Search found 228 matches

by BDSkinner
December 3rd, 2018, 5:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Ambystoma migrations
Replies: 0
Views: 8360

Ambystoma migrations

Hey guys, it's been a while! I'm coming around to ask about your experiences with mole salamander breeding migrations. Reason being, I was on reddit the other day and someone from the BBC posed a question in r/biology ( https://www.reddit.com/r/biology/comments/a1ixhs/new_bbc_series/ ) about new and...
by BDSkinner
November 1st, 2016, 8:51 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Buying a new lens setup
Replies: 2
Views: 13798

Re: Buying a new lens setup

Thanks for the words Chris. Upon further review of my options, I wound up going with the canon lens. I'll have some more time to save up before next summer to start after a flash rig. As for now, I'm interested to see just how well the IS works in hand. With my 50mm lens I have been able to get some...
by BDSkinner
October 24th, 2016, 10:07 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Potential snake gassing ban killed by TPWD
Replies: 0
Views: 6674

Potential snake gassing ban killed by TPWD

http://www.statesman.com/news/potential-snake-gassing-ban-killed-texas-parks-and-wildlife/IyEb1P2XcG2vNmI8r7CxkJ/ I know we all have a biased opinion, but this is just messed up. Isn't the pouring of gasoline on the ground or anywhere else illegal anyway? The article claims, "As long ago as 20...
by BDSkinner
October 23rd, 2016, 8:51 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Buying a new lens setup
Replies: 2
Views: 13798

Buying a new lens setup

I'm about to bite the bullet and finally get some nice lenses and accessories to bring my photo game to the next level, before I do that I would love to see what some of you guys think! What I have been using so far is a Canon Rebel XS (1000D I think) with the little Canon 50mm 1.8. For the pice and...
by BDSkinner
September 19th, 2015, 9:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Salamania 2015 - more details
Replies: 53
Views: 26745

Re: Salamania 2015 - more details

How about another little tid bit?

ImageIMG_0615 by Bradley Skinner, on Flickr

They found this corn the night before? I just got to enjoy it :)

-Brad
by BDSkinner
September 10th, 2015, 8:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Salamania 2015 - more details
Replies: 53
Views: 26745

Re: Salamania 2015 - more details

Unfortunately, I wont be able to make it out there until Saturday now. My mom is having surgery and I need to be there. Planning on being up around noon Saturday until Sunday. Got a spot in the family campground, is this where some other folks will be? I am super excited to get out in the woods and ...
by BDSkinner
August 17th, 2015, 11:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Salamania 2015 - more details
Replies: 53
Views: 26745

Re: Salamania 2015 - more details

I'll definitely be there, just secured my time off. Still tentative on any companions. Now I just have to reserve a site!

-Brad
by BDSkinner
July 16th, 2015, 9:35 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Waterdogs in Florida
Replies: 20
Views: 6845

Re: Waterdogs in Florida

Thanks for the comparison. I've never held a Necturus and see both species of Pseudotriton all the time, my eyes are biased. I also saw the four toes, but the picture wasn't convincing in my mind.


-Brad
by BDSkinner
July 15th, 2015, 11:29 pm
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Wheel bug
Replies: 0
Views: 10636

Wheel bug

Whoa was this thing cool! Funny enough, I had a friend just come back from Ecuador and showed me a picture of one from there. It held the grey color but also was a brilliant orange on its extremities. I was walking around my relatives ranch in good old Mt Airy NC and this guy was on this pine branch...
by BDSkinner
July 15th, 2015, 11:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Waterdogs in Florida
Replies: 20
Views: 6845

Re: Waterdogs in Florida

Are you sure that's not a Pseudotriton? If you're ever in the area again, check the feet. If there are four toes, it's Necturus. If not, it is something else.

Regardless, cool find!


-Brad
by BDSkinner
July 5th, 2015, 12:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Salamania 2015 - more details
Replies: 53
Views: 26745

Re: Salamania 2015 - more details

Things are looking like they will work for me! I may also be bringing a friend and my lady.
by BDSkinner
May 30th, 2015, 9:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Tale of Two Gecko Species
Replies: 3
Views: 1658

Re: A Tale of Two Gecko Species

I love doing little stuff like this. Going out to similar spots trying to beat species counts, watching the small lizard community at my relatives ranch, finding the same old snapping turtle for years. Maybe there is a way to photo individuals to use as an id to get around the problem of marking the...
by BDSkinner
April 16th, 2015, 9:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Smokies Here I Come!
Replies: 3
Views: 1425

Re: Smokies Here I Come!

