Search found 3008 matches

by chrish
February 6th, 2018, 11:15 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Going to SoCal in the spring
Replies: 1
Views: 18764

Re: Going to SoCal in the spring

I don't know about Bakersfield, but I've seen the Rose-ringed several times around Playa del Rey just near LAX. They are usually in the palms around the Del Rey Lagoon.
by chrish
July 22nd, 2017, 6:52 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: help me to identify what Species of this Bird please
Replies: 2
Views: 13777

Re: help me to identify what Species of this Bird please

You should post that sound recording on Xeno-canto.org. There are a lot of experts there that can ID it pretty quickly.
by chrish
June 8th, 2017, 12:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: HerpMapper vs NAHERP vs iNaturalist
Replies: 21
Views: 14239

Re: HerpMapper vs NAHERP vs iNaturalist

i agree which is why none of my 6000+ records will be in herpmapper .they share the data, gps, etc. with whoever they choose . in herp YOU decide who or who not to release your data too. im not sure exactly how Inat works but so far i only have put birds on there. Actually, this is why I stopped us...
by chrish
June 6th, 2017, 12:58 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Beginner Question - Looking DSLR Camera
Replies: 4
Views: 22944

Re: Beginner Question - Looking DSLR Camera

As far as Canon vs Nikon goes I'm a Nikon user, but right now if I had to start over, I'd buy Canon. Its not because I think Canon is better, on the contrary Nikon sensors have less noise, Nikon has the best AF system (D500 and D5), and Nikon cameras produce better color (subjective admittedly). Th...
by chrish
April 25th, 2017, 9:52 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Using a polarizing filter for photographing basking turtles
Replies: 6
Views: 17268

Re: Using a polarizing filter for photographing basking turt

I haven't ever done it, but I agree that the total absence of reflection might look a bit flat. I have the same feeling about doing it with amphibians. Too much glare/reflection is bad, none is also bad. There is an article about an interesting technique for removing glare/reflections when using fla...
by chrish
April 20th, 2017, 3:58 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Winter 16/17
Replies: 7
Views: 18083

Re: Winter 16/17

Spectacular as usual Bill.

Are you sure your first pair of Snow Geese (backlit by sunset) aren't Ross' Geese? They look a bit stubby for snows, although I know there are smaller races of Snow Goose.
by chrish
March 22nd, 2017, 2:24 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Herps Spooked by Your Camera?
Replies: 2
Views: 12773

Re: Herps Spooked by Your Camera?

i've never known animals to be especially frightened by those IR focusing lights (although some of them pulse on and off rapidly which could explain it?). I have seen herps spooked by digital pre-flash though but that isn't the focusing assist light. The pre-flash fires a few thousandths of a second...
by chrish
March 19th, 2017, 8:16 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Trogons (feat. three molossus)
Replies: 7
Views: 18150

Re: Trogons and Code 4's (feat. three molossus)

That's a great year.

To those of us not near the east coast, the idea of seeing a Pink-footed Goose is a bizarre concept!
by chrish
March 19th, 2017, 7:53 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: White balance question
Replies: 2
Views: 13362

Re: White balance question

A couple of suggestions. Don't try to remedy this with herp photos taken out of doors, remedy it with photos taken under controlled conditions. Take a photo of a multicolored object that has some white and some black with a flash indoors from pretty close. Look at it on your camera LCD (zoomed in) I...
by chrish
February 11th, 2017, 8:32 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 967055

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Another new for US and Texas although not a lifer bird today. I made yet another trip down to Refugio to look for the Golden-crowned Warbler that has been there for months. Of course, right as I arrived the handful of birders there were saying "oh, it was just here five minutes ago, flitting ar...
by chrish
February 6th, 2017, 5:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: name of a herping tool
Replies: 17
Views: 11016

Re: name of a herping tool

This one looks useful as well - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bond-Manufacturing-5-Tine-Telescopic-Bow-Rake/16596023?action=product_interest&action_type=title&item_id=16596023&placement_id=irs_cbtv&strategy=CBTV&visitor_id=Zcnkv05_SNblLs-Yx_i128&category=&client_guid&cus...
by chrish
February 4th, 2017, 8:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Introduction and EOY2016 (Long)
Replies: 8
Views: 7335

Re: Introduction and EOY2016 (Long)

As a couple of others have pointed out, your lifer Massasauga wasn't actually your lifer. The first "viridis" is one as well. The northern gartersnakes are Wandering Garters (T. elegans). Very common in the Mts around NM. Good luck on the suboc next season. The first weeks of June into mid...
by chrish
January 28th, 2017, 10:45 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Herp Photo wins first place in Nat Geo Nature Photog of Year
Replies: 12
Views: 24624

Re: Herp Photo wins first place in Nat Geo Nature Photog of

I quite like the simplicity (both composition and color) of the Hypsiglena shot. The lines vs. the curves is a neat contrast.

