Search found 656 matches

by PNWHerper
March 24th, 2013, 7:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: CA Trip March 2013 (Part I)
Replies: 5
Views: 1257

Re: CA Trip March 2013 (Part I)

Thanks, William! I agree on the eggmass ID. Here is a pic I forgot to add: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-282N6ThfFPI/UU9FJuznnAI/AAAAAAAAD1U/tE30zeYDSq8/s700/IMG_0128%2520copy.jpg Its a nice looking Shasta Alligator Lizard ( Elgaria coerulea shastensis ). Found it in the Redwoods Area in NorCal.
by PNWHerper
March 24th, 2013, 7:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: CA Trip March 2013 (Part II)
Replies: 4
Views: 1333

CA Trip March 2013 (Part II)

Here is the second installment of this past week in March. After our time North of the Bay area, we drove down into the Diablo Range. One of the first creatures we found, were to my surprise, a pair of baby Nor Pacs ( Crotalus oreganus oreganus ). This pair was under a piece of tin. These 2 pics are...
by PNWHerper
March 24th, 2013, 4:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: CA Trip March 2013 (Part I)
Replies: 5
Views: 1257

CA Trip March 2013 (Part I)

I just returned from a week-long trip to CA with 2 friends to collect data for the Herp Tracking Book. This is the 2nd to last trip I will take for the book. The final one will be in June/July. The trip began in the Redwoods and continued traveling down the coast to about Santa Cruz. We were intendi...
by PNWHerper
March 14th, 2013, 3:48 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Bird Highlights 2012-2013
Replies: 1
Views: 1952

Bird Highlights 2012-2013

Just a small handful of bird highlights from a day back in late December 2012. Juvenile red-tailed hawk hunting voles. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M38o7iK2ul8/UNnOd61tg5I/AAAAAAAADio/VwEAU7BtYbM/s700/IMG_0109%2520copy.jpg A juvenile northern harrier yawning while waiting for parents to feed i...
by PNWHerper
March 14th, 2013, 10:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First outing of 2013 - Southern AZ.
Replies: 16
Views: 4362

Re: First outing of 2013 - Southern AZ.

Terry, The boys in our family have always been hunters of one sort or another. We are used to looking for sign and anything to do with the animals we are hunting. With herps I look for scat, tracks, shed skins, turtle shells, old or new nest sites, dead animals, etc. Sounds will often give away an a...
by PNWHerper
March 13th, 2013, 3:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Finding Herps Using Tracking
Replies: 3
Views: 769

Re: Finding Herps Using Tracking

Moderator, feel free and delete this post please.
by PNWHerper
March 13th, 2013, 3:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why Tracking Matters (Finding Herps): Repost from NW Chapter
Replies: 6
Views: 2094

Why Tracking Matters (Finding Herps): Repost from NW Chapter

So, I wanted to share with ya'll an excellent example of why tracking herps matters. I was out this weekend in Central WA state (Mostly Grant County) with some students doing an overnight field trip focused on wildlife tracking. We went to a location I had never been before, that included some sandy...
by PNWHerper
March 13th, 2013, 3:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Finding Herps Using Tracking
Replies: 3
Views: 769

Re: Finding Herps Using Tracking

Ok, will do.
by PNWHerper
March 13th, 2013, 2:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Finding Herps Using Tracking
Replies: 3
Views: 769

Finding Herps Using Tracking

I did a post about using tracking skills in finding herps from this past weekend. Here it is for those of you who don't visit the NW Chapter Forum much:

http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... =8&t=15466

Hope you enjoy!
by PNWHerper
March 13th, 2013, 2:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Another New Guy
Replies: 6
Views: 2137

Re: Another New Guy

Oh, and in regards to your critters: 4) Definitely a red-legged frog 7) Sage-brush lizard 9) Spadefoot toad (I would guess Couch's, but I dunno my Baja species that well) 10) Definitely a striped whipsnake 11) Looks like it might be a Belding's Orange-throated whiptail 14) House Gecko 17) Florida So...
by PNWHerper
March 13th, 2013, 12:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First horned lizards of spring
Replies: 12
Views: 1988

Re: First horned lizards of spring

Great find! :beer: :thumb: ;)

I found a pygmy short-horned lizard last weekend. Nothing as early as yours, but thought you might wanna see:

http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... =8&t=15466
by PNWHerper
March 13th, 2013, 9:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Another New Guy
Replies: 6
Views: 2137

Re: Another New Guy

Randy, Glad to have you as part of the forums. You should add some of your records to the naherp.com data base, so you can be officially added to the NW Chapter. ;) Hi guys, my name is Randy and I just joined the forum. I'm another King County, WA resident, so I hope to meet some of you guys. I'm pr...
by PNWHerper
March 12th, 2013, 11:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why Tracking Matters (Finding Herps)
Replies: 11
Views: 4185

Re: Why Tracking Matters (Finding Herps)

Travis, That was a great post Fil. I am jealous you got go out already, but this is really getting me in the mood for May. Maybe I should pack a garden trowel for the next outing? Thanks. :beer: I don't want to encourage jealousy, but I do want to feed your excitement for May. :D The lizards I found...
by PNWHerper
March 12th, 2013, 10:45 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First outing of 2013 - Southern AZ.
Replies: 16
Views: 4362

Re: First outing of 2013 - Southern AZ.

