Search found 2548 matches

by monklet
February 9th, 2014, 8:26 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Fun at Forsythe
Replies: 5
Views: 3199

Re: "Ipswich" Savannah Sparrow + Fun at Forsythe

J-Miz wrote:Your sparrow looks more like a Song Sparrow and your Brant looks to be a female Bufflehead.
My thoughts as well.

Happy Birding out there!
by monklet
February 6th, 2014, 3:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Top 20 photos / subjects of 2013
Replies: 18
Views: 7553

Re: Top 20 photos / subjects of 2013

Image
:D
by monklet
February 5th, 2014, 10:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Top 20 photos / subjects of 2013
Replies: 18
Views: 7553

Re: Top 20 photos / subjects of 2013

High quality subjects there Matt ..great images too. Thx:) Is there anything specifically that made you decide to clone out the eye reflections Not to upstage Matt but I'd like to offer that I do that shamelessly ...and what's more, I will add catch light if missing. It can be a delicate operation t...
by monklet
January 31st, 2014, 2:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why It’s Not Raining
Replies: 29
Views: 10422

Re: Why It’s Not Raining

Image
by monklet
January 30th, 2014, 5:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some recent non-herps for anyone who is interested
Replies: 22
Views: 3763

Re: Some recent non-herps for anyone who is interested

Thanks Robert and Nick:) I am astounded by that KF and that you got within 15 feet :shock: :shock: :shock: NEVER heard of such a thing! I once set up a floating bait tank in a farm pond with a blind set up at approx. 25 feet with two off camera strobes and a nice stick above the bait tank. It took a...
by monklet
January 30th, 2014, 12:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some recent non-herps for anyone who is interested
Replies: 22
Views: 3763

Re: Some recent non-herps for anyone who is interested

Bass wrote:i saw a duck today... but it flew away. :roll: :lol: :lol:
Are you sure it was a duck? :roll:
by monklet
January 30th, 2014, 10:51 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some recent non-herps for anyone who is interested
Replies: 22
Views: 3763

Re: Some recent non-herps for anyone who is interested

Ok, got a little break so... The birds in question appear to be transitional juveniles or immatures. Both species reach mature plumage in 2 years. GWFG Juv. http://www.pbase.com/image/88248144 http://m4.i.pbase.com/o3/59/628959/1/88248144.Nj6btjGc.WhitefrontedGoosejuvenile1a.jpg GRGO Juv./Imm. http:...
by monklet
January 30th, 2014, 10:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some recent non-herps for anyone who is interested
Replies: 22
Views: 3763

Re: Some recent non-herps for anyone who is interested

Appreciate the follow-up Owen. Inspired more study as I've never paid enough attention to geese (surely don't want to miss a first state record of one in this complex;) )...to me it is somewhat ambiguous but I'd bet on yearling Greater White-fronted Goose (GWFG), or possibly a hybrid, after studying...
by monklet
January 30th, 2014, 8:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some recent non-herps for anyone who is interested
Replies: 22
Views: 3763

Re: Some recent non-herps for anyone who is interested

Wow, some superb bird images there Nicholas! :thumb: This post might be more appropriate in the bird forum but I assume you posted here purposefully. All good by me:) Reddish Egret is a significant rarity in SoCal. I'm guessing that's the Ballona bird or maybe Bolsa Chica??? ...or maybe San Diego? W...
by monklet
January 29th, 2014, 10:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How many people will download the NAHERP phone app in 2014?
Replies: 13
Views: 2770

Re: How many people will download the NAHERP phone app in 20

:thumb: :) ...just remember, as an end user you are lowly whereas the server is up there some where in some dark and mysterious cloud (probably like Don's basement) ;-)
by monklet
January 29th, 2014, 8:31 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How many people will download the NAHERP phone app in 2014?
Replies: 13
Views: 2770

Re: How many people will upload the NAHERP phone app this ye

I don't even have it so how could I upload it? ...and to where?;-)
by monklet
January 28th, 2014, 8:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why It’s Not Raining
Replies: 29
Views: 10422

Re: Why It’s Not Raining

Thanks Sam for the highly informative post. This image obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows snow and water equivalents in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California abnormally low for January 2014 compared to the same time in 2013.(Photo: NASA/NOAA, AFP/Getty I...
by monklet
January 23rd, 2014, 12:02 pm
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: strangest thing you ever caught
Replies: 48
Views: 62698

Re: strangest thing you ever caught

Not mine but sure is interesting. Wonder if it really is a salp, didn't know they had so much structure and were individuals as that appears to be. Anyone know for sure? http://serpentrack.com/herps/web/salp.png From: http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/22/salpa-maggiore-amazing-translucent-salp-fish-catch-s...
by monklet
January 21st, 2014, 9:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best news all year...
Replies: 46
Views: 9398

Re: Best news all year...

