2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Moderator: Scott Waters
2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
One good thing about being an unambitious, semi-reclusive, ill-tempered herper with several good herper friends, strong legs, a camera, free time, and a NM address is that you're bound to bump into good sights here and there. These shots are random reposts from 2008 & 9. They're entirely from NM & AZ w/ a few from UT. Just whiz through them.....they're all reruns.
Re: 2 years of photos from the NM & AZ....reposts
That's plenty.
York
Re: 2 years of photos from the NM & AZ....reposts
Your posts always kick ass..
Question on this one
Is that two different species fighting like that??? Sure looks like it from the photo..
Fundad
Question on this one
Is that two different species fighting like that??? Sure looks like it from the photo..
Fundad
Re: 2 years of photos from the NM & AZ....reposts
Hey, Fundad....I really appreciate it, Man. You win the obscure-question-of-the-post award!! Hell, I have no idea if they're the same species. I stopped at a store in southern AZ because I was outta beer, and these dudes were fighting in the parking lot. I assumed they were 2 males of the same species fighting over beef jerky rights. A coupla mo that I managed to shoot before the Tecate jones trumped the photo shoot:Y.Morgan wrote:Is that two different species fighting like that??? Sure looks like it from the photo..
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Great series....can't think of too many species that aren't represented here. Some of those shots are quite picturesque (do I win the obscure word of the post award?).
Job well done.
-Kris
Job well done.
-Kris
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
That was an incredible photo post!! I enjoyed all the various non herp photos and of course, the diversity of species is amazing!!
It really makes me wonder why I live in Quebec?? hehe I gotta go down to Arizona one of these days...
It really makes me wonder why I live in Quebec?? hehe I gotta go down to Arizona one of these days...
- M.J.FRANETOVICH
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Yes I could not agree more!!!!! Great post and great photography work many of those shot's really caught my eye
><)))%>
Mel
><)))%>
Mel
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
I think this qualifies easily for an EPIC stamp.
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
thorn in the quick of the nail!!!!!!!.......BEEN THERE .....FELT THAT!!!!!!.........EFIN A!!!!!!!
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Beautiful shots-I especially like the in-situ's.....
nice one of the black bear;and that second blacktail's a screamin' darky
nice one of the black bear;and that second blacktail's a screamin' darky
WTF?.....been trying to figure this one out for a minute or twoY.Morgan wrote:
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
looks to me like the calf got stuck and the cow died mid-delivery. it happens
- Ross Padilla
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Wow, those are some incredible places you've been and finds you've made. I love that baby Gila! Don't see those posted too often. Also, the really light colored Speckled rattlesnakes were awesome! Great post! Did the border patrol come ask you what you were doing?
- Sam Murray
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
What a collection of photos! Incredible!
- Dell Despain
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
I remember a lot of these, others not so much. Thanks for the re-posting.
Sweet.
I mean that is fricken sweet looking!
-Dell
Sweet.
I mean that is fricken sweet looking!
-Dell
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Ok, now I'm late for work! "...but you gotta understand, it was the funnest post ever...".
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Thanks for all the kind words, y'all!
Border Patrol asks me what I'm doing nearly every day. They obviously get lots of etiquette training, because they are ALWAYS very cool with me.
I've been lucky to see 2 really young Gilas. Both were so clumsy, they would trip and bump their chins as they walked. Talk about temptation! It was hard watching them crawl away, knowing they mightn't even survive the night.Ross Padilla wrote:I love that baby Gila! Don't see those posted too often. Did the border patrol come ask you what you were doing?
Border Patrol asks me what I'm doing nearly every day. They obviously get lots of etiquette training, because they are ALWAYS very cool with me.
Bingo. Not a pretty sight or smell. I was actually photographing the unlikely juxtaposition of the cow's bloated, fly-infested body against some beautiful red cliffs for more than 5 minutes when I finally walked around her and discovered the cause of her death.VanAR wrote:looks to me like the calf got stuck and the cow died mid-delivery. it happens
I'm trying to do a better job of scheduling my falls, so that I avoid landing on agaves in the future.bobassetto wrote:thorn in the quick of the nail!!!!!!!.......BEEN THERE .....FELT THAT!!!!!!.........EFIN A!!!!!!!
Thanks, Kris. You had it in the bag until I said "juxtaposition".azatrox wrote:Some of those shots are quite picturesque (do I win the obscure word of the post award?).
