Herper of the Month |
| May
2007 |
| David
Tobler |
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"Ever since I could remember
I've been interested in reptiles and amphibians. Growing up in Livermore,CA
I can remember chasing down fence lizards, bullfrogs and alligator
lizards. My family would take camping trips to Del Valle, as well
as Mt. Diablo. I'd rarely see snakes as a child, and the occasional
one would almost always be a garter." |
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"At the age of 11
my family moved Clovis, located next to Fresno,CA. Luckily for
me, my friend's brother down the street had some snakes and a
strong interest in herps. I'd frequently visit their house, spending
hours peering into the snake cages and flipping through various
issues of The Vivarium magazine. Before entering high school I
had heard from a friend, of a biology teacher who kept a "room
full of snakes". I specifically asked for this teacher as
my freshman year bio teacher. His name was Bill Cochran, who at
that time played a very influential role in my continued interest
of herpetology. The now late Bill Cochran at that time kept several
species of kingsnakes and milksnakes at his home in Clovis,CA.
He'd tell stories of finding various lizards throughout the Mojave
Desert, and I had envisioned myself one day doing the very same
thing." |
|
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"I would
have to say that since I've joined this forum, my interest for
herps has growed exponentially greater. Until a few years ago,
I had minimal interest in native herpetofauna. My focus was more
on exotic herps such as Varanids, Dendrobatids, and pythons in
the genus Morelia. At this point, my interest is primarily on
native crotes and San Joaquin Valley aberrant kingsnakes."
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|
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"Through FieldHerpForum,
I feel I've been given a re-education on herps and how they co-exist
with us in this world. My longtime friend Bobby Mac Gregor has been
a great herping buddy, and helped push me to become a better herper.
I have learned a great deal about native fauna and flora from Robert
Hansen. Brian Hubbs, Brian Hinds, and Jon Siefer have all influenced
my herping, in particular that of finding Sierra Mt. Kingsnakes
and California Kingsnakes."
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"This
past year I have pushed myself to become a better herp photographer.
Brad Alexander, Robert Hansen, and JP have all given me great advice
on how to improve my photography, and I thank them for that. I have
looked to their work, including various other herpers on this forum,
as the standard of great herp photography. With some luck and a lot
of time in the field, I hope to obtain my goal of finding and photographing
every herp species in Fresno Co."
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