Search found 611 matches

by bgorum
February 28th, 2020, 8:34 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Wildlife/herp photography tips in Joshua Tree National Park
Replies: 1
Views: 5546

Re: Wildlife/herp photography tips in Joshua Tree National Park

I've never photographed Chuckwallas at Joshua Tree, (actually I've only ever driven through the park), but I will pass on some advice learned from photographing them elsewhere. Try a trail that is pretty popular with hikers. The lizards will be used to seeing people on the trail and will not be as s...
by bgorum
October 18th, 2019, 1:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tips to find sidewinders without cruising
Replies: 14
Views: 17231

Re: Tips to find sidewinders without cruising

The first sidewinders I ever saw were in the El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve in Sonora. We located them by going out to the dunes in the morning and tracking them. The tacks would eventually lead to bushes were, (if we were lucky), we'd find a partially buried sidewinder. I ha...
by bgorum
March 21st, 2019, 1:39 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Any Nikon Users using lightroom?
Replies: 9
Views: 16611

Re: Any Nikon Users using lightroom?

When you use Nikon's own software it is going to apply presets to the image and give you pretty much the same look you would get if you had shot them in jpeg. Lightroom, being designed to work with multiple cameras from multiple manufactures is not going to do this, or at least not as well. However,...
by bgorum
February 4th, 2019, 11:57 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Wide angle lenses for crop sensor nikon.
Replies: 3
Views: 11484

Re: Wide angle lenses for crop sensor nikon.

If you check through the older post on this forum, I posted a review of the Nikon 10-24. I think that lens would still be my first choice for a dx format Nikon.
by bgorum
January 23rd, 2019, 12:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard Project
Replies: 9
Views: 8847

Re: Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard Project

Jealous!
by bgorum
November 14th, 2018, 9:07 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Tamron lenses questions
Replies: 4
Views: 23402

Re: Tamron lenses questions

Guess I haven't been on this forum in quite a while, so hopefully my month late reply will be of some use to you. I have the Tamron 15-30. Mine is the original version, but from what I've seen review wise so far, there really isn't a lot of difference between the 1st and 2nd versions of this lens. I...
by bgorum
April 11th, 2018, 5:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A reintroduction and a C. cerberus menagerie
Replies: 8
Views: 9607

Re: A reintroduction and a C. cerberus menagerie

Nice stuff Kris, glad you're back.
by bgorum
February 3rd, 2018, 8:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 100 Species, A 2017 in Review Post
Replies: 18
Views: 18172

Re: 100 Species, A 2017 in Review Post

herpseeker1978 wrote:Great post man! I'm taking a trip to Morro Bay this spring, we're hoping to find a lot of what you have!

#16 is actually a Desert Grassland Whiptail Aspidoscelis uniparens
That one could very well be a young sonorae, localities would help a lot.
by bgorum
December 31st, 2017, 9:07 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Review- Nikon 200-500 f/5.6E ED VR
Replies: 15
Views: 34083

Re: Review- Nikon 200-500 f/5.6E ED VR

I'll also throw in my thanks to Bill on the lens review. I had originally purchase the Tamron 150-600mm g1 and had some degree of success and enjoyment with it. For birds and wildlife at a distance it was good and better at closer distances. However, I wasn't ever able to achieve the sharpness I wa...
by bgorum
October 22nd, 2017, 8:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Eyelash Vipers & Flowers
Replies: 12
Views: 10136

Re: Eyelash Vipers & Flowers

In situ shots are not as "exciting" as posed pictures--I grant that--but they perhaps more accurately expose the animal's latent behavior(s). Ohh, I'll have to disagree with that! I think a well done in situ picture is vastly more exciting than another, same old, posed picture because the...
by bgorum
October 21st, 2017, 7:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Eyelash Vipers & Flowers
Replies: 12
Views: 10136

Re: Eyelash Vipers & Flowers

First post in a while for me. I wanted to ask, how many of you have seen an eyelash viper in-situ on some sort of flower? It's become a cliche of sorts to pair the two and I have seen 100 photos of eyelash vipers that have been plopped on Heliconia or some sort of other flower. I suspect this has l...
by bgorum
October 16th, 2017, 5:08 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Review- Nikon 200-500 f/5.6E ED VR
Replies: 15
Views: 34083