I would have put it in the upper left side of the frame (rather than the right).....and I probably wouldn't have won! :lol:
by chrish
January 25th, 2017, 10:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A few pictures from panama
Replies: 4
Views: 4781

Re: A few pictures from panama

Cool stuff. Looks like an interesting trip. A few IDs if you want - First frog - correct - A. callidryas Second Frog - hmmm....maybe Fitzinger's Robber Frog (Eleutherodactylus fitzingeri) Third Frog - Northern Smoky Jungle Frog (Leptodactylus savagei) Two yellow frogs - Yellow Treefrog (Dendropsophu...
by chrish
January 25th, 2017, 10:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Amphibian I found in Panama
Replies: 5
Views: 4908

Re: Amphibian I found in Panama

If you have trouble uploading to Herpmapper, the best way to get help is to post a question on their FB page.
by chrish
January 23rd, 2017, 9:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Amphibian I found in Panama
Replies: 5
Views: 4908

Re: Amphibian I found in Panama

Cool record. Looking at this site , it appears to have a very limited (or poorly known) range in Panama. It would be great if you could document this record (and any others!!) in Herpmapper Database . There are NO records of this species in the database so far and a record from Panama is certainly w...
by chrish
January 23rd, 2017, 9:16 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Quality difference in Gorillapods
Replies: 4
Views: 16522

Re: Quality difference in Gorillapods

The only reason I would upgrade would be to buy a bigger/stronger unit for my camera because I had some specific need. If your existing unit is adequate for your camera body, I would suggest that the standard ($20) would be fine for a flash or, at most, the hybrid model since it has a ball head for ...
by chrish
January 18th, 2017, 9:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Request for accurate Southern Baja Herp List
Replies: 10
Views: 7068

Re: Request for accurate Southern Baja Herp List

except L. herrerae isn't found in BCS or anywhere in Baja proper, is it? You could start here - https://www.inaturalist.org/check_lists/9190-Baja-California-Sur-Check-List?view=taxonomic Go down to the bottom of the page, export the taxonomic CSV and delete the non-herps. Should take about 2 minutes...
by chrish
January 18th, 2017, 9:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Greetings from the southwest
Replies: 5
Views: 4708

Re: Greetings from the southwest

Cool to see the salamander. I used to live out there and never looked for it. :oops: I used to go up to cloudcroft several times a year to go birding as well. :oops:

Damn, that Blacktail won't have to eat for a while! Bunny? Squirrel?
by chrish
January 14th, 2017, 11:37 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: DSLM or Camcorder for herping videos?
Replies: 7
Views: 17573

Re: DSLM or Camcorder for herping videos?

Don't forget the GH5 takes oustanding stills as well. I'm not sure how the DVX200 does at stills. And the SLR type body allows you to get a much longer lens should you want to go that route. As for pricing, you don't have to buy everything all at once with the GH5 system. You can add as you go. And ...
by chrish
January 14th, 2017, 11:23 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81449

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

Thanks Bill. I wondered what those little white dot posts he leaves are. Pigeon shit. Now I know. :lol: I'll actually miss Porter if he leaves. At first I found his disconnected replies annoying, but now I find his tangential metaphors and off-target analogies entertaining. And besides, he can commu...
by chrish
January 13th, 2017, 7:20 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 967055

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Got a few new lifers in New Zealand over the Xmas break. New Zealand King Shag - bird #2003 Yellow-crowned Parakeet - bird #2004 (no photo because one of the annoying people with me scared it off by yelling that they saw it as I tried to photograph it from 10 feet away :x ) Here's the lifer King Sha...
by chrish
January 11th, 2017, 7:23 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81449

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

Flash a flashlight in your eye for 3 seconds, then look at the sun for 3 seconds and youll see what Im taking about when I say, there's a difference in regards to"hot light". ...or the more accurate analogy would be look at a flashlight for 3 seconds then at the sun for 1/2000th of a seco...
by chrish
January 11th, 2017, 6:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hooked on 2016. La,Tx,NM, Yucatan. EOY
Replies: 17
Views: 10810

Re: Hooked on 2016. La,Tx,NM, Yucatan. EOY

Awesome stuff. I can't believe I had to back out of the Yucatan trip! Way to rub it in! :lol:

All of that aside,....ruthveni!!! Damn! Are they more "common" in LA than they are in TX?
by chrish
January 11th, 2017, 6:13 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81449

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

OK, I'll bite. 1. The heat generated by the flash is irrelevant. Yes, a flash does generate heat, but the heat generated by the flash under normal operation is not transmitted effectively across the air gap to the subject in any significant way (due to the inverse square law) therefore it is complet...
by chrish
January 10th, 2017, 8:31 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: DSLM or Camcorder for herping videos?
Replies: 7
Views: 17573

Re: DSLM or Camcorder for herping videos?

