Search found 528 matches

by Kevin Messenger
June 23rd, 2022, 5:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: a new species of Kurixalus treefrog!
Replies: 2
Views: 1337

a new species of Kurixalus treefrog!

Welcome to the world (of scientific discovery) Kurixalus inexpectatus ! Hi all, long time no post! I’m happy to announce a new species of Kurixalus treefrog that my colleagues and I found in northern Zhejiang province back in 2018, during Dr. Amaël Borzée’s first visit to Nanjing Forestry University...
by Kevin Messenger
June 23rd, 2022, 4:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: my first post and best find so far(California)
Replies: 8
Views: 1110

Re: first post and my best find so far

oh wow! that head! very cool. welcome welcome
by Kevin Messenger
August 8th, 2021, 8:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Asian Ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China
Replies: 8
Views: 3730

Re: The Asian Ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China

Awesome awesome, very glad you enjoyed / are enjoying it!
by Kevin Messenger
March 18th, 2021, 5:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Asian Ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China
Replies: 8
Views: 3730

Re: The Asian Ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China

Awesome, glad you like it! Yeah, fingers crossed for this fall on book #2
by Kevin Messenger
March 16th, 2021, 5:06 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Asian Ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China
Replies: 8
Views: 3730

Re: The Asian Ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China

Great thanks! The paperback does not have as good quality paper as the hardback will. My thought process here - cheap and light one, meant for the field, no big deal if damaged - hardback, meant for the bookshelf. Bibliophiles have been disappointed in the quality of the paper, but unless you're a d...
by Kevin Messenger
March 15th, 2021, 3:38 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: new book on The Asian ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China
Replies: 0
Views: 8425

new book on The Asian ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China

Guess I should post this in here as well. Here's a copy and paste from the main forum on my first book that I finished (#2 is in the works): Hey all, just wanted to mention, I've finished my first book. Right now only the paperback is available, on Amazon. Maybe in the next week or two, the hardback...
by Kevin Messenger
March 15th, 2021, 3:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Asian Ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China
Replies: 8
Views: 3730

The Asian Ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China

Hey all, just wanted to mention, I've finished my first book. Right now only the paperback is available, on Amazon. Maybe in the next week or two, the hardback will be available. The book is bilingual and meant to be half field guide half reference book. Covers 19 species from the region, 360 images...
by Kevin Messenger
March 3rd, 2021, 12:02 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China post #60: Thailand 2013 with Noel
Replies: 3
Views: 2370

China post #60: Thailand 2013 with Noel

Ok, enough time has gone by. One of my reasons for postponing this post back in 2013, was trying to figure out a few more ID’s – versus posting pics without IDs. But I think things have gotten a bit extreme, seeing as how it’s some 7 years later now. So I’m just going to post the pics, if someone ha...
by Kevin Messenger
March 2nd, 2021, 5:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some Beijing snakes from 2020
Replies: 10
Views: 4837

Re: Some Beijing snakes from 2020

oh yes. Many vipers, cobras, ratsnakes, food, scenery, etc etc. No new snake bites since the jerdonii bite of 2012! (well.... no new venomous bites)
by Kevin Messenger
March 2nd, 2021, 11:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some Beijing snakes from 2020
Replies: 10
Views: 4837

Re: Some Beijing snakes from 2020

Thanks! I intend to get back to posting very soon. Finishing up my first book, "The Asian Ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China" - so that writing, plus papers, has kept me busy. But I have soooo many more stories to post.
by Kevin Messenger
March 1st, 2021, 9:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some Beijing snakes from 2020
Replies: 10
Views: 4837

Re: Some Beijing snakes from 2020

damn. Can't wait to get back. Can't wait to road cruise this road with you!
by Kevin Messenger
November 28th, 2015, 9:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China 2015: Western Yunnan and Eastern Tibet
Replies: 12
Views: 8446

Re: China 2015: Western Yunnan and Eastern Tibet

very nice! I'm so far behind on my posts. Over 2 yrs behind. I have one more post for 2013, then all of 2014, then all of 2015... ugh. But either way, happy to see other China posts!
by Kevin Messenger
June 16th, 2015, 4:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa 2013, part 2
Replies: 13
Views: 5932

