Search found 114 matches

by jamezevanz
March 11th, 2018, 10:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Couple 2017 South Central Alaska Highlights
Replies: 5
Views: 4626

Re: A Couple 2017 South Central Alaska Highlights

Wow, that’s way up there. I know UAF studies them up into the Brooks Range but I don’t know if there’s any confirmed from North of there in Alaska. I’d really like to take a rambling drive up the Dalton Highway toward Prudhoe Bay and try to record some in the North Slope Borough.
by jamezevanz
March 10th, 2018, 8:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Couple 2017 South Central Alaska Highlights
Replies: 5
Views: 4626

A Couple 2017 South Central Alaska Highlights

Howdy herpers. Long time no post. Happy to finally see an integrated photo function. Sad to see the California forum gone... First, if you're looking at a South Central Alaska post and expecting to see anything but Wood Frogs, prepare to be disappointed. But these two finds were really special. The ...
by jamezevanz
July 5th, 2016, 2:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New Northernmost Entry
Replies: 5
Views: 12728

Re: New Northernmost Entry

Jeff- Other species that depend on forest ecosystems are expanding north of the Brooks Range and Arctic Circle as the tree line creeps further north along rivers and streams. This is documented in moose and snowshoe hare, and others. It wouldn't surprise me if wood frogs were able to do the same. Ho...
by jamezevanz
July 2nd, 2016, 9:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New Northernmost Entry
Replies: 5
Views: 12728

Re: New Northernmost Entry

Thank you, and thank you for your two kingsnake books, I found them very helpful when I was in California.
by jamezevanz
July 1st, 2016, 4:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New Northernmost Entry
Replies: 5
Views: 12728

New Northernmost Entry

Moved Wood Frog records one degree of latitude North and knocked off another Alaska borough. 90 miles short of the Arctic Circle. I'll get one above it one of these days.

http://www.naherp.com/viewrecord.php?r_id=260105
by jamezevanz
November 12th, 2015, 12:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: some recent salamanders found in San Diego
Replies: 7
Views: 3153

Re: some recent salamanders found in San Diego

Since none of the confirmed range of newts and salamanders in Alaska is accessible via road from the highway system, I'd have to either fly to Juneau or Ketchikan and rent a car or drive 1500 miles up and around and then back down to Prince Rupert or thereabouts in British Columbia for the chance to...
by jamezevanz
November 7th, 2015, 5:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: some recent salamanders found in San Diego
Replies: 7
Views: 3153

Re: some recent salamanders found in San Diego

Cool stuff Jeff. Jealous of the Tiger Salamander. Always wanted to see a big one and since they're invasive in those parts, I'd probably keep it. I never had luck finding large blotched ensatinas on the road, only flipping. Montereys were what I always found on the roads south of I-8. Have you found...
by jamezevanz
October 17th, 2015, 2:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Way Up North
Replies: 4
Views: 2740

Re: Way Up North

Wood frogs are incredible and the ones that survive interior Alaska winters are literally frozen solid for 7 months or more every year. There has been some concern lately that our warming temperatures and low total snowfalls in recent years might be harming wood frog populations that depend on a bla...
by jamezevanz
October 9th, 2015, 10:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Way Up North
Replies: 4
Views: 2740

Re: Way Up North

The state and the University of Alaska have records of them from up to, and maybe even North of the Brooks Range. I'd expect to see them throughout the SE Fairbanks census area and the Fairbanks North Star Borough proper. I just don't go up there much. Next time I'm in the city of Fairbanks I need t...
by jamezevanz
October 8th, 2015, 10:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Way Up North
Replies: 4
Views: 2740

Way Up North

Just entered what I believe to be the northern-most record in the HERP database-- a Wood Frog from the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area of Alaska. More surprisingly, the frog was found in the coldest river system I fish-- a spring-fed river known for its trophy Arctic Grayling. My toes go numb in neo...
by jamezevanz
October 3rd, 2015, 3:58 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: An key observational note on Eastern Hognose care
Replies: 17
Views: 9593

Re: An key observational note on Eastern Hognose care

Seems common in ratsnakes. Nearly every adult obsoletus-type ratsnake I see for sale has some degree of nose deformation. The two I've had tended to rub their noses when kept in glass enclosures and, starting out, I worried their health and appearance would suffer. I found the solution -- assuming a...
by jamezevanz
June 14th, 2015, 11:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: April to June in So. Cal. - new photos added
Replies: 10
Views: 6175

Re: April to June in So. Cal.

Great stuff Jeff, especially the Rosies and the Coachwhip. I'm jealous. I've been too busy remodeling a house to do any fishing and this is the only herp I've seen all year:

Image
by jamezevanz
May 14th, 2015, 11:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Navy wont let me herp!!!
Replies: 15
Views: 6111

Re: Navy wont let me herp!!!

