Search found 372 matches

by NACairns
December 28th, 2015, 7:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: I traveled too much this year(AZ, TX, Fl, Wa, etc)
Replies: 11
Views: 6584

Re: I traveled too much this year(AZ, TX, Fl, Wa, etc)

Great photos, you saw a lot of awesome critters. You did well in south Texas. Where is that western hognose from? Also which mountain range is range the the twin-spot from?
Thanks
Nick
by NACairns
December 28th, 2015, 7:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 Year in Review--Galapagos, KS, TX
Replies: 7
Views: 5074

Re: 2015 Year in Review--Galapagos, KS, TX

Looks like a great year. Those lava lizards are handsome little beasts. I like the the idea of a survival class in high school wish they had had such a thing when I was in school. Is that part of the Texas curriculum? What sort skills are you teaching? That is a good size coral snake, what sort of h...
by NACairns
December 5th, 2015, 7:41 am
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Photo Sampler of Tropical Invertebrates
Replies: 4
Views: 13075

Re: Photo Sampler of Tropical Invertebrates

Great photos, you have come across some amazing inverts in your travels. I'm particularly impressed by your diversity of mantids and cordyceps fungus. I think my favourite is the jungle weevil. Those are disparate areas what were you doing that took you to both? Thanks for sharing these beautiful sh...
by NACairns
November 30th, 2015, 5:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A welcome surprise among the usual suspects in western MA
Replies: 5
Views: 2300

Re: A welcome surprise among the usual suspects in western M

Great stuff Kyle, glad you got some good activity this fall. Marbled and four toes are really cool finds. Hopefully we'll see you in the spring for a hunt.
Thanks for sharing,
Nick
by NACairns
November 26th, 2015, 6:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China 2015: Western Yunnan and Eastern Tibet
Replies: 12
Views: 8447

Re: China 2015: Western Yunnan and Eastern Tibet

Hi Kai,
Thanks for the info, sounds like some research is in order.
Best,
Nick
by NACairns
November 25th, 2015, 10:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: October herping - Columbia Gorge & Jedediah Smith Redwood SP
Replies: 3
Views: 3552

Re: October herping - Columbia Gorge & Jedediah Smith Redwoo

Great post and photos, looks like it was a productive trip. You got tons of Ascaphus, are they general tricky to spot? So many cool, cool weather species in the NW, one of these days.
Thanks for sharing,
Nick
by NACairns
November 25th, 2015, 7:52 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Back to the Sundarbans
Replies: 10
Views: 4621

Re: Back to the Sundarbans

Great post, those mud flats sound amazing, all that diversity. Thanks for posting this and the links your and Jim's other posts. Lovely thing to read the day after the first snow.
Best,
Nick
by NACairns
November 25th, 2015, 7:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: China 2015: Western Yunnan and Eastern Tibet
Replies: 12
Views: 8447

Re: China 2015: Western Yunnan and Eastern Tibet

Absolutely wonderful. I'm interested by the Scutiger, they are typically high altitude correct? What sort of temperatures would have to endure? Are they diggers or are they always around streams?
Great shots of species we never get to see on here.
Thanks for sharing.
Nick
by NACairns
October 23rd, 2015, 9:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Galápagos (pic heavy)
Replies: 14
Views: 7295

Re: Herping Galápagos (pic heavy)

Hi Andy, Thanks for the darwin foundation checklist, some friends are headed to the Galapagos as tourists and I've forwarded it on to them. Being parthenogenic makes L. lugubris a pretty good initial invader so I'm not surprised to hear they are introduced, they are pretty good island hoppers in the...
by NACairns
October 18th, 2015, 12:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Denmark, summer 2015
Replies: 6
Views: 2505

Re: Denmark, summer 2015

Thank you for the response and the links. I enjoyed the other frog post, I am amazed by the diversity and season length considering the the latitude. I'd love to explore northern Europe but where to find time for such an endeavour. One of my lab mates has continued his studies in Switzerland so I've...
by NACairns
October 17th, 2015, 5:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Replies: 56
Views: 49648

Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding

Great photos everybody, some many awsome observations I wish I had seen first hand. Here are a few more. Best, Nick Redbelly with slug https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/12847123863_2c4b3515bf_c.jpg Storeria occipitomaculata by N Cairns , on Flickr Eastern garter eating a American toad which looked...
by NACairns
October 17th, 2015, 10:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Denmark, summer 2015
Replies: 6
Views: 2505

Re: Denmark, summer 2015

Great post. I'm impressed with the frog/toad diversity and how beautiful Lacerta agilis juveniles are. Also I never get tired of seeing Vipera berus photos. Is there major difference between Jutland, Zealand and the smaller islands in terms of herping possibilities/diversity? How long is your season...
by NACairns
October 17th, 2015, 9:26 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Galápagos (pic heavy)
Replies: 14
Views: 7295

Re: Herping Galápagos (pic heavy)

Wow Andy, great post. The photography is beautiful and I'm impressed with the lizard diversity. Are the Lepidodactylus lugubris native? Do you know the ploidy level of that population? What is your project looking at?
Thanks for sharing.
Nick
by NACairns
October 16th, 2015, 5:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fall in Montana
Replies: 2
Views: 2152

Re: Fall in Montana

Absolutely beautiful.
by NACairns
October 16th, 2015, 4:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Herpers!
Replies: 6
Views: 3438

Re: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Herpers!

