Search found 243 matches

by Zach Cava
June 29th, 2014, 10:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My first Western Groundsnake
Replies: 9
Views: 2561

Re: My first Western Groundsnake

Thanks guys, definitely my new favorite snake out here!

Bob, just to clarify, the first photo wasn't an "in situ" shot, since we moved the snake off the road first. I'm still pretty happy with how it turned out though, regardless of the grass!
by Zach Cava
June 28th, 2014, 10:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My first Western Groundsnake
Replies: 15
Views: 3109

Re: My first Western Groundsnake

Rancorrye wrote:They were about the same size, maybe a little smaller. Chris (simpleyork) found a larger one on that same trip.

Can't really get a size reference off of these pics, but here they are anyway. I'd say these two were around 5 inches. Didn't get a good pic of the one Chris found.
Beautiful snake
by Zach Cava
June 28th, 2014, 6:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My first Western Groundsnake
Replies: 15
Views: 3109

Re: My first Western Groundsnake

Congrats! They are awesome snakes. I found my first one this year back in March and another in May. They have to be in my top three of favorite snakes I've found so far in Utah. I can't wait to get back down to that area to look for some more. Thanks! Were yours about the same size? I'm curious if ...
by Zach Cava
June 28th, 2014, 10:07 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My first Western Groundsnake
Replies: 15
Views: 3109

Re: My first Western Groundsnake

hellihooks wrote:Very VERY COOL. Take it from me, as a person who has only found one... you'll want to find #2, twice as much... :beer: :lol: :lol: jim
Very true, I'd like to see a striped one next!
by Zach Cava
June 27th, 2014, 10:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My first Western Groundsnake
Replies: 15
Views: 3109

My first Western Groundsnake

I'll be leaving the desert in a couple weeks, so I've been scrambling to get in as much herping as I can, and trying to find some of the few species that have managed to elude me over the last three years. Groundsnakes ( Sonora semiannulata ) have been at the top of my list, and last night I was th...
by Zach Cava
June 27th, 2014, 10:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My first Western Groundsnake
Replies: 9
Views: 2561

My first Western Groundsnake

I'll be leaving the desert in a couple weeks, so I've been scrambling to get in as much herping as I can, and trying to find some of the few species that have managed to elude me over the last three years. Groundsnakes ( Sonora semiannulata ) have been at the top of my list, and last night I was th...
by Zach Cava
June 19th, 2014, 5:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gila Monster and Desert Tortoise sharing a cave
Replies: 9
Views: 2764

Re: Gila Monster and Desert Tortoise sharing a cave

Awesome observation Zach! I saw something similar last month, but with different results. I watched this male Gila fight with another male over a female that was resting inside the shelter seen in the photo. As I was watching them I noticed a tortoise had wandered over and was watching me watch the...
by Zach Cava
June 19th, 2014, 5:04 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Cactus showing etiolated growth - lighting issue
Replies: 6
Views: 3923

Re: Cactus showing etiolated growth - lighting issue

Thank you all for the suggestions. I should add that this cactus didn't grow at all through winter and looked normal until it started sprouting buds once it warmed up this spring. The abnormal growth is now even more exaggerated than in the above photo. Ideally I would like to find some type of ligh...
by Zach Cava
June 17th, 2014, 9:18 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Cactus showing etiolated growth - lighting issue
Replies: 6
Views: 3923

Cactus showing etiolated growth - lighting issue

Hello, I have a beavertail cactus in my Sonoran Desert vivarium. It is kept under a Reptisun T5 HO light, which I read is one of the best options for growing cacti indoors. However, when the cactus started sprouting new buds this spring, they quickly started showing signs of etiolation (growing long...
by Zach Cava
June 15th, 2014, 10:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Quick Trip To Montana
Replies: 10
Views: 4519

Re: Quick Trip To Montana

Nice, I really like that second photo of the milk
by Zach Cava
June 15th, 2014, 6:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gila Monster and Desert Tortoise sharing a cave
Replies: 9
Views: 2764

Re: Gila Monster and Desert Tortoise sharing a cave

Thanks Jim! Bree - thanks for your feedback. I haven't worked with gopher tortoises, but I can say that desert tortoises actually do burrow a lot, depending on the habitat. I believe that in the Sonoran desert they tend to use rock shelters more often than in the Mojave, just because its rockier the...
by Zach Cava
June 15th, 2014, 2:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Softshell Turtles in Las Vegas
Replies: 7
Views: 3245

Re: Softshell Turtles in Las Vegas

Hey guys, Interesting post that stirred the old memory banks & prodded me to do a little checking. Turns out that the Softshell was found in "surprising numbers" as Lake Mead filled up behind the newly constructed Hoover Dam in the late 1930's/early 1940's according to Russ Grater, a ...
by Zach Cava
June 15th, 2014, 2:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gila Monster and Desert Tortoise sharing a cave
Replies: 9
Views: 2764

