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Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 12:33 am
by Y.Morgan
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2011 had plenty of lemons.....extreme drought, massive forest fires, dust storms, and personal loss. It was not a stellar year for herp abundance, but it was still a great year. I rarely lost sight of my goal - simply enjoy life.

When the Chiricahuas look like this...
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….it’s difficult to expect good herping. In fact, the Chiris were closed to the public most of the summer and the Southwest Research Station became the center of firefighting efforts:
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Where fire was avoided, drought still ravaged even the most tolerant flora:
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Fortunately, there are persistent critters in the Southwest:
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A massive Gila:
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Young cerberus:
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The reward for letting them go:
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Plump, healthy, green globes.....wait a second, Dude....that’s plural and the toad isn’t even in focus:
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This view from my living room window enchanted and taunted me for 2 years:
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The bittersweetness was due to the fact that despite strong efforts, I couldn’t find a banded rock rattlesnake in that mountain to the right of my downspout: Image

It might not look like much, but I was immensely happy when I found this female klaub on the mountain shown above. There’s not a single snake in the whole world I’d rather have found, and this was by far my find of the year:
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Shelf-mates, only at the Portal store:
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Learn from my mistake: Before crawling into a concrete vault to rescue trapped whiptails, spend 3 extra seconds to secure the big metal lid. Otherwise, the wind could blow it over causing a loud gong sound while pulverizing the sunglasses seated atop your head, embedding said glass in your scalp, and concussing your noggin. Not sure what caused this little cut, but the blood was pretty, as I enjoyed several hours of concussion-induced euphoria:
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Is there a more crepuscular snake species?
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Very gravid:
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5’ fresh DOR atrox:
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DOR storage:
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Okay, kids - who wants a popsicle?
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DORs don’t have to be heart-wrenching sights. Atrox lemonade:

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The meat is quite tasty, but there’s not much of it. Definitely better to grill larger snakes and supplement with meat from other critters:
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As best we can tell, the main factor that determines green-ness of male NM klaubs is age. The older they are, the greener. So, this old skinny male (probably in his last year) was greener than his younger, larger, healthier counterparts from the same range. We see this effect often. Young stud males are rarely super green.
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Bootheel atrox can be ridiculously pink, but so can the viridis:
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In 2011, I tried to take what the circumstances gave me. What better way to escape the wind and dust in spring than a trip to Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
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Of course, I spent August in NM:
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Herping with a tenacious 13 year-old means finding snakes in places you might have never thought to look:
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Obscurus in NM:
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Oh, c’mon...not Smokey!
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What kind of sicko would defile a national icon....with a Mexican beer even? Ahem.
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My mother - Judy Oates Morgan - died unexpectedly in July, 2011. She was my mentor in lots of ways. She sacrificed so much for me to become the man and herper I am. Not to hijack this post, but failure to acknowledge Mom’s passing and pay her tribute wouldn’t be right.
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My brothers and I never knew fear of snakes...it simply wasn’t taught in our house. A single mother of 3 animal-crazed boys, it was Mom who discovered the loophole in our apartment’s lease. No, we couldn’t have dogs or cats; but there was no mention of snakes. We three pooled our allowance and came home giddy from the pet store one day with a $2.99 ribbon snake. I’m still that kid. How did she know?