I talked to him the other night actually and mentioned this conversation. We'll see if he logs in here. He doesn't very often. He did say he would wait for the G5 since its specs are supposed to be much improved over the G4 or other options. I don't remember what the particulars were but apparently ...
by chrish
January 8th, 2017, 9:07 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81449

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

I find that not only is this likely a lot easier on the eyes for most herps, I don't see any basis on which you can make that statement. The evidence we have been discussing seems to suggest that it is the duration of the light that is problematic, not simply the intensity. The differences in inten...
by chrish
January 8th, 2017, 7:40 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: DSLM or Camcorder for herping videos?
Replies: 7
Views: 17573

Re: DSLM or Camcorder for herping videos?

I have a friend who uses the Panasonic GH3 (I think?) for video work having come from a DSLR background. He also had a dedicated video camera for a while as well but moved up to the GH3 when it came out. I can't speak for him other than to say he seems very happy with his current setup. It only take...
by chrish
December 19th, 2016, 10:55 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Nocturnal Amphibian Photography Tips(?)
Replies: 4
Views: 14399

Re: Nocturnal Amphibian Photography Tips(?)

If you are shooting in the dark with flash and getting blurry photos, something weird is going on. In theory, your camera flash only fires for a few thousandths of a second so even if you have a slower shutter speed, any motion will happen when there is no light. Of course, if you keep the flashligh...
by chrish
December 19th, 2016, 9:39 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: How does Joel Sartore get his animal subjects?
Replies: 6
Views: 16298

Re: How does Joel Sartore get his animal subjects?

Looking at his website, they appear mostly to come from zoos. I'm not sure I'm a big fan of that all white/all black background with big diffused light sources. It isn't bad, but after I've seen a few shots I find myself bored of the technique. I think this website for ecuadorian herps makes good us...
by chrish
December 14th, 2016, 1:40 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Herp Photo wins first place in Nat Geo Nature Photog of Year
Replies: 12
Views: 24624

Re: Herp Photo wins first place in Nat Geo Nature Photog of

In looking at it again, other than the fact the snake is "sticking into" the frame it is a good composition. The use of light is good and the shallow DOF do make for a nice image. I'm sure if they zoomed out and you saw the other person holding the stick it might not have scored as high. :...
by chrish
December 13th, 2016, 9:00 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Herp Photo wins first place in Nat Geo Nature Photog of Year
Replies: 12
Views: 24624

Herp Photo wins first place in Nat Geo Nature Photog of Year

A herp photo got first place (not grand prize :( ) in the Nat Geo's 2016 Nature Photographer of the Year. (I don't know it will allow me to link here, but here goes.) https://4.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x393~articles/8178836003/Varun-Aditya-NGNP-AnimalPortraits1.jpeg If not, here's the link - ...
by chrish
December 1st, 2016, 5:16 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81449

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

It is interesting that we as herpers worry about the intensity of a camera flash for a 2000th of a second but readily go out in the field with 1000 lumen flashlights to find the critters in the first place. And we will hold a ultra-bright flashlight on the animal for 10 minutes while we pose and foc...
by chrish
November 29th, 2016, 10:41 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81449

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

Those are great. At least you get rewarded for bothering to read the warnings! :lol:
by chrish
November 27th, 2016, 6:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Planning on a trip to herp Costa Rica Help...
Replies: 3
Views: 5355

Re: Planning on a trip to herp Costa Rica Help...

We try to keep the taxonomy at Herpmapper.org fairly up to date from the two sites Paul listed.....and there is always the added advantage of being able to document your herp records for posterity! You can even get the mobile app and document your sightings while you are in the field. :beer: There a...
by chrish
November 24th, 2016, 6:59 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81449

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

Here's an article written by a couple of Veterinary and Medical Opthamologists about flash and the potential for eye damage. Hint - answer = none, except for momentary blindness and possible startling. https://www.naturescapes.net/articles/health/flash-photography-and-the-visual-system-of-birds-and-...
by chrish
November 22nd, 2016, 8:14 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81449

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

Another way to think about this. People use flash photography to take pictures of other people all the time. People take photos of other people using powerful multiflash setups, take photos of newborn babies with flash, etc, etc. Yet there isn't a warning on any flash units that flashes can potentia...
by chrish
November 22nd, 2016, 2:42 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81449

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

This is a big issue that bird photographers fight about. Overall, there isn't any evidence that flash photography does any harm to the eyes of amphibians (or birds, or people) other than startling them and possibly causing momentary blindness. However, holding a flashlight on them for 30 seconds whi...
by chrish
November 13th, 2016, 10:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Locality Bull Snake
Replies: 7
Views: 5703

Re: Locality Bull Snake

Late to the discussion, but finding a Bullsnake in that part of the panhandle would be almost unavoidable if you put any time into it at a reasonable time of year. They are pretty common animals in that part of the state.
by chrish
November 13th, 2016, 10:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: headed to Texas this weekend-any suggestions
Replies: 3
Views: 3712

Re: headed to Texas this weekend-any suggestions

Go east, rather than west. There are cool herps in the hill country, but it is a tough place to herp in general. You will probably see more if you head east of town somewhere. Unfortunately, being Texas there isn't any public land to herp really and there aren't really any state parks close to New B...
by chrish
October 29th, 2016, 9:38 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 967055

Re: What was your last lifer?...

I would have passed 300 if I hadn't had to have hernia surgery this month. I haven't been birding in 3 and a half weeks...I'm getting cabin fever... This is tragic to hear Brian. And the thing was, you knew better. You had seen grown adults throw away otherwise productive lives when they started bi...
by chrish
October 27th, 2016, 11:32 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 967055

Re: What was your last lifer?...

Not a lifer, but Texas bird number 470. There have been Brown Boobies reported more and more frequently along the central TX coast recently so I finally decided to drive down and just get the bird on my Texas list. The ones I chose happened to be a couple of miles out in the bay on a channel marker....
by chrish
October 24th, 2016, 9:27 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Buying a new lens setup
Replies: 2
Views: 13761

Re: Buying a new lens setup

I don't have much to offer since you seem to be on the right track. I will say that the difference in picture quality between the name brand 100mm (90-105mm range) macros is negligible. Sure, when you zoom into to 500% on your image you may possibly detect a slight difference in edge sharpness or so...
by chrish
October 24th, 2016, 9:11 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Nicholas wins international photography competition
Replies: 4
Views: 17604

Re: Nicholas wins international photography competition

Congrats to your son. Those are definitely some praise-worthy (and prize-worthy) images.
by chrish
October 11th, 2016, 10:27 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
Replies: 8
Views: 16704

Re: Northern Spring Salamander in situ

Obviously Bill is a master at this so his comments will be the gold standard, but I just wanted to add a thought about using rear-curtain sync instead of front-curtain sync (i.e. standard mode). With this technique you could paint the background with light for the long part of the exposure than have...
by chrish
October 10th, 2016, 1:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Java and Borneo
Replies: 2
Views: 4151

Re: Herping Java and Borneo

I don't know of any spots to offer since I haven't been to indonesia in over 25 years, but I would point out that accessing National Parks in Indonesia used to require government permits. They weren't hard to get, but you couldn't just show up at the park gate and expect to be let in.
by chrish
October 4th, 2016, 9:59 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Ebird profile - another awesome ebird tool
Replies: 5
Views: 16440

Re: Ebird profile - another awesome ebird tool

Curtis Hart wrote:It is pretty interesting. I though you'd have a good map, but your profile isn't public.
Oh yeah, you have to make your profile public for other to see it. I just did that but I'm not sure how you look at someone else's profile?
by chrish
September 29th, 2016, 3:31 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Canon Prime Lens Advice (Close Focus)
Replies: 13
Views: 21301

Re: Canon Prime Lens Advice (Close Focus)

1. Change lenses or add extension tubes in the field. I don't think this would work well for me, as I spend a lot of time in humid conditions. This would be a pain and would present a potential risk of humidity getting inside the camera. But pros do this all the time in the field. A few dessicant p...
by chrish
September 14th, 2016, 5:48 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Lenses for Herping Australia
Replies: 19
Views: 25807

Re: Lenses for Herping Australia

I might experiment with that ring flash to see if I can block off parts of it with tape or something. Although they do give even lighting, the circular highlights they cause on animals can be a bit distracting. If you cover the bottom half of each tube with tape or something, you will still get even...
by chrish
September 14th, 2016, 5:40 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Canon Prime Lens Advice (Close Focus)
Replies: 13
Views: 21301

Re: Canon Prime Lens Advice (Close Focus)

Something about buying a $7K lens and putting a diopter in front of it seems a bit off in my book. I guess I could see putting an extension tube behind it but the magnification you will gain will be nomimal. These lenses aren't designed for close up work (although the 300 f/4 goes down to about 1:4 ...