Search found 46 matches

by SheriMonk
May 29th, 2014, 1:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Member Biographies
Replies: 44
Views: 28371

Re: Member Biographies

My name is Sheri Monk. I live in Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada outside of town on a large property. I have been field herping for nine years, and I do not keep any captive snakes. My main interest is in in situ photography of venomous snake species, although I like all herps, and nature in general....
by SheriMonk
May 29th, 2014, 12:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Canada?
Replies: 3
Views: 1153

Re: Canada?

Nice, thanks!

Just wanted to make sure that based on my location, I would be posting in the correct chapter.

Viridis pics I have tons of! And some C. o. oreganus from a recent expedition to Oregon. (Haven't even downloaded those yet!)

Thanks for the welcome. :)
by SheriMonk
May 29th, 2014, 12:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Canada?
Replies: 3
Views: 1153

Canada?

Is this the chapter I should belong to? I live in Alberta, above Montana, and my home species is Crotalus viridis. (Apologies in advance for being a Crote head!) I really haven't been very active here, but I probably should be a little more. I am one of the only field herpers I know in my region, an...
by SheriMonk
September 24th, 2013, 5:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help/tips for Manila, Hong Kong, Shanghai
Replies: 6
Views: 2757

Re: Help/tips for Manila, Hong Kong, Shanghai

Thanks for checking with him for me!
A friend of mine on Facebook knows him (actually, a few friends!) and I was put in touch with him right away.

I didn't anticipate even going on this trip, so I'm just taking it all as a bonus.

Excited! :)
by SheriMonk
September 24th, 2013, 6:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help/tips for Manila, Hong Kong, Shanghai
Replies: 6
Views: 2757

Re: Help/tips for Manila, Hong Kong, Shanghai

Thanks! I cannot even imagine seeing Ophiophagus hannah in the wild. I think I would faint from excitement. It's one of THE snakes on my bucket list. I was reading the venomous species list for Hong Kong last night, and I was trying not to squeal out loud. It's not the best time of year to go, but t...
by SheriMonk
September 23rd, 2013, 8:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help/tips for Manila, Hong Kong, Shanghai
Replies: 6
Views: 2757

Help/tips for Manila, Hong Kong, Shanghai

I will be heading to Manila, Hong Kong, then Shanghai in early-mid November for work. I will only be in each place for a few days, but I am hoping to be able to get a little bit of herping in. Hot snakes are my favourite, but of course, I would be thrilled to see anything at all. Because I will be h...
by SheriMonk
October 13th, 2011, 8:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Cartel-Land - Fall 2011
Replies: 44
Views: 10457

Re: Herping Cartel-Land - Fall 2011

Your post makes the risk of a run-in with the cartel or a corrupt police/military force seem very small.
And I have a very strong survival instinct – so kudos on a post that has instilled a freshly intense wanderlust in my core.

Beautifully captured and told.
by SheriMonk
October 7th, 2011, 10:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Canadian Island Herping
Replies: 16
Views: 4388

Re: Canadian Island Herping

Nice! So neat to see someone enjoying and discovering a part of my own country that I've never been to yet.

I loved the close-up of the Thamnophis. :)
by SheriMonk
October 7th, 2011, 3:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Arizona Herpers and the Herpers from everywhere else
Replies: 220
Views: 25752

Re: Arizona Herpers and the Herpers from everywhere else

Norman, you have convinced me - I will post tomorrow (later today, technically). I was SO excited to see tigris. It was the last night, literally five minutes before we were going to quit. I had given up hope of seeing a new (for me) species and wham! There it was, like a goodbye gift from the state...
by SheriMonk
October 6th, 2011, 4:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Crotalus horridus, a few pics from today
Replies: 20
Views: 2168

Re: Crotalus horridus, a few pics from today

They are so, so pretty!
I have never seen horridus, but they are one of my favourite species. I really have to head east one day!
Thanks for the post.
by SheriMonk
October 6th, 2011, 4:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Crotalus viridis at hibernaculum
Replies: 13
Views: 2544

Re: Crotalus viridis at hibernaculum

They could den share though, right? It still amazes me that your snakes even *need* to den up. There are also garters that will den with the rattlers and the bulls. But, I have noticed that most of the garter activity and denning is actually closer to the rookeries, which are like satellites to the ...
by SheriMonk
October 6th, 2011, 10:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Arizona Herpers and the Herpers from everywhere else
Replies: 220
Views: 25752