Congrats Jim, very happy for you! :D :thumb: Sounds ideal!
by monklet
January 18th, 2014, 9:34 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2013 Recap: Striped gophers, SF garters, and more
Replies: 20
Views: 5123

Re: 2013 Recap: Striped gophers, SF garters, and more

Thanks for the detailed reply Elliot :) MNP is my favorite area to herp but I didn't even go out once last year as the drought seemed to be holding things down based on what I'd been hearing. Damn good snake for out there in any case.
by monklet
January 17th, 2014, 3:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rattlesnake Armor!
Replies: 40
Views: 17033

Re: Rattlesnake Armor!

Lol a while back when you asked about protective gear, I thought I was being silly when I suggested medieval armor, but now i see you decided to go in that direction afterall Here's the post Antonsrkn is referring too... http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17797 I've got to ...
by monklet
January 17th, 2014, 3:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2013 Recap: Striped gophers, SF garters, and more
Replies: 20
Views: 5123

Re: 2013 Recap: Striped gophers, SF garters, and more

Great post and obviously a very successful year! :thumb: Ground Snake is a heck of a nice find in the Mojave, especially on the crawl! I see you've got the record in the HERP database too :thumb: Can you say what general area of the Mojave it was in without noting a specific location? Like one of th...
by monklet
January 16th, 2014, 12:48 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Some local birds ...updated with new photos
Replies: 115
Views: 297434

Re: Some local birds

THAT IS A TRIP!!! :shock: :thumb: :beer:
by monklet
January 15th, 2014, 12:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fall 2013 in San Diego – neo season
Replies: 7
Views: 5295

Re: Fall 2013 in San Diego – neo season

Always enjoy your posts Jeff, the stuff I love! :thumb: :beer:
by monklet
January 11th, 2014, 7:51 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Let's see those Owls!!
Replies: 66
Views: 28216

Re: Let's see those Owls!!

Jake, do you know if that is a state record?
by monklet
January 9th, 2014, 9:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best news all year...
Replies: 46
Views: 9398

Re: Best news all year...

Echo all the above ...when do you find out?
by monklet
January 6th, 2014, 2:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: first herping of 014
Replies: 9
Views: 1695

Re: first herping of 014

Pretty productive relative to the grim prognostications :thumb: Sure looks cold up there ...I don't like cold, my feet are numb right now ...winter sucks :(
by monklet
December 31st, 2013, 8:52 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Is it suit for bird watching?
Replies: 3
Views: 2720

Re: Is it suit for bird watching?

estimated to be between 50 and 75 million birders in the United States I am more than just skeptical of this estimate :lol: At the current population that would be about 15-25%, including newborns, infirm and everything in between. The question is, just what is a birder? I suspect for this estimate...
by monklet
December 31st, 2013, 8:33 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: recent raptors from South Texas
Replies: 4
Views: 3392

Re: recent raptors from South Texas

Fun stuff. I'd love to see a white-tailed hawk :mrgreen:

Peregrine recovery has paid off big time for the SoCal coast. They're pretty common here. :thumb:
by monklet
December 26th, 2013, 10:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping first 1/2 of 2013
Replies: 17
Views: 3259

Re: Herping first 1/2 of 2013

Great post! :beer: :beer: :beer: Thanks. Really nice photography. Regarding the possible hypo Cal King. It was pointed out to me by Ross Padilla that that is more a result of fading with age and that the dark head, contrasting with much lighter body ground color, indicates such. Still a very pretty ...
by monklet
December 24th, 2013, 8:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fake Snakes for Road-Cruising--CHEAP!
Replies: 17
Views: 4280

Re: Fake Snakes for Road-Cruising--CHEAP!

