Search found 266 matches

by dthor68
August 25th, 2013, 11:47 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: What herps do you have problems photographing?
Replies: 22
Views: 9515

Re: What herps do you have problems photographing?

I have never had a problem with salamanders. Is a mater of fact I normally shoot them with rear sync to get more natural light. In dim woods that means 1-3 second exposures and still very sharp. Sometimes small desmognathus will be squirmy. Garters and racers are normally pretty active at first but ...
by dthor68
August 23rd, 2013, 4:04 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: What herps do you have problems photographing?
Replies: 22
Views: 9515

What herps do you have problems photographing?

I have photographed quite a few species and have never had issues with a snake that could not sit still until today. I am curious to see if anyone else has had problems shooting a Midland Watersnake. Normally I will just shoot them in there habitat, no problem. Trying to shoot one in a studio has be...
by dthor68
August 23rd, 2013, 3:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Zonie in Michigan (dial-up warning)
Replies: 20
Views: 3859

Re: A Zonie in Michigan (dial-up warning)

Nice! I will second the Michigan Rocks statement. The family and I went to Michigan last June. I did not get to look for any herps. I did find a grey tree frog under a stump at the edge of Lake Superior. Does not seem right to find tree frogs so close to what looks like an ocean. Good God there are ...
by dthor68
August 23rd, 2013, 2:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Peeling Bark?
Replies: 29
Views: 10860

Re: Peeling Bark?

I think the last time I peeled bark was back in 86 when I was 15. It felt wrong to destroy the home of so many animals. Nice to see everyone being so mature about this, goes a long way in helping out. I am sure in time Dane would figure this out on his own. Dane, another spot you may want to check i...
by dthor68
August 14th, 2013, 6:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some of the Salamanders from 2013
Replies: 18
Views: 4239

Re: Some of the Salamanders from 2013

Hey Jake, great job & great photos. The Marbled is awesome! I do have a question about the Ocoee you found in W. Virginia. How is it that imitates a species only found on a couple of hills in NC. And, being that the jordoni is found north of the shermani, it is doubtful that shermani ever existe...
by dthor68
August 14th, 2013, 2:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Any Herpers Here From South Carolina?
Replies: 1
Views: 734

Any Herpers Here From South Carolina?

I am trying to get photos of every snake found in SC. I am missing a few and would be willing to pay a few bucks for someone to catch theses animals for me. Nothing venomous, threatened or endangered. It would have to be in good shape and caught in SC. I would also need an EXACT location of where th...
by dthor68
August 14th, 2013, 1:07 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Self Restraint - Strategy or Pointless?
Replies: 25
Views: 13355

Re: Self Restraint - Strategy or Pointless?

For me its all about making the best of my time and being in the right place at the right time. That takes planning. For planning I use the web and Google Earth. I never go out to shoot snakes or salamanders, that would be a waste of time. Unlike you guys, I never have much luck. I go out with lands...
by dthor68
August 14th, 2013, 10:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: I will be in N. Myrtle Beach, SC between 8-12 and 8-17
Replies: 5
Views: 3188

Re: I will be in N. Myrtle Beach, SC between 8-12 and 8-17

Peter, are you just wanting to get pictures or are you wanting to take animals back to Chicago? There is a possibility that I will be in Charleston area on Saturday. Would that be too far, I think it is about 45 minutes from Myrtle Beach.
by dthor68
June 3rd, 2012, 7:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Canadian spring herping photos
Replies: 9
Views: 3876

Re: Canadian spring herping photos

Cool! Nice finds. I really like the Maritime Garter. I have never hunted up north before. I will get my chance in a week. Taking the family to Maine, Acadia NP. Dont really care if I leave there without seeing any herps as there is plenty of other things to see. But nice to see what is available. I ...
by dthor68
June 1st, 2012, 7:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Holiday Hognose
Replies: 32
Views: 7892

Re: Holiday Hognose

neherper, you have got a dam good set of eyes. The only time I ever see a hognose is crossing a road. I bet I have stepped over a 100+! There is one State Park in SC that I visited where they do not like herpers. A ranger found me photographing a snake on the side of the road. He said that what I wa...
by dthor68
May 25th, 2012, 8:09 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Underexposed with Flash?
Replies: 13
Views: 5041

Re: Underexposed with Flash?

I will try to clean it. However, it acts the same on my D300. I can still get great shots seting D200/300 on slow. Of coarse I cant freeze a tongue or rattle doing that. I am getting the sb-700 soon and was hoping I could clear this mess up if it were user era, prior to purchase. Thanks for all your...
by dthor68
May 25th, 2012, 6:06 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Underexposed with Flash?
Replies: 13
Views: 5041

Re: Underexposed with Flash?

