2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

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Crazins
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2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Crazins »

Well I havent been on here in a long time (dang, that avatar pic of me is old!). I think it has been a whopping three years since my last post. In those last three years I have changed my perspective on herp photography, and 2014 was when my new perspective really came to fruition.

I have been seriously photoing herps for just over four years now. I bought my first DSLR in Jan of 2010, and, with the help of some incredible people like the great Young Cage, learned how to use it later that year. Until the beginning of this year, I was trying to balance shooting as voucher shots and art, and was getting overwhelmed with the task. In 2014 I decided that I would shoot for art, and stop trying to document every animal I came across. The following photos are the result of this decision.


I have lived in Northern California my whole life, but I finally started herping this wonderful part of the state this year. I only took three out of state trips (West Texas, Arizona, and Michigan) and no out of country trips (though Peru is happening in January). I hope you guys like Northern California herps, cause here we go...


First lizard of the year that wasn't a Scelop:

ImageCalifornia Alligator Lizard - Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr




ImageNorthern Western Pond Turtle - Actinemys marmorata by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageForest Sharptail, Contia longicaudae by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr




ImageCalifornia Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon ensatus by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr




ImageSanta Cruz Gartersnake, Thamnophis atratus atratus by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



From my back yard:

ImageSan Diego Alligator Lizard, Elgaria multicarinata webbii by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageThamnophis sirtalis infernalis, California Red-Sided Gartersnake by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageNorthern Rubber Boa, Charina bottae by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageRed-legged Frog, Rana draytonii by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageSharp-tailed snake, Contia tenius by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageFoothill Yellow-legged Frog, Rana boylii by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageRubber boa, Charina bottae by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageGiant Garter Snake, Thamnophis gigas by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



From my front yard:

ImageNorthern Pacific Rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageRubber Boa, Charina bottae by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



This is the first pic I got Explored on Flickr. I still can't figure out why.

ImageMountain Gartersnake, Thamnophis elegans elegans by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageCalifornia Kingsnake by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



And now a quick break for some non-California stuff....

Got to go to West Texas earlier this year. The herping was BRUTAL, so brutal that this was the only pic that I liked from that trip.

ImageWest Texas Herping by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



Then I went to Michigan for a bit....

ImageNorthern Leopard Frog, Lithobates pipiens, in situ by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



...where I took this pic that was my second Explored pic on Flickr...

ImageEastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



....and another star shot of Lake Michigan.

ImageMichigan Stars 1 by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



And then I went to Arizona for the monsoons...

ImageHuachuca Storm by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr




...which brought out some awesome animals.

ImageSonoran Coral Snake, Micruroides euryxanthus by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageCrotalus lepidus klauberi, Banded Rock Rattlesnake by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageCrotalus cerberus, Arizona Black Rattlesnake by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



This one's for you, Young

ImageSonoran Desert Tortoise, Gopherus morafkai by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



And then I came back to NorCal, and went back out to get more of these...

ImageCalifornia Red-sided Gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



Even got a pic of a bird!

ImageGolden Eagle by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



And a dead bird!

ImageNoble peace by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr




Probably the most common herp in Nor Cal

ImageCalifornia Slender Salamander, Batrachoseps attenuatus by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



A variation on that theme:

ImageHell Hollow Slender Salamander - Batrachoseps diabolicus by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



ImageCoastal Giant Salamander, Dicamptodon tenebrosus by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



Landscapes? Anyone like landscapes?

ImageFern Canyon by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



How about artistic shots?

ImageRedwood treetops by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



City scapes?

ImageRainy Bay by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



Man, you guys are hard to please. Fine, fine, I'll get back to the herps.

Hands down, my most popular picture of all time. It got Explored on Flickr and I'm overwhelmed with the response...

ImageCoastal Giant Salamander, Dicamptodon tenebrosus by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



From last weekend:

ImageLittle dude, big world (Taricha torosa- California Newt) by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



This one got Explored on Flickr, though I don't know why...

ImagePacific Ring-necked Snake - Diadophis punctatus amabilis by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr



And last but not least, a little shot of a little guy from yesterday.

ImageSouthern Torrent Salamander - Rhyacotriton variegatus by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr





---------

So yeah that's been my year. Thanks so much for sticking with me through this post. If you really like my photography you might like my calendar! It's for sale here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/my-calendar/ca ... 54989.html


Thanks for looking, and happy herping!

-Marisa
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Welcome back. I love the salamander diversity, the NW is certainly blessed in the caudate department.
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The Real Snake Man
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by The Real Snake Man »

Very nice photography, and some great animals too (I really liked seeing the giant garter). Where was the Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander you posted on Facebook?

-Gene
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JAMAUGHN
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by JAMAUGHN »

This is one of those posts that makes me embarrassed that I've ever used the word "photography" to describe the photos I take. Exceptionally great work. Thanks for sharing!