Re: South Africa 2013, part 2

thanks for the comments and bump everyone! it's always nice to have little reminders of trips like this that you haven't looked back in awhile. KEAC - the SX50 is really nice when space is an issue. It takes the place of my sigma in nearly all other situations. This Africa trip was one of the few ti...
by Kevin Messenger
June 3rd, 2015, 1:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: unknown blind snake from Hong Kong Island
Replies: 10
Views: 5182

Re: unknown blind snake from Hong Kong Island

wow. Strange for this to pop up after so much time. But yeah, we kept it until it shed, and it was just your standard Brahminy blind snake. Unfortunately. Thanks anyway though!
by Kevin Messenger
April 29th, 2015, 3:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Retic Underwater Video
Replies: 11
Views: 4911

Re: Retic Underwater Video

very cool! which gopro are you using? I have the Hero 2, and its macro capabilities suck....
by Kevin Messenger
April 27th, 2015, 1:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The past few years in Alabama (and the southeast)
Replies: 5
Views: 3786

Re: The past few years in Alabama (and the southeast)

very nice man! i hate that I'm stuck in the office so much....
by Kevin Messenger
February 25th, 2015, 12:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)
Replies: 52
Views: 16833

Re: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)

:thumb: :beer:
by Kevin Messenger
February 13th, 2015, 3:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)
Replies: 52
Views: 16833

Re: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)

^ I don't know. That's why I tried to not change it too much. I suspect had I just deleted the whole thing, that would get noticed. But if I kept most of the same sentences, and just changed the info in those sentences, maybe it would pass
by Kevin Messenger
February 13th, 2015, 12:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)
Replies: 52
Views: 16833

Re: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)

ok, done. new text to make the diesel can look not so out of place
by Kevin Messenger
February 13th, 2015, 11:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)
Replies: 52
Views: 16833

Re: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)

I re-reverted it. I'm not gonna let that ass keep up the original thing. I went back and changed it again. Yeah, with the coca-cola thing, the original sentence was: "Some places will also buy live rattlesnakes by the pound" so I changed it to: "Some places will also sell coca-cola.&q...
by Kevin Messenger
February 12th, 2015, 5:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)
Replies: 52
Views: 16833

Re: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)

damn.... looks like it reverted back... i wonder if it was the original poster or if my edits were rejected. Did anyone ever click my link and see non-offensive stuff?
by Kevin Messenger
February 12th, 2015, 4:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)
Replies: 52
Views: 16833

Re: How to Hunt Rattlesnakes (WikiHow)

ok..... so, i just edited the thing. can other people not do that? Here's what I typed in: http://www.wikihow.com/Hunt-for-Rattlesnakes i did it half-assed because I wasn't sure if the edits would stick.... I figured it would have some sort of vetting option - like it goes to the original person, an...
by Kevin Messenger
February 6th, 2015, 3:56 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity
Replies: 14
Views: 19067

Re: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity

I will be writing it up - as we think (pretty, pretty sure) it's a new species of frog. Again, thanks for all the assistance and the tutorial, incredibly helpful and I'm glad someone in "the group" has this sort of skill (however partial of a grasp that person may feel they have on it) suc...
by Kevin Messenger
February 6th, 2015, 1:17 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity
Replies: 14
Views: 19067

Re: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity

very interesting and what a unique way to compare techniques and styles! I've been saving multiple copies and exporting: v2, noise reduced, v3 noise reduced and resampled at 11000 hz, v4, X, and Y, and Z, and a myriad of combinations! and then trying to introduce the equalizer as well. It makes it d...
by Kevin Messenger
February 5th, 2015, 4:13 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity
Replies: 14
Views: 19067

Re: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity

nice, thanks, I'll give it a shot. My stream is way louder, but I think it can still be improved upon. I'll try to put the original on dropbox and see if I can embed it

to embed on here also has to be mp3 I guess?


by Kevin Messenger
February 4th, 2015, 9:09 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity
Replies: 14
Views: 19067