Jim, Thanks brother. I learned a ton herping with you as well. You have a keen eye and a good memory for details. Your knowledge of the areas you frequent was impressive and your predictions of where things would be were pretty dead on. I love tracking and have gained a fair amount of skill in it, b...
by PNWHerper
March 11th, 2013, 1:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First outing of 2013 - Southern AZ.
Replies: 16
Views: 4362

Re: First outing of 2013 - Southern AZ.

Terry, If you have good photos of Desert spiny lizard scat and wanna contribute them let me know. Same goes for other scats you might have photographed. We also have lots of mammals and birds. The coyotes leave their scat fairly often and I sometimes shovel it up to put on plants to scare the rodent...
by PNWHerper
March 11th, 2013, 7:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why Tracking Matters (Finding Herps)
Replies: 11
Views: 4185

Re: Why Tracking Matters (Finding Herps)

Richard, Thanks you. I always appreciate and respect hearing from you. We have a saying at our school that we could probably repeat more often, "Animals don't read the field guides." We have our students do species journals that include a close study of the most up to date field guides, bu...
by PNWHerper
March 10th, 2013, 8:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why Tracking Matters (Finding Herps)
Replies: 11
Views: 4185

Why Tracking Matters (Finding Herps)

So, I wanted to share with ya'll an excellent example of why tracking herps matters. I was out this weekend in Central WA state (Mostly Grant County) with some students doing an overnight field trip focused on wildlife tracking. We went to a location I had never been before, that included some sandy...
by PNWHerper
March 8th, 2013, 9:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Winter's Grip is Loosed ~ Spring Outing May 2-5, 2013
Replies: 19
Views: 4845

Re: Winter's Grip is Loosed ~ Spring Outing May 2-5, 2013

Wow, Randy, you are not kidding about about tons of records coming from that area! Many of the species I really want to see have been observed there. The other place I would like to return to on this trip is the Columbia NWR area to the southeast of Potholes Reservoir. I have spent a lot of time exp...
by PNWHerper
March 8th, 2013, 8:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Winter's Grip is Loosed ~ Spring Outing May 2-5, 2013
Replies: 19
Views: 4845

Re: Winter's Grip is Loosed ~ Spring Outing May 2-5, 2013

Randy, Welcome to the Forum! Love the photo of the short-eared owl. :shock: :thumb: We'd love to have you join us on the trip in May, if you can make it. I am a field herper, but also a general naturalist and so love to see and photograph a lot of different things including birds, tracks, herps, pla...
by PNWHerper
March 7th, 2013, 12:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hey all...
Replies: 4
Views: 1215

Re: Hey all...

Adam, Welcome to the forum! I am just starting out as the new pres for the NW Chapter, and am glad to see another member join us. We are planning a get together in May, to explore central WA and the Columbia River Gorge area. The dates are May 2-5. Would love to see you join us for the trip! See the...
by PNWHerper
March 5th, 2013, 11:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Winter's Grip is Loosed ~ Spring Outing May 2-5, 2013
Replies: 19
Views: 4845

Re: Winter's Grip is Loosed ~ Spring Outing May 2-5, 2013

Never been to that lake, but have been on that refuge once. Some very cool habitat out there. I know some parts of that refuge have limited access because of the proximity to the Hanford Nuclear Site. Also, the road I drove in on years ago was really rough and sandy, so we might need to carpool in a...
by PNWHerper
March 5th, 2013, 10:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Winter's Grip is Loosed ~ Spring Outing May 2-5, 2013
Replies: 19
Views: 4845

Re: Winter's Grip is Loosed ~ Spring Outing May 2-5, 2013

Alright ya'll, its a date then! Let's make this outing happen. Who wants to join us for some fun field herping in May? :thumb: Indafield, sorry you won't be there. Another time for sure. I am really looking forward to it! I am gonna start thinking about what species I want to target when we are out ...
by PNWHerper
March 5th, 2013, 10:40 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Raising earthwoms for herps
Replies: 2
Views: 1636

Re: Raising earthwoms for herps

Kfen, If you are interested in feeding your worms kitchen compost, you can grow a whole lot of them and you can also have great compost for you potted plants or garden. Here is an article I did on worm composting, perhaps it will help: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/worm-composting-system.html The...
by PNWHerper
March 5th, 2013, 7:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First outing of 2013 - Southern AZ.
Replies: 16
Views: 4362

Re: First outing of 2013 - Southern AZ.