Mom had her own style - she sported an “Afro-a” decades before boas were in and years after Afros were. :-)
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Her real passion was wildflowers; her field guides were more dogeared than any of my herp books.
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But she was an enthusiastic herper too:
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Most sons would’ve rushed to their mother’s aid if she were being chewed on by a TX rat snake. But Mom’s son stifled his guffawing long enough to capture this image (below), knowing damn well she was tough enough to take it:
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If I have an ounce of creativity, it’s thanks to Mom. By any standard, she was unique. As an art teacher for 20+ years, she influenced thousands of kids. She was also a professional artist. She nurtured my passions with this high school graduation present - a colored pencil piece that I’ve appreciated way more over the years than any gift she could have bought:
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My most prized possession by far is Mom’s masterpiece - a huge oil painting filled with images from my formative years. The photo does it no justice. Look at it for days and you will never see everything:
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Upon returning to New Mexico from Mom’s memorial service, the monsoon was underway. I did what she taught me to do: I made as much lemonade as possible in the outdoors - always with her in mind:
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Hi there, cute little fella. How about a cool drink of water?
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I checked the records, and it’s official - this was the first klaub to ever see a Chilean in this particular NM mountain range:
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I didn’t think she’d actually do it:
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Hey Mohn, can I get a toke of that?
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Is there a dress code when posting on exclusive, private forums?
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After this photo, my friend tapped the WDB’s tail with his snake stick to prod it off-road and suddenly, this snake did a gravity-defying, 180-degree, lunging, crazy strike and then another. It made contact with my friends leg but not with fangs. But for nimble legs and quick reflexes, he would’ve been nailed for sure.
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Same snake:
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It’s a bad sign when you’re herping in remote mountains and you awake upside down in the rocks with no idea who you are. Worse still is when the rocks below you look like this:
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While trying to regain my senses, i used my cell phone to take pics and assess the damage. This was the good side of my head:
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This was the bad. (The ugly is censored. Ha.):
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Several hours later after hiking back to my buds at the truck, they were naturally eager for photos:
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DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! Reviewing their photos months later, I discovered the real horror of the day: I am sprouting old-man-ear-hair!
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This gouge on my upper arm left a sweet scar that has satisfied my urge for a tat:
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When business requires overnight travel and your head is busted, etiquette dictates you bring your own pillow:
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Geopositional disconcertion:
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Bummed about the percentage of roadkills one night, Ed, Paul and I left a message for our bud who was herping in a different car a few miles back. Imagine screeching up on your name, written in roadill and coyote melon. It’s best practiced on monosyllabically-named friends:
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Desperate for a “P”; Ed, Paul, and I were disappointed that this atrox was actually alive. Then, we realized what a sweet batch of lemonade we were brewing:
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The rocks in this little mountain range are spectacular - especially during a cool evening rain. In situ:
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We moved this same skinny, old molossus off the road 3 times in 1 night.
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Young cerb:
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When pulling as hard as you can on a large boulder, it’s wise to consider the possibility that it might actually move:
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I nearly pinched the end of my finger off:
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After at least 25 consecutive hikes in the same locality over a 2-year period with 0 banded rocks to show for it, I was suddenly buzzed by 2 snakes at once....from equidistant rock piles - one to my right and one to my left. I wrangled the left one fairly quickly but had nothing to put it in while I went for the right one. Sock! While going for righty, I smashed my finger and was pouring blood everywhere and shaking with adrenaline when I eventually fished it out. Sock 2!

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The plan was to restrain the 2 females long enough for my hand to quit shaking so I could get some decent shots, but that never happened. So, for my effort all I got was a shaky, snakes-in-a-bucket shot. Real nice nature photography here:

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Do you have a sleeping herper friend? Here’s an idea.
DUDE, WHAT’S THAT?!
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15 minutes later.
DUDE, LOOK OUT!!
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30 minute later. Ever so quietly, let a gopher snake crawl across his lap:
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Believe it or not, the following 2 photos were taken seconds apart while standing in precisely the same spot. I find quite a few horned lizards in disturbed areas with heavy equipment nearby.
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Imagine our surprise when a friend and I heard a buzz in a rock pile and we lifted a rock to find only a tiny neonate klaub. While hanging head-first into an opening, another baby crawled right to me.
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Their mother was very close by:
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A green molossus:
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Somehow, KlaubMaster Paul spotted this in a tiny rock crevice at shoulder height:
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After 10 minutes of trying to figure out how to get her out for a closer look, her mate buzzed us!
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After road-cruising a splendida that was nosing around a fresh roadkill hognosed, we were taking photos when this happened:
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My bud wanted to save the pair for an educational presentation later in the week and it took him 5 solid minutes of gentle, persistent prying to separate them. Later, the pugnacious king got its meal and its freedom.
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In my limited observations so far, lava bed habitat seems to impact atrox coloration more than molossus.
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EPILOGUE:
Two weeks ago my brothers and I met our mother’s best friend in the North Carolina mountains to carry out Mom’s final wishes. We distributed her ashes in some of her favorite places, where they lay fertilizing her beloved rhododendrons and wildflowers.
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Thanks for staying with me on this one,
York
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Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 2:20 am
by Norman D
Wow! What a wonderful post full of cool & interesting photos along with great commentary! I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother, but thank you for sharing with us.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 2:30 am
by rosy-man
great post as usual.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 2:38 am
by kevinb
Phew! that was an epic post.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 4:06 am
by ugh
Interesting about the green=age observation in klauberi....Insane dark cerb too 8-)
I'd sooner let smokey die of thirst.
What a cool mom and frickin' sweet painting!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 5:32 am
by Nir
Amazing post!!!