I figured out the FP setting. It is made in the D200 under sync speed. You get two choices on a 1/250 sync speed. One is Auto FP 1/250, the other just 1/250. I made the change and the FP icon was no longer there. However, it did not change the outcome. Something tells me that Auto FP only kicks in w...
by dthor68
May 24th, 2012, 8:06 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Underexposed with Flash?
Replies: 13
Views: 5041

Re: Underexposed with Flash?

If you look in the upper left corner there is an icon for TTL, BL and FP. BL stands for balanced light and FP stands for high speed sync, not sure how they get that out of FP. When I scroll through mode my choices are TTL/FP, TTL/BL/FP, or Manual. I do not have the choice of just TTL. I have used it...
by dthor68
May 24th, 2012, 3:24 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Underexposed with Flash?
Replies: 13
Views: 5041

Underexposed with Flash?

Seems that every picture I take with a flash is underexposed, obviously I am doing something wrong. Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR, SB-600 with one of those plastic diffusers. Setting on flash: TTL, BL, FF, Zoom set on 85mm. Every now and then I will use the equipped diffuser set at 14m...
by dthor68
October 14th, 2011, 3:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gomer Pyle saves a King Snake!
Replies: 26
Views: 4880

Re: Gomer Pyle saves a King Snake!

I saw that episode of Gomer Pyle 32 years ago when I was 10. I was in the Boy Scouts and had just recieved my first issue of Boys Life Magazine that had an article, with pictures, on Timber Rattlesnakes. At the same time we were keeping a Gartersnake that we caught in the yard. I was really beginnin...
by dthor68
October 14th, 2011, 7:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Green Salamander eggs, hatching, hatchlings, and mothers
Replies: 15
Views: 3332

Re: Green Salamander eggs, hatching, hatchlings, and mothers

AWESOME! Man I have lived in SC for 20 years. Minutes from Green Salamanders and have yet to see any. Every year my goal is to get photos of a Green and every year I am let down. Think positive, I will get some photos soon.

Derek
by dthor68
October 5th, 2011, 5:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Is it legal to collect herps on Catalina Island, CA?
Replies: 60
Views: 6365

Re: Is it legal to collect herps on Catalina Island, CA?

Not only that, but I would think that any Catalina Island species available would be quite rare (if you could even verify them without a doubt), and prohibitively expensive for most people. I say, good luck, my friend! :roll: Well if they are so rare then they should be protected from capture, righ...
by dthor68
October 5th, 2011, 4:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Phoenix Arizona 2011 (pic heavy)
Replies: 16
Views: 3318

Re: Phoenix Arizona 2011 (pic heavy)

Nice work Texas Blonde. Looks like ya'll had a blast. What blows my mind is that the fishing spiders in Arizona look just like the fishing spiders in S Carolina.
by dthor68
October 5th, 2011, 3:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Is it legal to collect herps on Catalina Island, CA?
Replies: 60
Views: 6365

Re: Is it legal to collect herps on Catalina Island, CA?

Not only that, but I would think that any Catalina Island species available would be quite rare (if you could even verify them without a doubt), and prohibitively expensive for most people. I say, good luck, my friend! :roll: Well if they are so rare then they should be protected from capture, right?
by dthor68
October 5th, 2011, 3:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: For those who have found red salamanders
Replies: 15
Views: 2827

Re: For those who have found red salamanders

Try drier areas. When you think salamander the first thing that comes to mind is the moist hardood forest. 90% of the reds I find are in upland type pine woods and mixed forest. Quite frequently far from water, as far as a quarter mile. And, after a good rain. However, I am in SC but I find the same...
by dthor68
October 2nd, 2011, 2:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Is it legal to collect herps on Catalina Island, CA?
Replies: 60
Views: 6365

Re: Is it legal to collect herps on Catalina Island, CA?

You could always buy the animal that you want. It kinda works out in everyones favor when you buy instead of collect.
by dthor68
September 21st, 2011, 3:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The most amazing Cottenmouth I have ever seen
Replies: 13
Views: 2288

Re: The most amazing Cottenmouth I have ever seen

That is a gorgeous snake. I would love to see one in the wild. Closest I have come was a headless roadkilled corpse in the everglades... :P What do ya'll think of that behavior? The snake looked rather newly shed, so why would it be rubbing its face on sticks like that? That is a very curious thing...
by dthor68
September 19th, 2011, 6:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades by Bike
Replies: 16
Views: 4828

Re: Everglades by Bike

Dave, I am not sure you can do any of those things in the Everglades NP. As far as I know there are no dirt roads in the Everglades. If there are they are most like for "authourized personel". There are primitive camping areas but 99% of those can only be reached by boat. However, I am sur...
by dthor68
September 14th, 2011, 7:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The most amazing Cottenmouth I have ever seen
Replies: 13
Views: 2288

