Search found 482 matches

by cbernz
October 26th, 2016, 6:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Yet another Missouri/Illinois post
Replies: 11
Views: 10217

Re: Yet another Missouri/Illinois post

Thanks. I would definitely like to try it in spring next time and hopefully do better with turtles (only saw Red-eared Sliders and a DOR box this trip). Grotto was actually the easiest salamander since it was in a show cave, and there were about 13 other people plus a tour guide helping to look. I j...
by cbernz
October 21st, 2016, 8:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Yet another Missouri/Illinois post
Replies: 11
Views: 10217

Yet another Missouri/Illinois post

I spent 10/13 to 10/18 exploring eastern Missouri and Snake Road area with a couple friends. We started out exploring some glade habitat on a cool day, where many snakes were flipped. Most of those many were either Prairie Ringnecks or Lined Snakes. Prairie Ringneck: http://www.pbase.com/cbernz/imag...
by cbernz
October 5th, 2016, 7:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: catching Podarcis sicula (the Italian wall lizard)
Replies: 2
Views: 3205

Re: catching Podarcis sicula (the Italian wall lizard)

I'd probably try noosing them. Tie a strand of low-test fishing line to the end of a long stick (I used to use an old radio antenna), then tie a small noose in the other end of the line. If necessary, rub a little wax into the noose end of the line to stiffen it so the noose stays open and the end o...
by cbernz
August 31st, 2016, 12:25 pm
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Scorpion ID Assist, Please...
Replies: 5
Views: 15006

Re: Scorpion ID Assist, Please...

If you don't have luck on here, try this site: http://www.bugguide.net/node/view/15740
by cbernz
August 22nd, 2016, 12:53 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Losing a species on your lifelist?
Replies: 6
Views: 15623

Re: Losing a species on your lifelist?

So they're taking away Golden-winged, but they want us to separate 13 species of Red Crossbills by looking at sonograms of their stupid flight calls? AOU can bite me. I'm going to form an Amish-style utopian society, except instead of freezing technology in the 18th century, I'm going to freeze tax...
by cbernz
August 16th, 2016, 6:19 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Losing a species on your lifelist?
Replies: 6
Views: 15623

Re: Losing a species on your lifelist?

So they're taking away Golden-winged, but they want us to separate 13 species of Red Crossbills by looking at sonograms of their stupid flight calls? AOU can bite me. I'm going to form an Amish-style utopian society, except instead of freezing technology in the 18th century, I'm going to freeze taxo...
by cbernz
August 4th, 2016, 8:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?
Replies: 42
Views: 28217

Re: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?

I know that there is (or has been) habitat restoration for Bog Turtle in NJ. I don't think it comes at the expense of anything else except for the invasive plants (like Purple Loosestrife) that they remove. In NJ, so much habitat is so severely degraded and choked with invasives that it's hard to ar...
by cbernz
July 29th, 2016, 5:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: What is going on here ... more accurately NOT going on here
Replies: 10
Views: 6288

Re: What is going on here ... more accurately NOT going on h

This year has sucked for herping. The few days I had free had the wrong weather for the herping I wanted to do: dry and warm in early spring, rainy and/or bloody miserably hot in summer. It's been awesome for my backyard moths, though - I've added over 100 species so far this year and I'm approachin...
by cbernz
July 23rd, 2016, 10:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Similarities between Hunting Pokemon and Snakes. Fascinating
Replies: 7
Views: 4333

Re: Similarities between Hunting Pokemon and Snakes. Fascina

To the outside observer, they both involve people ambling slowly about in a stilted zigzag pattern and then suddenly getting very excited for no apparent reason. Also, both can cause you to drive like an insane person.
by cbernz
July 23rd, 2016, 8:41 am
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 compare...
by cbernz
July 23rd, 2016, 8:32 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: HELP! Two binocular questions
Replies: 18
Views: 38786

Re: HELP! Two binocular questions

When choosing the power that you want to use in the field, the most important thing to consider is your own skill level. I started with 7X and have worked my way up to 12X. The ability to quickly find an object with your binoculars is probably is the determining factor on what magnification you sho...
by cbernz
July 15th, 2016, 11:20 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Replies: 24
Views: 28949

Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...

intermedius wrote:Empids, the Desmognathus of the birding world.