From the rattlesnakes to the wonderful landscape to the awesome tribute to your mother!! Wow!! With posts like that, It's no wonder I have a hard time working...

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 6:32 am
by Hans Breuer (twoton)
One of the most creative posts ever. I'm gonna read it again tomorrow!!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 6:58 am
by BillMcGighan
Besides many, many super herps, great pics, etc., you captured some of the aesthetics of the SW that most of us cretins can't visualize when we're there!!!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 7:21 am
by reptilist
What a great post, and a neat Mom!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 7:40 am
by ErikNM
Truly fantastic post York! Always excellent photos, variety of animals, and as usual...war stories from the field. Seems like I can expect gnarly gashes and smashed fingers, if not bites! Also, great tribute to your mom and I am terribly sorry for your loss.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 7:44 am
by will lattea
wow. thanks for sharing

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 8:08 am
by DaveR
York,

I'm very sorry for your loss. What an interesting woman. Her values and spirit live on in you. What a great artist - obviously influenced by Dali. Love this post...one of the best ever on this site IMO. Love your, "making lemonade from lemons"' attitude. Like Hans, I will be revisiting the post again. There were so many shots that I loved; the close up of the horned lizards' back (took me a few seconds to realize what I was looking at), ALL the habitat shots, the head shot of the hognose, the Willards and rock together, obscurus, the canine taking a cat nap' , the view from your living room window...I could go on and on. Looks like you have a special interest in banded rocks. I do too, and finding one in the wild is one of the things on my bucket list. I live in Western NY but love the Southwest, and want to retire out there somewhere. You're a very lucky man, in a lot of ways.

Dude...wear a helmet. That was a nasty fall to say the least. And your finger. This post should be rated for mature audiences due to violent content.

Again...LOVED the post. Thanks for sharing it. It made my day. Be safe.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 9:05 am
by Correcamino
Great post with some awesome animals York! When I read the title I thought "Lemonade?!! Yeah, right! There's gonna be some Bloody Mary's in here somewhere!" You didn't disappoint, lol.

Very sorry to hear about your mom,

Cheers,

Rich

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 9:57 am
by Jay Jacoby
You are my hero. You capture the unique flavor of the Southwest, and make me want to quit my job in PA, and head straight there. Awesome stuff. Great post. I only wish I could join you in an adventure....

Jay Jacoby

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 9:59 am
by Jkinnally
Great post !!!! thanks for sharing

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 10:42 am
by Verhoodled
Phenomenal post.

Sorry for the loss of your mother. She seems like an awesome soul.

Spelling names with DORs is so hilariously wrong. That made my day. :lol:

Thanks for sharing the lemonade. :beer:

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 11:10 am
by JAMAUGHN
Epic doesn't begin to cover this post.

First and foremost, though, I'm sorry for the loss of your mother. She sounds like an amazing woman. Thanks for posting her excellent paintings.