Re: The most amazing Cottenmouth I have ever seen

That is a very common looking Cottonmouth for SC. I may have seen that exact snake as I go to Francis Biedler several times a year for the last 15. I see 4 to 8 Cottonmouths a trip during warm months. Most common snake there.
by dthor68
August 7th, 2011, 8:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NEED HELP
Replies: 2
Views: 434

NEED HELP

Found black rat snake stuck to gorilla tape, how can I get him unstuck????
by dthor68
August 3rd, 2011, 2:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fraser's Hill, Malaysia. July 2011
Replies: 20
Views: 5745

Re: Fraser's Hill, Malaysia. July 2011

You have a great example of why we needed to change Elaphe to Pantherophis here in the states. And, another great example of why Boiga needs to make some changes withen its family. The spiders and butterflies are awesome! Great post, thanks for sharing.

Derek
by dthor68
July 26th, 2011, 5:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Quick Trip to NC/TN
Replies: 5
Views: 1475

Re: Quick Trip to NC/TN

Nice finds!
by dthor68
July 26th, 2011, 5:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Anyone here from Charleston SC area.
Replies: 2
Views: 1087

Re: Anyone here from Charleston SC area.

Thank You Don. I never bothered with looking at forecast for small towns like McClellanville. I get Charleston/Moncks Corner forecast. So, I checked out other towns in FMNF. Jamestown got .6 inches, get this, Huger got 9.59 inches. That is a 9" differance in a 30 mile distance. Wonder how accur...
by dthor68
July 26th, 2011, 3:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Anyone here from Charleston SC area.
Replies: 2
Views: 1087

Anyone here from Charleston SC area.

I see it has rained a lot there in last 24 hours. Was wondering if the dryed up Francis Marion had some water in it yet. I have made 3 trips there this year and it has been bone dry since late May, very unusual! I got a day off tomorrow and would like to know if it would be worth the 3.5 hour trip f...
by dthor68
July 26th, 2011, 1:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Stuff I saw this year BESIDES eastern hognose snakes
Replies: 19
Views: 5593

Re: Stuff I saw this year BESIDES eastern hognose snakes

The Blue Racer and Bull Snake are stunnning! The flower is a polygala. I found some 3 years ago beside a waterfall in SC. I have only found them at this one waterfall so I guess they are rare, at least in SC. Thanks for sharing.

Derek
by dthor68
July 26th, 2011, 10:49 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Two New Nikon Bodies to be Announced in August
Replies: 7
Views: 2754

Re: Two New Nikon Bodies to be Announced in August

One thing is certain, they will announce two new bodies by the end of August. Not a rumor any more. I think it will be a D4 and a D4X (replacement fot D3, D3X). Sometime in early December they will have the D400 and D800 (replacement for D300, D700). They always seem to unveil the more afordable uni...
by dthor68
July 21st, 2011, 5:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snakes of Åland Islands, Finland (April 2011)
Replies: 10
Views: 4075

Re: Snakes of Åland Islands, Finland (April 2011)

My brother lived in Finland for 14 years. He told me he never saw a snake there, not that he was looking. Other than the grass snake, smooth snake and adder what other snakes are found in Finland? That area looks like a great place for photography, the lichen covered rocks go well with the snakes. I...
by dthor68
July 19th, 2011, 6:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snakes of Kentucky web site
Replies: 12
Views: 2108

Re: Snakes of Kentucky web site

I had no idea that Corns with the orange ground color could be found in Kentucky. The ones with the grey ground color is what I expected. I take it you find the greys in the east and orange in the west? The pictures are awesome. You should add some distribution maps. Very nice work Phil!

Derek
by dthor68
July 15th, 2011, 7:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Species I can't find in South Carolina
Replies: 18
Views: 3887

Re: Species I can't find in South Carolina

Cary, the one scarlet I did find was 3/23/03 at 7:28pm in the Aiken area. That is pretty early, but it is March. I also think I would have found more but a couple months after scalet find I got ill with lyme/cfs/fibromyalgia. That took 4 years of my life. Then I got my first camera and spent the nex...
by dthor68
July 13th, 2011, 8:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Species I can't find in South Carolina
Replies: 18
Views: 3887

Re: Species I can't find in South Carolina

I appreciate the responses. I live in Greenville area, upper piedmont. I frequantly make day trips to areas all around the state. Maybe if I stuck around some of these areas till 10pm instead of leaving at 8 then I would have better luck. I like to try to get home before wife and kids go to sleep. T...
by dthor68
July 13th, 2011, 12:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Long Texas post
Replies: 35
Views: 13056

Re: Long Texas post

Wow! I dont think I have ever seen a better looking Texas Rat or Yellowbelly Racer in my life. Or is it a Tan Racer?
by dthor68
July 13th, 2011, 7:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just need some help with a couple South Fl frog IDs
Replies: 7
Views: 1658

