Search found 46 matches

by achillesbeast
January 7th, 2020, 2:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2019 EOY Recap
Replies: 9
Views: 4231

Re: 2019 EOY Recap

I lost two dogs. My God. Sorry to hear that. I have a 16-year old GSD who's nearing his end. Hard times, very hard times. Life's a serial heartbreaker - get well soon. Regarding the fossorial taxa, they are reliably flipped under rocks during late March and early April, assuming moisture is decent....
by achillesbeast
January 7th, 2020, 2:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2019 EOY Recap
Replies: 9
Views: 4231

Re: 2019 EOY Recap

Porter wrote: December 21st, 2019, 2:49 am Tons of great shots :thumb: I really like seeing those trippy looking gray banded kingsnakes. :beer:
Thank you so much!
by achillesbeast
December 16th, 2019, 1:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2019 EOY Recap
Replies: 9
Views: 4231

Re: 2019 EOY Recap

Likewise, Frank - I always enjoy your excellent pics and stories. Sorry about the hard parts - did you lose two dogs, or one? It was nice to meet you at the OB Oasis in late May this year. Great trip. Hope to see you again. Curious, if you've got a sec - on the small fossorial csquamates like groun...
by achillesbeast
December 16th, 2019, 1:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2019 EOY Recap
Replies: 9
Views: 4231

Re: 2019 EOY Recap

Jeroen Speybroeck wrote: December 16th, 2019, 2:33 am
achillesbeast wrote: December 15th, 2019, 8:33 am 2019 was a bittersweet year; it was my best herping-wise, but it was extremely difficult in many other ways.
Same here, Frank. Won't help a lot, but just so you know I am a big fan of your photography, thanks taking the time to compile these!
Thanks so much, Jeroen, I appreciate it.
by achillesbeast
December 15th, 2019, 8:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2019 EOY Recap
Replies: 9
Views: 4231

2019 EOY Recap

2019 was a bittersweet year; it was my best herping-wise, but it was extremely difficult in many other ways. We're all here for the herping so let's dive in. As usual, I mostly herped in west Texas and my top targets were west TX Lampropeltis, lepidus, Sistrurus, Agkistrodon, and a few other species...
by achillesbeast
February 2nd, 2019, 7:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 EOY Recap
Replies: 18
Views: 11652

Re: 2018 EOY Recap

OMG, that alterna with the thin red crossbands and some triple alternates is a stunner! I also love your nighttime shots with the sky and stars in the background. I really miss my annual 2 week West Texas trips back in the '70s/'80s. Awesome photography Frank, thanks for the trip. Thanks a bunch! W...
by achillesbeast
February 2nd, 2019, 7:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 EOY Recap
Replies: 18
Views: 11652

Re: 2018 EOY Recap

nightdriver wrote: January 13th, 2019, 11:27 am Wow! You had a pretty good year. My year pretty much sucked :(
Thank you
by achillesbeast
January 12th, 2019, 11:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 EOY Recap
Replies: 18
Views: 11652

Re: 2018 EOY Recap

frodaman wrote:I have always enjoyed your photos! Been following you for as long as I can remember. You really raise the bar high with your photography!
: Thank you! I really appreciate it.
by achillesbeast
January 12th, 2019, 11:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 EOY Recap
Replies: 18
Views: 11652

Re: 2018 EOY Recap

Soopaman wrote:Fantastic photos, Frank. You've got some real gems in here. I can't help but be envious of all the time you get to spend out in my favorite part of the state!
: Thanks man!
by achillesbeast
January 12th, 2019, 11:31 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 EOY Recap
Replies: 18
Views: 11652

Re: 2018 EOY Recap

Porter wrote:Awesome post and beautiful photography :thumb: I like the up close profile shots the most!
: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the photos.
by achillesbeast
January 1st, 2019, 6:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 EOY Recap
Replies: 18
Views: 11652

Re: 2018 EOY Recap

krismunk wrote:Amazing as always.

Thanks for taking the time to put it together again this year, Frank.

...really hope to make it bakc to west TX some time...
Thank you!
by achillesbeast
December 29th, 2018, 9:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 EOY Recap
Replies: 18
Views: 11652

Re: 2018 EOY Recap

Really great post, Frank. I always look forward to your posts. Some of the best photos out there in my opinion. I’m hoping to make a trip out to West Texas this coming year. Maybe we’ll run into each other haha. Rye Thanks, Rye. I'm glad you enjoyed my post and photos. Hopefully, you have a summary...
by achillesbeast
December 28th, 2018, 11:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 EOY Recap
Replies: 18
Views: 11652

Re: 2018 EOY Recap

Fieldherper wrote:Too much awesomeness. Sensory overload.

