was a spade. I might be crazy, but if you look at real quick it looks like it has some lines down its back. Of course, no dice.

Anaryxus americanus americanus... Eastern American Toad

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I found this bowling pin in the middle of nowhere. For real. I wasn't even finding beer bottles, and that's saying a lot.

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Heart breaker, DOR warning.

Crotalus horridus... Timber Rattlesnake

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Here's some habitat shots. If y'all never need someone to find you awesome habitat that should have a ton of snakes, but without those pesky things, I'm your man.

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Eurycea bisleanata... Northern Two-lined Salamander

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A black rat came to this rock to ponder his existence and left his old self behind. (It's getting late.)

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Lithobates palustris... Pickerel Frog

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Nerodia sipedon sipedon... Water Moccasin (These are poisonous.)

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And finally, some of these which was great as they are a personal favorite.

Eurycea longicauda longicauda... Long-tailed Salamander

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Ok then, next up was the shore. I checked out one spot that I had found last time, and four new spots either on the way down or the way back. The ones that didn't end up being private property have a lot of promise, yet, I didn't find much. Which means, here comes more butterflies.

I left at 5:30 in the morning to squeeze in some herping time.

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A WHOLE lot different then it was seven days ago...

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With the lack of heat, I spent more time photographing and was armed with my macro. I'm trying to get better.

Anaryxus fowleri... Fowler's Toad

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Carphophis amoenus amoenus... Eastern Worm Snake

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The boys on what was deemed private property. But there was some stupid handwritten sign about 300 yards in from where we parked, and no other posted signs letting you know ahead of time. It was looking like there was some good habitat too.

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Coluber constrictor constrictor... Northern Black Racer

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Scincella lateralis... Little Brown Skink

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Talk about dead and laying in the gutter.

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Acris crepitans crepitans... Northern Cricket Frog

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Yeah, yeah. It was pretty, ok?!

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Then today, I had time for one more spot and it ended up looking like it may be good when its not August 1st. It turned up one juvy racer, and I took a bunch of pics since I knew this was my only shot to practice for the day. That, and I never find patterned little ones... always the adults, so it might as well been a different species. :)

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And finally, my favorite pic of the day:

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Thanks for looking,
Bob
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John Martin
Posts: 515
Joined: June 9th, 2010, 10:57 pm
Location: North end of Lake Okeechobee, Florida

Re: Getting around...

Post by John Martin »

Good stuff Bob! :thumb: I would say your macro practice is paying off. The pattern on that baby Coluber is stunning!! And I love to photograph insects too, they are awesome subjects.
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brick911
Posts: 3488
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:52 am
Location: Morrisville, PA

Re: Getting around...

Post by brick911 »

Thanks. Yeah, I thought the juvy racer was brilliant! And I love that macro lens; when I can nail the shots. :?
joeysgreen
Posts: 523
Joined: June 11th, 2010, 9:09 pm
Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Re: Getting around...

Post by joeysgreen »

Cool stuff. I can't imagine 100F, I don't think I've ever experienced anything close. Humerous commentary, keep it up :)

Ian
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Tim Borski
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Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:28 am
Location: FL Keys
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Re: Getting around...

Post by Tim Borski »

That juvie Racer rocks! (Especially the macro of its pattern in detail.)
Your first butterfly is a Spicebush Swallowtail. #2 is a Northern Buckeye.
Bob, for what it's worth, I take pics of butterflies all the time...just don't have the cajones to post'em. Yet. :mrgreen:
Thanks for giving us a look.
Tim
Paul White
Posts: 2288
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:52 pm
Location: Amarillo, Texas

Re: Getting around...

Post by Paul White »

You are not alone. Remember that. Photographing butterflies is a natural reaction. ;)

at my father in law's birthday party
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Josh Vandermeulen
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Joined: June 14th, 2010, 9:11 pm
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Re: Getting around...

Post by Josh Vandermeulen »

Cool post Bob - you did alright considering they weren't necessarily herp related trips. Loved the macros of the fowleri, Coluber constrictor and the Carphophis.

Nice bowling pin too, sweet find!!!!

Josh
Robert Mendyk
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Joined: June 12th, 2010, 9:16 pm
Location: Long Island, New York
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Re: Getting around...

Post by Robert Mendyk »

Great post! Those Eurycea longicauda are personal favorites of mine as well- saw some spectacular individuals in Valley Forge State Park earlier this summer.
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Carl Koch
Posts: 435
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:45 pm
Location: West Milwaukee, WI

Re: Getting around...

Post by Carl Koch »

Dude, you've validated me! I love shooting other stuff besides herps, and I'm too stupid NOT to post non-herps. Great stuff, especially the longicauda, worm snake, and li'l racer. Nice macro work!
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