JimM
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Crazins
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Crazins »

Gene-

I tried to stick with my best work for this post, and the SC Long-toed doesn't really apply to that since it was in situ on dirt and not a great pic. Here it is anyway :)

ImageSanta Cruz Long-toed Salamander - Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum by Marisa.Ishimatsu, on Flickr

-M
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The Real Snake Man
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by The Real Snake Man »

:thumb: I know the photo wasn't your favorite, but a lot of folks on here mainly want to see great animals, and that one's definitely a looker (and not often posted). Thanks for sharing!

-Gene
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Mike Pingleton
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Mike Pingleton »

Wonderful. You've come such a long way in a short time. (No way I can pick a favorite!)

-Mike
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kyle loucks
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by kyle loucks »

Awesome post Marisa, and as someone said earlier, photos like these are why I am embarrassed to post! Nice work!
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Jeroen Speybroeck
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Jeroen Speybroeck »

Outstanding composition/framing! And of course great herps!
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Calfirecap
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Calfirecap »

Incredible work Marisa, I can't pick out any favorites, there are just too many of them. Thank you very much for posting those, and I even recognized at least one out of the batch.

Lawrence
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Fieldnotes
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Fieldnotes »

WoW! incredible photographs! I'm a fan of your photography style..."herps in Habitat" :thumb: :thumb:
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Daniel D Dye
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Stunning photography as usual, Marisa. You have learned a lot no doubt. It was good seeing you in New Mexico.

DDD
NACairns
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by NACairns »

Spectacular shots, love the Contia.
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Mulebrother
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Mulebrother »

Its your world, I'm just living in it now.

Hell, I even like the one of the dead bird. Love the one of the cut in texas!
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Roki
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Roki »

Cool shots. Makes me want to get somewhere to find salamanders again.
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Chad M. Lane
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Chad M. Lane »

Those infernalis, and tenebrosus shots... How can I forget that Coral shot? :P

Thanks for taking the time!



Cheers,
Chad
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Hunter-MX
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Hunter-MX »

You know I am a big fan of your work and watching your skills develop is awesome! Seeing it all in one place like this really drives it home though. Great job, great year.
MCHerper
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by MCHerper »

JAMAUGHN wrote:This is one of those posts that makes me embarrassed that I've ever used the word "photography" to describe the photos I take. Exceptionally great work. Thanks for sharing!

JimM

I could not have said it better. Your photography is amazing, keep up the good work. I love photos that capture the natural beauty of these animals, and yours do such a great job of it. Awesome!
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LouB747
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by LouB747 »

Looks like your house is the place to herp. I need to see one of those blue red-sided garters. Very cool! Great photos!!!
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Tim Borski
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Tim Borski »

Infernalis and MI stars = awesome! I'm feeling an obligation now to do a EOY! Thanks for a super great post! :thumb: :beer:

Tim
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orionmystery
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by orionmystery »

Wonderful set! Esp love the red sided garter snake pics, and the sally.
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ZantiMissKnit
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by ZantiMissKnit »

This is an amazing post, Marisa. I am in AWE of your photography. I think my favorite animals in these are the red-sided garters and the coastal giant salamanders.
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JakeScott
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by JakeScott »

Fantastic photos, Marisa!

I hope you know I wasn't being sarcastic with that croceum; I think that IS a great photo in situ.

Awesome job all around.

-Jake
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yolodave
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by yolodave »

Great photography Marisa, I'm diggin' the Coral Snake.

Dave
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Zach_Lim »

Flawless.
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Mike VanValen
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Mike VanValen »

The Giant Garter remains my favorite. :beer:
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pjfishpa
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by pjfishpa »

Holy Moly ... That red sided garter pic has it all! Great great shot for sure. Thanks for posting.
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John Delgado
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by John Delgado »

ALL spectacular -- Every one just stunning, I can't name a fav... because I love'em all.

My only complaint -- NOT enough crotes...! :P

I'd sure like to learn how to photograph like that... :)

Seriously... those are come of the BEST compositions of reptile/amphibians I' have ever seen -- my compliments.
Richard F. Hoyer
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by Richard F. Hoyer »

Could you provide the general locality or County in which you photographed Contia longicaudae?

When I published my discovery of the species, I believe only one of the specimens I surveyed was of the uniform, gray phenotype as is the specimen you photographed. Most of the specimens on which I recorded data including coloration, came from Mendocino and Humboldt Counties and a few from Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties.

Most of those specimens were not too dissimilar from the usual C. tenuis dorsal coloration.

Richard F. Hoyer (Corvallis, Oregon)
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todd battey
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by todd battey »

Spectacular photography. Well done!
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FloridaSerpent
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Re: 2014 in Photography (mainly Northern California)

Post by FloridaSerpent »

Gorgeous photography. I love the Gartersnakes especially the California Red-Sided Gartersnake, what a beauty! The Northern Rubber Boa and the California Giant Salamander are also interesting.
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