Which direction are you headed after Toronto? I'm in Kingston (~2.5 hours east).
by NACairns
October 10th, 2015, 8:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Trip To Australia, Part 2: Cairns
Replies: 7
Views: 3710

Re: Trip To Australia, Part 2: Cairns

Great series of posts, I'm love dreaming about another OZ trip and the thoroughness of your habitat shots make that alot of fun. Thanks for labelling all the plants and fish as well always good to know what I'm looking at. Glad you had such a cool trip. Thank you for sharing.
Best,
Nick
by NACairns
October 10th, 2015, 6:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica, May 2015
Replies: 21
Views: 13098

Re: Costa Rica, May 2015

Great post and narrative, no wonder you were tired by the end, that was quite the trip. The diversity you got especially for frogs is outstanding. Lots of great shots as well, I'm especially partial to the leaping basilisk. Seems like a dream trip. Thanks for posting.
Nick
by NACairns
October 10th, 2015, 5:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Climbing Aneides - my favorite salamander family
Replies: 13
Views: 7270

Re: The Climbing Aneides - my favorite salamander family

What a great post to serve as in introduction to this interesting genus. Certainly a group on the list to try to see next time I harass Jim. I've seen A. vagrans in my youth on Vancouver Island but was a bit too ophidiphilic to really appreciate what I had found. There are just too many interesting ...
by NACairns
October 10th, 2015, 5:35 pm
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Camel Cricket?
Replies: 2
Views: 11556

Re: Camel Cricket?

I think it is a female robust shieldback katydid (Atlanticus gibbosus).
Cool observations.
Nick
by NACairns
October 1st, 2015, 8:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Georgia Trip Report
Replies: 12
Views: 4558

Re: Georgia Trip Report

Great post, looks like you and the family had an awesome trip. I really liked all the alligator shots and the Spanish moss in the cemetery. Diamondback tracking looks great. Interesting they use a press/trace method for snakes, we use that for species with fragile tails like skinks. Did they say why...
by NACairns
October 1st, 2015, 3:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring finds: KZN, South Africa (Reptiles and Amphibians)
Replies: 8
Views: 4158

Re: Spring finds: KZN, South Africa (Reptiles and Amphibians

Great post, seems as though you live a adventurous life in the spring with all the snake movements. Your photography is outstanding. the tubercles on the Afrixalus spinifrons are those present just during breeding season or year round? Any idea on their function?
by NACairns
October 1st, 2015, 3:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: West Coast & Karoo 2015 (South Africa)
Replies: 4
Views: 3016

Re: West Coast & Karoo 2015 (South Africa)

Great post, loved the herp photos and the scenery shots should be in a brochure. I didn't know there was such a diversity of legless lizards in your region. Are Hyperolius horstockii typically associated with Arums, is that how you find them?
Thanks for sharing.
Nick
by NACairns
October 1st, 2015, 6:02 am
Forum: News
Topic: Constrictors don't suffocate their prey
Replies: 3
Views: 3573

Re: Constrictors don't suffocate their prey

Thanks for sharing, I hadn't read this before. Cool findings as well, I was particularly interested in the constriction induced potassium spike. This was not something I had considered as part of the lethal effects of constriction.
Best,
Nick
by NACairns
September 28th, 2015, 7:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South eastern Arizona 2003, 2006
Replies: 4
Views: 2576

Re: South eastern Arizona 2003, 2006

So I have updated the taxonomy as per SSAR. John's comment got me into the literature and after consulting the key for Trimorphodon in Devitt et al. 2008 all of these individuals key out as T. lambda based on head pattern and blotch number but the first one has some of the traits of T. vilkinsonii (...
by NACairns
September 27th, 2015, 7:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South eastern Arizona 2003, 2006
Replies: 4
Views: 2576

Re: South eastern Arizona 2003, 2006

Hey John, great catch, yes there are two distinct phenotypes in that area. A typical Sonoran with a brown or grey base colour and mottled saddles and a another with a slate blue base with strong brown/tan saddles which are a similar in colour through out. They were roughly equally common although I ...
by NACairns
September 26th, 2015, 11:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: One of the most awesome frogs IMO!
Replies: 17
Views: 12020

Re: One of the most awesome frogs IMO!