Gila Monster and Desert Tortoise sharing a cave

Found these two sharing a cave yesterday. Tortoise eggshells in front of the entrance provide a clue as to what went down. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14244308318_7fa4e88e46_b.jpg by Zachary Cava , on Flickr https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2939/14429781004_4237266f10_b.jpg by Zachary Cava , ...
by Zach Cava
June 13th, 2014, 5:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Softshell Turtles in Las Vegas
Replies: 7
Views: 3245

Re: Softshell Turtles in Las Vegas

Interesting topic, and it is an interesting (if unlikely) story how the softies got into the rio colorado. The huge dams on that river w/o pumpback systems, make that explanation an unlikely source for them getting much north of blythe and certainly parker dam should have stopped them. Perhaps mult...
by Zach Cava
June 13th, 2014, 5:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Softshell Turtles in Las Vegas
Replies: 5
Views: 2365

Re: Softshell Turtles in Las Vegas

Thanks Bob and simpleyork!
by Zach Cava
June 12th, 2014, 1:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Softshell Turtles in Las Vegas
Replies: 5
Views: 2365

Softshell Turtles in Las Vegas

Yesterday I went to Clark County Wetlands Park , which I heard was a good place to find softshell turtles. I brought my new telephoto lens along for practice. Softshell turtles are not indigenous to the Las Vegas area, but I still have a soft spot for them (haha). The Texas Spiny Softshell ( Apalon...
by Zach Cava
June 12th, 2014, 1:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Softshell Turtles in Las Vegas
Replies: 7
Views: 3245

Softshell Turtles in Las Vegas

Yesterday I went to Clark County Wetlands Park , which I heard was a good place to find softshell turtles. I brought my new telephoto lens along for practice. Softshell turtles are not indigenous to the Las Vegas area, but I still have a soft spot for them (haha). The Texas Spiny Softshell ( Apalon...
by Zach Cava
June 4th, 2014, 7:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bay Area (and a little Central Valley), May 2014
Replies: 12
Views: 2285

Re: Bay Area (and a little Central Valley), May 2014

Thanks Bob! This was my first full post using (mostly) my new photo gear, and I'm starting to get more comfortable with it, still have a lot to learn though.
by Zach Cava
June 3rd, 2014, 9:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bay Area (and a little Central Valley), May 2014
Replies: 12
Views: 2285

Re: Bay Area (and a little Central Valley), May 2014

Thank you guys! Jim, is the canyon you're talking about the same one from this post a while back? If so, yeah, awesome spot! Probably....Rodman's? not sure which is more awesome... going by day, or discovering them by Fashlight... :crazyeyes: :beer: jim Haven't been to Rodman's - I'll have to look ...
by Zach Cava
June 2nd, 2014, 4:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bay Area (and a little Central Valley), May 2014
Replies: 12
Views: 2285

Re: Bay Area (and a little Central Valley), May 2014

Thank you guys!

Jim, is the canyon you're talking about the same one from this post a while back? If so, yeah, awesome spot!
by Zach Cava
June 1st, 2014, 7:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bay Area (and a little Central Valley), May 2014
Replies: 12
Views: 2285

Bay Area (and a little Central Valley), May 2014

Earlier this month my girlfriend participated in a Climate Ride fundraising event where cyclists biked from San Francisco to Sacramento over the course of four days. The plan was for me to drop her off in San Francisco, and then pick her up in Sacramento at the end of the ride. So I had a few days ...
by Zach Cava
June 1st, 2014, 7:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bay Area (and a little Central Valley), May 2014
Replies: 1
Views: 1119

Bay Area (and a little Central Valley), May 2014

Earlier this month my girlfriend participated in a Climate Ride fundraising event where cyclists biked from San Francisco to Sacramento over the course of four days. The plan was for me to drop her off in San Francisco, and then pick her up in Sacramento at the end of the ride. So I had a few days ...
by Zach Cava
May 21st, 2014, 7:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Woodhouse's Toad eggs and larva
Replies: 5
Views: 1896

Re: Woodhouse's Toad eggs and larva

Amazing stuff. :thumb: Loving the intricate patterns on these little guys. Our local Southern Toad (terrestris) tadpoles don't have that as much. Tadpoles were my introduction to the herp world as a little kid, (as they probably were with most people on here) and I used to spend A LOT of time exami...
by Zach Cava
May 21st, 2014, 7:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Woodhouse's Toad eggs and larva
Replies: 5
Views: 1896

Re: Woodhouse's Toad eggs and larva

mfb wrote:Great close-up shots!