Thanks Chris, I actually got tw snakes, baby coral and sidewinder from Safari, and a T-Rex. The T-Rex is very detailed and very accurate according to the standard pics. The snakes are really well done. Sidewinder is pretty amaxing although the blotch count is way to low and blotches too large, the e...
by monklet
December 20th, 2013, 10:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Trip Completed (Part I - CA)
Replies: 13
Views: 4513

Re: Trip Completed (Part I - CA)

Thanks much for the detailed explanation. I very much appreciate your unwillingness to dig things up. I'm even pretty ambivalent about turning stones. Your mastery of tracking snakes is highly intriguing, especially your success at actually finding them by that means.
by monklet
December 16th, 2013, 12:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Trip Completed (Part I - CA)
Replies: 13
Views: 4513

Re: Trip Completed (Part I - CA)

Fantastic stuff :thumb: That coachwhip seems a bit unusual, like it's lacking red pigment. Tail appears so white.

The caption for the threadsnake and the shovel-nosed seems to imply you found those during the day? Flipped?, dugout?
by monklet
December 15th, 2013, 8:16 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Warbler ID
Replies: 2
Views: 2038

Re: Warbler ID

Tough question for me. I would guess Pine might be it. The yellowish feet could indicate Blackpoll. Any streaking on the back? A strong east coast birder should be able to offer a firm diagnosis.
by monklet
December 15th, 2013, 8:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Surf and Herp Summer Vacation 2013 - shark discussion too
Replies: 30
Views: 9357

Re: Surf and Herp Summer Vacation 2013

Great post Jeff! :thumb: Thanks for putting it together :D
by monklet
December 14th, 2013, 8:04 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Swainson's Hawk in north Florida
Replies: 3
Views: 2613

Re: Swainson's Hawk in north Florida

Congrats on a great find and finding it like that makes it fun! The fact that the wing tips extend all the way to the end of the tail as seen in the last pic is locker. Swainson's are much longer winged than Red-tailed. Chris, not sure about this year but I believe we've had a wintering Swainson's a...
by monklet
December 13th, 2013, 2:56 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Quasi Realtime Bird Updates
Replies: 0
Views: 1969

Quasi Realtime Bird Updates

Here's one site that's been around for a long time which automatically picks-up and posts messages from all major birding listservers into a "digest". It's extremely simple and handy, and gives you a heads up on significant sightings etc within minutes after they are posted. Very 8-) :thum...
by monklet
December 9th, 2013, 4:41 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: One of the reasons I don't chase rarities....very often
Replies: 15
Views: 6018

Re: One of the reasons I don't chase rarities....very often

Thanks for the link Owen. Forgot to add that, the last birds captured from the field for reintroduction were from Sespe (SoCal) population, but I don't know what the genetic heritage of those other reintroductions is. Of course they would probably go for the highest diversity they can get in any rei...
by monklet
December 9th, 2013, 4:26 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: One of the reasons I don't chase rarities....very often
Replies: 15
Views: 6018

Re: One of the reasons I don't chase rarities....very often

Ahaa! ...There are 2 release/reintroduction sites of historic populations in CA, in the Big Sur area of central coastal CA and in the Sespe drainage in Ventura Co., CA (my home). I also recall there being one in Mexico, somewhere in Baja as I vaguely recall. Being a highly active local birder some y...
by monklet
December 9th, 2013, 11:06 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: One of the reasons I don't chase rarities....very often
Replies: 15
Views: 6018

Re: One of the reasons I don't chase rarities....very often

A California Condor sighting from the Grand Canyon is a tough call because they aren't the descendants of a naturally occurring, wild population, but they are the only extant population. I guess I might have to "count" it because it is the only place on earth you can see them. I would hav...
by monklet
December 9th, 2013, 8:40 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: One of the reasons I don't chase rarities....very often
Replies: 15
Views: 6018

Re: One of the reasons I don't chase rarities....very often

California Condor is not yet countable since reintroduction ...yet ;-) BUT, I have it on a former yard list on which I DON'T count house sparrow, rock pigeon and starling. Fair trade I say. It's ironic that while most birders are environmentally concerned they'll drive hundreds of miles to see a bir...
by monklet
December 1st, 2013, 8:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Today at work...
Replies: 64
Views: 11313

Re: Today at work...

Tooo 8-) :thumb:
by monklet
November 24th, 2013, 8:43 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?...
Replies: 381
Views: 998440

Re: What was your last lifer?...

