Search found 243 matches
- July 1st, 2018, 7:04 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Rainbow Snake
- Replies: 4
- Views: 6322
Re: Rainbow Snake
Thanks; this was freshwater
- June 29th, 2018, 9:29 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Rainbow Snake
- Replies: 4
- Views: 6322
Rainbow Snake
I had the opportunity to see this rarely encountered species in south Georgia earlier this week, when some friends and I found one out moving around (likely hunting) in a shallow wetland after dark. These snakes are hard to find and hard to photograph! Thanks to Ben Stegenga and Michael Holden for ...
- August 15th, 2017, 3:09 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Gartersnake swallowing a green frog
- Replies: 6
- Views: 4105
Re: Gartersnake swallowing a green frog
Zach, Good pic. I really like natural history shots that capture wild activity. In retrospect, I think every time I've found a rep of Natricidae eating a frog or toad, except on a roadway, was because the amphib was screaming! This makes your observation even more special. wow! yeah this frog was s...
- August 14th, 2017, 10:12 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Gartersnake swallowing a green frog
- Replies: 6
- Views: 4105
Re: Gartersnake swallowing a green frog
interesting; this one was silent
- August 14th, 2017, 5:40 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Gartersnake swallowing a green frog
- Replies: 6
- Views: 4105
Gartersnake swallowing a green frog
Cool find from yesterday in Connecticut:
Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) eating Northern Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota) by Zachary Cava, on Flickr
Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) eating Northern Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota) by Zachary Cava, on Flickr
- July 7th, 2017, 5:52 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Eastern box turtle nesting in cemetery
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3846
Re: Eastern box turtle nesting in cemetery
That's a cool find. I also had a cemetery herping experience recently. While attending a friend's father's burial in Camden NJ I was completely shocked to hear a few northern grey tree frogs calling. His dad was ex-military and got a military burial complete with "Taps" performed with a b...
- July 3rd, 2017, 11:29 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Eastern box turtle nesting in cemetery
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3846
Re: Eastern box turtle nesting in cemetery
and the older ones tend to be connected to railroads, which often have thick vegetative buffer, so there's potential dispersal routeschris_mcmartin wrote:Cool and interesting...Cemeteries as greenspace; that's thinking outside the box (coffin)!
- July 1st, 2017, 8:36 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Eastern box turtle nesting in cemetery
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3846
Eastern box turtle nesting in cemetery
I was excited to find this box turtle nesting in a suburban neighborhood where I've never seen T. carolina before. In such developed landscapes, cemeteries may act as refugia for box turtles and other wildlife by providing relatively large areas of open green space (assuming there is suitable habit...
- May 21st, 2017, 8:50 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: question about moving turtles across roads
- Replies: 13
- Views: 6495
Re: question about moving turtles across roads
You are welcome Kelly, the animal's welfare is first and foremost to me. the driver in question was a young woman driving by herself and from the look on her face I think she just didn't see it. I think she would have stopped but I fear my wrath was quite evident as we went past each other. Fortuna...
- May 15th, 2017, 8:46 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: question about moving turtles across roads
- Replies: 13
- Views: 6495
Re: question about moving turtles across roads
If possible, and traffic permitting, I do not get out of my vehicle at all. I stop and let them complete their trip. This is especially true on dirt side roads. Their journey,especially during egg laying season, is more important than my curiosity or photo opportunity. Exceptions are when the turtl...
- May 14th, 2017, 7:43 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: question about moving turtles across roads
- Replies: 13
- Views: 6495
Re: question about moving turtles across roads
Thanks for the replies. I didn't want to move him and stress him out more only to potentially have him turn back around again, but sounds like maybe next time I should!
- May 14th, 2017, 3:30 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: question about moving turtles across roads
- Replies: 13
- Views: 6495
question about moving turtles across roads
I was recently driving through the NJ pine barrens and saw a box turtle starting to make its way across the road. I stopped to carry it over, but as I approached it promptly made a 180 and burrowed into the leaf litter a few feet away. I debated about whether or not to move it across the road in th...
- May 10th, 2017, 4:34 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3352
Re: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection
Thanks Ernie. I've notified NJDFW in any case. It's worth emphasizing that it was chilly, overcast, and windy, so it seemed like an unusual time for the snake to be active on the surface, but I don't know much about the species.