Previous comment about begging forgiveness rather than asking permission is spot on. Dont get bit or injured or arrested and you won't be needing to beg forgiveness anyway. And really, if you're a reasonably cautious and ethical Herper, none of those things should happen anyway. And also, as mention...
by jamezevanz
March 29th, 2015, 12:41 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: CB rosy bites vs WC rosy
Replies: 36
Views: 16272

Re: CB rosy bites vs WC rosy

Never seen or heard of a wild rosy trying to bite. My WC Rosy has been fed in her enclosure for the four years I've had her and has never tried to bite. About the only precaution I take (if you can call it that) is I always feed from tongs. I also handle her regularly between feedings. She has fed o...
by jamezevanz
January 30th, 2015, 10:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: recently enlisted in navy
Replies: 21
Views: 6070

Re: recently enlisted in navy

I'll echo the sentiment about deployment herping. Navy liberty policy makes free-roaming herping very difficult and it will nearly always hinge on you convincing someone to go with you who would rather be sitting in a bar (most Sailors today and historically seem to prefer to see the world from a ba...
by jamezevanz
January 16th, 2015, 5:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: recently enlisted in navy
Replies: 21
Views: 6070

Re: recently enlisted in navy

Wish lists are just that and you'll quickly find out that, depending on needs of the Navy and the specifics of your job specialty, there are certain places you have a very high likelihood of being stationed regardless of what you pick. I always got what I asked for but only because I usually figured...
by jamezevanz
October 16th, 2014, 9:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alaska Frawgs
Replies: 18
Views: 7657

Re: Alaska Frawgs

I have noticed that our wood frogs look and behave somewhat differently than those I've caught in central New York, but hadn't noticed that those "down south" lack significant spotting. That's neat. The most significant difference I had picked up on was that up here their legs are shorter,...
by jamezevanz
October 16th, 2014, 12:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alaska Frawgs
Replies: 18
Views: 7657

Alaska Frawgs

Just added some wood frogs to the database and herpmapper. Any hope of seeing more this year has faded as I watch the snow creeping down the mountains. I didn't get out and specifically look for frogs this summer like I'd planned, too many distractions in too short a season. But I did find a few inc...
by jamezevanz
September 21st, 2014, 3:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Frogsicles: Wood Frogs Freeze to Survive Harsh Alaska Winter
Replies: 2
Views: 1690

Re: Frogsicles: Wood Frogs Freeze to Survive Harsh Alaska Wi

I have a bunch of records of wood frogs from fishing trips all over Soutchcentral Alaska this summer that I need to upload to the database. I'm holding out for a late straggler, the trees are yellow and it's getting nippy at night but I think if I looked hard I could find one. Last I checked there w...
by jamezevanz
July 26th, 2014, 2:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifelisting San Diego County 2014 – Part 2: Summer
Replies: 7
Views: 4981

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

More fantastic stuff, glad you had luck in my favorite canyon. Keep hitting it, it's definitely a good boa spot and I feel like there ought to be barefoot geckos there as well. I don't know when I'll be back in Cali. My next herp adventure will likely be in the Southeast somewhere. In the meantime I...
by jamezevanz
July 23rd, 2014, 10:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifelisting San Diego County 2014 – Part 1: Spring
Replies: 13
Views: 5630

Re: Lifelisting San Diego County – Spring through Summer 201

Excellent! Glad one of us finally found a Switaki. I guess I just wasn't doing enough good deeds to please the reptile Gods -- though i did once rescue a couple who locked themselves out of their car in Anza Borrego. I think that Karma only earned me a few banded geckos and a leaf nosed snake. Great...
by jamezevanz
July 18th, 2014, 10:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Shovel-nosed snake hunting using sand vibrations??
Replies: 9
Views: 4199

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

I don't have anything useful to add about shovelnosed snakes. I found many while in San Diego, always crossing pavement, usually moving very quickly. I also kept one for a month or so. I only saw it eat once and the rest of the time the crickets just disappeared. Something I did find interesting abo...
by jamezevanz
June 18th, 2014, 2:34 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Quick Trip To Montana
Replies: 10
Views: 4517

Re: Quick Trip To Montana

Thanks all. NAcairns, nice to see a comparison on the tadpoles, pretty sure they were way too big for Pseudris. No habitat shots but it was basically a mud puddle. As for advice in that area, I've only herped it three times and prior to this the best I'd found was a single Bullsnake. There's no shor...
by jamezevanz
June 15th, 2014, 5:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Quick Trip To Montana
Replies: 10
Views: 4517

Quick Trip To Montana

Went to Montana for five days to attend a family event in the Northeastern portion of the state. I lived in Great Falls for a few years as a kid and try to get back to do some fishing, herping, and fossil hunting once in awhile. This visit was fairly abbreviated but I managed to find two lifers with...
by jamezevanz
June 6th, 2014, 9:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Question for the group
Replies: 72
Views: 21733