I hope you have a decent head lamp. If it rains, walk around at night. You will have to be careful not to step on any salamanders! Other than that, have fun doing some work!
by BDSkinner
March 3rd, 2015, 11:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Newt Predation on Spotted Salamander Eggs
Replies: 12
Views: 5001

Re: Newt Predation on Spotted Salamander Eggs

Awesome! I too have witnessed the same behavior. Maybe this year I'll snap my own photo of it. My initial reaction to the dead newts was a cold snap. That's the reason I haven't been out yet. With our recent late winter weather, it seems our spotteds are holding off a bit. I have been told of wood f...
by BDSkinner
March 1st, 2015, 10:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Salamania 2015
Replies: 5
Views: 2452

Re: Salamania 2015

Seems like a good thing for a salamaniac like me :beer:
by BDSkinner
February 14th, 2015, 10:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Last Seasonal Theme - Herpers herping
Replies: 23
Views: 5756

Re: Last Seasonal Theme - Herpers herping

That snake in the pants is hilarious! I like seeing the human side of herping. Also, when you go with a group, you get to show off what you found. https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/v/t1.0-9/1378237_10100869425556308_672500327_n.jpg?oh=51019247e162e04ae3339c072ad85b55&oe=558A...
by BDSkinner
February 5th, 2015, 5:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring Peeper
Replies: 6
Views: 2700

Re: Spring Peeper

That second peeper shot is fantastic! Glad to see things moving, I'm still at least a month away. Dusty frogs are better than no frogs in my book.
by BDSkinner
January 23rd, 2015, 6:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme 6 - Camouflage
Replies: 39
Views: 14098

Re: Theme 6 - Camouflage

Spooky how well these vipers can just disappear. The only good examples I have personally seen were mud covered cottonmouths. Never got a decent picture before they were disturbed. As for other herps, I love fence lizards. This is during the 'show and tell' part of our excursion. I should have snapp...
by BDSkinner
January 23rd, 2015, 5:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 Spring Trip?
Replies: 11
Views: 3697

Re: 2015 Spring Trip?

I would definitely be interested to go, as long as I could get off work. This is pretty close for me as well but an area I've never explored. Looking on the NC park website, they have nice campsites and provide a special activity permit form. I also like the idea of looking west. A lot of small rang...
by BDSkinner
December 24th, 2014, 9:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Replies: 32
Views: 8503

Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only

https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1186058_10100869423640148_1076685998_n.jpg?oh=a3d10beefede940858a8de271d2ecc7f&oe=55031BEB This is a swampy spot in Francis Marion NF, SC where I have gone a few times with the ASU herpetology class. It's one of several spots we set out ...
by BDSkinner
December 18th, 2014, 8:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme 2 - Interspecies interaction.
Replies: 37
Views: 11184

Re: Theme 2 - Interspecies interaction.

https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/304983_10100435375955188_882757585_n.jpg?oh=dc2e2dc197fc14ec3d55e8f1ecf98dec&oe=54FEA67D I really enjoy walking up on things that are feeding. This worm was pretty big, but no match for the spring. Luckily, I got to watch the whole proce...
by BDSkinner
December 13th, 2014, 2:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme #1 - Snakes in the Road
Replies: 56
Views: 23208

Re: Theme #1 - Snakes in the Road

Wonderful stuff everyone! This first post has made me aware that I don't have a single picture of a snake on a road... That's what I get for being a salamander nerd. Now I have a goal for the summer! Here is the best beast I could find from my collection. https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphot...
by BDSkinner
December 7th, 2014, 2:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Let's add some life - Seasonal time for some themes
Replies: 21
Views: 5333

Re: Let's add some life - Seasonal time for some themes

I like this being open to my whole library of photographs. It would just allow for more, maybe even better pictures to be put up. Especially if we're working in a time frame. As for the categories, maybe do it bi-weekly and we can cover everything? I'm down for it all!
by BDSkinner
December 5th, 2014, 1:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Let's add some life - Seasonal time for some themes
Replies: 21
Views: 5333

Re: Let's add some life - Seasonal time for some themes

Great idea. I kind of dropped the ball this past summer and couldn't get out as much as I would have liked. Adding more reasons to go out should kick my butt in gear! I love these theme ideas, especially the "Where's Waldo" herp pics and everyone's newbie photos. I have a lot of them. One ...
by BDSkinner
December 5th, 2014, 1:13 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Lizards: Least Favorite Herp of the United States and Canada
Replies: 5
Views: 5409