FH
Thank you!
by achillesbeast
December 28th, 2018, 9:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 EOY Recap
Replies: 18
Views: 11652

Re: 2018 EOY Recap

csalemi731 wrote:amazing photos! love the skies in the background and the gray bands
Thank you, I appreciate it.
by achillesbeast
December 28th, 2018, 8:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 EOY Recap
Replies: 18
Views: 11652

2018 EOY Recap

This year, I enjoyed many wonderful sights and experiences. The weather was less cooperative than what seemed normal, nevertheless many great snakes made appearances. My main targets, as usual, were Lampropeltis (specifically, gray-banded kingsnakes and milk snakes), and vipers (Crotalus and Vipera)...
by achillesbeast
December 28th, 2018, 7:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: EOY 2018 - Lots of Lampro - (TX, WA, OR, CA, CO, LA)
Replies: 23
Views: 18738

Re: EOY 2018 - Lots of Lampro - (TX, WA, OR, CA, CO, LA)

Very enjoyable post and excellent photos (as always).
by achillesbeast
January 25th, 2018, 5:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 in review! Part 2 of 2. (To large for one!).
Replies: 5
Views: 4497

Re: 2017 in review! Part 2 of 2. (To large for one!).

Very enjoyable post and great photos, as usual.
by achillesbeast
December 15th, 2017, 1:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 recap
Replies: 18
Views: 9919

Re: 2017 recap

Nicholas wrote:Looks like a great year! Great shots too. Your lighting is very clean and your habitat shots very well composed!
Hopefully 2018 will be as kind as 2017!!!
Nicholas
Thanks for the compliments, Nicholas! I'm hoping 2018 will be another great one.
by achillesbeast
December 15th, 2017, 1:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 recap
Replies: 18
Views: 9919

Re: 2017 recap

What an epic post Frank! Glad I could help when you came over to California as well! I really dig those shots, especially that alterna and the viperas! My dad's side of the family is in england / france so I've been lucky enough to see a few adders before. Always fun little snakes. -Jeremy Thanks, ...
by achillesbeast
December 15th, 2017, 1:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 recap
Replies: 18
Views: 9919

Re: 2017 recap

RenoBart wrote:I would love to herp with my dogs but I fear they would be a bit too inquisitive around hots and being on the smaller side, a bite would prove fatal in minutes...

Awesome set of photos!

Bart
Definitely would not want to take that big risk.
by achillesbeast
December 14th, 2017, 10:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 recap
Replies: 18
Views: 9919

Re: 2017 recap

You really cleaned up on some traditionally "hard to find" species. Hey Chris, you're not still chasing Moby Alterna are you? Heh heh heh. Hope not. I like Frank's super dark one the best, myself. Same goes for the darkest common king - nice animal. Frank - just curious, (sorry if I asked...
by achillesbeast
December 14th, 2017, 10:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 recap
Replies: 18
Views: 9919

Re: 2017 recap

chris_mcmartin wrote:Are ALL of your herping seasons this amazing? You really cleaned up on some traditionally "hard to find" species.

Not all my seasons; a lot of effort and a lot of luck this year. Hope to get similar results this coming season!
by achillesbeast
December 14th, 2017, 10:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 recap
Replies: 18
Views: 9919

Re: 2017 recap

orionmystery wrote:Excellent set! Those horned lizards are too awesome!
Agreed, horned lizards are great. Thanks!
by achillesbeast
December 14th, 2017, 10:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 recap
Replies: 18
Views: 9919

Re: 2017 recap

Fieldherper wrote:Epic year. Amazing shots!

FH
Thanks!
by achillesbeast
December 14th, 2017, 12:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 recap
Replies: 18
Views: 9919

Re: 2017 recap

Thank you all for the comments and compliments.

Jimi: All of the early season saugas were cruised.
by achillesbeast
December 13th, 2017, 11:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 recap
Replies: 18
Views: 9919

2017 recap

I can confidentially say that this year was easily one of the most exciting in the field. I enjoyed a fair amount of surprising and exhilarating moments. As usual, my dogs were my ever present adventure partners. I'll skip a lengthy introduction and get right into my field experiences. I spent a fai...
by achillesbeast
January 11th, 2017, 4:51 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)
Replies: 14
Views: 5429

Re: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)

Thanks for posting such incredible images! What type of camera, flash, and lenses are you using? Again, amazing photos. Rick Thank you, Rick. I use a canon 6D, Altura flashes with diffusers, and a Sigma 105mm F2.8 macro lens. I only started using that sigma lens towards the latter part of the seaso...
by achillesbeast
January 10th, 2017, 5:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)
Replies: 14
Views: 5429

Re: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)

Rman wrote:Very nice! Love the alterna.
Thank you.
by achillesbeast
January 10th, 2017, 5:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)
Replies: 14
Views: 5429

Re: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)

medium elevation Jeroen, just to get my bearings and store the datum away for future reference - what numbers would you put on this? Say, 800-1500m? A tad higher? In that part of the world, what is "stupidly high to look for snakes?" Where I live, about 8000' is a useful cutoff for all bu...
by achillesbeast
January 8th, 2017, 6:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hooked on 2016. La,Tx,NM, Yucatan. EOY
Replies: 17
Views: 10861

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

Awesome post, Armin. Your photos are superb.
by achillesbeast
January 8th, 2017, 7:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Summer South Africa, a month in review.
Replies: 15
Views: 7770

Re: Summer South Africa, a month in review.