- Justin
Except salamanders don't have distinctive call notes.
by cbernz
July 15th, 2016, 11:18 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Identifying empid flycatchers...
Replies: 24
Views: 28949

Re: Identifying empid flycatchers...

I know they're all the same color, but when I look at this graphic and my eyes scan from head to head, they appear to be slightly different shades of brown. Anyone else notice this optical illusion?
by cbernz
July 8th, 2016, 5:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: What would you do if you found a Copperhead in your yard?
Replies: 16
Views: 7280

Re: What would you do if you found a Copperhead in your yard

I would say this depends a lot on your relationship with your wife. Is she likely to listen to a reasoned argument about venomous snakes in her yard? If not, I wouldn't bother trying. If she told you to relocate it, but didn't say specifically how far away to relocate it, I'd just let it go on the o...
by cbernz
July 8th, 2016, 6:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Dishonesty in government
Replies: 121
Views: 40656

Re: Dishonesty in government

GP interaction and capture of herps isnt addressed because its uncontrollable, untraceable, unaccountable, and when it is brought up, its regularly in an apologists notation. Captures in a coffee can, etc that turn out too inconvenient to keep - there is no evidence that the experience leads "...
by cbernz
July 7th, 2016, 7:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Dishonesty in government
Replies: 121
Views: 40656

Re: Dishonesty in government

Jeroen Speybroeck: Pretty much every herper I have ever spoken with understands that we need to preserve habitat. Even as a small child, I could understand that going to places with good habitat in tact would result in finding more species than say a small city park. I think it is less discussed be...
by cbernz
June 20th, 2016, 4:23 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: HELP! Two binocular questions
Replies: 18
Views: 38786

Re: HELP! Two binocular questions

I use 10x42 in tropical forest, and can't imagine using smaller. I don't really care much for field of view, as I'm focused on the bird, not the habitat around it. I may lose the odd flittering warbler, but overall, I prefer 10x. It seems like this is really a matter of personal preference. I actua...
by cbernz
June 19th, 2016, 7:39 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: HELP! Two binocular questions
Replies: 18
Views: 38786

Re: HELP! Two binocular questions

I'd get the 8x42's. Wider field of view, image stability, and brightness trump seeing the birds a tiny bit closer. I'd only ever use higher than an 8 if I were doing mostly hawkwatching or seawatching.
by cbernz
June 14th, 2016, 7:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best country to herp in october!
Replies: 5
Views: 3690

Re: Best country to herp in october!

How about Snake Road? Doesn't get much snakier than that, maybe anywhere.
by cbernz
June 13th, 2016, 9:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Salamander ID
Replies: 4
Views: 3637

Re: Salamander ID

I bet something happened to it, like maybe it fled its hiding place because of a predator or a rockfall or a flooding rain.
by cbernz
June 2nd, 2016, 4:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A few Oregon laws about to change that could impact herping
Replies: 86
Views: 36681

Re: A few Oregon laws about to change that could impact herp

How big a change is this from the previous law? How many new species are on the hands-off list, or was there even a hands-off list before?
by cbernz
May 30th, 2016, 10:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: What portion of PA should i herp this summer?
Replies: 1
Views: 2175

Re: What portion of PA should i herp this summer?

Do the Pine Barrens. There's some cool stuff in PA too, but it's a lot more spread out. There are many species in the Pines that you won't see in PA or NY.
by cbernz
May 29th, 2016, 6:11 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: The Fight for 500... (5/28/16 - FINISHED)
Replies: 29
Views: 35830

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 cbernz
May 29th, 2016, 12:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Salamander ID
Replies: 4
Views: 3637

Re: Salamander ID

I agree with wehrlei. Was it really walking on those rocks in the midday sun? That seems really unusual.
by cbernz
May 6th, 2016, 9:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: More photos from the Peruvian Amazon
Replies: 5
Views: 5032

More photos from the Peruvian Amazon

After salivating over the excellent trip reports of Ribbit and others over the course of the past 4 or 5 years, I finally got myself onto the Margarita Tours trip to Peru this winter. Ribbit, who kept detailed notes every day, posted a great series on this year's trip: http://fieldherpforum.com/foru...
by cbernz
May 3rd, 2016, 5:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Peruvian Amazonia 2016, part 3 of 3: Santa Cruz
Replies: 14
Views: 9285

Re: Peruvian Amazonia 2016, part 3 of 3: Santa Cruz

Beautiful photos, excellent narrative - just as great as your posts from 3 or 4 years ago that inspired me to get myself on this trip!
by cbernz
April 29th, 2016, 12:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Westchester finds
Replies: 3
Views: 3208

Re: Westchester finds

Yeah, it's the same out here - they like rocks. I usually see them on exposed rocky ridgetops with lots of strewn boulders. I think the sad truth is that there is a whole lot more good looking habitat than there is occupied habitat. Even in places where I see pitvipers, I won't see them every time, ...
by cbernz
April 27th, 2016, 6:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some Mexican Vipers
Replies: 2
Views: 3306

Re: Some Mexican Vipers

Your photos just set my computer monitor on fire!
by cbernz
April 26th, 2016, 7:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NJ pine Barrens and regulations
Replies: 19
Views: 13049

Re: NJ pine Barrens and regulations

I don't know if states have an obligation to post their laws online, necessarily, but they definitely have the inclination. I can't see what would be the benefit of NOT having them posted on the government homepage, considering the relatively minute space taken up by text files.....in any case, all ...
by cbernz
April 25th, 2016, 6:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: You Know You're a Herper....
Replies: 36
Views: 16711

Re: You Know You're a Herper....

You know you're a herper, when... your vacations are planned around herping destinations... :) Every time we plan a family outing, my wife warns me, "This isn't going to be a reptile trip." Yet somehow, they always are. In a similar vein... You know you are a herper when you come back fro...
by cbernz
April 18th, 2016, 12:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Louisiana "Snake Rodeo" Killfest (GRAPHIC)
Replies: 10
Views: 7588

Re: Louisiana "Snake Rodeo" Killfest (GRAPHIC)

Why? I don't mean that in an obtuse sense, I am asking out of genuine curiosity-do they have what they perceive to be an overpopulation of water snakes and are trying to cut down on the population? I have seen it stated before that water snakes cut down on native fish populations, however I know th...
by cbernz
April 16th, 2016, 6:23 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NJ pine Barrens and regulations
Replies: 19
Views: 13049

Re: NJ pine Barrens and regulations

There is a great deal of information available. You will not find it in regulations which apply to possession permits. These are (and it should be clear from the list you mentioned) pet store regulations and have nothing to do with interactions with wild creatures. These pet store regs make distinc...
by cbernz
April 15th, 2016, 8:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NJ pine Barrens and regulations
Replies: 19
Views: 13049

Re: NJ pine Barrens and regulations

Harassing wildlife is a crime, simple and direct. This includes picking them up. Can you show me where this is specifically stated in the NJ law code? I couldn't find it. Remember the man who was playing with a rattlesnake in North Jersey? He was bitten, and when he was discharged from the hospital...
by cbernz
April 14th, 2016, 12:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NJ pine Barrens and regulations
Replies: 19
Views: 13049

Re: NJ pine Barrens and regulations

Being on state land or private land makes no difference in NJ. The same laws apply. Do not touch or interfere with any reptile. It is against the law, endangered species or not. Photos are ok, but only in situ, and not involving any handling of the reptile. Collecting anything is forbidden. The onl...
by cbernz
April 13th, 2016, 10:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NJ Meadowlands question
Replies: 2
Views: 3229

Re: NJ Meadowlands question

The Meadowlands is a great birding spot, and I used to go a lot as a kid, but I don't remember ever seeing a snake there. They probably have a few water snakes, maybe garters and browns and stuff, but it's not at all the kind of place I would bother to herp. There's salt marsh, tidal mudflats, and a...
by cbernz
April 13th, 2016, 10:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NJ pine Barrens and regulations
Replies: 19
Views: 13049

Re: NJ pine Barrens and regulations

I don't know the specific laws that apply to the state parks, although it's probably some variation of the standard "no removal or harrassment of wildlife" rule that many parks have (I'm strict about non-removal; harrassment for me is a bit of a gray area ;) ). I can tell you that your cha...
by cbernz
April 8th, 2016, 12:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: End of Year 2014
Replies: 16
Views: 7931

Re: End of Year 2014

Hi, didn't get down to NJ last year - so planning on week of April 17...looks like it will be mid-60s when I'm there. I want to just go to northern ends of Pine Barrens (near Lacey Township area.,,possibly the state forest around there and this nature conservancy or audubon preserve..forget the nam...
by cbernz
April 6th, 2016, 11:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Metamorphosis: A New Guide to Amphibian Development
Replies: 2
Views: 1859

Re: Metamorphosis: A New Guide to Amphibian Development

Thanks for the heads up. Looking forward to my copy!
by cbernz
April 4th, 2016, 8:11 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: I seen some birds recently...
Replies: 9
Views: 18003

Re: I seen some birds recently...