Kurt as usual, you've floored me with your photography and the diversity of your region. Is the hunched position of Theloderma leprosum (third photo) a defensive response or is that a resting position? Is the rock base you have it on represent the preferred habitat of this species? Essentially I'm a...
by NACairns
September 26th, 2015, 11:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South eastern Arizona 2003, 2006
Replies: 4
Views: 2576

South eastern Arizona 2003, 2006

Back in in 2003, I volunteered at the southwestern research station in the Chiricahua Mountains of south eastern Arizona from March until July. This was a formative period in my life redirecting my career trajectory, allowing me to meet great researchers and introducing me, as a coastal Canadian to ...
by NACairns
September 25th, 2015, 5:39 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Question: Preferred DOF with reasonable working distance?
Replies: 15
Views: 8078

Re: Question: Preferred DOF with reasonable working distance

Yes it extends the reach of my on camera flash over my 55mm lens (and extender) which allows me to take wider angle "macro" shots without the lens shadow. That said, with the tube, there is a definite tunnel vision effect if the subject is too far away (~2 m). I've tried the plastic bag ro...
by NACairns
September 23rd, 2015, 6:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Queensland over Xmas...yes, 9 months late - Frogs (w/audio)
Replies: 11
Views: 5532

Re: Queensland over Xmas...yes, 9 months late - Frogs (w/aud

Great post one of my favourites for sure. Great photography and to have the calls as well is outstanding. What are you using for your recordings?
Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Nick
by NACairns
September 23rd, 2015, 6:36 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Question: Preferred DOF with reasonable working distance?
Replies: 15
Views: 8078

Re: Question: Preferred DOF with reasonable working distance

Hey Kyle, I'm not sure about the warmness, the pringles can has a silvery reflective layer on the inside but it could be the reflector which is made out of velum. A material that I was not aware of but my wife uses for craft type things and suggested it. Works pretty well even in the rain, an advant...
by NACairns
September 22nd, 2015, 5:06 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Kansas gartersnake ID help: radix?
Replies: 6
Views: 3038

Re: Kansas gartersnake ID help: radix?

Well the colour is certainly striking. I initially thought you got a T. marcianus range extension but I think your initial ID was correct. I'd love to see any other shots you have of this fellow.
Best,
Nick
by NACairns
September 21st, 2015, 1:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Kansas gartersnake ID help: radix?
Replies: 6
Views: 3038

Re: Kansas gartersnake ID help: radix?

There's stripes on the 4th row so it looks like some crazy southern T. radix to me. Nice shot.
Best,
Nick
by NACairns
September 21st, 2015, 5:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: One last post from prairie Canada - lots of rattlesnakes
Replies: 19
Views: 11049

Re: One last post from prairie Canada - lots of rattlesnakes

Great stuff Kyle, as usual. Wonderful photography and a great narrative with lots of local information. I'm glad you got that Phrynosoma gig and were able to get to know SW Saskie, looks like you appreciated the area for what it is. Your photos made me incredibly home sick. Good luck on the next ste...
by NACairns
September 19th, 2015, 8:22 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Question: Preferred DOF with reasonable working distance?
Replies: 15
Views: 8078

Re: Question: Preferred DOF with reasonable working distance

Interesting topic Kyle and one that I struggle with as well. Lots of helpful comments. As you know Kyle I make regular use of a pringle's can extender/diffuser fill flash and high f-stop (13-22) which is helpful for crispness but I find I still get flares and the colour a bit too warm. The idea of a...
by NACairns
September 15th, 2015, 4:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo
Replies: 13
Views: 6829

Re: Borneo

Wonderful post, great photos from a dream destination. I love the juvenile agamid shot.
Thanks for sharing.
Nick
by NACairns
September 12th, 2015, 3:34 pm
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Horsehair Worms
Replies: 4
Views: 12331

Re: Horsehair Worms

I've seen them emerging from crickets a couple times in Arizona and Montana. The most interesting part is the mind control, where they force their host into water once the worm is done with the body. Never seen one in a mantis.
Best,
Nick
by NACairns
September 12th, 2015, 3:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Highlights from 2014-15 Canada (updated Bigger Images)
Replies: 16
Views: 5093

Re: Highlights from 2014-15 Canada (updated Bigger Images)

Really great photography, amazing clarity on those long distance shots. How did you freeze that tern? Wonderful. Also I love the diversity of wildlife and regions you covered. Great to see some northern critters.
Thanks for sharing.
Nick
by NACairns
September 9th, 2015, 2:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Drift Fence Designs w/ OR w/o Traps & Trap Designs
Replies: 14
Views: 24064

