Search found 132 matches

by the_cw1
March 18th, 2019, 10:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Surfing and Snakes
Replies: 4
Views: 4564

Re: Surfing and Snakes

Hey Lou. Cool video. Glad you had some fun in SoCal and got some snakes (nice that the season is starting). I think we were both near the same places at the same time. I should have gone and checked all the surfers to see if anyone was a herper, haha. :p

-Derek
by the_cw1
January 18th, 2019, 6:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: If There Isnt A Photo, It Didnt Happen
Replies: 20
Views: 20846

Re: If There Isnt A Photo, It Didnt Happen

Great topic! My first time in Australia I was walking back from the grocery store and didn't bring my camera. It was a 10 minute walk in the suburbs. What could I hope to see? Well, as it so happened, there was a tree monitor resting on the sidewalk on my way back. And, I sweat up and down, it was b...
by the_cw1
January 2nd, 2019, 2:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Any Maryland (near Baltimore) herpers interested in herping?
Replies: 0
Views: 10346

Any Maryland (near Baltimore) herpers interested in herping?

Hi all. I'll be in Baltimore, Maryland at the end of Feb and start of March for a conference. That can be an amazing time for salamanders. Is there anyone here interested in meeting around then, weather permitting, for some herping? Salamanders are my favorite and, well, Utah is not the best place t...
by the_cw1
December 30th, 2018, 12:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sarawak Amphibians 2018
Replies: 3
Views: 4754

Re: Sarawak Amphibians 2018

Cool pictures! Love the focus on frogs (they're very underrated).

-Derek
by the_cw1
December 24th, 2018, 10:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Large King Cobra
Replies: 12
Views: 10203

Re: Large King Cobra

What a cool snake to end the year with. Thanks for the content and being an enthusiastic herper. :)

-Derek
by the_cw1
December 12th, 2018, 6:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: EOY 2018 - Lots of Lampro - (TX, WA, OR, CA, CO, LA)
Replies: 23
Views: 18640

Re: EOY 2018 - Lots of Lampro - (TX, WA, OR, CA, CO, LA)

Awesome post dude. Love the copperheads but would have loved some LA cottonmouths. I'm an agkistrodon junkie, haha.

-Derek
by the_cw1
December 11th, 2018, 5:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Central and Northern Thailand - august 2018
Replies: 7
Views: 5188

Re: Central and Northern Thailand - august 2018

Great pictures! I'm particularly fond of the tokay gecko. :)

-Derek
by the_cw1
November 22nd, 2018, 11:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica
Replies: 16
Views: 14649

Re: Costa Rica

You will find basilisks without any problem. Green plumed are on the Caribbean side, whereas browns are on the Pacific. Adults in particular are tough to get near without them bolting (except at night, where they can be easily located sleeping on trees). If you want pictures, you need a telephoto le...
by the_cw1
November 18th, 2018, 9:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica
Replies: 16
Views: 14649

Re: Costa Rica

I've never heard of that guide and cannot comment. Must haves: Tall waterproof boots (many places provide them, but it's best to be prepared). Collapsing hook (but, again, don't play with a fer-de-lance. I've seen them climb hooks like lightening haha; I used my hook mostly as a walking stick and to...
by the_cw1
November 16th, 2018, 8:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica
Replies: 16
Views: 14649

Re: Costa Rica

Yeah, but making decisions like this is fun! My first trip I didn't have any clear plans and it was great. Second trip I wanted specific things and, by and large, I got them (sans bushmaster hahaha). For what it's worth, another upside of *not* hiring a guide was that I got to meet lots of cool peop...
by the_cw1
November 14th, 2018, 6:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica
Replies: 16
Views: 14649

Re: Costa Rica

I *highly* recommend getting a guide. But, I also *highly* recommend going on your own. With a guide, you have greater assurance of finding animals but on your own it can be more exciting. My guide found coral snake mimics were cool, but a common cat eye snake I found on my own was more (personally)...
by the_cw1
November 12th, 2018, 10:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica
Replies: 16
Views: 14649

Re: Costa Rica

Hi! I've been to CR twice so here's my angle on it. First, get this book: https://www.amazon.com/Amphibians-Reptiles-Costa-Rica-Herpetofauna/dp/0226735389 The rest of your questions are too vague to answer now. What kind of snakes? If you're looking for B. Lateralis, you need to hit the mountains an...
by the_cw1
October 25th, 2018, 6:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bull Wars
Replies: 6
Views: 11510

Re: Bull Wars

Thank you for documenting the horrifying bloodshed inflicted by bullsnakes. Get Thucydides on the phone: the darkness is now.