- May 10th, 2017, 2:31 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3352
Re: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection
Interesting, thanks for the info! I'm not disputing the fact that snakes often overcome such hibernation blisters, just curious what causes them. Seems plausible that SFD could manifest over a broad range in terms of severity, depending on various factors...
- May 10th, 2017, 1:54 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3352
Re: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection
Well fungi like dampness, right? So what's the actual mechanism relating to extreme dampness that causes these lesions, if not fungal?ackee wrote:Looks like prolonged exposure to extreme dampness, not fungus.
- May 9th, 2017, 8:18 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection
- Replies: 11
- Views: 7393
Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection
I found my first eastern kingsnake the other day in the NJ pine barrens. It was a cool, windy, and overcast day, so I was surprised to see this juvenile snake out and about. Upon closer inspection I noticed the animal was covered in sores/blisters. Is fungal disease common among eastern kings? I kn...
- May 9th, 2017, 8:01 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3352
Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection
I found my first eastern kingsnake the other day in the NJ pine barrens. It was a cool, windy, and overcast day, so I was surprised to see this juvenile snake out and about. Upon closer inspection I noticed the animal was covered in sores/blisters. Is fungal disease common among eastern kings? I kn...
- May 5th, 2017, 10:53 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: First northern pinesnake
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2202
Re: First northern pinesnake
Thanks Craig - yep, I've seen plenty of gopher snakes out west!
- May 5th, 2017, 7:52 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: First northern pinesnake
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1912
First northern pinesnake
Saw my first northern pinesnake in the NJ Pine Barrens last week. Here are a few in situ shots. -Zach https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2880/34385999035_afa56ff1f4_b.jpg Northern Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) by Zachary Cava , on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4182/34227322742_a...
- May 5th, 2017, 7:46 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: First northern pinesnake
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2202
First northern pinesnake
Saw my first northern pinesnake in the NJ Pine Barrens last week. Here are a few in situ shots. -Zach https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2880/34385999035_afa56ff1f4_b.jpg Northern Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) by Zachary Cava , on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4182/34227322742_a...
- April 30th, 2017, 5:03 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: It's been too long since we've had an in situ theme thread..
- Replies: 212
- Views: 868716
- April 30th, 2017, 5:02 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Using a polarizing filter for photographing basking turtles
- Replies: 6
- Views: 17356
Re: Using a polarizing filter for photographing basking turt
That is pretty cool, but I agree that the results look too flat. I tried using a polarizer on my 400mm and don't think it's worth the loss of light.
- April 15th, 2017, 6:02 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Using a polarizing filter for photographing basking turtles
- Replies: 6
- Views: 17356
Re: Using a polarizing filter for photographing basking turt
Thank you - I already have a filter and tripod, so I'll probably try it out. Was just wondering if others had already done it and if so, how the results were. I agree, the shells might look weird without any shininess to them, but the effect may not be so strong.
- April 14th, 2017, 9:54 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Large aggregation of painted turtles
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3119
Large aggregation of painted turtles
I was out hiking around Montezuma NWR last week and saw well over 100 painted turtles out basking within a relatively small area. What's the most turtles others have seen in one spot? https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2882/33885282882_b26f0eeff9_b.jpg Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) by Zachary Cava ,...
- April 14th, 2017, 9:22 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Using a polarizing filter for photographing basking turtles
- Replies: 6
- Views: 17356
Using a polarizing filter for photographing basking turtles
Hey, I'm curious if anyone has experimented with using a polarizing filter when photographing basking turtles in order to cut down on glare? Here are a couple shots from last week (no polarizer). Thanks! https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2882/33885282882_b26f0eeff9_b.jpg Painted Turtles (Chrysemys pict...
- October 15th, 2016, 4:23 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: My first timber rattlesnakes
- Replies: 9
- Views: 3688
Re: My first timber rattlesnakes
Wow, thank you, that means a lot! And absolutely, PM me if interested.abpaine wrote:As so many are obsessed of technically perfect, lifeless close-ups (sorry but its true) this is one of the best images I have seen with a snake. Well done,indeed.
