Some Summer Finds

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Adam Cooner
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Joined: July 8th, 2010, 3:50 pm
Location: Calera, AL

Some Summer Finds

Post by Adam Cooner »

I've done a little herping since last we talked, though not as much as I would like (y'know . . . all day, every day . . . except on football Saturdays).

I made the solo journey to Walker County, Georgia, when Chris and Robb were rained out at the end of their "See All the Salamanders in the State" trip in July.

I found my target but didn't spend much time looking for anything else and headed back to Alabama.

ImagePigeon Mountain Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr

ImagePigeon Mountain Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr

Two days later, I photographed a cave salamander at the southern extent of their range in Jefferson County, Alabama.

Here's the best in situ photo I could get.

ImageCave Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr

. . . and here's a view from the summit (an entire mountain's not too specific is it?)

ImageBirmingham from Ruffner Mountain by adamcooner, on Flickr

On the same trip, I flipped my way along a mostly-dry creek bed and found this red salamander.

In situ . . .

ImageNorthern Red Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr

. . . and a little cleaned up for the camera.

ImageNorthern Red Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr

Later that week, I would nail down a good spot for finding brownback salamanders and later take Chris and Robb along to find what had been a borderline obsession for Chris (he knows it's true).

Prior to making it that far, Robb found this lovely midland water snake.

ImageMidland Water Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr

The habitat we found the brownbacks in is in pretty sad shape. We flipped several under garbage like Cheeto's bags and dirty mop heads, but, to quote Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) from Jurassic Park, "Life, uh, finds a way."

ImageBrownback Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr

I then took Robb back to my cave spot so he could get his lifer.

ImageCave Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr

I've been trying to remember to take more habitat shots.

ImageLittle Cahaba River by adamcooner, on Flickr

ImageCahaba River by adamcooner, on Flickr

We visited my parents' place in Walker County, Alabama, for Labor Day, and I found a couple of things flipping rocks in the oppressive heat.

ImageLong-tailed Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr

ImageSouthern Ringneck Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr

As always, thanks for looking!
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Kyle from Carolina
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Location: western MA and NC

Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by Kyle from Carolina »

Sweet sallys. The colors on that watersnake remind me of an eastern milk.
simpleyork
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Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by simpleyork »

Sweet! Is that water snake smiling?
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Noah M
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Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by Noah M »

It seems like taking good pictures of salamanders is difficult, dare I say an art really. I know the few attempts I have made usually end in less than satisfactory results. But your salamander photos are great, and really expressive. I like the 2nd cave salamander photo in particular.
Carl D. May
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Joined: June 2nd, 2011, 4:17 am

Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by Carl D. May »

captainjack0000 wrote:It seems like taking good pictures of salamanders is difficult, dare I say an art really. I know the few attempts I have made usually end in less than satisfactory results. But your salamander photos are great, and really expressive. I like the 2nd cave salamander photo in particular.
Agree. Getting good photos of salamanders (and frogs!) is hard for me. But these shots are superb.
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soulsurvivor
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Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by soulsurvivor »

I'm not usually a Nerodia fan, but I love that water snake! Beautiful colors. Reminds me of some of those thayeri variations.

~Bree
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BillMcGighan
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Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by BillMcGighan »

Good stuff, Adam.
I love the Cave salamander "in situ".
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Adam Cooner
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Joined: July 8th, 2010, 3:50 pm
Location: Calera, AL

Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by Adam Cooner »

Thanks, everyone!
Tamara D. McConnell
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Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

God, I wish I could produce salamander photos like that. So very beautiful.
Ecto Hunter
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Joined: August 27th, 2010, 3:00 pm
Location: AL & GA

Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by Ecto Hunter »

Somehow this post got past me. Excellent photos, Adam. Herping with you this summer has been memorable, to say the least. Thanks for showing me some cool animals and places. Hopefully, once you're allowed a "mancation," I can return the favor.


-Robb
Barry R
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Location: Shawnee Hills, IN

Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by Barry R »

good stuff Adam
HerpMan ATL
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Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by HerpMan ATL »

Some great finds and excellent photos. Ive been trying to take more habitat photos too. Usually use my phone for those because I dont wanna change lenses.
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Tim Borski
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Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by Tim Borski »

That first Red salamander is the bomb. I need a tissue.

Tim
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Rich in Reptiles
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Re: Some Summer Finds

Post by Rich in Reptiles »

Beautiful post!
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