JimM

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 11:12 am
by monklet
Love your posts man! Your Mom's light shines very bright ...obviously a very impressive and wonderful woman! ...someone I would very much have liked to have meet.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 12:16 pm
by Brendan
What a perfect post to start the year off with. Amazing photos, animals, stories, humor and tribute to your mom. Sorry for your loss! Thanks for taking the time to make this post.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 12:42 pm
by Kent VanSooy
After the first two pictures I was drooling on my keyboard, then your tribute to your mom made my cry, then your blood-spattered head had my puking!

Thanks! I need a drink now.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 12:50 pm
by Kevin Price
What a truly awesome, wonderful post. I loved reading this!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 8:07 pm
by peterknuteberg
York, you made some great lemonade. The photos were stunning. It was herping, poetry, philosphy, art, gore, food, humor, respect and an ode to a great woman, all in one wonderful post. This truly was special. Peter B.

I hope I get to herp with you some day. Peter B.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 8:35 pm
by mikemike
What an awesome post, York. You wrapped up SW herping perfectly.

I'm truly sorry to hear about your mom. She sounds like she was a great person to know. My mom never had a big influence on my herping until the past few years. My dad would take me herping growing up, but she was terrified of snakes. When she realized what it meant to me close to ten years ago, she told me the only thing she wants before she goes is to curb her fear. A couple of years ago, I finally got her to start with a small ringneck, then move up to some garters that I had captive. I'm glad I was able to do my part to help her meet her big goal. She has been battling liver problems for the past few years, but I've been told this week there's nothing more that can be done. When I talked to her a couple days ago, she thanked me again for helping her with her last big accomplishment.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 8:52 pm
by Dell Despain
I'm not sure where to start...Really like all the lepidus shots, the close up of the Phrynosoma arrow on it's back is sweet, and the tribute to you mom is a nice addition. I checked this post out before I went to work this morning and planned on commenting on it tonight, DaveR beat me to the Dali comparison. She had great talent.

Hope you didn't lose feeling in the end of that finger, and is wine required with the barbecued buzztail?
Nice post, take care.

-Dell

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 9:00 pm
by KevColubrid
Wonderful, amazing, fantastic, awesome. So many great pictures/humor in that post. It would take me forever to go through all of it. Thanks for posting, great stuff.