- Ross Padilla
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Oh yeah, I could only imagine. I'd love to have one, but they were going for $1,300 last time I heard. I have more important things I have to do with that 1,300.Y.Morgan wrote:Talk about temptation!
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Fabulous post! Man I miss it down there. Especially the Gila...
-Marisa
-Marisa
- Jay Jacoby
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Amazing stuff. You have captured so much, and I feel a sence of humor to many of these shots.
Well done.
J. Jacoby
Well done.
J. Jacoby
- Mike Rochford
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Amazing. Your posts have me wishing for warmer weather. Maybe next week. I love the habitat shots just as much as the many, many cool animals you posted. Some of those NM blacktails are stunning. And after that shot of the blacktail in the talus I've decided I'm hunting that stuff from the top down. By the way, any tips on how to hunt talus in a way that minimizes the number of rocks that are displaced? I want to be as low-impact as possible.
I'll be coming back to this post many times, I'm sure.
Mike
I'll be coming back to this post many times, I'm sure.
Mike
- DaneConley
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
The black tails are absoulutly amazing.
That bite looks bad...
Thorn in the nail....shutter, that looks painful
Nice post!
That bite looks bad...
Thorn in the nail....shutter, that looks painful
Nice post!
- Kent VanSooy
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Tried to whiz through, but couldn't! Loved 'em all, from the end of the rainbow shot at the start to what I thought was a dead Gila coming back to life at the end. THANKS !!
- geckoguy747
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
seriously the greatest post ever!
josh
josh
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
I've been a "lurker" for over a year. This post compelled me to register. Without a doubt an awsome post, even without text. So beautiful. Very, very nice.
- Brian Willey
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Now that was one entertaining post!
- ahockenberry
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
WOW !
I was completely mesmerized the whole way through this post
Amazing and wonderful
Great Coral Snake
Awesome everything !
I was completely mesmerized the whole way through this post
Amazing and wonderful
Great Coral Snake
Awesome everything !
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Thanks for the post. I wasn't around before the crash so all of these are new to me. Epic stuff, especially the baby Gila. So sick looking all miniaturized like that.
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Mike Rochford asked: By the way, any tips on how to hunt talus in a way that minimizes the number of rocks that are displaced? I want to be as low-impact as possible.
Allow me to interject...I seldom hike the middle of the talus (in part because like you, I want to be low impact)...I've had good luck hiking the base and sides...Doing so has allowed me to see a variety of herps (i.e. pricei, willardi, molossus, etc) without slipping and sliding all over the place.
It's funny because whenever I go to one of the better known talus slides in Az, I almost always see people hiking smack dab in the middle of the slide...I've never had much luck with that personally...Makes ALOT of noise and most animals slip further down into the rockpile before you even get a chance to see them...(they no doubt feel the thunderous vibration of your footfalls long before they come into your field of view).
Of course, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that I've fallen more than a time or two while hiking talus, and this has also contributed to my current "base and sides" strategy....The talus is not solid and even seemingly solid footholds can slip from underfoot in the blink of an eye...
As much as it pains me to admit, I am not a talus ninja.
-Kris
Allow me to interject...I seldom hike the middle of the talus (in part because like you, I want to be low impact)...I've had good luck hiking the base and sides...Doing so has allowed me to see a variety of herps (i.e. pricei, willardi, molossus, etc) without slipping and sliding all over the place.
It's funny because whenever I go to one of the better known talus slides in Az, I almost always see people hiking smack dab in the middle of the slide...I've never had much luck with that personally...Makes ALOT of noise and most animals slip further down into the rockpile before you even get a chance to see them...(they no doubt feel the thunderous vibration of your footfalls long before they come into your field of view).
Of course, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that I've fallen more than a time or two while hiking talus, and this has also contributed to my current "base and sides" strategy....The talus is not solid and even seemingly solid footholds can slip from underfoot in the blink of an eye...
As much as it pains me to admit, I am not a talus ninja.
-Kris
- John Martin
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
As others have said, epic post! So many good pics I can't choose a favorite, but the kestrel dismembering the zebra tailed was cool. And I really liked the way you inserted the "lepidus hopper" right after the lepidus. Those light specks were some of the most stunning rattlesnakes I've ever seen!
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
I really appreciate everyone's kindness. Thanks so much!
Cool....I'm glad you noticed that!John Martin wrote:And I really liked the way you inserted the "lepidus hopper" right after the lepidus.