Do you sell copies?
- October 14th, 2016, 5:29 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: My first timber rattlesnakes
- Replies: 9
- Views: 3688
Re: My first timber rattlesnakes
Thanks Nick!NACairns wrote:Nicely done, and great shots. I know that rock that is a very pretty view.
Congrats,
Nick
- October 13th, 2016, 1:35 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
- Replies: 7
- Views: 4426
Re: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
Thank you guys - and Josh, I actually did have a flash on the salamander and a second one on the background. Wanted to do a true in situ shot though without moving the salamander. Good choice! I think the posed pictures always look a little contrived and they really aren't being true to the animal'...
- October 13th, 2016, 8:35 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: My first timber rattlesnakes
- Replies: 9
- Views: 3688
Re: My first timber rattlesnakes
How lucky you are to have had those experiences! Were you able to visually determine the first two snakes' sexes? Sounds like the one you photoed was definitely scent tracking your first (not shown) snake. At any rate, great observation - timber rattlesnakes hold a special place in my heart. Thanks...
- October 12th, 2016, 5:16 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: My first timber rattlesnakes
- Replies: 9
- Views: 3688
My first timber rattlesnakes
I’d never seen a timber rattlesnake before, so back in July some friends and I went out to look for some, unaware it was “World Snake Day.” After finding a bitter-sweet DOR the night before, we were rewarded with several rattlesnakes the next day. I was photographing my first one when this second s...
- October 12th, 2016, 9:24 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
- Replies: 8
- Views: 16780
Re: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
Bill, very cool stuff. Thanks for all of the examples and info. Lot's of room for experimentation for sure! Chris: That's an interesting idea and I'm curious if anyone's tried it. I also agree that I like that the background is still somewhat dark. It definitely seems like a challenge to produce a &...
- October 12th, 2016, 9:13 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
- Replies: 7
- Views: 4426
Re: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
Thank you guys - and Josh, I actually did have a flash on the salamander and a second one on the background. Wanted to do a true in situ shot though without moving the salamander.
- October 11th, 2016, 6:05 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
- Replies: 8
- Views: 16780
Re: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
I'd just be sure to paint the background with whatever light you're using to illuminate the subject. You can tell that you used an LED flashlight to light up the background in this picture because the light is a bit cooler than the light illuminating the salamander. Just curious, what browser are y...
- October 11th, 2016, 1:35 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
- Replies: 8
- Views: 16780
Re: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
This is something I'd like to get the hang of, but I think a lot of people will stack two shots, basically get the animal lit, and then do the background. Doing it all together at once isn't easy, particularly if you want to go with a more natural look. Thanks for the input, I've seen examples of t...
- October 11th, 2016, 10:28 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
- Replies: 7
- Views: 4426
Northern Spring Salamander in situ
For my birthday I went on a solo night hike in Cattaraugus Co. NY and attempted my first nighttime herp-in-habitat shot (which was also my first time really trying to photograph salamanders). Any suggestions for improvement are appreciated! I had a hard time with salamanders spooking from the light...
- October 11th, 2016, 10:16 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
- Replies: 8
- Views: 16780
Northern Spring Salamander in situ
Hey everyone, I wanted to share my first attempt at photographing a salamander at night, as well as my first nighttime herp-in-habitat shot. It was tough! I'm wondering if anyone has some tips for this type of shot. I used a Canon 6D with a 17-40mm lens at 20mm, f/6.3, ISO 640, 2 sec. I used 2 speed...
- July 28th, 2015, 12:55 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Reclaimed Zoo
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3812
Re: Reclaimed Zoo
Thanks! @VICtort: here's a picture of a sign with some more information about the site, and some historical photos. @Kelly: I agree, and glad I was able to convey this! @Dave: For sure! In terms of herps, I know there's more than green frogs using the space. I'm pretty sure I saw some little tree fr...
- July 27th, 2015, 2:11 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Reclaimed Zoo
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1631
Reclaimed Zoo
Made a trip to Allegany State Park over the weekend and checked out the remains of an "outdoor museum" built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933. The concrete enclosures originally held fish, turtles, snakes, and other creatures. The museum was only open during the summer, and...
