Search found 656 matches

by PNWHerper
October 8th, 2015, 1:18 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 163169

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

The book is out!! Please check it out and help support me and the skills of wildlife tracking! If you can, support your local bookstores and buy from them. If they don't have it, ask them to order them. If you are unable to, then go with Amazon as a last resort. I look forward to hearing peoples sto...
by PNWHerper
August 6th, 2015, 8:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: In Search of Baja California Rat Snakes
Replies: 16
Views: 7166

Re: In Search of Baja California Rat Snakes

Will, this was an epic Baja post. Loved seeing those ratsnakes most of all. They are such a beautiful species. Hopefully one of these years, Jeff will find one this side of the border. :thumb:

:beer:
by PNWHerper
July 26th, 2015, 7:40 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 163169

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

Hey friends, Check out this blogtalk radio podcast I did about my book and about tracking. It will give you a good sense of what I cover in the book and how. I think one of the few mistakes I made was saying there are 3 tortoise species, instead of 4 during the interview. But, I hope you can look pa...
by PNWHerper
July 12th, 2015, 1:45 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 163169

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

Thanks, everyone! I am at the moment working on the page proofs and am so, so excited to see the book out in October!

I hope you guys enjoy it and use it in the field. Thank you Gene for sharing the Amazon.com page.

:thumb:
by PNWHerper
November 20th, 2014, 4:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Question about snake locomotion
Replies: 5
Views: 3659

Re: Question about snake locomotion

Thanks for the tip of the hat, salamanderhunter. Yes, snakes can do all kinds of styles of locomotion. They will typically do what is most efficient for their bodies. For instance, most of the time a rat snake will do lateral undulation, most of the time a sidewinder will sidewind, and a big python ...
by PNWHerper
October 20th, 2014, 1:01 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 163169

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

Snake Man, I am very excited to see it come out as well. It is now in the hands of the publishers, and production is underway. My work is mostly done... still some minor editting to do to the draft when its sent to me. I did not set the price tag, but I believe its around 30 bucks or so. Its going t...
by PNWHerper
October 17th, 2014, 6:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gilchrist & Area
Replies: 10
Views: 3142

Re: Gilchrist & Area

I suspect your skull was part of an owl pellet, given how intact it is and how the upper and lower mandibles are still together.

Any other bones associated with it? Was it found near the base of a tree or near a fence post?
by PNWHerper
October 14th, 2014, 5:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gilchrist & Area
Replies: 10
Views: 3142

Re: Gilchrist & Area

Captainjack,

The skull is a rodent. Do you still have it? I would need to look at the molars and other skull features to id it. Do you have shots of the skull from directly above, underneath and from the side?
by PNWHerper
October 4th, 2014, 5:27 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Mountain Lions
Replies: 40
Views: 47810

Re: Mountain Lions

Owen, looks like a deer or elk rub. Cougar scratching posts are a rare find, and very rarely on vertical trees. Typically on horizontal logs. Their scrapes are much more common to see.
by PNWHerper
September 14th, 2014, 6:09 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Birds From Around Home
Replies: 4
Views: 4987

Re: Birds From Around Home

Great photos! Your rodent is a pocket gopher. Good stuff, keep up the good photos. :thumb:
by PNWHerper
August 30th, 2014, 2:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?
Replies: 14
Views: 5322

Re: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?

Sent you a PM, but did not see a response. Sending everything in Monday. Thanks for offering, anyway. ;)
by PNWHerper
August 23rd, 2014, 2:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: California Herping Trip Link
Replies: 34
Views: 8214

Re: California Herping Trip Link

Laura,

I totally agree that is Ambystoma gracile 100%. I was referring to FieldNotes photo above. Your pic shows the rounded head, large parotoid glands and glandular ridge on tail. Even the feet have the features I described. Nice looking animal...
by PNWHerper
August 23rd, 2014, 8:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: California Herping Trip Link
Replies: 34
Views: 8214

Re: California Herping Trip Link

FieldNotes, As wildlife tracker I spend a lot of time looking at feet. That salamander has the extra toe bone in toe 4 of the hind feet typical of long-toed salamanders. There is a population in B.C. of northwestern salamanders that also have that, but outside of that area (and baring bizarre geneti...
by PNWHerper
August 22nd, 2014, 11:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: California Herping Trip Link
Replies: 34
Views: 8214

Re: California Herping Trip Link

Jim,

If you want to voucher some new species follow up on the comment I made about the blog and the Apalone ferox in my comments above. That might be a first for L.A. or even for CA. Go find it!
by PNWHerper
August 21st, 2014, 8:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping South San Diego Co.
Replies: 3
Views: 2370

Re: Herping South San Diego Co.