Re: Review- Nikon 200-500 f/5.6E ED VR

Rye, Unfortunately I have no experience with either the Tamron or the Sigma. All I could tell you is what I've read, which I'm guessing you've read as well. One point in favor of the Sigma from my point of view is its compatibility with their dock. I believe you are able to adjust focus speed as wel...
by bgorum
July 29th, 2017, 9:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: photobucket no longer allows 3rd party pic hosting for free
Replies: 12
Views: 10674

Re: photobucket no longer allows 3rd party pic hosting for f

at least three websites that I frequent that do not allow photo hosting (including this one) so I just lost hundreds of my photos because photobucket no longer allows 3rd party hosting for other sites for free. I am not paying for anything and why should I? I have been using their free account for ...
by bgorum
July 14th, 2017, 5:14 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)
Replies: 17
Views: 13151

Re: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)

Will Wells wrote:Stunning!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Will! You would be the guy to ask, so I'll ask, any advice on photographing Fringe-toed lizards?
by bgorum
July 13th, 2017, 7:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps and Wildfires
Replies: 21
Views: 9949

Re: Herps and Wildfires

RenoBart, There have been many studies on the affects of fire on plant and animal life. But to keep this response fairly short, all you need to know is that where fire has occurred, there are successional processes in which both plant life and animal life have the capacity to recover and repopulate...
by bgorum
July 13th, 2017, 7:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps and Wildfires
Replies: 21
Views: 9949

Re: Herps and Wildfires

RenoBart, There have been many studies on the affects of fire on plant and animal life. But to keep this response fairly short, all you need to know is that where fire has occurred, there are successional processes in which both plant life and animal life have the capacity to recover and repopulate...
by bgorum
July 11th, 2017, 8:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)
Replies: 17
Views: 13151

Re: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)

Awesome stuff all around. Has the observation of whiptails digging up camel crickets been previously documented? It's fascinating. Chris, I don't know if its been documented or not. It is certainly not uncommon for whiptails of other species to dig up prey. I've observed that behavior in Aspidoscel...
by bgorum
July 4th, 2017, 10:12 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM
Replies: 4
Views: 13616

Re: Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

I was thinking that the cropped sensor might be a problem during landscape shots. Mainly I chose this lens for it's low light capability and it's potential with a full frame camera (which will be somewhere down the road for me). I also chose it for event photography indoors. My two other lenses are...
by bgorum
July 4th, 2017, 11:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)
Replies: 17
Views: 13151

Re: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)

So that's how you hurt your hip! But seriously great photos and post Bill. That lizard behavior really is something else at white sands and it's good to know there actually are beautiful snakes in NM and that it was just me. I might end up back in Santa Fe in early August with my friends family but...
by bgorum
July 4th, 2017, 11:51 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM
Replies: 4
Views: 13616

Re: Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

Hey Dave, I'm not a Canon user, so I don't have any pictures I can share from that lens. I'm sure it is a great performer, but I'm curious about what your line of thinking is in choosing that particular lens, especially for a 70d and for landscapes. Since the 70d is a dx format camera the 24mm lens ...
by bgorum
June 29th, 2017, 3:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)
Replies: 17
Views: 13151

Re: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)

Amazing Bill!! I thoroughly enjoyed this post, and reliving our time together in early spring. I shared a bunch of the photos with my boys. They really like the bleached earless lizards, and now they want to go to New Mexico. I'll be sure to let you know if we head out your way. It's possible we co...
by bgorum
June 25th, 2017, 6:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)
Replies: 17
Views: 13151

Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)

So my last post, (http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=24163), ended with the departing of the Sandhill Cranes and light geese that signal the end of winter and a hopeful forecast for finding the first snake of the year at a den. https://drscdn.500px.org/photo/201460529/m%3D9...
by bgorum
June 14th, 2017, 5:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Going the Extra Mile - DOR live birth
Replies: 25
Views: 21335

Re: Going the Extra Mile - DOR live birth

That's awesome!
by bgorum
June 9th, 2017, 6:58 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Winter 16/17
Replies: 7
Views: 18085