Re: Question for the group

I appreciate having my entries "peer reviewed." Fundad and others have helped me correct embarrassing errors and I appreciate it. I agree a PM system is preferable to having the remarks immortalized in the comments, but it's fine either way. I take it for what it is: sage wisdom from folks...
by jamezevanz
April 29th, 2014, 5:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alaskan Emergence
Replies: 9
Views: 4019

Re: Alaskan Emergence

Sad to hear that about the toads, I didn't even know they made it that far North. One of these days I'll make it down to Cordova to fish for Steelhead and I'll be sure to look for toads while I'm at it.
by jamezevanz
April 28th, 2014, 12:35 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alaskan Emergence
Replies: 9
Views: 4019

Re: Alaskan Emergence

sjfriend-- just let me know when. Maybe double up a frogging/fishing trip somewhere. Surfinherp-- we saw moose, caribou, a coyote, and a northern hawk owl (among other raptors) on the way out there today. I haven't really shot much wildlife up here because I just don't have the lenses for it-- most ...
by jamezevanz
April 27th, 2014, 9:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Alaskan Emergence
Replies: 9
Views: 4019

Alaskan Emergence

Slogged out to some land my wife and I are buying near Glennallen, AK to take some measurements of an old shack we're fixing up. Still plenty of snow on the ground but its melting fast and the ATV trails were basically ice-choked creeks. Swimming around in one of them was the earliest wood frog I've...
by jamezevanz
April 10th, 2014, 12:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Noob questions re: technique, safety, etc
Replies: 38
Views: 11184

Re: Noob questions re: technique, safety, etc

It seems hubristic to me for anyone to think they can spot every venomous snake before they find themselves within striking distance. Kricket and Kent hit the nail on the head. If you are herping in thick brush with a high population of venomous snakes, it's not a matter of if but when you're going ...
by jamezevanz
April 6th, 2014, 12:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Noob questions re: technique, safety, etc
Replies: 38
Views: 11184

Re: Noob questions re: technique, safety, etc

I was stationed in Everett for a few years and went east to herp (and escape the rain) regularly. I was something of a noob at the time as well, having not had a chance to herp since I was a kid as a result of growing up in Alaska. I learned a few lessons during that time about the exact things you'...
by jamezevanz
March 2nd, 2014, 1:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Token Racer and Australian Herp ID's
Replies: 6
Views: 3587

Re: Token Racer and Australian Herp ID's

Thanks for the assist. I think the skink was a snake-eyed skink, it had snake-like pupils and it's snout seemed a bit pointy for a King's. Also, I saw a lot of them but no large King's Skinks outside of my visit to the zoo.
by jamezevanz
February 28th, 2014, 8:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Token Racer and Australian Herp ID's
Replies: 6
Views: 3587

Token Racer and Australian Herp ID's

Howdy FHF, it's been awhile since I've posted anything. Not much going on Herp-wise in Alaska, especially in February, so I'm just tending to my captives and trying to stay caught up on school work while I wait for fishing season and a trip Outside to go herping. I made a short trip to Florida in la...
by jamezevanz
February 27th, 2014, 9:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The worst thing thats happend to you while herping
Replies: 215
Views: 39977

Re: The worst thing thats happend to you while herping

Someone mentioned equipment failure while working host reminded me of one. Was showing a newer herper the field when we came across an aggressive C. scutulatus. Nice big snake that was stretched out on road when we drove up and assumed the classic strike poise before we even got the doors open. Fig...
by jamezevanz
December 15th, 2013, 12:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Surf and Herp Summer Vacation 2013 - shark discussion too
Replies: 30
Views: 9351

Re: Surf and Herp Summer Vacation 2013

Great memories and amazing finds! I'm jealous of your tailed frogs and giant sallies, I was stationed up there for 3 years and never saw either. Of course I had no idea where to look at the time. Looking forward to herping with you again some day and forever grateful for your shark fishing advice. I...
by jamezevanz
November 22nd, 2013, 6:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Who's excited about the rain we've gotten this week in CA!?
Replies: 51
Views: 11897

Re: Who's excited about the rain we've gotten this week in C

Nice work Jeff! Were those from the area we talked about or somewhere else?
by jamezevanz
November 14th, 2013, 11:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: November Field Outings Thus Far, sirtalis season,crotes,ect
Replies: 5
Views: 1722

Re: November Field Outings Thus Far, sirtalis season,crotes,

I got skunked too... This post makes me sad and happy. Beautiful snakes.
by jamezevanz
November 7th, 2013, 11:35 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Entering massive quantities of data
Replies: 18
Views: 2628