Kevin

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 20th, 2012, 11:00 pm
by Y.Morgan
I just returned from a 14-hour day of fieldwork to read your comments. Thanks so much to all of you for taking the time to comment! Thanks also for your kind condolences. I'm hoping to herp 2012 with the same perspective as last year, only with less loss.
KevColubrid wrote:So many great pictures/humor in that post.
Thanks for noticing, Kevin!
Dell Despain wrote:Hope you didn't lose feeling in the end of that finger, and is wine required with the barbecued buzztail?
Thanks, Dell! Amazingly, I wrapped my finger tightly in electrical tape and I swear, it healed up in about a week. I can't tell which finger was smashed without looking at the pics. The big fall off the cliff is a different story...still got aches and numbness from that. Wine/beer helps all bbqs, doesn't it? But these buzztails were very good w/o any sauce or spice. Seriously good eating....just not much meat for the work.
mikemike wrote:When I talked to her a couple days ago, she thanked me again for helping her with her last big accomplishment.
mikemike, your note is really moving. Thanks. Your mom's love for you has to be amazingly strong for her to systematically work through her fears just so she can be closer to you and your hobby. My thoughts are with you and her. You both are lucky to have such a relationship.
peterknuteberg wrote: you made some great lemonade
Peter - thanks, Man! Too bad the gore comes more easily than the philosophy. Ha!
Kevin Price wrote:I loved reading this!
Thanks so much, Kevin.
Kent VanSooy wrote:Thanks! I need a drink now.
Me too, Kent! CHEERS!
Brendan wrote:What a perfect post to start the year off with.
Thanks, Brendan! I bet you're already killing it out there. I'm envious!
monklet wrote:Your Mom's light shines very bright ...obviously a very impressive and wonderful woman! ...someone I would very much have liked to have meet.
My face distorted a bit when I read this. Thanks, Monklet.
JAMAUGHN wrote:She sounds like an amazing woman. Thanks for posting her excellent paintings.
This is where I should feign modesty, but you are so right, Jim - Mom was the bomb and so were her paintings! Thanks for your words.
Verhoodled wrote:Spelling names with DORs is so hilariously wrong. That made my day.
Sometimes wrong is right eh, Verhoodled? :lol: Thanks!
Jay Jacoby wrote:You capture the unique flavor of the Southwest,
Thanks, Jay. My take on this region would probably revolt some neighbors!
Correcamino wrote:When I read the title I thought "Lemonade?!! Yeah, right! There's gonna be some Bloody Mary's in here somewhere!" You didn't disappoint, lol.
Oh God, I laughed hard at this, Rich! :lol: :lol: Seriously, out loud. Spicy Bloody Mary's are the way to go. Thanks for your note!
DaveR wrote:What a great artist - obviously influenced by Dali. Love this post...one of the best ever on this site IMO. Love your, "making lemonade from lemons"' attitude. Like Hans, I will be revisiting the post again. There were so many shots that I loved; the close up of the horned lizards' back (took me a few seconds to realize what I was looking at), ALL the habitat shots, the head shot of the hognose, the Willards and rock together, obscurus, the canine taking a cat nap'
You really studied this post, Dave! Some of your observations are dead-on with mine. Yep, Mom had a huge Dali influence. The hognose head and cat napping canine are obscure but among my faves. Thanks for your studious remarks!
ErikNM wrote:Seems like I can expect gnarly gashes and smashed fingers, if not bites!
Hey, Erik - thanks for all your kind words! It'd be nice to have a blood-less year but it just doesn't seem to be in my DNA. But a whole year with no bites feels like a win! :D
BillMcGighan wrote:you captured some of the aesthetics of the SW that most of us cretins can't visualize when we're there!!!
Thanks, Bill! You can't fool me though. Real cretins don't know what cretins or aesthetics are. I'm positive you're doing just fine on your trips. :beer:
Hans Breuer (twoton) wrote:I'm gonna read it again tomorrow!!
Now, there's a great compliment!
ugh wrote:Interesting about the green=age observation in klauberi
Thanks, ugh, for your note. I don't have any science behind my observations, but it's amazing how older male klaubs are consistently greener. You'd expect their color to diminish past their prime, but klaubs seem to be an exception.
Nir wrote:Wow!! With posts like that, It's no wonder I have a hard time working...
Fieldherpforuming is always better than working, eh Nir? Thanks for your note!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 21st, 2012, 12:27 am
by Jimi
Yeah, wow, epic. Loved your moms w/ the lindheimeri on her arm - that's a serious keeper pic. Also the first atrox posture (seen again later) and the dinky little Holbrookia. Was the adult cerb a NM animal (sorry for ignorance, I've only seen them further west..).

Sorry to hear of your bummer rite of passage...guess it beats the only alternative though - leaving your carcass to be dealt with by your parents (have some of my nice tart lemonade...).

Finally...you gotta take better care of yourself. That headshot looks pretty bad. Yeah they bleed like hell (couple of rock fights told me so...) but...ear-hair says you're no spring chicken to be pulling that shit. Easy, man.

Best,
Jimi

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 21st, 2012, 10:39 am
by ramblon
Beautiful images from your unique perspective, and what a touching tribute to your mother.

These are the kind of posts that make this site.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 21st, 2012, 3:51 pm
by RobK
That post pretty much sums up field herping. Excellent job!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 21st, 2012, 4:31 pm
by Cole Grover
Amazing post. Sorry to hear about your mother, York - she sounds like a wonderful woman! You sure did make lemonade, though. And more blood?! Dude, the injuries in your posts are uniquely "York", no doubt about it! I seriously dig the natural history notes (like increased age correlates with increased green-ness in male klauberi) and the fact that you drink Coors and what looks to be port at the same time. Oh, and the ridiculously fantastic series of photos and humorous commentary didn't hurt, either. Holy balls can you ever put a post together.

