Search found 849 matches

by Andy Avram
August 23rd, 2016, 5:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa and Namibia Lizard ID help...
Replies: 5
Views: 4022

Re: South Africa and Namibia Lizard ID help...

Thanks again for the ID help. I was not going to get to that frog on my own. Mike, It was an awesome trip. I didn't take much habitat shots. I didn't really end up bringing a good camera. I had to bring a lot of stuff for school and I did it all with carry-on. Binoculars trumped camera this time. Bu...
by Andy Avram
August 23rd, 2016, 4:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa and Namibia Lizard ID help...
Replies: 5
Views: 4022

Re: South Africa and Namibia Lizard ID help...

Thanks Mariquensis! So just to be clear. You aren't making a call on the fist skink pictured? Both the second and third are Striped Skinks? And I forgot to post this frog up too: http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa279/andy_avram/IMG_0320_zpsadhsbv0h.jpg It was found in Skukuza, Kruger. I think it ...
by Andy Avram
August 22nd, 2016, 5:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa and Namibia Lizard ID help...
Replies: 5
Views: 4022

South Africa and Namibia Lizard ID help...

Looking for a little help on some South Africa and Namibia herps. Unfortunately, I didn’t see more herps, but those skinks are not easy to ID! This is not my picture. I accidentally deleted mine. But this skink was seen in Windhoek, Namibia. I am sort of thinking either Striped Skink (Mabuya striata...
by Andy Avram
July 20th, 2016, 12:05 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: What is this aquatic mammal?
Replies: 18
Views: 24502

Re: What is this aquatic mammal?

You are trying too hard! There is nothing that says anything other than mink for this animal. Shape is right, tail is right, coloration is a perfect match, habitat is correct. Your animal is textbook perfect for mink. Weasels are much less bulky and would show white (or cream) on the jaw. Weasels al...
by Andy Avram
July 18th, 2016, 2:49 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: What is this aquatic mammal?
Replies: 18
Views: 24502

Re: What is this aquatic mammal?

Yes, it is certainly a mink. I've always thought they looked like a small otter with a less sleek hair.
by Andy Avram
July 7th, 2016, 6:17 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Crow or Raven?
Replies: 5
Views: 15006

Re: Crow or Raven?

Ravens. A few other details to look for. Ravens soar, crows may glide but they don't soar. There is a huge size difference between the birds, and proportionately a ravens beak is much bigger too. The easiest thing to look for is when they are flying overhead the tail of a raven will appear wedge sha...
by Andy Avram
July 2nd, 2016, 12:26 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: HELP! Two binocular questions
Replies: 18
Views: 38786

Re: HELP! Two binocular questions

I really agree with most everything that this thread has stated so far. I used a Vortex Razor 8x42 and love them. Granted I got a a heck of deal on mine, and they price has substantially gone up, but (and in general I hate plugging brands) I really love the company. Their optics usually get compared...
by Andy Avram
June 4th, 2016, 11:28 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: The Fight for 500... (5/28/16 - FINISHED)
Replies: 29
Views: 35835

Re: The Fight for 500... (5/28/16 - FINISHED)

Congrats! I've had Swainson's Warbler on my lifelist for 20 years, and I've heard dozens over that time, but I still haven't ever seen one. Your bird may have been drunk or something, because the ones I've found usually call behind an impenetrable wall of bramble, cane, and brush at the edge of a t...
by Andy Avram
May 28th, 2016, 5:44 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: The Fight for 500... (5/28/16 - FINISHED)
Replies: 29
Views: 35835

Re: The Fight for 500... (5/28/16 - FINISHED)

I needed Swainson's Warbler to finish off the eastern warblers so I decided to head into Kentucky at the norther tip of their breeding range. The first evening I had nothing, but I got up early the next morning, hiked the route and within minutes had one calling and fly into a bush near me! ABA 500....
by Andy Avram
February 21st, 2016, 10:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Ohio Amphibian Research & Conservation Conference March 12th
Replies: 1
Views: 1760

Re: Ohio Amphibian Research & Conservation Conference March

It's a shame, this will be my first year missing this conference.
I think an Ohio PARC Chapter would be a good idea.

Andy
by Andy Avram
February 7th, 2016, 5:41 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: The Fight for 500... (5/28/16 - FINISHED)
Replies: 29
Views: 35835

Re: 2014: The Fight for 500... (updated: 1/14/15)

This fight has been longer and slower than I thought. Too much life happening and not enough traveling... But, I did get to hit the Lower Rio Grande Valley between Christmas and New Years the other day and added 10 life birds and 3 ABA birds. Had really sad misses of the Golden-crowned Warbler (eve...
by Andy Avram
January 19th, 2016, 1:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southern African Field Guide Recommendations...
Replies: 7
Views: 4584

Re: Southern African Field Guide Recommendations...