I think the insect with the tadpole may be a hydrophillid beetle larvae. If you have more photos of it, could probably confirm.
Thanks for the ID! Unfortunately I don't have more photos showing the invertebrate larva, but I'll try and get better ones next time.
by Zach Cava
May 11th, 2014, 7:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Woodhouse's Toad eggs and larva
Replies: 0
Views: 1048

Woodhouse's Toad eggs and larva

One more set for Mother's Day. Found lots of toad eggs and tadpoles in an urban wash right down the block from my house in Las Vegas. I've seen/heard adult Woodhouse's Toads ( Anaxyrus [ Bufo ] woodhousii ) at this spot before, so I assume that's what these are. * *Interestingly, when Las Vegas was...
by Zach Cava
May 11th, 2014, 7:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Woodhouse's Toad eggs and larva
Replies: 5
Views: 1896

Woodhouse's Toad eggs and larva

One more set for Mother's Day. Found lots of toad eggs and tadpoles in an urban wash right down the block from my house in Las Vegas. I've seen/heard adult Woodhouse's Toads ( Anaxyrus [ Bufo ] woodhousii ) at this spot before, so I assume that's what these are. * *Interestingly, when Las Vegas was...
by Zach Cava
May 11th, 2014, 10:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: For Mother's Day: Gravid Western Banded Gecko
Replies: 0
Views: 998

For Mother's Day: Gravid Western Banded Gecko

In honor of Mother's Day, here is one of the many Western Banded Geckos ( Coleonyx variegatus ) we saw out on the road the other night. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/13975227659_79296ff657_b.jpg Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus) by Zachary Cava , on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr....
by Zach Cava
May 11th, 2014, 10:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: For Mother's Day: Gravid Western Banded Gecko
Replies: 1
Views: 1180

For Mother's Day: Gravid Western Banded Gecko

In honor of Mother's Day, here is one of the many Western Banded Geckos ( Coleonyx variegatus ) we saw out on the road the other night. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/13975227659_79296ff657_b.jpg Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus) by Zachary Cava , on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr....
by Zach Cava
May 8th, 2014, 7:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My first long-nosed snake
Replies: 7
Views: 2616

Re: My first long-nosed snake

Thanks Jim - but this one wouldn't be considered a "clarus," would it?
by Zach Cava
May 8th, 2014, 5:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Couple sidewinders from last weekend
Replies: 2
Views: 892

Re: Couple sidewinders from last weekend

Yeah, these were pretty mellow. Much more so than all of the geckos and long-nosed snake we saw the same night.
by Zach Cava
May 8th, 2014, 5:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My first long-nosed snake
Replies: 7
Views: 2616

Re: My first long-nosed snake

Thanks Jedd and Jeremy
by Zach Cava
May 7th, 2014, 8:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Couple sidewinders from last weekend
Replies: 2
Views: 965

Couple sidewinders from last weekend

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/14134826005_15c2b832fc_b.jpg Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) by Zachary Cava , on Flickr Crop from previous photo https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/14135077534_e8f081c5c7_c.jpg Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) by Zachary Cava , on Flickr Nicely positioned https://...
by Zach Cava
May 7th, 2014, 8:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Couple sidewinders from last weekend
Replies: 2
Views: 892

Couple sidewinders from last weekend

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/14134826005_15c2b832fc_b.jpg Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) by Zachary Cava , on Flickr Crop from previous photo https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/14135077534_e8f081c5c7_c.jpg Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) by Zachary Cava , on Flickr Nicely positioned https://...
by Zach Cava
May 7th, 2014, 3:13 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Nighttime flash photography techniques
Replies: 6
Views: 4882

Re: Nighttime flash photography techniques

Kevin, thanks very much for your suggestions and photos of your setup. Do you happen to have any examples of photos where you used the bounce card?
by Zach Cava
May 6th, 2014, 7:00 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Nighttime flash photography techniques
Replies: 6
Views: 4882

Re: Nighttime flash photography techniques

Thanks, I will give these suggestions a try!
by Zach Cava
May 4th, 2014, 2:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My first long-nosed snake
Replies: 7
Views: 2616

My first long-nosed snake

Finally saw my first (live) Long-nosed Snake ( Rhinocheilus lecontei ) the other night while out road-cruising. I know, probably not super exciting for most of you! I've been in the Mojave for three years but somehow this fairly common species has eluded me. (I don't road-cruise much, so that defini...
by Zach Cava
May 4th, 2014, 1:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My first long-nosed snake
Replies: 3
Views: 1520