It looks like the drought was fuggin' awful down there to have killed off a Ferocactus. How high up do you see those? I hear that they (Ferocactus) don't tolerate frost well, but can handle cool temperatures if it's dry. Just curious more than anything.

Keep it coming, man.
-Cole

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 21st, 2012, 5:35 pm
by Chip Cochran
Awesome post York! I almost want a photo of that beautiful road artwork you made for me framed on my desk. Hope to see you sometime this spring man.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 21st, 2012, 7:12 pm
by r.edwards
Dude, great stuff as usual! that poor herper will never be able to wear that plaid shirt again....
good luck on this season of herpen

r.edwards

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 21st, 2012, 9:06 pm
by Y.Morgan
r.edwards wrote:Dude, great stuff as usual! that poor herper will never be able to wear that plaid shirt again....
good luck on this season of herpen
Thanks, Robert. That guy lives in that plaid shirt...I'll just be glad when he washes it one day. :lol:
Chip Cochran wrote:Hope to see you sometime this spring man.
Awesome post York! I almost want a photo of that beautiful road artwork you made for me framed on my desk. Hope to see you sometime this spring man.
Hey, Chip! We're still hoping to get out there, but work has been kicking my butt lately. Still trying for sure!
Cole Grover wrote:It looks like the drought was fuggin' awful down there to have killed off a Ferocactus. How high up do you see those?
Thanks for your observations and friendliness, Cole. I'm no expert by any means but I usually see those barrels go up to about 6,000' or so. There seems to be a sweet spot for them on less-vegetated slopes in the 4500' to 5500' range, but don't quote me. They sure are handsome, eh?
RobK wrote:That post pretty much sums up field herping.
Thanks, Rob!
ramblon wrote:Beautiful images from your unique perspective, and what a touching tribute to your mother.
Thanks ramblon! I keep thinking that I need to forward her the link.
Jimi wrote:Was the adult cerb a NM animal
Thanks, Jimi. Nope, that was an AZ cerb. I still haven't focused enough to find one in NM, where their range is very limited. If their range overlapped with strong populations of klaubs, I'd probably find 100 of them. Ha.
Jimi wrote:guess it beats the only alternative though
So, true. I like tart lemonade!
Jimi wrote:ear-hair says you're no spring chicken to be pulling that
Oh, so you had to go and mention my Achilles hair? :D Maybe I'm getting old, but I can still fall off cliffs with the best them!
Jimi wrote:you gotta take better care of yourself.
Wah wah wah wah wah.... :lol:

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 22nd, 2012, 8:26 am
by Will Wells
I really enjoy your post! They get me so fired up to go herping, I may have to call in sick for work today!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 22nd, 2012, 10:09 pm
by Biker Dave
Absolutely Epic!

And your Mom totally rocked her life! We should all learn from that!

Dave

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 23rd, 2012, 3:02 am
by Hans Breuer (twoton)
I've read it two more times now. Highlights for me, apart from the homage to your beautifully unusual mom:

- "Herping with a tenacious 13 year-old means finding snakes in places you might have never thought to look" So true...

- Snakes in a Freezer!

- Your mom's masterpiece. I'm sure Salvador Dali would have approved!

- The Roadkill Writings

- Snakes On A Sleeping Herper. Why have I never thought of that before?!

And you have a beautiful family...

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 23rd, 2012, 6:25 am
by ahockenberry
AMAZING, AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 23rd, 2012, 7:54 am
by Y.Morgan
Hans Breuer (twoton) wrote:I've read it two more times now.
What a compliment, Hans. Thanks so much!
Hans Breuer (twoton) wrote:
"Herping with a tenacious 13 year-old means finding snakes in places you might have never thought to look" So true...
I'm not a parent, but I sure do get a lot out of herping with my young friends. Their energy and perspective add a-whole-nother dimension to the outings.
Biker Dave wrote:And your Mom totally rocked her life!
That's a great way to put it, Dave - Thanks!
Will Wells wrote:I may have to call in sick for work today!
I really enjoy your post! They get me so fired up to go herping, I may have to call in sick for work today!
Do it, Will. Call in sick (again)...they'll understand. :D

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 23rd, 2012, 7:14 pm
by Aaron Mills
Awesome post York! I'm waiting for you to make a year end post without a bunch of blood in it ha! Seriously though, great job man!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 24th, 2012, 6:00 am
by pete
A fantastic post. A wonderful tribute to your mother, the photos of her give a great sense of who she was!

