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Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 8th, 2018, 3:28 pm
by CanebrakeRattlesnake
Hey guys! I was finally able to make an account here which was definitely an adventure in itself. My emails weren't sending to Scott properly so I had to message someone on Facebook (if you're reading this, thank you very much once again!) and he was able to somehow find someone who was able to activate my account for me. :crazyeyes:

As for an introduction, I've been interested in wildlife ever since I was a small child. My mom used to be a traveling nurse so I basically got to grow up exploring various different states, cultures, and of course seeing tons of cool wildlife! My favorite places I've ever lived were California, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico (and hopefully, we're moving back out there next Summer! Fingers crossed). I'm currently a 20 year old gal living in Wisconsin with my parents. They're not as gung-ho about Herping as I am, but they really enjoy getting outdoors with me and exploring which is nice.

Although I never manage to find a big variety of species, I'm working on finding different areas to explore so hopefully I'm able to find some cool things before I move next year (mostly hoping for a C. horridus, which is one of my favorite rattlesnake species)

Anyways, now for some pictures! A few things were taken with a Nikon Coolpix L810 but after it finally kicked the bucket my dad surprised me with my very first DSLR, a Nikon D3400 with two kit lenses (18-55mm and 70-300mm). Hopefully before next year I can save up and get a nice Macro lens (I'm eyeing the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm F/2.8G IF-ED)

ImageNorthern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageNorthern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageNorthern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageNorthern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageNorthern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageEastern Fox Snake (Pantherophis vulpinus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageEastern Fox Snake (Pantherophis vulpinus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageBlanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageBlanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageAmerican Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

This guys symmetrical markings are really pleasing to my OCD brain :lol:
ImageNorthern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) by Alex Richards, on Flickr


And now, for some non-herp critters:

ImageCanada Goose (Branta canadensis) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageHairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageHairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageHairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageBlue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageYellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImagePurple Coneflower (Echinacea sp.) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageMonarch (Danaus plexippus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageMonarch (Danaus plexippus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

ImageLarge Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr


I hope you guys enjoyed my pictures! I'm always looking out for new tips and tricks so don't be afraid to tell me what I'm doing wrong :lol:

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 9th, 2018, 8:07 am
by Fieldherper
Awesome photos!

FH

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 9th, 2018, 8:22 am
by CanebrakeRattlesnake
Fieldherper wrote:Awesome photos!

FH
Thank you very much! :thumb:

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 9th, 2018, 3:00 pm
by Mike VanValen
Hey, Alex. Great close-ups, especially the map turtle.

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 9th, 2018, 3:07 pm
by CanebrakeRattlesnake
Mike VanValen wrote:Hey, Alex. Great close-ups, especially the map turtle.
Thanks Mike!

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 9th, 2018, 4:23 pm
by the_cw1
Hey Alex,

I really like the pictures. Every time I see reports from Wisconsin I take note of the blanding's! They were hard to come by in Michigan. Maybe I should have made the drive, haha.

Good luck out there. Thanks for posting.

-Derek

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 9th, 2018, 10:45 pm
by John Martin
Your pics are already high quality! Welcome to the forum, and I concur on your choice of macro lens :thumb: . I've been using the older, pre VR version for years and I love the quality it gives me.

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 10th, 2018, 2:46 pm
by CanebrakeRattlesnake
Thank you guys! I'm working on a list of herps I wanna find this year and next before I move, so hopefully once I get my new lens I'll be able to take some cool shots!

...Now I just need to convince my parents to drive for a few hours since I don't live near any of the counties I want to herp in :lol:

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 10th, 2018, 3:21 pm
by Jimi
I'll chime in - nice pics!

Blanding's turtle would be cool to see - I haven't ever seen one of those. I have only been up that way a few times, never seriously herping.

It's fun to see that your N leopard frogs also have a green morph and a brown one. That's how they are here in Utah too.
convince my parents to drive
Ah, I remember those days pretty fondly. It's much better now, of course, driving myself. But that was some pretty quality time with the 'rents. Usually my mom - dad hates snakes. Still. Ha ha.

cheers

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 11th, 2018, 2:51 am
by Tamara D. McConnell
Beautiful photos! I love the turtle and bird shots. The blue jay is luminous!

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 11th, 2018, 4:35 pm
by Fire Drake
Welcome to the forum, Alex. There's nothing quite like it...lot's of fun for sure.

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Posted: September 12th, 2018, 1:55 pm
by CanebrakeRattlesnake
Thanks so much for all the feedback guys, it means a lot to get such a warm welcome!

And yeah Jimi, when I found him I had no idea what he was (I'm better with snakes than with turtles), but I just knew that he was something special.