My first long-nosed snake

Finally saw my first (live) Long-nosed Snake ( Rhinocheilus lecontei ) the other night while out road-cruising. I know, probably not super exciting for most of you! I've been in the Mojave for three years but somehow this fairly common species has eluded me. (I don't road-cruise much, so that defini...
by Zach Cava
May 4th, 2014, 1:43 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Nighttime flash photography techniques
Replies: 6
Views: 4882

Nighttime flash photography techniques

Hey guys, I'm looking for suggestions from others on flash photography techniques. Do you leave headlamps on? Maybe turn the light level down? I was having trouble with trying to focus on this constantly-moving long-nosed snake in low light, and you can see that my headlamp beam resulted in some une...
by Zach Cava
April 30th, 2014, 5:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: April 2014- NorCal + SoCal Retrospective- same as CA chap
Replies: 10
Views: 4103

Re: April 2014- NorCal + SoCal Retrospective- same as CA cha

Wow was it alive/healthy? And you were pretty close to water I guess? I had no idea otters used cover objects like that
by Zach Cava
April 29th, 2014, 4:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: April 2014- NorCal + SoCal Retrospective- same as CA chap
Replies: 10
Views: 4103

Re: April 2014- NorCal + SoCal Retrospective- same as CA cha

Awesome! Hopefully we'll have some luck in May. What's the story with the otter pup?
by Zach Cava
April 27th, 2014, 1:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Vietnam 2013: Part 4 (series finale)
Replies: 9
Views: 4550

Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 4 (series finale)

Thanks Anton - That's a good question. As we were told, the area we were working in had not experienced much (if any) combat, and unexploded ordinances were not a concern. We saw nothing to suggest otherwise. I suspect that this may not be the case elsewhere, however, so it's definitely something to...
by Zach Cava
April 25th, 2014, 6:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Vietnam 2013: Part 4 (series finale)
Replies: 9
Views: 4550

Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 4 (series finale)

Thanks David - there is certainly a whole lot there to see and explore
by Zach Cava
April 25th, 2014, 5:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Vietnam 2013: Part 3
Replies: 6
Views: 4143

Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 3

Thanks Rupert! It sure does look like D. cyanochloris, I'll make a note.
by Zach Cava
April 24th, 2014, 5:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Upcoming 2014 Field Trips
Replies: 41
Views: 17060

Re: Upcoming 2014 Field Trips

Thanks for all the info Jimi. So would the road be open after dark normally, or did Jason have to ask the park to open it for you guys?
by Zach Cava
April 24th, 2014, 3:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Vietnam 2013: Part 4 (series finale)
Replies: 9
Views: 4550

Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 4 (series finale)

Thanks Kai - yes this was a surveying trip led by The Biodiversity Group. There is more background info if you check out Part 1. Also, thanks for the info on the Trimeresurus. Others have said the same regarding the red stripe.
by Zach Cava
April 24th, 2014, 3:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Upcoming 2014 Field Trips
Replies: 41
Views: 17060

Re: Upcoming 2014 Field Trips

I should have mentioned that I was only out during the day on Saturday, and it sounds like I missed out on the road cruising! Long-nose and leaf-nose?! I haven't seen either yet! Jimi, would you mind sending me info on the roads you surveyed? I'd like to get back out there. Nope, didn't get any phot...
by Zach Cava
April 24th, 2014, 6:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Vietnam 2013: Part 4 (series finale)
Replies: 9
Views: 4550

Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 4 (series finale)

Thanks very much John and Hans, glad you guys enjoyed these posts. Funny you say my photography has improved over the installments, as much of the images in this one were taken with my phone! (Other cameras I was using on this trip were a Canon D10 and Canon SX50. Only after this trip did I decide i...
by Zach Cava
April 24th, 2014, 6:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Upcoming 2014 Field Trips
Replies: 41
Views: 17060

Re: Upcoming 2014 Field Trips

Great meeting some of you guys last Saturday. Here are a few photos of the specks we found (3 total, 2 of which were potentially mating). https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/13943810973_cd7e881832_b.jpg Managed to snap this pic with my phone before they quickly slid under the rock https://farm8.stat...
by Zach Cava
April 23rd, 2014, 11:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Vietnam 2013: Part 4 (series finale)
Replies: 9
Views: 4550

Vietnam 2013: Part 4 (series finale)

Continued from Part 3 For our final few days at Pu Mat National Park we decided to venture into some old-growth forest. Along the way we encountered this crew working on improving the road. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7101/13961835435_dbf3e4f0b1_b.jpg Our guide stands at the edge of the road and...
by Zach Cava
March 31st, 2014, 8:52 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Vietnam 2013: Part 3
Replies: 6
Views: 4143

Re: Vietnam 2013: Part 3

Thanks for the comments!

Anton - yeah that was a beautiful snake. Thank you for the Odorrana ID, I'll add it in.