Re: Arizona Herpers and the Herpers from everywhere else

Ok, I will think about that. Honestly, I try to be as low-impact a herper as I can be. I don't touch or hook them unless they need to be moved off a road. And I don't want to be one of those annoying, out-of-state tourist herpers either. LOL. On the other hand, your state is genuinely magical to me....
by SheriMonk
October 6th, 2011, 9:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Crotalus viridis at hibernaculum
Replies: 13
Views: 2544

Re: Crotalus viridis at hibernaculum

I met a really cool old Mexican lady like that out here in AZ. We were chatting up the locals, trying to get some info on the local snake population. When one of the lady's neighbors started talking about all the snakes on the old woman's land, she was promptly silenced by her elder. The old lady f...
by SheriMonk
October 6th, 2011, 8:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Arizona Herpers and the Herpers from everywhere else
Replies: 220
Views: 25752

Re: Arizona Herpers and the Herpers from everywhere else

I just wanted to mention that I spent a solid week herping Arizona, and only ran into one other herper. This was in August. I have never seen the crowding that is referenced here, during any of my three herping trips to this state. I hope I never do. :) Just a quick question about posting pics, I ne...
by SheriMonk
October 6th, 2011, 8:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Crotalus viridis at hibernaculum
Replies: 13
Views: 2544

Re: Crotalus viridis at hibernaculum

Thank you. And yes, thank goodness there are those of you that protect them. :) I apologize if I seemed too harsh - I had encounter with an atrox with its head freshly cut-off and the human who did it. Honestly, if I lived down there, I think I would become so frustrated in conservation efforts. You...
by SheriMonk
October 6th, 2011, 8:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Crotalus viridis at hibernaculum
Replies: 13
Views: 2544

Crotalus viridis at hibernaculum

I'm pretty stoked. Went out yesterday – and this is near the most northern part of their range – we sometimes have snow by now so October herping is pretty hit and miss. Anyway, I started with a beautiful bull snake on the hike to the dens and rookeries, then found two neonates and then hit the jack...
by SheriMonk
September 27th, 2011, 7:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: WTF Weird thing on a snake
Replies: 13
Views: 3034

Re: WTF Weird thing on a snake

It sort of reminded me of some kind of wild berry. And it looked appetizing. Until I realized that it was likely a decapitated ant.

Not as hungry now.
by SheriMonk
September 22nd, 2011, 12:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Canada?
Replies: 4
Views: 1079

Re: Canada?

I'd really like that, thank you. :)
by SheriMonk
September 12th, 2011, 9:07 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Roll Call
Replies: 65
Views: 33154

Re: Roll Call

Sheri Monk Pincher Creek, Alberta I work as a reporter, and hobbies include field herping, usually for Crotalus species, but I am happy to see anything herp related, and enjoy all wildlife (especially predators). I also keep tarantulas as a hobby, and recently, have grown an interest in survivalism....
by SheriMonk
September 12th, 2011, 8:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Canada?
Replies: 4
Views: 1079

Re: Canada?

Thanks, I will do that! :)
by SheriMonk
September 12th, 2011, 7:45 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Canada?
Replies: 4
Views: 1079

Canada?

Hi all, I live in Pincher Creek, Alberta, about 30 minutes from Glacier Park, at the base of the mountains. May I join your chapter? There isn't a Canadian one, which makes sense in some ways, because our herps are so regionalized. I tend to herp primarily for viridis out here, and travel south when...
by SheriMonk
June 4th, 2011, 7:45 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Horridus dispersal?
Replies: 12
Views: 2553

Re: Horridus dispersal?

Viridis in NC are mostly in the southwest corner of the state, is that correct?
The state line is only an hour or so from here - if I need a fox badly, I wonder if that's not the better option.
I don't know anyone personally that has ever herped ND.
by SheriMonk
June 3rd, 2011, 3:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Horridus dispersal?
Replies: 12
Views: 2553

Re: Horridus dispersal?