Thanks everyone. I will be in Namibia August 1-11 for a study aboard class in my master's program. I plan on staying late to hit up Kruger after the class (or possibly before). So maybe not the best herping time, but it is what it is. I'll mostly be mammaling/birding, but want to be able to ID any h...
by Andy Avram
January 18th, 2016, 5:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southern African Field Guide Recommendations...
Replies: 7
Views: 4584

Re: Southern African Field Guide Recommendations...

Thanks for the recommendations. Too bad they couldn't contain everything in one nice guide like the US has.
by Andy Avram
January 14th, 2016, 1:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southern African Field Guide Recommendations...
Replies: 7
Views: 4584

Southern African Field Guide Recommendations...

Been awhile since I was on this website.

I am going to be in Namibia and South Africa this summer. Looking for field guide recommendations for herps. Hopefully all-inclusive. Seems there are a lot of books out there that partially cover things.

Thanks,

Andy
by Andy Avram
January 14th, 2016, 10:52 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: The Fight for 500... (5/28/16 - FINISHED)
Replies: 29
Views: 35835

Re: 2014: The Fight for 500... (updated: 1/14/15)

This fight has been longer and slower than I thought. Too much life happening and not enough traveling... But, I did get to hit the Lower Rio Grande Valley between Christmas and New Years the other day and added 10 life birds and 3 ABA birds. Had really sad misses of the Golden-crowned Warbler (ever...
by Andy Avram
December 11th, 2015, 8:40 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 968509

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Been awhile since I've been on here. But my latest was a Kelp Gull (December 9, 2015). Tried for it and missed the other day. How is your ABA chase for 500 going? Not as well as hoped. Life got a little wonky for a few years here. I am still 16 or 17 birds away, but going to S. Texas this December ...
by Andy Avram
December 9th, 2015, 4:10 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 968509

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Been awhile since I've been on here. But my latest was a Kelp Gull (December 9, 2015). Tried for it and missed the other day.
by Andy Avram
November 13th, 2014, 4:16 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Sparrow ID, please? Leconte's?
Replies: 3
Views: 3870

Re: Sparrow ID, please? Leconte's?

I agree with Owen - Savannah.

Le Conte's have a yellow face and flanks. A smaller, gray bill. Your birds tail seems to end in a classic two lobed end as opposed to the spikey-looking end of LC. Also, the structure of the bird just doesn't look right for LC.
by Andy Avram
October 23rd, 2014, 5:11 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Costa Rica Birds - Aug 2014 - 70 photos, get a drink
Replies: 14
Views: 10194

Re: Costa Rica Birds - Aug 2014 - 70 photos, get a drink

Gee, Chris, Fantastic. Do you recommend a particular field guide for that area? Bill it is pretty much between http://www.amazon.com/The-Birds-Costa-Rica-Publications/dp/080147373X and http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Birds-Costa-Rica-Civilization/dp/0801496004/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=...
by Andy Avram
October 23rd, 2014, 5:09 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Costa Rica Birds - Aug 2014 - 70 photos, get a drink
Replies: 14
Views: 10194

Re: Costa Rica Birds - Aug 2014 - 70 photos, get a drink

Great post and great trip. So many of those birds would be targets for me if I go back to CR again. Loved the stork, boat-billed, ibis, sunbittern and potoo the best.

Andy
by Andy Avram
October 11th, 2014, 9:48 am
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Is This Spider Story For Real?
Replies: 2
Views: 2994

Is This Spider Story For Real?

http://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/spiders-force-family-upscale-missouri-home-26106285 I don't doubt that there may have been a bunch of spiders in that house, but all Brown Recluse? And BR falling from the shower, I was under the impression they are like most spiders that build webs... not prone...
by Andy Avram
September 9th, 2014, 6:02 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 968509

Re: What was your last lifer?...

That's cool. Any old world vagrant is always a good addition to the list.( Not sure this one was an Old World vagrant. They breed in the Canadian arctic, Alaska and Greenland but then migrate back over the ocean to Africa or Asia. I think this one was a North American breeder that got lost en route...
by Andy Avram
September 9th, 2014, 12:53 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 968509

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Northern Wheatear.