TC, Haha, well that is one way to see Desert Tortoise scat! :lol: Yes, I have been studying lizard scat. Some lizards have very distinct scats that are fairly easily identified. Horned lizards are one group that is pretty easy. There is also chuckwalla, desert iguana, large spiny lizards, leopard li...
by PNWHerper
March 4th, 2013, 2:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM & AZ w/ some Chile (S.America) - too long, so scroll fast
Replies: 28
Views: 8377

Re: NM & AZ w/ some Chile (S.America) - too long, so scroll

Morgan,

I tried to PM you back but could not. Whats up with that?

Also,

Once again, awesome post!
by PNWHerper
March 4th, 2013, 2:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Winter's Grip is Loosed ~ Spring Outing May 2-5, 2013
Replies: 19
Views: 4845

Re: Winter's Grip is Loosed

Travis, I will be able to make the first week of May, specifically I am taking off May 2 - 5. I'd love to do a trip out to central WA and to the Columbia Gorge. Would those dates work for you? Think we could get John to come as well? Let me know and I will post a tentative outing for that time. Woul...
by PNWHerper
March 4th, 2013, 2:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life
Replies: 13
Views: 4033

Re: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life

Thanks Frogeyes!

That was a great clarification. I could not find really clear differences in the text I was using.

Also, how do you properly pronounce "Paedomorph" and "Neotene"?

Is it "Pay-do-Morph" and "Neo-teen"?
by PNWHerper
March 2nd, 2013, 8:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: PNW Pond Life in Feb.
Replies: 0
Views: 425

PNW Pond Life in Feb.

For all of you who perhaps do not frequent the NW Chapter, I thought it might be nice to repost it for you to view. http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=15317 These are some of the highlights of my recent herping work as I collect tracking data for the Herp Tracking Book. Hope...
by PNWHerper
March 1st, 2013, 3:32 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Let's see those Owls!!
Replies: 66
Views: 28216

Re: Let's see those Owls!!

Love all the owl photos, everyone!

Here is something to bring owls and herping together a way you may not have considered:

http://snakesarelong.blogspot.com/2013/ ... ikely.html
by PNWHerper
March 1st, 2013, 1:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Winter's Grip is Loosed ~ Spring Outing May 2-5, 2013
Replies: 19
Views: 4845

Re: Winter's Grip is Loosed

Travis,

I will give you my possible dates very soon. I just talked with my boss about time off in April/May.

I would love to invite a bunch of NW Chapter members.
by PNWHerper
March 1st, 2013, 10:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First outing of 2013 - Southern AZ.
Replies: 16
Views: 4362

Re: First outing of 2013 - Southern AZ.

Terry, Nice post. Love the tracks. :thumb: They look pretty classic for desert tortoise to me. I don't think you can use only tracks for the data base yet, but perhaps once my book is published and tracking in the herp world becomes more accepted as scientifically viable, we will be able to in the n...
by PNWHerper
March 1st, 2013, 7:23 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life
Replies: 13
Views: 4033

Re: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life

Travis, I hope you enjoy that lens! I have 100 macro as well, and love it. :beer: Here is a few more photos from this week. Different pond, this time at my work, but some cool finds none-the-less. A massive tail on this specimen! https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VBwUCoe1Ifg/UTA6ITvVz_I/AAAAAAAADtQ...
by PNWHerper
February 25th, 2013, 6:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life
Replies: 13
Views: 4033

Re: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life

AJ,

Nice photos! Makes sense you are finding those now, as both species are breeding.

Travis,

Thanks! Maybe you can get a few pics up soon too?
by PNWHerper
February 24th, 2013, 9:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life
Replies: 13
Views: 4033

Re: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life

Joe, I have seen neotenic (neotene) and paedomorph interchangeably in the literature. Maybe someone can enlighten us on the differences?? Because of their toxic skin, NW salamander paedomorphs are found in ponds/lakes with or without fish. Though, they do suffer some mortality, and their is some evi...
by PNWHerper
February 24th, 2013, 1:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life
Replies: 13
Views: 4033

Re: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life

Here is an adult male exploring the bottom of the pond.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/embed/M9DSrXy9vJI[/youtube]
by PNWHerper
February 24th, 2013, 12:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life
Replies: 13
Views: 4033

Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life

Been busy taking advantage of every free moment available to me to seek out the wet skinned herps that are busily breeding around here in western WA. I thought it would be fun to do a post on the life I have found around one particular pond I have been working with. I love the Pacific Northwest land...
by PNWHerper
February 20th, 2013, 7:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM & AZ w/ some Chile (S.America) - too long, so scroll fast
Replies: 28
Views: 8377