:p

-Derek
by the_cw1
October 6th, 2018, 5:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 2)
Replies: 6
Views: 15002

Re: And Then... I Found Myself In Washington - (part 2)

Love the sals. Ian is a good gut--I always enjoy herping with him. Glad you had a chance to get out there and see some PNW snot lizards. :p

-Derek
by the_cw1
October 6th, 2018, 7:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake Road and the Surrounding Area - Sept. 30th - Oct. 4th
Replies: 3
Views: 12672

Re: Snake Road and the Surrounding Area - Sept. 30th - Oct.

Nice trip report. I only had a single day to herp down there back in 2016, but I'd love to make it back. Happy to see so many amphibians in this report. That old box turtle looked nice, too.

-Derek
by the_cw1
September 26th, 2018, 7:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2 years in Michigan
Replies: 7
Views: 15199

Re: 2 years in Michigan

Thanks Porter!

Wood frogs are my favorite frog, so I'm happy to have had the chance to see so many. They're largely seasonal, so I had to make the most of the time I had. :)

-Derek
by the_cw1
September 19th, 2018, 7:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2 years in Michigan
Replies: 7
Views: 15199

Re: 2 years in Michigan

I knew a philosopher once who wouldn't talk about historical materialism or post modernism while at Camp David at Wolf Lake just a mile from Snake Road. All the Best Anne and Warren from Nashville P.S. - Tried Marx or Trotsky yet? PS PS - Just heard from Daniel Funny that you knew a philosopher lik...
by the_cw1
September 16th, 2018, 11:47 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2 years in Michigan
Replies: 7
Views: 15199

Re: 2 years in Michigan

Thank you Tamara.

Yes, the box turtles were very special. I enjoyed seeing their antics on a near weekly basis during the early spring. I think I'm very lucky to have found so many. It's all about trading horsefly and mosquito bites for turtles. A trade I'm (usually) willing to make.

-Derek
by the_cw1
September 15th, 2018, 9:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2 years in Michigan
Replies: 7
Views: 15199

2 years in Michigan

Now that I'm fully acclimated to the Utah desert--and the wonderful smell of brush fires in the morning--I thought I would make a recap of my two years in Michigan. I moved there to complete my MA in philosophy because it was a good program I thought would help my career choices. This was a good bet...
by the_cw1
September 9th, 2018, 4:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current
Replies: 11
Views: 15642

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Hey Alex,

I really like the pictures. Every time I see reports from Wisconsin I take note of the blanding's! They were hard to come by in Michigan. Maybe I should have made the drive, haha.

Good luck out there. Thanks for posting.

-Derek
by the_cw1
September 1st, 2018, 2:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Any tips for Northern Oregon / Portland area?
Replies: 5
Views: 7195

Re: Any tips for Northern Oregon / Portland area?

I second everything Jonathan said. But, I also want to add that night herping for salamanders is very productive in the PNW. Some of my favorite herping experiences when I lived in Portland were those going out at night. The Columbia gorge, if you can find trails that are still open, is great. Water...
by the_cw1
August 31st, 2018, 6:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Nice time back in Oregon
Replies: 7
Views: 8759

Re: Nice time back in Oregon

Nice finds man. Loved living in Oregon and hunting sals. The coastal giants are very special and I'm glad you found some. Thank you for sharing. :)

-Derek
by the_cw1
August 29th, 2018, 8:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: And Then... I Found Myself In Ohio
Replies: 10
Views: 9009

Re: And Then... I Found Myself In Ohio

Well I lived near Ohio most of my life, so I know all the critters above haha. Nice haul. Lots of storeria...seems like I could never find them in Michigan! Ohio actually has lots of herps you just have to know where to look. Surprised you didn't turn up a rat snake. Anyways, nice seeing some love f...
by the_cw1
August 5th, 2018, 8:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Back to Borneo, part 5 of 5: Danum Valley
Replies: 14
Views: 17433

Re: Back to Borneo, part 5 of 5: Danum Valley

I really enjoyed reading this series. Your multi-part adventures are exciting to look through. Thank you for sharing. :)

-Derek
by the_cw1
July 29th, 2018, 7:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best Month For Arizona and Lizards?
Replies: 5
Views: 5764

Re: Best Month For Arizona and Lizards?