Welcome to the Forum, Chris. Your joining just to post a compliment is the ultimate compliment. Thanks!Chris Spearen wrote:I've been a "lurker" for over a year. This post compelled me to register. Without a doubt an awsome post, even without text. So beautiful. Very, very nice.
Thanks for your comments, Mike. I'm jonesing for warm weather too! As far as talus tips, I agree mostly with what Kris said, but I should also point out that I'm hardly qualified to expound as I'm a talus goober and have the scars to prove it. The lowest impact, obviously, is to avoid talus altogether and hike in more stable (but rocky) terrain. Equally obvious: steeper slope = more difficult to traverse. Talus slides form at the angle of repose, so are inherently unstable. Rock size plays a large part in determining the slope's stability; so that, for example, a slope built of multi-sized rocks can be more stable because the rocks tie each other in. A slope of same-sized rocks (and steep) might fail quickly when you step on it, and then you've caused a real mess of the slope. Slate-like talus (i.e. thin, flat rocks) are going to slide easily. Lichen-covered rocks typically indicate a slope that hasn't failed recently. Since talus slides are typically concave, the center of the "bowl" can be the most stable part. That's all I've got! For me, the real rush is hiking miles into "new" areas and finding my own rocky terrain that hasn't been trampled by herpers and doesn't necessarily include talus. Those locations can be gems....or not.Mike Rochford wrote:By the way, any tips on how to hunt talus in a way that minimizes the number of rocks that are displaced? I want to be as low-impact as possible.
How did that work out for you? If I were your supervisor, I'd totally understand. Thanks!monklet wrote:"...but you gotta understand, it was the funnest post ever...".
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Beautiful photography, kick azz critters, spectacular scenery, very cool composition. Really got me jonsin for spring. Three feet of snow gotta go before I can even see the ground.
I particularly enjoyed the pictographs and the snake in the ruins. I'm envious of that stuff as much as I am of the critters you got down there. I'd prolly end up wandering in the ruins and picking up sherds and points and forgeting the critters.
Can you refresh my memory about the bite? I'm pretty sure I dimmly remember reading about it before but it musta leaked out of the hole in my head.
I particularly enjoyed the pictographs and the snake in the ruins. I'm envious of that stuff as much as I am of the critters you got down there. I'd prolly end up wandering in the ruins and picking up sherds and points and forgeting the critters.
Can you refresh my memory about the bite? I'm pretty sure I dimmly remember reading about it before but it musta leaked out of the hole in my head.
- M.J.FRANETOVICH
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Just wanted to see this one back on top again
><)))%>
~Mel~
><)))%>
~Mel~
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
WOW, so many great photos in there. Hard to pick favorites but I really liked the nightsnake drinking on the road. I also cant get enough of those white specks! Awesome. Whats the story with your arm?
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
They fired my ass ...but it was worth it. ...and besides, now I'll have more time to herp this SpringHow did that work out for you? If I were your supervisor, I'd totally understand. Thanks!
- walk-about
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Totally KICK-ASS!!!!!!!!!!! WoW! Thanks for the trip.
Rock ON!
Rock ON!
Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Thanks again, y'all, for the kudos.
Whew! I"m glad nuthin' serious came of it.monklet wrote:They fired my ass ...but it was worth it. ...and besides, now I'll have more time to herp this Spring
Thanks! Not much to the bite really. I got a little overzealous trying to tail a banded rock rattler as it tried to dive for cover and received my just reward. Hurt like a mofo for 2 days and then I was back at it. Those lil bastards hurt!Kfen wrote:Whats the story with your arm?
HA! You're killing me. Very funny!M.J.FRANETOVICH wrote:Just wanted to see this one back on top again
I hear you! Ruins are fantastic. From what I've read, there are hundreds of known sites along the Gila within 1 mile of the Cliff Dwellings. If that's your thang, that's my recommendation. You might even turn up a critter or 2.mikez wrote:I particularly enjoyed the pictographs and the snake in the ruins. I'm envious of that stuff as much as I am of the critters you got down there. I'd prolly end up wandering in the ruins and picking up sherds and points and forgeting the critters.
- M.J.FRANETOVICH
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Re: 2 years of photos from NM & AZ....reposts
Now you have to do a blacktail post! What range is that really brown one from? (the one after the the lyres) I would have PM'd you but I guess you're not in to that kinda thing...? Thanks for posting!
-Will
-Will