- July 27th, 2015, 2:10 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Reclaimed Zoo
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3812
Reclaimed Zoo
Made a trip to Allegany State Park over the weekend and checked out the remains of an "outdoor museum" built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933. The concrete enclosures originally held fish, turtles, snakes, and other creatures. The museum was only open during the summer, and...
- May 19th, 2015, 8:26 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Spotted Salmander development timelapse
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1895
Re: Spotted Salmander development timelapse
Thanks semasko, the sequence was recorded using a glass tank I built specifically for photographing aquatic organisms. Interesting you mention the algae, I was hoping to capture the symbiotic algae invading the egg capsule but this never happened.
-Zach
-Zach
- May 18th, 2015, 10:00 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Spotted Salmander development timelapse
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3434
Re: Spotted Salmander development timelapse
Thank you guys Hadar, I actually didn't use a microscope for this, I used a 100mm macro lens + 68mm extension tubes. Eggs were in a modified tank I built for photographing aquatic stuff (can post photo later), but I was thinking it would have been easier/more stable with a scope + camera adapter! It...
- May 18th, 2015, 8:47 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: USGS Desert Tortoise Project: Part 5
- Replies: 31
- Views: 14432
Re: USGS Desert Tortoise Project: Part 5
thanks John, glad you enjoyed it!
@lateralis no, I was working out of the Las Vegas office
@lateralis no, I was working out of the Las Vegas office
- May 17th, 2015, 6:55 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Spotted Salmander development timelapse
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1895
Spotted Salmander development timelapse
Been busy with grad school and haven't had time to post here lately, but here's a fun project I've been working on these last few weeks—best viewed in HD!
-Zach
-Zach
- May 17th, 2015, 6:55 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Spotted Salmander development timelapse
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3434
Spotted Salmander development timelapse
Been busy with grad school and haven't had time to post here lately, but here's a fun project I've been working on these last few weeks—best viewed in HD!
-Zach
-Zach
- March 21st, 2015, 6:52 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Final NYC Snapper Research Post new stuff (125 pics, edited)
- Replies: 21
- Views: 7686
Re: Final NYC Snapper Research Post new stuff (125 pics, edi
Awesome post Erik. I have always had an interest in urban herpetology. While living in Las Vegas, some of my most memorable herping experiences were not of tracking desert tortoises or gila monsters (though those were great too), but of exploring the concrete flood channels right in the city. It was...
- January 23rd, 2015, 4:29 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Preserved snapping turtle shell
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2192
Preserved snapping turtle shell
Just finished cleaning up this juvenile snapping turtle shell. I decided to remove 1/2 of the scutes to show the underlying bone. Aside from its relatively small size (carapace length=17cm), another indication that this animal was a juvenile are a series of spaces along the margin of the right side...
- January 23rd, 2015, 4:24 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Snapping Turtle Shell
- Replies: 0
- Views: 2404
Snapping Turtle Shell
Just finished cleaning up this juvenile snapping turtle shell. I decided to remove 1/2 of the scutes to show the underlying bone. Aside from its relatively small size (carapace length=17cm), another indication that this animal was a juvenile are a series of spaces along the margin of the right side...
- January 23rd, 2015, 4:22 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Preserved snapping turtle shell
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1506
Preserved snapping turtle shell
Just finished cleaning up this juvenile snapping turtle shell. I decided to remove 1/2 of the scutes to show the underlying bone. Aside from its relatively small size (carapace length=17cm), another indication that this animal was a juvenile are a series of spaces along the margin of the right side...
- October 5th, 2014, 6:21 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: My Trip with the Bangladesh Python Project - all pics up!
- Replies: 27
- Views: 14812
Re: My Trip with the Bangladesh Python Project - all pics up
Great series Jon, glad it worked out!
- July 4th, 2014, 2:14 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: My first Western Groundsnake
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3109
Re: My first Western Groundsnake
Thanks Bryan! Sorry I couldn't make it out with you guys this week. I'll be back, I'm sure.Bryan Hamilton wrote:Nice find Zach. We'll miss you out here. You've done some great work.
I'm not sure how far north Sonora goes in Utah but they make up to the Idaho border in Nevada.