I'd totally be in, if I was down there. Good luck, Nate!
by PNWHerper
August 21st, 2014, 8:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: California Herping Trip Link
Replies: 34
Views: 8214

Re: California Herping Trip Link

Awesome blog. The "spiny softshell" actually has the features of a Florida softshell, including the carapace spotting. Anyone else notice that?
by PNWHerper
August 11th, 2014, 8:08 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Looking for more hawk IDs
Replies: 4
Views: 3667

Re: Looking for more hawk IDs

Beautiful birds! I especially like #1) Dark Morph Ferruginous Hawk
2) Swainson's hawk
3) Ferruginous hawk
4) Swainson's hawk
5) Red-tailed hawk
6) Swainson's hawk
7) Swainson's hawk
8) Swainson's hawk
9) Swainson's hawk

Great captures! :beer:
by PNWHerper
August 11th, 2014, 5:53 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 163169

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

Justinm, I hope I can meet the high expectations! Its been 3 long, hard years and I am nearly done... woah, what a ride! I don't know exactly how many pages, as the formatting may change it a bit, but its going to be close to 150,000 words, 450 color photos, and 150 pen and ink drawings (including s...
by PNWHerper
August 10th, 2014, 1:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Contact info for John Vanek
Replies: 0
Views: 1251

Contact info for John Vanek

Hey, anybody know where I can get a hold of John Vanek? I have been trying to get a hold of him via PM for a while, with no luck. Anyone have his email? I need to ask him an important question regarding the images he sent to me for the Herp Tracking Book. Please PM me ASAP if you know anything. Than...
by PNWHerper
August 9th, 2014, 5:11 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 163169

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

Alright friends and fellow herpers, I have entered the final hour of the Herp Tracking Book. I have only a few weeks left now, and I have to send everything in to my publisher on Sept. 1! Its exciting and nerve-wracking. Thank you to everyone for your interest and support. If there is anything you w...
by PNWHerper
August 1st, 2014, 1:30 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: This Summer on the Monterey Bay
Replies: 7
Views: 15209

Re: This Summer on the Monterey Bay

This is incredible!! :shock: :beer:

I love the diversity and the behaviors you captured. Whales breaching! Sea otter eating crab! A wild sunfish... woah, man, this is a naturalists dream. Glad you had those experiences.

:thumb:

Thanks for the great photos.

Fil
by PNWHerper
July 31st, 2014, 8:31 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Pituophis experts, ID assistance?
Replies: 17
Views: 8925

Re: Pituophis experts, ID assistance?

Looks like Pacific & San Diego intergrade. Compare it to photos on Californiaherps. The head/neck looks pretty typical for annectans. The majority of the blotches match a P. c. catenifer. I unfortunately see a lot of "Sonorans" and "Bullsnakes" solid that are clearly not eith...
by PNWHerper
July 29th, 2014, 6:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifelisting San Diego County 2014 – Part 2: Summer
Replies: 7
Views: 4980

Re: Lifelisting San Diego County 2014 – Part 2: Summer

You didn't happen to get a shot of the poop with a ruler, did you? If we didn't know the guy who was asking, and why, well that would sound pretty damn weird. Ha ha. Cheers, Jimi Believe me, I have had weirder conversations in order to get photos and data for this book. When you spend a lot of time...
by PNWHerper
July 29th, 2014, 6:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?
Replies: 14
Views: 5322

Re: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?

Cool, Simpleyork. You want to give the technique a try and see if you can get some good pics?
by PNWHerper
July 28th, 2014, 8:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?
Replies: 14
Views: 5322

Re: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?

Yeah, I actually don't have anything for any ratsnakes, not even corn snakes.