Re: Lizards: Least Favorite Herp of the United States and Ca

There is Lizards and Crocodilians of the Southeast out there. I do not own that particular book, but I have the salamander one of the same series. It seems like the lizard book picks up most of those 25 species you mentioned. It's worth a look, especially for its price. Thanks for the heads up on th...
by BDSkinner
December 5th, 2014, 11:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: About habitat and paper
Replies: 14
Views: 3184

Re: About habitat and paper

I remember seeing TONS of pickerel frogs on a christmas tree farm as a kid in NJ. I would rarely see them in other spots, so I thought that was was awesome. Simus, you brought up the questions I wanted to ask about disturbed vs. restored or old growth. I'll have to search and see if anyone has teste...
by BDSkinner
October 30th, 2014, 7:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Could this have been any of you?
Replies: 17
Views: 4379

Re: Could this have been any of you?

It's funny you mentioned the "smell". For me, it was after a fresh rain, the air still heavy and still. That's my "salamander smell". It's always been true!


-Brad
by BDSkinner
October 27th, 2014, 2:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Could this have been any of you?
Replies: 17
Views: 4379

Re: Could this have been any of you?

This definitely was me. I would always find various receptacles, dump out whatever my dad had in them and come back with whatever I found. Reminds me of the first herp I kept, a tree toad (Hyla versicolor), so said my neighbor. I kept it in a styrofoam container my dad was growing sod in. He didn't ...
by BDSkinner
October 27th, 2014, 2:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Skink ID Help
Replies: 9
Views: 3252

Re: Skink ID Help

Well, I had the traits right, but my eyes failed me! Thanks for the clarification. I double checked in my book (Conant and Collins) and it's clearly there. I never knew the seven stripe, I guess the ones low on its flank count? Cool.


-Brad
by BDSkinner
October 26th, 2014, 8:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Skink ID Help
Replies: 9
Views: 3252

Re: Skink ID Help

The tail eliminates E. inexpectatus, so that was good. Next you look at the labial scales, four for E. fasciatus and five for E. laticeps. After that, you can look for post-labial scales which are two little split ones in between the lip and ear which E. laticeps does not have. Hard to tell from the...
by BDSkinner
October 3rd, 2014, 1:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mirror
Replies: 3
Views: 1845

Re: Mirror

Man, those shots came out really well. I'm going to use this now! I could sit in a yard for the whole day holding mirrors up to every anole, watching their reactions. Great stuff!

-Brad
by BDSkinner
August 23rd, 2014, 10:45 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Canon Rebel problem
Replies: 4
Views: 3515

Canon Rebel problem

I recently received my dads old Canon Rebel, the first one (300D) and it seems to have a problem with the memory card. I have bought a new memory card, SanDisk 8gb, plug it and the older ones I have into my macbook and cleared them off. When I go to reformat the new card it pops up an error 99. With...
by BDSkinner
August 16th, 2014, 11:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My trip up to the PNW (plus CA)
Replies: 7
Views: 3478

Re: My trip up to the PNW (plus CA)

Man those garters are cool. Can't wait to get out there and find some of my own.

Your band got any music on the interwebs?


-Brad
by BDSkinner
July 29th, 2014, 12:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36575

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

Wasn't the study showing small mammal decline based off the abundance of road kill? Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong thing


-Brad
by BDSkinner
July 10th, 2014, 7:33 am
Forum: News
Topic: Bathroom breaks reveals venemous snake...
Replies: 5
Views: 4072

Bathroom breaks reveals venemous snake...

http://www.khou.com/news/Man-on-bathroo ... 62841.html

Looks like it could have been a cottonmouth. Glad the officer did what she did.
by BDSkinner
July 4th, 2014, 8:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2014 herping through my eyes (New, 6/11/2014)
Replies: 16
Views: 4585

Re: 2014 herping through my eyes (New, 6/11/2014)

Thanks, Bill! Hm, I don't remember seeing much of that, either the close proximity to others salamanders or any predatory behavior. I checked on amphibiaweb and there is an account of P. yonahlossee having another salamander in its stomach. I wouldn't doubt the possibility, they may not be as profic...
by BDSkinner
July 4th, 2014, 8:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NAFHA SE Fall Outing?
Replies: 29
Views: 8175

Re: NAFHA SE Fall Outing?