Re: Entering massive quantities of data

I've had herp mobile on my phone but don't like wasting precious field time making entries. Also I rarely have enough 3G/4G/LTE reception to use it, especially now that I'm on wood frog patrol in the frozen north. I find it easier to process everything when I get back. But to each their own, I'm cer...
by jamezevanz
November 6th, 2013, 9:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Entering massive quantities of data
Replies: 18
Views: 2628

Re: Entering massive quantities of data

I like to use my iphone for vouchers. If you have the location services turned on, every photo you take will have gps coordinates stamped in the metadata. This can be viewed with photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop/Bridge or with various free apps that are available. It's pretty accurate if ...
by jamezevanz
November 6th, 2013, 8:48 am
Forum: News
Topic: Denali Alaska Herp Murder Mystery
Replies: 3
Views: 2710

Re: Denali Alaska Herp Murder Mystery

I was curious about the legal aspect as well. It's perfectly legal to buy a rat from Petco and feed it to your snake. Perhaps there's someone out there who has bought a baby ball python or cornsnake from there to feed to a cobra or some other picky snake-eater- obviously not a cheap way to get your ...
by jamezevanz
October 30th, 2013, 9:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon.
Replies: 9
Views: 2037

Re: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon.

Thanks, for some reason I never noticed the very obvious lack of lateral stripes in any of the field guides. Now it's all I see. Guess I'm going back looking for those too...
by jamezevanz
October 29th, 2013, 8:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon.
Replies: 9
Views: 2037

Re: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon.

Wow, I'm usually pretty good with snake ID's but the garter complex up that way is confusing. Interesting. It was found in the Western half of Benton County Oregon, so...Valley Garter? Not as sexy but I'll take it.
by jamezevanz
October 27th, 2013, 10:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon
Replies: 8
Views: 2230

Re: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon

Keeper- I use Nikon gear and most of my herp shots are done with either a 17-35mm f2.8 or a 105mm macro. The flash is a SB-900 speed light with a portable soft box, mounted on a tripod or gorilla pod above and to one side, usually about to topple off a precipice or into a creek.
by jamezevanz
October 27th, 2013, 10:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon.
Replies: 9
Views: 2037

Re: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon.

Thanks for the laugh Jim! Hope I make it back down there one of these days, I'd love to take you up on your Mojave offer. Wish I could have herped with you Zach. My original plan for the trip was to spend three days or so searching for the blues, in which case I'm sure we could have met up. But life...
by jamezevanz
October 27th, 2013, 10:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon
Replies: 8
Views: 2230

Re: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon

Thanks all. Frog legs were indeed delicious. Like fishy chicken if you're into that sort of yumminess. All my mammal photos are crappy iPhone shots because the navy took back the 600mm lenses I had grown so used to using :lol: Hey ClosetHerper, whereabouts in the last frontier are you? I just moved ...
by jamezevanz
October 25th, 2013, 10:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon
Replies: 8
Views: 2230

Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon

Made it to Alaska! Had to expedite my trip a bit due to a family situation and didn't spend nearly as much time herping and fly fishing as I wanted to along the way. Nonetheless, I managed to pick up a few lifers in NorCal and Oregon that I thought I'd share before settling in for a long winter. Mad...
by jamezevanz
October 25th, 2013, 10:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon.
Replies: 9
Views: 2037

Northbound - Frawg Legs, Norcal, Oregon.

Made it to Alaska! Had to expedite my trip a bit due to a family situation and didn't spend nearly as much time herping and fly fishing as I wanted to along the way. Nonetheless, I managed to pick up a few lifers in NorCal and Oregon that I thought I'd share before settling in for a long winter. Mad...
by jamezevanz
October 25th, 2013, 11:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best Cali Herp Book?
Replies: 1
Views: 824

Re: Best Cali Herp Book?

Jeff Lemm's guide to the reptiles and amphibians of San Diego County was my bible in that area. For the rest of SoCal, if it wasn't covered in there I found Todd Battey's SoCal Herps app very helpful- though I wish it had detailed range maps. It has lots of photos showing variability within species.
by jamezevanz
September 21st, 2013, 1:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifelisting San Diego County – late Spring 2013
Replies: 14
Views: 4667

Re: Lifelisting San Diego County – late Spring 2013

Great hunting with you Jeff! Enjoyed seeing pics of some of the stuff you mentioned. The Baja Coach and pasty spec I am particularly envious of.
by jamezevanz
September 13th, 2013, 8:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fake herp photography
Replies: 85
Views: 21961

Re: Fake herp photography

Let us not forget that it takes a bunch of folks who like to go out and look for reptiles and amphibians, perhaps detaining or even collecting a few along the way, to mount a good defense on their behalf against the 99% of the population that is more or less ignorant of their existence. We can debat...