Re: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity

I'd love more opinions/ skill on drowning out stream noise. I was able to reduce the noise, but still not 100% happy with it. Where did you upload your audio so that you could embed it? Flickr?
by Kevin Messenger
February 4th, 2015, 3:56 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity
Replies: 14
Views: 19067

Re: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity

thanks for this!! just what I was looking for!
by Kevin Messenger
January 29th, 2015, 5:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 Eastern Indigo Snake Search - Conecuh Naitonal Forest
Replies: 64
Views: 21588

Re: 2015 Eastern Indigo Snake Search - Conecuh Naitonal Fore

I'll be making it this time around as well!
by Kevin Messenger
December 22nd, 2014, 4:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Havana and Western Cuba, Nov. 2010 (major dial-up warning)
Replies: 37
Views: 10833

Re: Havana and Western Cuba, Nov. 2010 (major dial-up warnin

Jeff, with Cuba in the news now - you should re-link your pics. Was trying to show dad some of the herp life from Cuba
by Kevin Messenger
November 24th, 2014, 2:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa Oct 2014, my 4th trip back
Replies: 16
Views: 9700

Re: South Africa Oct 2014, my 4th trip back

very awesome!
by Kevin Messenger
October 15th, 2014, 10:06 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: zoos in the US that have best representation of China herps?
Replies: 19
Views: 8699

Re: zoos in the US that have best representation of Asian he

well hmmm...... I definitely think I might have to put Saint Louis on the list! You have several species that I've never seen, or know anyone else has seen. Would a behind the scenes/ photo opportunity be a possibility there? Pretty sure I will be driving through Saint Louis in December (on my way t...
by Kevin Messenger
October 14th, 2014, 12:23 pm
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: anyone good at IDying Chinese aquatic inverts?
Replies: 2
Views: 2767

Re: anyone good at IDying Chinese aquatic inverts?

that's okay! I appreciate this much!
by Kevin Messenger
October 14th, 2014, 9:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: zoos in the US that have best representation of China herps?
Replies: 19
Views: 8699

Re: zoos in the US that have best representation of Asian he

damn. Yeah, I did a search on the Chattanooga aquarium, which supposedly has the largest collection/ diversity of turtles. They had some online images/ names.
by Kevin Messenger
October 13th, 2014, 10:43 pm
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: anyone good at IDying Chinese aquatic inverts?
Replies: 2
Views: 2767

anyone good at IDying Chinese aquatic inverts?

At least down to Order or Family? These were found in a mountain stream in western Hubei Province. 1660 m elevation (if that helps). Any sort of ID would be helpful. I'm uploading the original sizes so that as much detail can be viewed as possible: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15508816986_3bd...
by Kevin Messenger
October 13th, 2014, 5:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: zoos in the US that have best representation of China herps?
Replies: 19
Views: 8699

Re: zoos in the US that have best representation of Asian he

yeah, I had the pleasure of photographing some mangs at the Riverbanks zoo in SC the other week: https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/15364108232_1227c27aa1.jpg Mangshan pit-viper (Protobothrops mangshanensis) by Kevin Messenger , on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3921/15364108932_27746df99c.j...
by Kevin Messenger
October 13th, 2014, 3:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: zoos in the US that have best representation of China herps?
Replies: 19
Views: 8699

zoos in the US that have best representation of China herps?

Does anyone know of any? A zoo which either has an impressive assortment of snake species, or turtles, or lizards, or frogs, or any combination there of? edit: I changed the title from Asian to China, as that is my main area of interest. And I've been getting lots of emails and messages from individ...
by Kevin Messenger
October 12th, 2014, 12:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Asia travels - Central & South China and Japan
Replies: 20
Views: 9771

Re: Asia travels - Central & South China and Japan

Odorrana margaratae , or at least, I think it is. http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto-YMKIGZ48-D.jpg And a new species for the China trip. Still undetermined but probably some kind of tree frog. http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto-4K8MHN4T-D.jpg Tim Odorrana schmackeri and Amolops is the genus. Most likely A. ri...
by Kevin Messenger
October 11th, 2014, 6:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #81: Spitter Baby
Replies: 20
Views: 8753