Re: Winter 16/17

Sorry guys, I posted this a long time ago and nobody commented for a long while, so I sort of stopped checking and didn't realize I had responses! Great post! How late do the Rosy finches stay Sandia Crest? Brian, some in time in March most years. Spectacular as usual Bill. Are you sure your first p...
by bgorum
June 6th, 2017, 2:37 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Beginner Question - Looking DSLR Camera
Replies: 4
Views: 22945

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 bgorum
June 1st, 2017, 7:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping NE Oklahoma in late July?
Replies: 5
Views: 4350

Re: Herping NE Oklahoma in late July?

blacktara wrote:After that, the question is, what r you looking for?
Crotes are always high on my list, but really anything. I'd love to see a timber rattlesnake and I never tire of osage copperheads. How is road cruising at that time of year?
by bgorum
May 29th, 2017, 6:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping NE Oklahoma in late July?
Replies: 5
Views: 4350

Herping NE Oklahoma in late July?

A couple years ago I went to visit relatives in NE Oklahoma and received some good tips from people here on the forum. That trip was in early June. I have the opportunity to go again this year, but not until the end of July. Would herping at that time of year be at all productive up there? Keep in m...
by bgorum
May 11th, 2017, 5:12 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Beginner Question - Looking DSLR Camera
Replies: 4
Views: 22945

Re: Beginner Question - Looking DSLR Camera

Hey Herb, welcome to the forum. Can I first ask why you want to get a Dslr instead of a mirrorless camera? Right now I think Dslr's are better only if you shoot action, (sports, wildlife, etc.), and Sony is even taking away that advantage with the new A9. Still, if you are shooting action I think a ...
by bgorum
April 15th, 2017, 8:14 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

Cool shots, especially the 2nd one! I don't ever use polarizers. I own one that fits my 70-300, but I'm 100% sure I have never used it. The problem with polarizers is that good ones are very expensive, especially in the sizes needed for telephotos, and they cost you around 2 stops of light. Also, I ...
by bgorum
April 9th, 2017, 5:41 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: It's been too long since we've had an in situ theme thread..
Replies: 212
Views: 837164

Re: It's been too long since we've had an in situ theme thre

Kevin Price wrote: Haven't posted in a long time. Here's my latest find from the other day. Large Chuckwalla, Sauromalus ater. This was a tough shoot.
I like the way you lit this!
by bgorum
March 11th, 2017, 9:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Anza-borrego advise?
Replies: 3
Views: 2797

Re: Anza-borrego advise?

Sorry for the misspelling in the title! Where dd the edit button go?
by bgorum
March 11th, 2017, 7:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Anza-borrego advise?
Replies: 3
Views: 2797

Anza-borrego advise?

With all the rain that’s fallen this year and the forecast for an exceptional wild flower bloom I’ve decided its time for me to make a trip to Anza-Borrego. I have spring break coming up one week from today. It looks like I may be a little late for the peak of the wild flowers, (online sources seem ...
by bgorum
March 5th, 2017, 10:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Travels in New Mexico - Part 3
Replies: 4
Views: 4383

Re: Travels in New Mexico - Part 3

Very nice! You do realize however that the "courtship dance" you described is probably male/male combat and not courtship. Of course I'm just jealous because its a behavior I've yet to witness in the wild :)
by bgorum
February 28th, 2017, 6:35 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Winter 16/17
Replies: 7
Views: 18085

Winter 16/17

[Winter is finally drawing to a close and I’ve got a rare day with nothing much to do, so I thought I’d write up a post. I’m going to post it here in the bird forum because where I live winters are cold and we don’t see many herps! I posted the first ¾ of 2016 in the herp forum last September. You c...
by bgorum
February 28th, 2017, 1:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: TwoThousandSixteen.. Reptiles and Landscapes
Replies: 8
Views: 5863

Re: TwoThousandSixteen.. Reptiles and Landscapes

Good stuff Notah. We need to get out into the field together more often this year.
by bgorum
February 26th, 2017, 5:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Travels in New Mexico - Part 2
Replies: 3
Views: 2834