Mid May will be a good time for herps of all types. Try to hike in early morning or late afternoon and I'm sure you'll see lots of cool stuff. I've had great success with AZ lizards with exceptionally little effort. :) I cannot help you with the banded gecko question. In my experience, they are easy...
by the_cw1
July 17th, 2018, 8:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: herping in the midwest
Replies: 3
Views: 4124

Re: herping in the midwest

Good luck! At least in Michigan, cool, clear water was the best place to find pickerel frogs. :)

-Derek
by the_cw1
July 5th, 2018, 11:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Will be passing through Kansas (Topeka) & Wyoming (Cheyenne)
Replies: 2
Views: 3395

Re: Will be passing through Kansas (Topeka) & Wyoming (Cheye

Hey Jimi, Yes, I'll be at the U. It looks like an exceptionally nice school from the little time I was there. I'll be focusing on environmental and biological issues, ideally working on outreach with kids too. I had never been to SLC before this year. I went out in May for a conference and had the c...
by the_cw1
July 5th, 2018, 5:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Will be passing through Kansas (Topeka) & Wyoming (Cheyenne)
Replies: 2
Views: 3395

Will be passing through Kansas (Topeka) & Wyoming (Cheyenne)

I'm moving to Utah (SLC) to start my philosophy PhD in the fall. On the way, I'm going to be passing through Kansas (Topeka) to see my gf's relatives and we're going to stop in Wyoming (Cheyenne) for a few nights. I've never herped either state and, through googling, have some ideas on what to do, b...
by the_cw1
July 5th, 2018, 5:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Australia
Replies: 3
Views: 5846

Re: Herping Australia

Haha, interesting! I've been to Australia twice, NT and Brisbane area, and the herpers I've connected with there love the gold-crowned snakes and talked about their rarity. Maybe you're onto something. :p

-Derek
by the_cw1
June 8th, 2018, 10:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Moloch, Morelia and more, the Red Centre, Aus.
Replies: 7
Views: 11732

Re: Moloch, Morelia and more, the Red Centre, Aus.

I've done two trips and Australia and this makes me want to go back. Love the death adder and perentie. How, just *how* did you get that pic??? :p

-Derek
by the_cw1
May 31st, 2018, 5:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fun chasing desert iguanas
Replies: 6
Views: 7607

Re: Fun chasing desert iguanas

Lou, I was honestly expecting Benny Hill chase music to start playing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK6TXMsvgQg
:D

Looks like you all had a fun time. And cool that you got to hang with Ian: he's a nice guy.

-Derek
by the_cw1
May 29th, 2018, 4:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica the pacific coast from Panama to Nicaragua!
Replies: 16
Views: 18721

Re: Costa Rica the pacific coast from Panama to Nicaragua!

I stayed in those same blue/green huts in Osa. It's an amazing place. :)

@ Bryan
B. Asper
by the_cw1
April 17th, 2018, 6:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Bay Area oreganus extravaganza
Replies: 5
Views: 6322

Re: The Bay Area oreganus extravaganza

Oreganus are very special snakes. Thanks for sharing the love. :)

Best,
-Derek
by the_cw1
April 8th, 2018, 9:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A very short trip down under (Brisbane and southern QLD)
Replies: 2
Views: 3767

Re: A very short trip down under (Brisbane and southern QLD)

Man, when I finally get a proper trip back to Australia it's going to be amazing. I want to drive from Darwin to Perth and really take it in. The country just has *so* much to take in. Aussie elapids are awesome, but I think to really herp down there you've gotta love the lizards. :)

-Derek
by the_cw1
April 8th, 2018, 9:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Australia
Replies: 3
Views: 5846

Re: Herping Australia

Gold-crowned snake is a real cool find man. Love herping Australia! :)

Looks like it was fun.

-Derek
by the_cw1
April 6th, 2018, 8:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A very short trip down under (Brisbane and southern QLD)
Replies: 2
Views: 3767

A very short trip down under (Brisbane and southern QLD)

I'm working on my masters in philosophy here in SW Michigan. One of the things philosophers are supposed to do is go to conferences (hey, if our field isn't relevant, at least get some travel out of it). So, to facilitate that, the department chair will help pay for trips if and only if one can get ...
by the_cw1
April 6th, 2018, 7:23 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Herper of the Year!
Replies: 8
Views: 8340

Re: Field Herper of the Year!

Congratulations!
by the_cw1
March 20th, 2018, 11:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Portland, OR area.....
Replies: 5
Views: 4328

Re: Portland, OR area.....

And I'll be in Oregon from June 2-15 (roughly). Would be happy to meet up. I know several good garter spots and a special salamander location. I lived there for 3 years so have a few ideas. :)

I responded to a previous "Gorge Crawler" thread but never heard back...