I had previously seen one we thought was alive in Ohio a few years ago, until another gull picked it up and tossed it aside. Reminds me of my life Rhino Auklet ...saw it floating languidly but right side up off a point. Came back half hour later and it was belly up. No problem, in the bag:) Remembe...
by monklet
November 20th, 2013, 11:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Channel Islands
Replies: 5
Views: 1583

Re: Channel Islands

Pretty familiar with the islands and have close friends who are intimately familiar. Awesome places, each one very unique. ...and yes there is camping on all, except San Nicholas which is owned by the Navy. Herp action would probably be about the same as on the mainland, not sure about possible sala...
by monklet
November 16th, 2013, 8:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: California Glossy Snake Records needed ASAP..
Replies: 10
Views: 2199

Re: California Glossy Snake Records needed ASAP..

Hey Brian, one little suggestion to save some headaches ...be sure to specify the EXACT data format for each column along with an example. Otherwise, you'll get disparate data formats which will be problematic for automated processing.
by monklet
November 8th, 2013, 4:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sing n the Blues (video added)
Replies: 22
Views: 5271

Re: Sing n the Blues

The vision in that first pic would hit you like a lightening bolt. ...but then, you'd know best:) :shock: 8-)
by monklet
November 7th, 2013, 1:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rattlesnake protective gear, thoughts and opinions?
Replies: 64
Views: 49409

Re: Rattlesnake protective gear, thoughts and opinions?

I think that if you had to ask this question, that you shouldn't be handling the snakes at all. I think that if you have such an attitude you shouldn't participate in a forum such as this. Any serious question is a good one, especially one concerning personal safety, and I see nothing in the OP's i...
by monklet
November 7th, 2013, 10:02 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Birds Seen on Cruise of SE Alaska
Replies: 16
Views: 8199

Re: Birds Seen on Cruise of SE Alaska

Don't forget about the possible hybrids which confound the whole mess even more. I don't quite have the energy/motivation anymore either:(

The guy makes those Laughing Gulls look huge!
by monklet
November 7th, 2013, 8:58 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Birds Seen on Cruise of SE Alaska
Replies: 16
Views: 8199

Re: Birds Seen on Cruise of SE Alaska

It can be a fun game. We used to have a great spot for gulls here in Ventura, CA when the landfill was operational right on the coast. The birds would roost at a local estuary an there'd be hundreds. Pulled out a couple Glaucous, and an Iceland (never accepted due to insufficient photo documentation...
by monklet
November 6th, 2013, 8:25 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Birds Seen on Cruise of SE Alaska
Replies: 16
Views: 8199

Re: Birds Seen on Cruise of SE Alaska

I say all right-on Steve ...but as I stated previously, I am NOT a gull expert ;-) ...you've probably exceeded my abilities already :lol: Of course the real gull challenge is pulling out rarities from a flock of thousands all of 1st, 2nd, 3rd year and adults birds in winter;-) Once again, more GREAT...
by monklet
November 5th, 2013, 8:39 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Birds Seen on Cruise of SE Alaska
Replies: 16
Views: 8199

Re: Birds Seen on Cruise of SE Alaska

Caveat: I used to study gull ID and so know some, but have forgotten most. Also, bird identification of difficult complexes has become much more sophisticated in recent years, likely accelerated by the internet, growth in the hobby and the ease of digital photography, and so I am way behind and anyt...
by monklet
November 3rd, 2013, 7:52 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Some local birds ...updated with new photos
Replies: 115
Views: 297434

Re: Some local birds

Outstanding work. Enjoyed them all. :thumb: :beer:
by monklet
October 30th, 2013, 10:40 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Ferruginous Hawk
Replies: 5
Views: 2812

Re: Ferruginous Hawk

Thanks Owen for the reminder. I thought of juv./imm. but just don't expect those to be so clean as it's usually juv./imm. have muckier patterns.
by monklet
October 30th, 2013, 8:26 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Ferruginous Hawk
Replies: 5
Views: 2812

Re: Ferruginous Hawk

That is one gorgeous ferrug! ...Odd that it's missing the rusty tarsal feathers.
by monklet
October 30th, 2013, 8:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Something new
Replies: 2
Views: 990

Re: Something new

Hi Jerry, fun site! :thumb: ...but the page takes way too long to download due to the huge image sizes. All the images I looked at were well over 2MB. At that size they should probably be around 200K max for web presentation. Anything more won't improve the quality