Re: Travels in New Mexico - Part 2

Cool stuff! Whats most interesting to me about your Blind Snake is that the soil in the picture looks dry. I don't think I've ever seen one of those unless it was raining or just finished raining. Looking forward to part 3!
by bgorum
February 5th, 2017, 7:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Introduction and EOY2016 (Long)
Replies: 8
Views: 7339

Re: Introduction and EOY2016 (Long)

Great intro post! Thanks for posting. As Notah said, your first viridis is a Sistrurus . Also, this: http://i.imgur.com/KosT6dR.jpg this is either A. marmorata or A. tesseleta Josh This one looks like tesselata, and if its from Ojito that clinches it. marmorata don't make it that far north in centra...
by bgorum
January 13th, 2017, 1:05 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81476

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

I remember reading a quote once, and I think it was here on field herp forum, so I apologize for not remembering who to attribute it to and I really apologize if I botch it up. It goes something like this, "Arguing with some people on the internet is like playing chess with a pigeon. It doesn't...
by bgorum
December 22nd, 2016, 12:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sweet '16: Year in Review (TX, LA, NM, UT, MT)
Replies: 20
Views: 13854

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

Great post Kyle. It was great meeting you and swapping tales while we road cruised, even if we didn't see a lot of snakes! The vinagaroon and gopher snake are in my classroom and eating like champs though. What a summer ! Corals have been on my list for years with no success. I have yet to also see ...
by bgorum
December 20th, 2016, 6:26 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Nocturnal Amphibian Photography Tips(?)
Replies: 4
Views: 14401

Re: Nocturnal Amphibian Photography Tips(?)

As I stated in the other thread you started, there really is no reason to worry about flash hurting the animals' eyes. I think off camera flash, using a bracket, (I personally like the Wimberley Macro Bracket-http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22374), is the easiest and bes...
by bgorum
December 15th, 2016, 5:35 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Herp Photo wins first place in Nat Geo Nature Photog of Year
Replies: 12
Views: 24625

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

I might also take umbrage with the fact that the snake is posed in a defensive position. That is unfortunate and will reinforce stereotypical fears. I thought about that too. To my mind that kind of reinforces my belief that many people have a "shallow" interest in herps. If its colorful,...
by bgorum
December 14th, 2016, 11:31 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Herp Photo wins first place in Nat Geo Nature Photog of Year
Replies: 12
Views: 24625

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

I'm surprised they chose a picture of a snake. I'd like to think that it means attitudes towards herps are changing for the better. I agree that the photo looks posed. I'm really not surprised about that. I think that the general public is more and more beginning to recognize that herps are beautifu...
by bgorum
December 5th, 2016, 2:07 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81476

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

What I'm implying is that the very last thing they ever thought would be photographed with these speadlight flashes, were amphibians at close range, and therefor never performed a study to make sure they were safe. Nor did they take under consideration nocturnal animlas with eyes much smaller than ...
by bgorum
December 4th, 2016, 8:06 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81476

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 fo...
by bgorum
November 29th, 2016, 6:08 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81476

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

More warnings from instruction manuals, but at least the writers of these have a sense of humor! These are from the instructions for the Flashpoint R2 Radio flash transmitter. This is the last one I'll post, I promise! https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5336/30504731144_05b902ae00_b.jpg Screen Shot 2016-...
by bgorum
November 24th, 2016, 9:31 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81476

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 bgorum
November 22nd, 2016, 6:34 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81476

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

If you're still determined to photograph frogs without a flash, I wonder is something like this might be an option for you- https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Light-Macro-Canon-Tamron/dp/B003LYF5P2. Based on my experience with frogs' reactions to my headlamp, I think the continuous light would bother the...
by bgorum
November 20th, 2016, 8:42 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)
Replies: 45
Views: 81476

Re: Photographing Nocturnal Frogs/Toads (Question)

I'd be interested in reading about electronic flash hurting frogs' eye sight. I've done quite a bit of shooting of calling frogs with flash, and from what I can tell, based on their behavior, it doesn't seem to bother them. In fact, It seems to me that my headlamp bothers them a lot more. Its entire...
by bgorum
November 2nd, 2016, 10:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp Photography 2016 - 3/3
Replies: 8
Views: 7013

Re: Herp Photography 2016 - 3/3

Very nice. You are clearly developing a vision that is your own. Bravo!