Too many amazing shots to comment on... but when you get a bit more, you can style that ear hair. :lol:

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 24th, 2012, 11:49 am
by TimCO
Where do you even start with this post? York, you're a maniac. We need to keep a Flight for Life chopper on standby for your klaub capers.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 25th, 2012, 7:42 am
by Y.Morgan
TimCO wrote:York, you're a maniac. We need to keep a Flight for Life chopper on standby for your klaub capers.
Thanks, Tim! Not a bad idea at all! :thumb: My goal is to have all of my affairs in order (will, etc.) before the coming season starts in earnest.
pete wrote:when you get a bit more, you can style that ear hair.
Now, THAT would be making some tasty lemonade! Thanks for your comments, Pete!
Aaron Mills wrote:I'm waiting for you to make a year end post without a bunch of blood in it ha
You and me - both, Aaron! I was hoping 2012 would be the year, but I've already registered another head wound. :?

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 25th, 2012, 7:05 pm
by M.J.FRANETOVICH
Well done :beer: :beer:

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 27th, 2012, 4:36 pm
by intermedius
That was amazing! I love my lepidus and willardi, along with my snakes extra crispy. :lol: :beer: :mrgreen:

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 28th, 2012, 11:09 am
by Bill Love
That was epic! I was torn between studying all the pix in detail, and waiting to see the best on the big screen in May in Phoenix. The Arizona Herpetological Association is going to love your presentation - that's a given! It's just that I'm a tad worried by the looks of some of those fieldherping wounds, you may not survive long enough to come.

Take care of yourself, at least for the next couple months. ;)

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 28th, 2012, 5:30 pm
by devlin
Wow! hands down, my favorite post ever! Thanks. Loved the tribute to your mom. I lost my mom in '05, and she was a huge reason I herp. She always let me keep snakes that I caught as a kid. She actually liked them as a pet for several reasons. I'll be re-reading/looking at this post many more times. So many great critter/habitat/arty shots. The DOR sign for your buddy...Classic!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 28th, 2012, 8:25 pm
by joeysgreen
A very all round interesting post. So many jaw-dropping moments as I scrolled down.
Thank you,
Ian

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 29th, 2012, 8:44 am
by Y.Morgan
joeysgreen wrote:A very all round interesting post.
Thanks, Ian!
devlin wrote: I lost my mom in '05, and she was a huge reason I herp. She always let me keep snakes that I caught as a kid.
I suspect there are lots of us on this forum who have a cool (or at least tolerant) parent to thank for our herping hobbies. Thanks for your kind words and the notes about your mom.
Bill Love wrote:The Arizona Herpetological Association is going to love your presentation - that's a given! It's just that I'm a tad worried by the looks of some of those fieldherping wounds, you may not survive long enough to come.
Thanks, Bill! Like my posts, the presentation will be photo-heavy for sure. Maybe I'll even have a fresh wound to share. :lol:
intermedius wrote:I love my lepidus and willardi, along with my snakes extra crispy
Yep, crispy snakes are tasty!
M.J.FRANETOVICH wrote:Well done
Thanks, Man!

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 30th, 2012, 8:17 am
by Kent VanSooy
York, I've had a great time gazing upon your Mom's painting, and finding all sorts of surprises - the elephant in the man's shoulder, the hawk wing in the turtle's flipper. The light object in the foreground with the hand at one end, is that a cephalopod? And I feel like I should be finding something in the clouds, but I haven't yet.

Re: Making Lemonade in New Mexico & Arizona - lots of pics

Posted: March 30th, 2012, 9:58 am
by TravisK
I absolutely loved your thread. And wow, you go to have such an amazing mother.