So, yeah, see if you can get some good ones. :thumb:

Thank you.
by PNWHerper
July 27th, 2014, 7:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?
Replies: 14
Views: 5322

Re: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?

Great, Jeff!

I will send you a detailed PM immediately regarding the process. And, yes, I would love to have photos of the shovel-nosed snake eggs with a ruler in the photo for frame of reference. Thank you!
by PNWHerper
July 26th, 2014, 9:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifelisting San Diego County 2014 – Part 2: Summer
Replies: 7
Views: 4980

Re: Lifelisting San Diego County 2014 – Part 2: Summer

Jeff, Good work out there! http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k610/jnordland/pics%20for%20FH%20June%202014/coachwhiponsand1a_zpsa3729dda.jpg This looks like a familiar spot. Man, what a hot spot for coachwhips that area is! I have dreamed about tracking out there again, can't wait till I can get ou...
by PNWHerper
July 26th, 2014, 5:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifelisting San Diego County 2014 – Part 1: Spring
Replies: 13
Views: 5627

Re: Lifelisting San Diego County 2014 – Part 1: Spring

Fil - yeah, I was glad to find that sidewinder I tracked. I was thinking of you the whole time, trying to remember what you taught me. It had traveled really far - about 150 yards or so - and gone through a handful of bushes. It also changed direction a number of times. That same morning I followed...
by PNWHerper
July 25th, 2014, 4:29 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Mole
Replies: 14
Views: 20700

Re: Mole

Very cool, Tim! Its great to see another fellow primitive skills enthusiast and practitioner around these parts. :beer: Making longbows is something I'd like to spend more time on when I am finished with this tracking project. I have, thankfully, also seen several live moles. It is sad to see how ma...
by PNWHerper
July 25th, 2014, 9:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?
Replies: 14
Views: 5322

Re: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?

Dery, Thank you for the PM. I sent a response. Andy, I am sending you a detailed PM of how you can process them, if you wish. Thank you for being willing to get some shots of them for me. The smallest shed I worked with so far is shed skin from the head of a Peninsular leaf-toed gecko. That thing wa...
by PNWHerper
July 24th, 2014, 6:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?
Replies: 14
Views: 5322

Re: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?

Thanks, Owen. Let me know if you find a good one soon. Andy, Are you interested/willing to photograph a few of those for me. Especially the coachwhip, groundsnake and CA mountain king? Let me know. If you are willing, I can explain the method I used to make the shed I posted here more photogenic.
by PNWHerper
July 24th, 2014, 1:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Calling all Sheds
Replies: 0
Views: 1079

Calling all Sheds

Hey, anyone who wants to contribute some good photos of sheds to the Herp Book Project, check out my post on main forum: http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... =2&t=20105
by PNWHerper
July 24th, 2014, 1:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?
Replies: 14
Views: 5322

Calling all Sheds: Want to contribute?

Hey fellow field herpers, I am in my final weeks of the Herp Tracking Book Project! Very soon I submit all my work. Now more than 3 years of work coming to a close. As part of my work, I am including shed identification as a chapter in the book. I have a method that works really well for photographi...
by PNWHerper
July 24th, 2014, 8:43 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Mole
Replies: 14
Views: 20700

Re: Mole

PrimitiveTim, Cool find! Moles are amazing creatures. I get to see dead ones a few times a year around here near Seattle. They are really common, but not often seen above ground. They are most likely to surface active in spring when they pop up to seek out potential mates. Many predators, such as ho...
by PNWHerper
July 24th, 2014, 8:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My trip up to the PNW (plus CA)
Replies: 7
Views: 3468

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

Zach,

So glad your trip was a success! Sorry to have missed you here. I was swamped with writing. Would have loved to join you and Gary Nafis in the field.
by PNWHerper
July 24th, 2014, 8:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: I spy Jeremy
Replies: 1
Views: 1430

Re: I spy Jeremy

Awesome! Good work out there in Utah, ya'll!
by PNWHerper
July 22nd, 2014, 10:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifelisting San Diego County 2014 – Part 1: Spring
Replies: 13
Views: 5627