Brian Hubbs wrote::lol:

So, I've been taking bird pics pretty regular since Oct. 2015 and only count species i get a pic of. I'm up to 153 species now. Is that good for a beginner?
I would say so. You should be able to crack 200 easily during the spring migration.
by cbernz
April 2nd, 2016, 5:57 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: I seen some birds recently...
Replies: 9
Views: 18003

Re: I seen some birds recently...

Brian Hubbs wrote:Birds are definitely tougher than turtles. Sometimes I just want to shoot them and prop their little butts up with a popsicle stick... :x
150+ years of bird paintings were basically done that way. I wouldn't be shocked if there were some bird photographers out there who still did this.
by cbernz
March 24th, 2016, 6:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring Emergence 2016!
Replies: 19
Views: 9600

Re: Spring Emergence 2016!

I'm curious what others' experiences have been this season, because around here it's been a really strange early spring. My brother confirmed Bluespot movement on Feb. 24, on a night I wasn't able to get out. I went back to the same spot on a wet, warmish night last week and saw nothing migrating, n...
by cbernz
March 20th, 2016, 5:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Female herpetologists or herp enthusiasts
Replies: 90
Views: 49463

Re: Female herpetologists or herp enthusiasts

I love all herps but salamanders are my favorites because I find them incredibly fascinating. Frogs are tied with turtles for second. You should consider a trip to the southern Appalachians - the Mecca for salamander enthusiasts, and one of my favorite parts of the country. Depending on the areas y...
by cbernz
March 4th, 2016, 11:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Common name for Crotalus ornatus and Crotalus molossus
Replies: 9
Views: 6532

Re: Common name for Crotalus ornatus and Crotalus molossus

I didn't know about this split. So does this mean the Blacktails I've seen in TX and AZ are two different species? If so, I guess I get to add one to my lifelist!
by cbernz
February 25th, 2016, 10:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring Emergence 2016!
Replies: 19
Views: 9600

Re: Spring Emergence 2016!

I didn't go out last night, but I guarantee our laterale started moving. It was 62 degrees last night, with lightning, thunder, and a tornado watch! In February!
by cbernz
February 23rd, 2016, 4:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring Emergence 2016!
Replies: 19
Views: 9600

Re: Spring Emergence 2016!

I bet there will be some Blue-spotted movement tomorrow night, if not tonight, in Morris County, NJ.
by cbernz
February 22nd, 2016, 7:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Metamorphosis: Field Guide to Amphibian Development
Replies: 3
Views: 2561

Re: Metamorphosis: Field Guide to Amphibian Development

Would you mind bumping this post when the book comes out? It looks like an amazing project. How can we convince him to create an expansion that covers the northeast US? Maybe a kickstarter campaign?
by cbernz
January 25th, 2016, 5:15 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Osa hummingbird ID help
Replies: 3
Views: 13036

Re: Osa hummingbird ID help

Looks like a Charming Hummingbird, Amazilia decora.
by cbernz
January 25th, 2016, 4:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spotted Salamander Morphs
Replies: 6
Views: 3474

Re: Spotted Salamander Morphs

You should probably introduce yourself and describe your project before asking people to collect animals for you sight unseen.
by cbernz
January 22nd, 2016, 9:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 : larval salamanders to desert lizards (& bugs & more)
Replies: 2
Views: 2446

Re: 2015 : larval salamanders to desert lizards (& bugs & mo

And here are two Gray Treefrog tadpoles. The two gray treefrog tadpoles developed in different environments. The gray treefrog tadpole with the red tail developed in a pond with plenty of predators, while the other gray treefrog developed in a pond without predators. The bright red tail & dark ...
by cbernz
January 21st, 2016, 7:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Dangerfield Herps
Replies: 21
Views: 14679

Re: Dangerfield Herps

BTW that cinereus is a stunner!