Re: Borneo Dispatches #81: Spitter Baby

so damn pretty!!!
by Kevin Messenger
September 22nd, 2014, 12:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa 2013, part 1
Replies: 13
Views: 7996

Re: South Africa 2013, part 1

Those were some of my favorite shots as well. There were several opportunities where we could have touched the elephants as they passed us by, so within arms reach. Quite scary at the same time, especially when they would flap their ears in threat display/ cautiousness yes, I was basically not allow...
by Kevin Messenger
September 20th, 2014, 10:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Trip with the Bangladesh Python Project - all pics up!
Replies: 27
Views: 14810

Re: My Trip with the Bangladesh Python Project - snake pics

I think it is almost certainly Sphenomorphus (it just can't be Scincella - if it still keys out as Scincella, then someone needs to re-work the species over there, something funky is going on). That very last pic, if I saw nothing but that, I would have thought S. indicus. But the lateral coloration...
by Kevin Messenger
September 19th, 2014, 11:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My Trip with the Bangladesh Python Project - all pics up!
Replies: 27
Views: 14810

Re: My Trip with the Bangladesh Python Project

Great pics all around, and awesome species! Reeve's Smooth Skink Scincella reevesi http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/Jonathan_Daehnke/Bangladesh/IMG_0408_zpsa3c1da81.jpg Also Reeve's Smooth Skink, or something else? http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff45/Jonathan_Daehnke/Bangladesh/IMG_0356_z...
by Kevin Messenger
September 17th, 2014, 6:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southern Yunnan 2014
Replies: 13
Views: 8988

Re: Southern Yunnan 2014

awesome! loved seeing pics of the R. leonardi! and the Tiannan knobby newt. Seeing a jerdonii from that area is also very cool
by Kevin Messenger
September 16th, 2014, 2:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Asia travels - Central & South China and Japan
Replies: 20
Views: 9771

Re: Asia travels - Central & South China and Japan

wow, quite different looking (in my opinion). But I'm just not familiar with that region
by Kevin Messenger
September 16th, 2014, 12:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Asia travels - Central & South China and Japan
Replies: 20
Views: 9771

Re: Asia travels - Central & South China and Japan

man... that tank-like frog is turning out to be much more difficult to ID. I thought I'd see pics of that species somewhere, but can't find any pics resembling it. The closest I can get are two options. Either A) a malnourished and thin Calluella (Calluella has the smashed face that I'm looking for,...
by Kevin Messenger
September 8th, 2014, 4:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa 2013, part 2
Replies: 13
Views: 5932

Re: South Africa 2013, part 2

Jeff wrote:[As an aside your sandveld skink Nucras caesicaudata is a Rainbow Skink (Trachylepis margaritophora); Nucras is a fine-scaled lacertid]
Thanks for the correction! I'll make changes in my notes, flickr and on here. Hopefully everything else was ID'd correctly
by Kevin Messenger
September 8th, 2014, 1:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa 2013, part 2
Replies: 13
Views: 5932

Re: South Africa 2013, part 2

Thanks for the ID Chris. I thought that was the species, but wasn't sure, and so just left it blank. I made the change on the original Flickr image. Your photos bring back one prevailing memory of southern Africa .....this is not a good tourist destination for vegans! :lol: Most definitely. Actually...
by Kevin Messenger
September 8th, 2014, 1:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa 2013, part 1
Replies: 13
Views: 7996

Re: South Africa 2013, part 1

A full frame sensor is not the answer to your problems, here. In fact, it will make your subject seem further away (compared to your crop sensor), increasing the need to crop or get closer to the subject (obviously not easy to do in Africa). Some wildlife photographers stay away from full frame sen...
by Kevin Messenger
September 7th, 2014, 5:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa 2013, part 1
Replies: 13
Views: 7996

Re: South Africa 2013

Jacob wrote:Great stuff! Really brings back some memories from when I was there. Loved the owl shots
man... I just took a look at one of your posts. Looks like you had a blast. Wish I could have experience more than just 12 days. And wish it could have been during the proper time of year for herps.