I was about to leave for work and checked my email before I left. It was right around the corner from my house! I believe the 4th Ohio record ever. Either way I went there instead of work. A good reason to be late.
by Andy Avram
September 8th, 2014, 3:44 pm
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Bugs Making Bugs?
Replies: 5
Views: 3971

Re: Bugs Making Bugs?

I see two pairs of legs per segment and on something that long I would think it would equate to THOUSANDS of legs...
by Andy Avram
September 3rd, 2014, 11:36 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 968509

Re: What was your last lifer?...

You might want to double check your Roseate Tern sighting. Ebird only has a few records for this state. My guidebook says they're uncommon, migrants, and a threatened species with only a few spots in the Keys where they have shown up. I'm not saying you didn't see one, but there are several other s...
by Andy Avram
August 13th, 2014, 6:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36518

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

I say go to the Glades and look for yourself. You will find that the claims of massive mammalian declines in the way its been implied will quickly be called into question. Yeah, I was just in the glades this spring for 2 nights of roadcruising. Saw a number of snakes, no pythons though, but the onl...
by Andy Avram
August 12th, 2014, 7:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36518

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

And the heebie-jeebies I get when the pitchfork-wielding villagers are summoned by sensationalist journalism to attack "a monster"... And of course I agree with this. But it's not at all fair to blame researchers for how their work is portrayed in popular media. Sure, once in a while you'...
by Andy Avram
August 12th, 2014, 5:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36518

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

Wow, I thought you were just nuts, but I also see you are a complete narcissist too.
by Andy Avram
July 20th, 2014, 4:59 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: New Zealand birds post / photo dump - Part II - South Island
Replies: 4
Views: 6277

Re: New Zealand birds post / photo dump - Part II - South Is

Awesome, and I am talking about both NZ posts. It is a country that is far down on my wishlist of places to go, but everytime you post about it I want to reconsider and go there.
by Andy Avram
July 20th, 2014, 4:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36518

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

"And then I woke up, and with it my fairly tale world where natives and non-natives live seamlessly, and where my wishful thinking and long posts trump scientific studies all went up in flames. I think... or maybe it was just the stupid burning again."
by Andy Avram
July 14th, 2014, 6:23 am
Forum: News
Topic: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...
Replies: 24
Views: 14750

Re: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...

It almost reads like an Onion article. Even by regular news stories featuring herps standards, this one is pretty bad. “What we’re afraid of is the animals, small dogs, cats, raccoons — and I would advise people not to put their baby in the lake,” said animal control Officer Dale Sloat. “A snake thi...
by Andy Avram
July 14th, 2014, 6:20 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Avibase - an online tool for bird data geeks like me
Replies: 10
Views: 8855

Re: Avibase - an online tool for bird data geeks like me

That is some pretty cool stuff you can play around with. I might have to look into it. And... Interestingly, although the neighboring states offer me less than 20 new species, Ohio offers me 36! What's going on up there in Ohio? Is it the new birding hotspot of the US? You Ohio guys seem to be on to...
by Andy Avram
July 5th, 2014, 5:47 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: A Leucistic Red-tail Hawk that I Saw Today
Replies: 10
Views: 6757

Re: A Leucistic Red-tail Hawk that I Saw Today

Is that from Cuyahoga Valley NP? I was down there a few years ago and saw one there. I mentioned it on our bird listserv and I guess for a number of years now there has been one living in the park. If you saw it in the valley, it is likely the same one. I have seen a few white R-T at this point, but...
by Andy Avram
June 21st, 2014, 10:47 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Proper Taxonomy of Anolis carolinensis
Replies: 4
Views: 2165

Re: Proper Taxonomy of Anolis carolinensis

Have you tried digging around or contacting anyone from this website:

http://www.anoleannals.org/

Andy
by Andy Avram
June 16th, 2014, 1:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best Temp for Snakes/ General HELP
Replies: 35
Views: 11345

Re: Best Temp for Snakes/ General HELP

Keep in mind Soopaman is from Texas and flipping in N. Illinois in March isn't going to be very productive and cool days in May just might be too cool. Just walking around in forests isn't going to be great to find snakes, maybe the occasional garter or Black Rat Snake (if they are even local to you...
by Andy Avram
June 16th, 2014, 1:20 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?
Replies: 121
Views: 188959

Re: What was your last lifer?