Re: Lifelisting San Diego County – Spring through Summer 201

Jeff, what an EPIC post dude! :thumb: :beer: There is just too much awesome in here. I was very happy to see you tracked a sidewinder and found it! All those ruber s too. Man, those snakes are gorgeous. Someday, we shall herp and go tracking again together. Till then, I will have to enjoy the treasu...
by PNWHerper
July 20th, 2014, 9:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Black-tailed Rattlesnake Query
Replies: 3
Views: 1880

Re: Black-tailed Rattlesnake Query

Geographically, this basal divergence corre-
sponds to a valley running from southeastern
Otero County, New Mexico through south-
central Presidio County, Texas.
This paper helped clarify, thanks ya'll:

http://pages.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/Anderson_Cornatus.pdf
by PNWHerper
July 20th, 2014, 2:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Black-tailed Rattlesnake Query
Replies: 3
Views: 1880

Black-tailed Rattlesnake Query

What is the accurate Latin name for the black-tailed rattlesnake found in Sabino Canyon, Tucson, AZ? Is it Crotalus molossus molossus? Or is it Crotalus ornatus? I am finding some conflicting information on this, and am trying to make sense of it. Anyone have an definitive answers? Thank you, Fil
by PNWHerper
July 18th, 2014, 9:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??
Replies: 9
Views: 4196

Re: Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??

Thank you, Regalringneck. That is exactly the kind of lead I was looking for. 3 years of work are coming to a head now, and I am excited to see it completed. Thanks for the encouragement, I will have some chowder in your honor when I have completed this project. ;) I wonder if burrowing behavior in ...
by PNWHerper
July 17th, 2014, 8:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??
Replies: 9
Views: 4196

Re: Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??

Jeff, Thanks for commenting, buddy. I don't have any deep insights into shovel-nosed snake feeding habits. However, I frequently watch my captive specimens poke around the enclosure and stick their heads into all the small cracks, crevices, and holes where crickets try to hide from them. While road-...
by PNWHerper
July 15th, 2014, 10:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??
Replies: 9
Views: 4196

Re: Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??

I gotta admit, sometimes using the main forum for serious queries is depressing... I can watch the # of views grow, but people don't bother responding because I didn't post 50 photos in a trip report or for whatever other reason... :roll: Thanks Travis for letting me know about the link. Come on peo...
by PNWHerper
July 14th, 2014, 3:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??
Replies: 9
Views: 4196

Re: Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??

Try this shortened version:



Here is the original:



I don't understand why the video is not working right...hmmm.
by PNWHerper
July 13th, 2014, 2:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??
Replies: 9
Views: 4196

Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??

Does anyone know if any studies have been done on Chionactis (shovel-nosed snakes) and how they hunt using vibrations? I have seen this footage a bunch of times, and was wondering if there was any scientific work out there to support it: [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/JpVRDD8lLL0[/youtube] Its a c...
by PNWHerper
July 13th, 2014, 11:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Think you can ID snake tracks? Take the test...
Replies: 17
Views: 13514

Re: Think you can ID snake tracks? Take the test...

Greg, I am glad you are recording such a diversity. Cool stuff! :thumb:
by PNWHerper
July 3rd, 2014, 6:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a little Eye Candy from Spokane County
Replies: 5
Views: 2107

Re: Just a little Eye Candy from Spokane County

Great find, Travis! Nice looking pale fellow... :thumb:
by PNWHerper
June 27th, 2014, 9:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Micro" Toad
Replies: 2
Views: 1269

Re: "Micro" Toad

Nice one. Oak toad metamorph?
by PNWHerper
June 22nd, 2014, 12:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Striped racer in a tree
Replies: 10
Views: 3493

Re: Striped whipsnake in a tree

Very cool! I enjoy seeing others using the language of the birds to find snakes. :thumb: I bet that snake was after the fledglings in the hummingbirds nest. Jim, I see tree tobacco and coastal buckwheat in that image. Looks like pretty classic coastal sage-scrub habitat. I think that snake is a C. l...
by PNWHerper
June 22nd, 2014, 11:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Proper Taxonomy of Anolis carolinensis
Replies: 4
Views: 2165

Re: Proper Taxonomy of Anolis carolinensis

Thanks, Andy! I had forgotten about the Anole Annals. :beer: