Search found 3008 matches
- February 6th, 2018, 11:15 am
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: Going to SoCal in the spring
- Replies: 1
- Views: 18831
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.
- July 22nd, 2017, 6:52 pm
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: help me to identify what Species of this Bird please
- Replies: 2
- Views: 13841
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.
- June 8th, 2017, 12:33 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: HerpMapper vs NAHERP vs iNaturalist
- Replies: 21
- Views: 14304
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...
- June 6th, 2017, 12:58 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Beginner Question - Looking DSLR Camera
- Replies: 4
- Views: 23021
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...
- April 25th, 2017, 9:52 am
- 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
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...
- April 20th, 2017, 3:58 pm
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: Winter 16/17
- Replies: 7
- Views: 18182
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.
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.
- March 22nd, 2017, 2:24 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Herps Spooked by Your Camera?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 12838
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...
- March 19th, 2017, 8:16 am
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: Trogons (feat. three molossus)
- Replies: 7
- Views: 18262
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!
To those of us not near the east coast, the idea of seeing a Pink-footed Goose is a bizarre concept!
- March 19th, 2017, 7:53 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: White balance question
- Replies: 2
- Views: 13432
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...
- February 11th, 2017, 8:32 pm
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: What was your last lifer?...
- Replies: 381
- Views: 998904
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...
- February 6th, 2017, 5:02 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: name of a herping tool
- Replies: 17
- Views: 11050
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...
- February 4th, 2017, 8:39 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Introduction and EOY2016 (Long)
- Replies: 8
- Views: 7390
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...
- 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: 24742
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!
I would have put it in the upper left side of the frame (rather than the right).....and I probably wouldn't have won!
- January 25th, 2017, 10:23 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: A few pictures from panama
- Replies: 4
- Views: 4810
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...
- January 25th, 2017, 10:13 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Amphibian I found in Panama
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4961
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.
- January 23rd, 2017, 9:48 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Amphibian I found in Panama
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4961
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...
- January 23rd, 2017, 9:16 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Quality difference in Gorillapods
- Replies: 4
- Views: 16598
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 ...
- January 18th, 2017, 9:55 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Request for accurate Southern Baja Herp List
- Replies: 10
- Views: 7111
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...
- January 18th, 2017, 9:42 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Greetings from the southwest
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4737
Re: Greetings from the southwest
Cool to see the salamander. I used to live out there and never looked for it. I used to go up to cloudcroft several times a year to go birding as well.
Damn, that Blacktail won't have to eat for a while! Bunny? Squirrel?
Damn, that Blacktail won't have to eat for a while! Bunny? Squirrel?
- January 14th, 2017, 11:37 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: DSLM or Camcorder for herping videos?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 17654
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 ...
- January 14th, 2017, 11:23 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
- Replies: 45
- Views: 82601
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...
- January 13th, 2017, 7:20 pm
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: What was your last lifer?...
- Replies: 381
- Views: 998904
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...
- January 11th, 2017, 7:23 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
- Replies: 45
- Views: 82601
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...
- January 11th, 2017, 6:36 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Hooked on 2016. La,Tx,NM, Yucatan. EOY
- Replies: 17
- Views: 10864
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!
All of that aside,....ruthveni!!! Damn! Are they more "common" in LA than they are in TX?
All of that aside,....ruthveni!!! Damn! Are they more "common" in LA than they are in TX?
- January 11th, 2017, 6:13 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
- Replies: 45
- Views: 82601
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...
- January 10th, 2017, 8:31 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: DSLM or Camcorder for herping videos?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 17654
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 ...
- January 8th, 2017, 9:07 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
- Replies: 45
- Views: 82601
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...
- January 8th, 2017, 7:40 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: DSLM or Camcorder for herping videos?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 17654
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...
- December 19th, 2016, 10:55 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Nocturnal Amphibian Photography Tips(?)
- Replies: 4
- Views: 14466
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...
- December 19th, 2016, 9:39 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: How does Joel Sartore get his animal subjects?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 16367
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...
- 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: 24742
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. :...
- 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: 24742
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 - ...
- December 1st, 2016, 5:16 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
- Replies: 45
- Views: 82601
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...
- November 29th, 2016, 10:41 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
- Replies: 45
- Views: 82601
Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Those are great. At least you get rewarded for bothering to read the warnings!
- November 27th, 2016, 6:18 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Planning on a trip to herp Costa Rica Help...
- Replies: 3
- Views: 5381
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...
- November 24th, 2016, 6:59 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
- Replies: 45
- Views: 82601
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-...
- November 22nd, 2016, 8:14 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
- Replies: 45
- Views: 82601
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...
- November 22nd, 2016, 2:42 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
- Replies: 45
- Views: 82601
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...
- November 13th, 2016, 10:07 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Locality Bull Snake
- Replies: 7
- Views: 5741
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.
- November 13th, 2016, 10:02 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: headed to Texas this weekend-any suggestions
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3732
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...
- October 29th, 2016, 9:38 am
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: What was your last lifer?...
- Replies: 381
- Views: 998904
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...
- October 27th, 2016, 11:32 pm
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: What was your last lifer?...
- Replies: 381
- Views: 998904
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....
- October 24th, 2016, 9:27 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Buying a new lens setup
- Replies: 2
- Views: 13814
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...
- October 24th, 2016, 9:11 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Nicholas wins international photography competition
- Replies: 4
- Views: 17692
Re: Nicholas wins international photography competition
Congrats to your son. Those are definitely some praise-worthy (and prize-worthy) images.
- October 11th, 2016, 10:27 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Northern Spring Salamander in situ
- Replies: 8
- Views: 16780
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...
- October 10th, 2016, 1:45 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Herping Java and Borneo
- Replies: 2
- Views: 4174
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.
- October 4th, 2016, 9:59 pm
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: Ebird profile - another awesome ebird tool
- Replies: 5
- Views: 16533
Re: Ebird profile - another awesome ebird tool
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?Curtis Hart wrote:It is pretty interesting. I though you'd have a good map, but your profile isn't public.
- September 29th, 2016, 3:31 pm
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Canon Prime Lens Advice (Close Focus)
- Replies: 13
- Views: 21405
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...
- September 14th, 2016, 5:48 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Lenses for Herping Australia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 25905
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...
- September 14th, 2016, 5:40 am
- Forum: Image Lab
- Topic: Canon Prime Lens Advice (Close Focus)
- Replies: 13
- Views: 21405
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 ...