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.
Pigeon Mountain Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Pigeon 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.
Cave Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
. . . and here's a view from the summit (an entire mountain's not too specific is it?)
Birmingham 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 . . .
Northern Red Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
. . . and a little cleaned up for the camera.
Northern 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.
Midland 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."
Brownback Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
I then took Robb back to my cave spot so he could get his lifer.
Cave Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
I've been trying to remember to take more habitat shots.
Little Cahaba River by adamcooner, on Flickr
Cahaba 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.
Long-tailed Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Southern Ringneck Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr
As always, thanks for looking!
Some Summer Finds
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Kyle from Carolina
- Posts: 221
- Joined: May 3rd, 2012, 8:12 pm
- Location: western MA and NC
Re: Some Summer Finds
Sweet sallys. The colors on that watersnake remind me of an eastern milk.
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- Posts: 513
- Joined: March 6th, 2012, 12:45 pm
- Location: utah
Re: Some Summer Finds
Sweet! Is that water snake smiling?
Re: Some Summer Finds
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.
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- Posts: 362
- Joined: June 2nd, 2011, 4:17 am
Re: Some Summer Finds
Agree. Getting good photos of salamanders (and frogs!) is hard for me. But these shots are superb.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.
- soulsurvivor
- Posts: 530
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- Location: NE Florida
- Contact:
Re: Some Summer Finds
I'm not usually a Nerodia fan, but I love that water snake! Beautiful colors. Reminds me of some of those thayeri variations.
~Bree
~Bree
- BillMcGighan
- Posts: 2362
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
- Location: Unicoi, TN
Re: Some Summer Finds
Good stuff, Adam.
I love the Cave salamander "in situ".
I love the Cave salamander "in situ".
- Adam Cooner
- Posts: 247
- Joined: July 8th, 2010, 3:50 pm
- Location: Calera, AL
Re: Some Summer Finds
Thanks, everyone!
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- Posts: 2248
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:42 am
Re: Some Summer Finds
God, I wish I could produce salamander photos like that. So very beautiful.
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- Posts: 276
- Joined: August 27th, 2010, 3:00 pm
- Location: AL & GA
Re: Some Summer Finds
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
-Robb
Re: Some Summer Finds
good stuff Adam
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- Posts: 84
- Joined: August 30th, 2014, 12:36 pm
Re: Some Summer Finds
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.
- Tim Borski
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Re: Some Summer Finds
That first Red salamander is the bomb. I need a tissue.
Tim
Tim
- Rich in Reptiles
- Posts: 494
- Joined: November 30th, 2012, 7:45 am
- Location: Missouri
Re: Some Summer Finds
Beautiful post!