Thanks Chris! I just got a new truck today, so I'm ready! :) I am going to try to go near the end of the month, but will have to see about work, etc. I sure hope to though, and if not this year, than next for sure. And if any of y'all feel like seeing Canadian viridis, I would be more than happy to ...
by SheriMonk
June 2nd, 2011, 12:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Horridus dispersal?
Replies: 12
Views: 2553

Re: Horridus dispersal?

Yes, here too with viridis, but unless horridus is different, den sites are very difficult to find unless you know someone, or do a lot of ground research in the general area. I remember going into the craziest places... towns with 20 people living in them and wandering into the only beer parlour fo...
by SheriMonk
June 1st, 2011, 6:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Horridus dispersal?
Replies: 12
Views: 2553

Re: Horridus dispersal?

Thanks! If I can grab a few days in the next couple of weeks, it would be fun to just get out there and try.
Been a super slow spring here as well. Frustrating – I actually saw snow flakes again the other day.
by SheriMonk
May 31st, 2011, 6:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Horridus dispersal?
Replies: 12
Views: 2553

Horridus dispersal?

Hey all :) I know it's a long shot, but I am contemplating taking a drive to eastern Minnesota in an attempt to see a live horridus. I have been herping everywhere except for out east, and dark specimens of horridus would be amazing to photograph in the wild. I am in Winnipeg right now, which is a h...
by SheriMonk
May 16th, 2011, 10:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Replies: 14
Views: 2469

Re: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis

Yes, I am moving to Pincher Creek at the end of June. And in that case, I should be about an hour from the nearest locales. However, the viridis I usually spend time with are about four hours from Pincher Creek, which is totally reasonable. I am currently in Winnipeg temporarily, but it was nice to ...
by SheriMonk
May 15th, 2011, 7:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Replies: 14
Views: 2469

Re: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis

Awesome. And if not this season, then for sure next.
And that doesn't sound right... I can find rattlers in mid-October as a general rule, and that's way up here! So weird, if you think about it.
by SheriMonk
May 15th, 2011, 7:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Replies: 14
Views: 2469

Re: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis

Well, I can find plenty of viridis, they over-winter in the same way, but 10 hours away and of course, fewer in number. But usually at the dens in spring and fall, I can find a couple dozen. It's neat when they're all piled up and looking out the same hole. But then they so easily spook one another....
by SheriMonk
May 15th, 2011, 7:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Replies: 14
Views: 2469

Re: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis

LOL. I don't think they know what they're going after, when they're in those big balls. They just scent a female and become pretty mindless, I think. Believe me, after a female has crawled over your legs, you can guarantee to be covered in suitors yourself throughout the trek.
by SheriMonk
May 15th, 2011, 6:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Replies: 14
Views: 2469

Re: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis

Fox cove, you totally should. Any herper would love to see it at least once.

As far as this species being the same as another, I really don't have an immense interest in Thamnophis, so I wasn't aware of any taxonomic debate. And if I were, I'd have probably elected to stay far, far away. ;)
by SheriMonk
May 15th, 2011, 5:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
Replies: 14
Views: 2469

Manitoba Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis

It's a beautiful thing to behold – mating balls slithering en masse before your feet as you walk. Where there aren't mating balls, there is a writhing, living carpet of snakes everywhere the eyes can see – thousands upon thousands. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y261/Arachnodisiac/Inwood%202011/ar...
by SheriMonk
May 6th, 2011, 5:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Head lamp suggestions?
Replies: 26
Views: 3912

Re: Head lamp suggestions?

That's true these days, isn't it?
I distinctly remember feeling quite geekish the first time I put one on. Of course, I'd probably wear a flamingo suit with a peanut butter jar on my head if it resulted in more successful herping. ;)
by SheriMonk
May 6th, 2011, 12:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Head lamp suggestions?
Replies: 26
Views: 3912

Re: Head lamp suggestions?

Wow, that was timely! Thanks Josh, and very nice blog. I've bookmarked it.

Certainly, I will look into that one. :)

Thanks to Tim as well.
by SheriMonk
May 6th, 2011, 10:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Head lamp suggestions?
Replies: 26
Views: 3912

Re: Head lamp suggestions?