Re: NM & AZ w/ some Chile (S.America) - too long, so scroll

York, I might be in SE AZ this coming June. I am going to do one last journey to the southwest, for the Herp Tracking Book. I know August (Monsoon season) is best, but I will have to go with the time I have off. I will be looking for spots with great substrate for tracks. Although it might be sad to...
by PNWHerper
February 20th, 2013, 7:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM & AZ w/ some Chile (S.America) - too long, so scroll fast
Replies: 28
Views: 8377

Re: NM & AZ w/ some Chile (S.America) - too long, so scroll

Y. Morgan, This is officially the longest post I have seen... and what a post it is! So much good stuff, I will have to view it many times. I really appreciate your story-telling via words and photos. Also, the photos you take are great. So many wonderful close-ups and interesting finds. WOW! :shock...
by PNWHerper
February 19th, 2013, 7:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Let's Celebrate PNW Herpetofauna
Replies: 9
Views: 2458

Re: Let's Celebrate PNW Herpetofauna

Indafield,

Great stuff! An Oregon Getula is totally awesome. The lutosus is gorgeous! And, the capture of the gopher getting munched by the racer is my favorite. I never realized racers were so keen on eating snakes.
by PNWHerper
February 18th, 2013, 6:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Something for Fil
Replies: 9
Views: 4156

Re: Something for Fil

Joe, That's a great observation! I will have to make use of that in future track set ups. I try to get tracks on several different substrates, and end up with the best ones in the mud that you see in that photo. The other 2 are in 2 different kinds of fine dust. Travis, Sorry to hear you guys are st...
by PNWHerper
February 17th, 2013, 1:53 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 167358

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

Rich in Reptiles, Glad you are into wildlife tracking! I think that tracking and herping are great complementary skills. Yes, I still welcome photos of herp tracks of any kind. There are many species from the East Coast and the SE that I did not get tracks for. So, I am pretty dependent on help from...
by PNWHerper
February 16th, 2013, 9:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Something for Fil
Replies: 9
Views: 4156

Re: Something for Fil

Here is a youtube video of the salamander making tracks for me:

by PNWHerper
February 16th, 2013, 9:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Something for Fil
Replies: 9
Views: 4156

Re: Something for Fil

Thanks, Joe! I think it was a combination of perfect substrate and right side-lighting on a rare sunny winter day. All things came together to make a great set of tracks. I am impressed with how long the toes on the front feet are on this species. Arguably, the longest toes of any western salamander...
by PNWHerper
February 15th, 2013, 8:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mid-winter report
Replies: 10
Views: 2476

Re: Mid-winter report

Richard,

That is a great day! A nice diversity for mid-winter. How great that you saw the rubber boas too. And 13 boas on a winter day, wow!

Did you take any photos of your finds?
by PNWHerper
February 15th, 2013, 2:25 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 167358

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

Here is a fun update on one species I have been pursuing for some time. There is a photo of a track in there, too:

http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... =8&t=15158
by PNWHerper
February 15th, 2013, 2:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Something for Fil
Replies: 9
Views: 4156

Re: Something for Fil

Joshua, You really inspired me to redouble my efforts. During a class hike, while I was teaching I told my students about carefully flipping logs to find amphibians. And, sure enough, as we walked along and flipped small logs... BAM! I shouted, threw up my arms and proceeded to bonk my head on a tre...
by PNWHerper
February 13th, 2013, 8:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Let's Celebrate PNW Herpetofauna
Replies: 9
Views: 2458

Re: Let's Celebrate PNW Herpetofauna

Thanks guys! Let's keep them coming. Fundad, let me know if you get out into these parts. Maybe we can do some herpin' together. You too, Hellihooks! Jim M, love those shots. The Dunn's and Larch Mtn. are still on my list of species that have eluded me. The red-spotted garter snake is gorgeous. And,...
by PNWHerper
February 12th, 2013, 1:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Let's Celebrate PNW Herpetofauna
Replies: 9
Views: 2458

Let's Celebrate PNW Herpetofauna

As spring creeps into the the wet, dark and cool lands of the Pacific Northwest I can't help but daydream about all the lovely reptiles and amphibians one can find in this part of the country. As a way of celebrating, and perhaps, wetting our field herping appetites lets post some of our favorite fi...
by PNWHerper
February 12th, 2013, 12:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tips for Entering Data faster...
Replies: 13
Views: 4265

Re: Tips for Entering Data faster...

Thanks, Brian! This is helpful.

I was wondering about entering repeat species from the same location in a efficient manner.
by PNWHerper
February 12th, 2013, 8:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Something for Fil
Replies: 9
Views: 4156

Re: Something for Fil

WOW! Nice catch! Looks like a pretty beefy one, at that. I am guessing male, by the swollen vent?

Beautiful animal. Well, if you are catching them already then I better keep my eyes peeled for them in the ponds.

I will PM you some questions.