Re: Just need some help with a couple South Fl frog IDs

Southern Leopard Frog
Southern Toad
by dthor68
July 13th, 2011, 6:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Species I can't find in South Carolina
Replies: 18
Views: 3887

Species I can't find in South Carolina

If anyone has some tips or anything they can share to help me find these species I would greatly appreciate it. I am only interested in finding them in South Carolina. I am trying to photograph all of the SC snakes(personal quest). Not asking for specific location, even if, only 2 of 8 would ever wa...
by dthor68
July 13th, 2011, 6:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Nesting Hogs, 2011
Replies: 39
Views: 6791

Re: Nesting Hogs, 2011

Carl, thank you for answering my questions.
by dthor68
July 12th, 2011, 8:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Planes, Trains and Gartermobiles
Replies: 19
Views: 5933

Re: Planes, Trains and Gartermobiles

Never get tired of seeing Buttermilks!
by dthor68
July 12th, 2011, 7:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Nesting Hogs, 2011
Replies: 39
Views: 6791

Re: Nesting Hogs, 2011

Very interesting stuff. I have a few questions. One, do they dig there own holes or use existing small mammal burrows? Two, where in the hell do they hide from spring to mid summer? I may find 2 hogs a year and it only happens in Aug, Sep, Oct. I have been at this game for 30 years and have never ha...
by dthor68
July 12th, 2011, 6:31 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Hidden Jewels of Appalachia (new short documentary)
Replies: 25
Views: 5188

Re: The Hidden Jewels of Appalachia (new short documentary)

Very nice. I have always been more interested in snakes, never paid much attention to the salamanders. A couple years ago I found a "Red Ear" Jordons and have been in love ever since. Cant wait to see more. If the goal is to stop MTR, I really hope it works. Personally, I had no idea such ...
by dthor68
July 11th, 2011, 8:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Question about rock-flipping and species found
Replies: 17
Views: 4094

Re: Question about rock-flipping and species found

I use to flip tin when I was a kid. I would find racers, coachwhips, rat snakes, copperheads and ringnecks. Now that I am 42 I have to follow the No Trespassing laws. So until you can find tin on public property I dont have acess to the easy stuff. I am really jelous. I had a goal of photographing e...
by dthor68
July 7th, 2011, 5:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hilton Head Island
Replies: 9
Views: 3116

Re: Hilton Head Island

It has been horrible on the SC coastal plain so far this year. Most of the swamps and canals are bone dry. However, I saw on radar that they recieved a lot of rain last night. I doubt it will help much, better than nothing, and I am sure it was a good day today! I recommend that you just hit the bac...
by dthor68
July 7th, 2011, 4:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: waiting for the monsoons
Replies: 11
Views: 4713

Re: waiting for the monsoons

BEAUTYFUL!
by dthor68
July 6th, 2011, 6:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Coachwhips and prefrontal scales
Replies: 8
Views: 1330

Re: Coachwhips and prefrontal scales

I have seen it once! It was August 10, 1986. I think I was 15? Rockwall Co. Tx. Juvinile caught with 4 prefrontals. I remember it to this day and underlined note! Never seen it on any other snake other than pituophis. Pituophis is suppose to have 4 prefrontals. What I would like to know is how one b...
by dthor68
July 3rd, 2011, 12:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Western North Carolina
Replies: 7
Views: 5419

Re: Western North Carolina

Nice finds Myles. I love western NC, live in western SC. Great place for salamanders. You are no longer a noob when you get bit on the stomach by a Rat Snake. You are now an advanced amateur!
by dthor68
July 3rd, 2011, 12:02 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Nikon 85mm
Replies: 13
Views: 3833

Re: Nikon 85mm

JJuLLiAAn, 85mm is kind of an oddball focal length, only for the fact that it falls closely between 60mm and 105mm. It may give you the best of both worlds. I have looked into that lens myself and it looks very nice. Best thing about it is it is new. Newer is always a plus in photo equipment. If you...
by dthor68
June 14th, 2011, 7:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lame, long post from the TX Panhandle (includes non-herps)
Replies: 32
Views: 10372

Re: Lame, long post from the TX Panhandle (includes non-herp

I love the shot of the racer, how could you call that worthless?

A week ago I saw a program on the dust bowl of the 30's. I think that area of Texas was involved in the dust bowl? I had no idea that dust storms like that still exsisted. Looks pretty wicked!
by dthor68
June 13th, 2011, 2:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lyme Disease and herping questions (feedback wanted)
Replies: 56
Views: 11004

Re: Lyme Disease and herping questions (feedback wanted)

These doctors and there patients are very loud and have spread the word very fast. This is absolutely not true. Lyme doctors operate discretely, do not advertise at all, and many do not even accept insurance. Try actually finding one. There are online networks designed to help people locate what ar...