Wow, sounds promising! I'll check it out. Thanks! I bought one before last year's amphibian migration, and it was among my best purchases I've ever made. It cost me less than $30 from amazon.com and I believe this is it here: http://www.amazon.com/Petzl-E93-PS-Tikka-Headlamp/dp/B0027GTFO2/ref=sr_1_1...
by SheriMonk
May 6th, 2011, 8:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Head lamp suggestions?
Replies: 26
Views: 3912

Head lamp suggestions?

I'm preparing for my Arizona excursion and the last item I really need is a new head lamp. It has to of course, be bright, have at least a couple of settings, and also be long-lived. A rechargeable battery pack is preferred, but I can deal with standard batteries too. Price isn't an issue – I don't ...
by SheriMonk
April 22nd, 2011, 11:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: When Should I come to AZ?
Replies: 29
Views: 4854

Re: When Should I come to AZ?

Canada is fun to herp, especially after seeing snake dens under five feet of snow later come alive with thousands of garters looking for a mate. It really is cool, in its own way. I love taking folks out to herp. Any of y'all would be welcome any time. We have three species of venomous snakes, plent...
by SheriMonk
April 21st, 2011, 6:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: When Should I come to AZ?
Replies: 29
Views: 4854

Re: When Should I come to AZ?

Yes, thanks Dave! It's just easy to gravitate toward the area you are most familiar with – a tendency of human nature I guess. Partially, because no one wants to get skunked, so it's easy to frequent locales with a high success rate. Also, when you're from out of state – or out of country as I am – ...
by SheriMonk
April 19th, 2011, 6:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: When Should I come to AZ?
Replies: 29
Views: 4854

Re: When Should I come to AZ?

C. m. pyrrhus are found near that area, and then just a bit further south is Wickenburg, which have some really cool areas for scuts and cerastes (common, but awesome when you're from far away!) And the terrain is really neat as well. Not the classic desert you find near Tuscon, but very pretty coun...
by SheriMonk
April 18th, 2011, 6:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: When Should I come to AZ?
Replies: 29
Views: 4854

Re: When Should I come to AZ?

Another snowbird here, and I have been twice herping in Arizona, but never in August... not until this year. :D When I went before, we were fortunate to have local guides and some good locale tips, so now I think I have a reasonable handle on where to find the most common species anyway. I think wha...
by SheriMonk
April 17th, 2011, 11:43 am
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Invert forum?
Replies: 91
Views: 102880

Re: Invert forum?

Wow! How fascinating! I have had a life-long fear of bees and wasps. One time, surrounded by several rattlesnake den sites, with rattlers out sunning, and neonates clumsily scattered around rookeries, I was harassed by a wasp. Logically, I knew the wasp was less of a threat than the rattlers, but af...
by SheriMonk
April 16th, 2011, 10:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring Snow
Replies: 14
Views: 2655

Re: Spring Snow

You're right.
You know, that's something I really enjoy as well, as well as scat analysis.
I haven't done near enough of it, but my new location will likely change things significantly.

Always a silver lining.
by SheriMonk
April 16th, 2011, 9:41 am
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Invert forum?
Replies: 91
Views: 102880

Re: Invert forum?

I love the idea of subforums.
When I go herping, I always, always stop for arachnids (I keep them at home too) and I take trips specifically to find mammals like bears and wolves.
(For the record, it's always so much easier to find the herps!)
by SheriMonk
April 16th, 2011, 9:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring Snow
Replies: 14
Views: 2655

Re: Spring Snow

I feel you. I am temporarily in Winnipeg right now, before I move back west. A couple of days ago, I was running my dog, cycling my the river. Today, there is snow. This is the furthest I have been from C. viridis in years, and I am missing them as they emerge. And I cannot even console myself with ...
by SheriMonk
April 15th, 2011, 11:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Banded rocks, habitat, vistas and blood - all new pics
Replies: 57
Views: 13671

Re: Banded rocks, habitat, vistas and blood - all new pics

No one expects a zombie leg - they're always a surprise.
But don't worry, I know the cure. :D
reptilist wrote:If I see you in August, please don't expect a zombie leg. As awesome looking as that was......
by SheriMonk
April 15th, 2011, 7:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Banded rocks, habitat, vistas and blood - all new pics
Replies: 57
Views: 13671

Re: Banded rocks, habitat, vistas and blood - all new pics

Stunning pic. Especially the zombie leg – that was great.
Definitely makes me look with even more anticipation toward my Arizona herping trip this August!