I would be all in for this, and I could actually make it! I've never been around south mountain, but I lived on the other side of Lincolnton for a while. A decent variety of herps. One spot I have been to in the fall is the Nathahala. That's extreme WNC but packed full of salamander species, copperh...
by BDSkinner
June 30th, 2014, 7:24 am
Forum: News
Topic: Everglades Restoration
Replies: 0
Views: 2039

Everglades Restoration

by BDSkinner
June 11th, 2014, 7:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2014 herping through my eyes (New, 6/11/2014)
Replies: 16
Views: 4585

Re: 2014 herping through my eyes (New, 5/15/2014)

Well, I finally got time to get out on the 29th of last month, and it was a decent night. Spotty rain, high temps (mid 60s) but still mostly dry on the ground. Went out to my best site in town to check out what was crawling. https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10390503_1010...
by BDSkinner
June 6th, 2014, 2:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help with three separate IDs for the data base.
Replies: 19
Views: 4741

Re: Help with three separate IDs for the data base.

hahah I can't wait to tell people some herp jokes. Oh yeah, Ashe is fun to drive around in. I really should get my car running... Racers too! I had no idea they would be up here. Hopefully I'll have my head out of the creeks enough to actually find some snakes this year. That tiny dusky is awesome! ...
by BDSkinner
June 5th, 2014, 10:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Quick introduction and some WV Salamander ID's.
Replies: 12
Views: 5221

Re: Quick introduction and some WV Salamander ID's.

Your IDs are correct. Desmog 1 is a seal. the others I would want to see where those counties are located first. Did you mean the first one pictured? The top dusky is Desmognathus ochrophaeus. The one labeled as a seal is correct. Seal salamanders (D. monticola) are know to have spots when young wh...
by BDSkinner
June 5th, 2014, 9:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Frustration
Replies: 28
Views: 8830

Re: Frustration

Growing up in New Jersey, I always thought it was weird hearing stories of water moccasins about. I would pick up all the snakes around our little lake club and get an earful from some people, only to end up bringing a field guide with me to clearly point out that they do not live anywhere close to ...
by BDSkinner
June 5th, 2014, 9:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help with three separate IDs for the data base.
Replies: 19
Views: 4741

Re: Help with three separate IDs for the data base.

Sounds like me everyday. Sees log in distance, steps on rock, flip rock, oh a beetle! Stand up, walk, oh yeah, the log! Walks toward it, sees mushroom, etc.... An hour later gets to log. About those tadpoles, they look pretty young but I would go with southern toad for them. The color is dark and th...
by BDSkinner
May 20th, 2014, 9:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2014 herping through my eyes (New, 6/11/2014)
Replies: 16
Views: 4585

Re: 2014 herping through my eyes (New, 5/15/2014)

Hahaha thank you, Bill! I was checking that too. One thing about Boone is we get some very unexpected weather, there's no telling how much or little we might get or when. A lot of mountain valley action to mess up the winds/ moisture content. It seems like wed/ thursday this and next week could be p...
by BDSkinner
May 18th, 2014, 12:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2014 herping through my eyes (New, 6/11/2014)
Replies: 16
Views: 4585

Re: 2014 herping through my eyes (New, 4/14/2014)

A nice comparison shot is a great idea. An easy goal for this year, I imagine. As for up here, we finally got a nice rain event after a span of warm sunny days. It was one of those days that rain the whole time only to stop at night, as if the herping gods made sure we could get out and enjoy it, wh...
by BDSkinner
April 26th, 2014, 7:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake Killers In Our Own Ranks
Replies: 80
Views: 27729

Re: Snake Killers In Our Own Ranks

My dad would always say, "Leave it like you found it, or better than it was". This mainly applied to the kitchen, but something I have used for everything else outdoor related. It is sad to have the idea of trash herps, but I can understand why. To me, I very uncommonly come across snakes ...
by BDSkinner
April 24th, 2014, 10:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bug ID? Repost from Invert Forum
Replies: 8
Views: 1628

Re: Bug ID? Repost from Invert Forum

Wow, I always wondered what animal made that sound too! There's a whole world in the soil....


-Brad
by BDSkinner
April 24th, 2014, 10:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring migrations, 4/14/2014
Replies: 4
Views: 1558

Re: Spring migrations, 4/14/2014

Thanks guys! Yeah I do have quite an interest in the slimier herps.... Citizen science projects are wonderful, especial for the spring breeding season. This group actually consists of mainly undergrad students, a wonderful work resource! The word around the neighborhood where this takes place is tha...
by BDSkinner
April 24th, 2014, 6:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2014 herping through my eyes (New, 6/11/2014)
Replies: 16
Views: 4585

Re: 2014 herping through my eyes

My first thought was, I'm out of range for L. grylio! I'm not sure if this is completely correct, but pig frogs have a more uniform green to them, larger tympanum and their foot webbing extends to fully to their toe tips.


Thanks for the hint. :beer:


-Brad