Great stuff, Tyrone. Really like those snake eater and Philothamnus shotos.
by achillesbeast
January 7th, 2017, 4:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)
Replies: 14
Views: 5429

Re: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)

Another year to be jealous of! Hopefully, I can find some ammodytes this coming summer when I head back over to Croatia. Summer can be tough, especially in the warmer areas. You may want to try clearings in woodland at medium elevation. It's a fairly common/abundant species. Thanks for the helpful ...
by achillesbeast
January 5th, 2017, 7:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)
Replies: 14
Views: 5429

Re: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)

Will Wells wrote:Very nice shots Frank!!!
Thanks, Will!
by achillesbeast
January 3rd, 2017, 2:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Madagascar 16
Replies: 11
Views: 6309

Re: Madagascar 16

Really neat finds and the photos are great.
by achillesbeast
January 3rd, 2017, 10:31 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)
Replies: 14
Views: 5429

Re: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)

Nice images and stories, thanks for sharing. Lovely assortment of SW snakes, even when "mundane" species like atrox. Those Tantilla, we sure don't see many pics of them here. Did you like Croatia a lot? I've dreamed of herping up some nose-horned vipers there, they have some gorgeous loca...
by achillesbeast
December 21st, 2016, 2:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)
Replies: 14
Views: 5429

2016 (TX, NM, AZ, and Croatia)

Herping for me has all but ended this year (with the exception of potentially finding herps in their hibernacula during winter hikes). It was a fantastic year of herping for me. I spent the majority of my time herping west TX, with occasional trips to Arizona and New Mexico. I'll do my best to conci...
by achillesbeast
December 15th, 2016, 4:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sweet '16: Year in Review (TX, LA, NM, UT, MT)
Replies: 20
Views: 13902

Re: Sweet '16: Year in Review (TX, LA, NM, UT, MT)

Great post! Those annulata look like awesome little lampros. Your shots are some of the best, in my opinion. The colors and lighting are great.
by achillesbeast
May 5th, 2016, 11:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps in habitat - photo thread
Replies: 69
Views: 31565

Re: Herps in habitat - photo thread

Incredible in-habitat shots being shared by everyone. Here is one of my favorite shots from this year (so far). A Sonoran gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer affinis) from the bootheel of NM. A rather common snake, but still one of my favorite species to encounter in the field. https://farm2.staticfli...
by achillesbeast
February 9th, 2016, 3:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM, West Texas and Arizona
Replies: 12
Views: 7891

Re: NM, West Texas and Arizona

Thanks a lot. That atrox was definitely one of the nicer specimens I've encountered.
by achillesbeast
February 5th, 2016, 2:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM, West Texas and Arizona
Replies: 12
Views: 7891

Re: NM, West Texas and Arizona

TravisK wrote:I enjoyed this post quite a bit. Great photography and story, I envy you southwest folks.
Thank you for your compliment. I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
by achillesbeast
February 5th, 2016, 12:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: In the Field: Highlights of 2014, 2015, and 2016 Thus Far
Replies: 13
Views: 7724

Re: In the Field: Highlights of 2014, 2015, and 2016 Thus Fa

Really neat finds, Chad. I also like your style of photography.
by achillesbeast
February 4th, 2016, 6:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM, West Texas and Arizona
Replies: 12
Views: 7891

Re: NM, West Texas and Arizona

That's one hell of a year! Many years ago I found a presumptive hybrid rattlesnake in the Huecos that (IIRC) was atrox x viridis. It was gravid as it turned out and it and its babies went back to the collection at UTEP where it was used for venom research for a while. I don't remember the details, ...
by achillesbeast
February 4th, 2016, 5:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM, West Texas and Arizona
Replies: 12
Views: 7891

Re: NM, West Texas and Arizona

noah k. wrote:Very enjoyable post!
Thanks!
by achillesbeast
February 4th, 2016, 3:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM, West Texas and Arizona
Replies: 12
Views: 7891

Re: NM, West Texas and Arizona

Great stuff, Frank. I think I may have run into you one night in the Davis Mountains in August. Can't remember the weekend I was there, it was either the second or third week. I remember coming up on a stopped car with AZ plates, and one passenger was at the cut. Told us he thought he saw a ringtai...
by achillesbeast
February 3rd, 2016, 7:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM, West Texas and Arizona
Replies: 12
Views: 7891

Re: NM, West Texas and Arizona

Kyle from Carolina wrote:I don't think the photo link worked, might need to try it again.
I'm trying to fix them. I'm not quite sure why they aren't working. I may have to work on it some more tomorrow.
by achillesbeast
February 3rd, 2016, 6:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM, West Texas and Arizona
Replies: 12
Views: 7891

NM, West Texas and Arizona

I will try to become active on this site posting my yearly highlights. I'm not known on this forum because I've never posted before. I had several herping goals for the year, which included: Lampropletis gentilis (aka L. t. celaenops), L. alterna, Crotalus willardi, Senticolis triaspis, and Oxybelis...