-Derek
by the_cw1
February 26th, 2018, 7:11 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Reptile Odyssey - Bill Love?
Replies: 4
Views: 14077

Re: Reptile Odyssey - Bill Love?

Following because I'm interested too.
by the_cw1
February 26th, 2018, 7:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: '17season:Utah, California, Arizona, Virginia, and CostaRica
Replies: 10
Views: 8880

Re: '17season:Utah, California, Arizona, Virginia, and Costa

Dude, we were in Uvita the *same* day. What a world. Nice fer-de-lance. :)

-Derek
by the_cw1
February 7th, 2018, 8:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Wood Frog Help?
Replies: 15
Views: 10380

Re: Wood Frog Help?

In Michigan, it takes consistent warm temps (50f+) for a few days. Usually about a week or so. Never had luck with wood frogs on cloudy days, actually, for breeding. I see them commonly in the summer on cloudy days. Just giving a more northern perspective. :) https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/3378...
by the_cw1
February 6th, 2018, 4:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: No party like an Ambystoma party
Replies: 4
Views: 4059

Re: No party like an Ambystoma party

Thanks for the response. Official records of A. Maculatum are hard to come by in SW Michigan so I am going to specifically target them for data purposes.
by the_cw1
February 4th, 2018, 8:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: No party like an Ambystoma party
Replies: 4
Views: 4059

Re: No party like an Ambystoma party

Do you have advice for finding them? I'm in SW Michigan and the season won't start for a few weeks yet--nights are around 11f now--but I know I want a A. maculatum this spring. I know checking at night is a good idea during warm rains *and* I know you gotta go near vernals. Any other specific advice...
by the_cw1
December 13th, 2017, 5:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 recap
Replies: 18
Views: 9881

Re: 2017 recap

Too much amazing stuff man. For me, the red rattler pic really got me. I think it's sometimes very difficult to sum up a whole year--there's lots of stories "between" the pictures here. :D
by the_cw1
December 5th, 2017, 6:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Requesting Images of the Commonly CB in the Wild
Replies: 14
Views: 10604

Re: Requesting Images of the Commonly CB in the Wild

Thanks guys! I'll be getting around to posting a report from my few days in Queensland very soon. The python was for sure a highlight! :D

Best,
-Derek
by the_cw1
December 4th, 2017, 1:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best Month For Arizona and Lizards?
Replies: 10
Views: 6535

Re: Best Month For Arizona and Lizards?

Hey Yonkers, I'm a fellow Michigan herper chiming in (usually SW but often in SE). :) I had my first AZ herping trip over the summer and would be happy to talk to you about it. Jimi has (much) more knowledge than I do, but I can certainly provide any info your way via pm or whatever. Hope your trip ...
by the_cw1
December 1st, 2017, 10:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Requesting Images of the Commonly CB in the Wild
Replies: 14
Views: 10604

Re: Requesting Images of the Commonly CB in the Wild

Hi Kelly, I managed to find this beautiful carpet python in Queensland last week. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4578/24805011918_d7d5462a88_z.jpg Carpet Python (Morelia spilota) by phl_with_a_camera1 , on Flickr https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/38677425381_da25276eff_z.jpg Carpet Python (Morelia...
by the_cw1
November 29th, 2017, 7:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Treasures of Taiwan 2017. Part 2
Replies: 4
Views: 5706

Re: Treasures of Taiwan 2017. Part 2

I really enjoyed reading your two posts. It looks like you had a nice time. :)

Best,
-Derek
by the_cw1
November 13th, 2017, 4:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Could Pattern Mimicry in Snakes be Misinterpreted?
Replies: 97
Views: 137048

Re: Could Pattern Mimicry in Snakes be Misinterpreted?

Hey Kelly, The text I am looking at is Savage (2002) "The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica." I understand some things, particularly, taxonomy have changed in the subsequent 15 years, but much of the information in the book is relevant to this. When introducing micrurus (p. 704-705), h...
by the_cw1
November 12th, 2017, 7:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Could Pattern Mimicry in Snakes be Misinterpreted?
Replies: 97
Views: 137048

Re: Could Pattern Mimicry in Snakes be Misinterpreted?

Hey Kelly, I think one difficulty you are having here is to think that traits must encode for one function alone (e.g, Red=X ∨ Red=Y). It is more precise to say that traits, such as color, may be encoding a variety of functions and that you/we may be assigning a category to that. So there could be a...