Re: Drift Fence Designs w/ OR w/o Traps & Trap Designs

In my opinion traps are the way to go but just limiting the time they are open. If you could go out twice on the weekend you could open and close them and have a "fishing" time of 24-36 hours that would probably get you a good representation of the local diversity ( Is that your goal/targe...
by NACairns
September 4th, 2015, 7:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Your all-time best rattlesnake shots
Replies: 37
Views: 18836

Re: Your all-time best rattlesnake shots

Juvenile viridis hunting sagebrush lizards in Carbon Co. MT: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3891/14755409028_0e5c27a507.jpg Crotalus viridis by N Cairns , on Flickr Big lady waiting for summer in SW Saskatchewan: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/12858677414_c5d1ccc148.jpg Crotalus viridis by N Ca...
by NACairns
August 30th, 2015, 11:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tripreports Malawi & Zambia July-August 2015
Replies: 9
Views: 4732

Re: Tripreports Malawi & Zambia July-August 2015

Great stuff, I love the diversity. To see chameleons in the wild would be amazing. The common reed frog is extremely handsome, what does the venter look like?
Thanks for sharing,
Nick
by NACairns
August 30th, 2015, 7:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Recent AZ trip with some ID requests
Replies: 3
Views: 2099

Re: Recent AZ trip with some ID requests

Nice post, you guys saw some cool animals. It's cool to see a cerberus as that is a species that I don't get to see often on here. I think your bird is a female gila woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis).
by NACairns
August 29th, 2015, 8:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Took the family west
Replies: 9
Views: 3817

Re: Took the family west

Yeah a number of folks offered advice or opportunities we just ran out of time for herping. I wish we'd had more time for Nor Cal and the NW. Actually same go's for KS, NM, AZ, NV, BC and SK but It was a great trip and Deep Creek was a high light, you worked your ass off showing us new species. Than...
by NACairns
August 29th, 2015, 4:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Took the family west
Replies: 9
Views: 3817

Re: Took the family west

That's the thing eh Jim? You can't get them all. I was a little sad I wasn't able to see a new species of Phrynosoma on this trip but we tried, man we tried. Next time. I did tell Dr. Hoyer about that little boa and the others in that area but I didn't take measurements, samples or do any scale coun...
by NACairns
August 29th, 2015, 1:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Took the family west
Replies: 9
Views: 3817

Re: Took the family west

Thanks Jake, I appreciate that. It was fun to make.
by NACairns
August 28th, 2015, 7:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Took the family west
Replies: 9
Views: 3817

Re: Took the family west

Thanks Jim, I'll take you up on that. There are so many places I wanted more time and Southern California was amazing even in July. I had a great time. Next time let's see a ruber.
Thanks again bud,
Nick
by NACairns
August 27th, 2015, 6:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Unofficial Guide to Tadpoles and Morphs of the East
Replies: 19
Views: 8715

Re: Unofficial Guide to Tadpoles and Morphs of the Southeast

That is very kind of you. I'll let you know if I plan to move them. If you can credit them as NA Cairns that would be perfect. I forgot a couple: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/12854251185_4f71a79576.jpg Pseudacris maculata and Spea bombifrons by N Cairns , on Flickr https://farm3.staticflickr....
by NACairns
August 27th, 2015, 7:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Unofficial Guide to Tadpoles and Morphs of the East
Replies: 19
Views: 8715

Re: Unofficial Guide to Tadpoles and Morphs of the Southeast

For the most part these are from Canada so I'm not sure if they are useful for you but feel free. Lithobates sylvatica https://farm1.staticflickr.com/750/20304363243_d03651ba0d.jpg Lithobates sylvatica by N Cairns , on Flickr Pseudacris crucifer https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5711/20899122506_f81f92...
by NACairns
August 26th, 2015, 6:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Summer 2015, Tennesee, Georgia, Florida, Texas and Arizona
Replies: 11
Views: 5211

Re: Summer 2015, Tennesee, Georgia, Florida, Texas and Arizo

Man, what a great post. Amazing diversity and the photography is outstanding. Look forward to you fall post.
Thanks for posting,
Nick
by NACairns
August 26th, 2015, 6:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Took the family west
Replies: 9
Views: 3817

Took the family west

The wife and I had to visit a few places this summer, a few more than we could afford to do by plane. So we packed our 10 month old and our dog into the car and headed west from Ontario. This was not a herp trip per say but both of us enjoy seeing wildlife and wanted to see as much as we could make ...
by NACairns
August 24th, 2015, 7:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Below the Mason Dixon
Replies: 13
Views: 4787

Re: Below the Mason Dixon

Amazing post, each photo was one of the best I've seen for that species. Great stuff.
Thanks for sharing.
Nick