Not nearly as cool as my last lifer, but finally saw a Hairy-tailed Mole under a snake board. Finishes off the 3 species of eastern US moles for me. All of which were lifered under boards while looking for snakes.
by Andy Avram
June 16th, 2014, 1:18 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Mole
Replies: 14
Views: 20700

Re: Mole

Nice. Moles are awesome. I have presumably Hairy-tailed Moles all over my yard and was watching the dirt move from one digging around the other day, but it never appeared above ground. Finally saw my lifer today under a snake board. But yours is, as mrichardson suggested, an Eastern Mole, the only s...
by Andy Avram
June 12th, 2014, 11:11 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 968509

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Awesome, Andy! I should get down there but lack the motivation. Did you get to see it, too? Jared, do it. Get down there, especially if you haven't seen one already. I think it (or they possibly) are seen every day in the morning and evening. I heard it calling and briefly got to see it fly up and ...
by Andy Avram
June 11th, 2014, 12:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: QUICK! how could u safely remove a snake from a mouse trap?
Replies: 16
Views: 5626

Re: QUICK! how could u safely remove a snake from a mouse tr

I caught 9 Doormice in a live trap in one night once! They work well and are easy to "hide" in the garage and near the bird seed. Slightly intrigued. Were these escaped pets? Or were you trapping/living in Europe at one point? Always thought there are some other cool rodents that sound in...
by Andy Avram
June 9th, 2014, 7:28 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 968509

Re: What was your last lifer?...

BLACK freaking RAIL!!!!!!!!!!!
by Andy Avram
June 9th, 2014, 10:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: QUICK! how could u safely remove a snake from a mouse trap?
Replies: 16
Views: 5626

Re: QUICK! how could u safely remove a snake from a mouse tr

Use vegetable oil (cooking oil).
by Andy Avram
June 7th, 2014, 2:34 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Bat call
Replies: 3
Views: 12540

Re: Bat call

Chris, that is awesome. I have a few friends who do a bit of bat work and I seem to remember that certain species of bats have parts of their echolocation that is right at the point certain people can almost hear. They also are more than capable of making audible (to us) noises. Curtis Hart may be a...
by Andy Avram
June 5th, 2014, 1:02 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 968509

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Got Bell's Vireo today, but missed King Rail although I did see my first Ohio Blue Grosbeak, giving me 300 Ohio birds!

Only lifers left for me in Ohio, aside from that King Rail are accidentals now.
by Andy Avram
June 4th, 2014, 11:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: sustained pretty decent bite/ northern black racer. OPINIONS
Replies: 47
Views: 13899

Re: sustained pretty decent bite/ northern black racer. OPIN

Here's what I looked like after getting an infected bite in the face by a Coachwhip in the Sandhills of NC... http://images.sodahead.com/polls/002708001/41574845_Rocky_Dennis_xlarge.png That doesn't really tell us much without knowing what you looked like before the bite.....is this worse than your...
by Andy Avram
June 3rd, 2014, 9:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Quick quiz: Guess the snake species
Replies: 8
Views: 5061

Re: Quick quiz: Guess the snake species

crocdoc wrote:We have several winners. Melanistic garter it is. It's a red-sided garter, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis, from Manitoba.
From the picture I couldn't tell you what subspecies it is, but very cool as I have never seen a picture of melanistic parietalis.
by Andy Avram
June 3rd, 2014, 4:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Quick quiz: Guess the snake species
Replies: 8
Views: 5061

Re: Quick quiz: Guess the snake species

I think Dave is right. I can see a dorsal and lateral stripes and the big diurnal eyes suggesting a garter, but what species, I am none too sure. The lateral stripes seem right for an Eastern Garter, but that just seems too easy.
by Andy Avram
June 1st, 2014, 7:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Needed Skink Picture...
Replies: 0
Views: 1400

Needed Skink Picture...

Many places in the east have an overlap of Common Five-lined Skinks, Broadheaded Skinks (and Southeastern Five-lined Skinks, but I am ignoring them for the purpose of this post). We all know babies are hard to ID aside from scale characteristics, but adult males are somewhat easily IDed just based o...
by Andy Avram
June 1st, 2014, 7:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: hey guys
Replies: 6
Views: 2180

Re: hey guys

Any pictures of the dogs working? Is that the guy who has the Boykin Spaniels? Great little dogs. We had one for a long time and I almost got another when I got my last dog.
by Andy Avram
May 31st, 2014, 5:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 1970s Study Shows People Don't Like Snakes
Replies: 5
Views: 2155

Re: 1970s Study Shows People Don't Like Snakes

Yes, exactly what Soulsurvivor said.

I fixed it.
by Andy Avram
May 30th, 2014, 2:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: sustained pretty decent bite/ northern black racer. OPINIONS
Replies: 47
Views: 13899

Re: sustained pretty decent bite/ northern black racer. OPIN

But either way, saybs doesn't have flukes, unless she ate them or the snake raw.