Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Moderator: Scott Waters
- BillMcGighan
- Posts: 2362
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
- Location: Unicoi, TN
Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
This is one that we often seeon the forums, so don’t be shy showing old ones if you think they are worthy.
The spirit of this theme is to communicate the herps and where they are found naturally. The pic can include the herp or a pic of habitat with an explanation.
Don't forget amphib breeding pools.
General guidelines:
. One post per day.
. No more than 3 pics per post.
. Try to keep pics to be field pics only; no captive pics.
. Pics can be of great or poor quality, as long as they communicate the theme.
. Pics can be from any time in your library.
. If you like, paint a picture with any interesting short story that includes the theme, instead of a pic; take us with you.
Theme 4 will follow next week on Saturday evening, unless contribution momentum slows to a crawl, then we’ll start it sooner.
Theme lineup for first group of themes:
Theme 4 First/early herp related pictures where you yourself worked the camera.
Theme 5 Strange thing seen while herping (e.g. warning signs, oddball herps, uncommonly seen/rare things or herps, maybe just bizarre things seen on a herping outing.)
Theme 6 Camouflage (2 photos per post) If possible, a pic to demonstrate camouflaged animal, and a second where the animal can clearly be scene.
Theme 7 Photo bombs (human or otherwise) that get into the frame as you are taking the picture. These would include inadvertent herps that you didn't realize were there when you took the picture.
Theme 8 Dealing with the public, either a lesson or a lecture to a group of non-herpers, LE encounters, etc. The common thread here being a herper in an interaction with non-herper
The spirit of this theme is to communicate the herps and where they are found naturally. The pic can include the herp or a pic of habitat with an explanation.
Don't forget amphib breeding pools.
General guidelines:
. One post per day.
. No more than 3 pics per post.
. Try to keep pics to be field pics only; no captive pics.
. Pics can be of great or poor quality, as long as they communicate the theme.
. Pics can be from any time in your library.
. If you like, paint a picture with any interesting short story that includes the theme, instead of a pic; take us with you.
Theme 4 will follow next week on Saturday evening, unless contribution momentum slows to a crawl, then we’ll start it sooner.
Theme lineup for first group of themes:
Theme 4 First/early herp related pictures where you yourself worked the camera.
Theme 5 Strange thing seen while herping (e.g. warning signs, oddball herps, uncommonly seen/rare things or herps, maybe just bizarre things seen on a herping outing.)
Theme 6 Camouflage (2 photos per post) If possible, a pic to demonstrate camouflaged animal, and a second where the animal can clearly be scene.
Theme 7 Photo bombs (human or otherwise) that get into the frame as you are taking the picture. These would include inadvertent herps that you didn't realize were there when you took the picture.
Theme 8 Dealing with the public, either a lesson or a lecture to a group of non-herpers, LE encounters, etc. The common thread here being a herper in an interaction with non-herper
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Do you think that we could let this one run for 2 weeks because of the holiday? I bet a good chunk of us are busy with family this week.
- SnakeStick
- Posts: 355
- Joined: August 18th, 2010, 5:35 pm
- Location: Hilton Head Island, South Cackalacky
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Eastern Kingsnake - L. g. getula by Ian Deery, on Flickr
Corn Snake - P. guttatus by Ian Deery, on Flickr
Eastern Diamondback - C. adamanteus by Ian Deery, on Flickr
- Rich in Reptiles
- Posts: 494
- Joined: November 30th, 2012, 7:45 am
- Location: Missouri
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Yippie! My favorite!!
Midwestern wormsnake in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Eastern box turtle in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Cave salamander in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Midwestern wormsnake in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Eastern box turtle in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Cave salamander in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Animal with background as habitat. Loggerhead musk turtle with clear creek in background. I had kayaked the creek in previous years but had never seen so many as I found this day. Water was very murky (normally spring-clear) and had lots of debris from a thunderstorm the night before up-current of where I was.
A Florida Pine a co-worker caught along a drift fence through sandhill habitat.
Eastern Diamondback on the upper ridge along a steephead.
A Florida Pine a co-worker caught along a drift fence through sandhill habitat.
Eastern Diamondback on the upper ridge along a steephead.
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
This stream near my apartment in the middle of town is home to Nerodia sipedon and Eurycea cirrigera.
Spotted turtle habitat in SC.
Southern Kansas. Massasaugas, Great Plains rat snakes, Texas Horned lizards, and barred tiger salamanders were found in the area.
Spotted turtle habitat in SC.
Southern Kansas. Massasaugas, Great Plains rat snakes, Texas Horned lizards, and barred tiger salamanders were found in the area.
- SnakeStick
- Posts: 355
- Joined: August 18th, 2010, 5:35 pm
- Location: Hilton Head Island, South Cackalacky
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Love this shot. What county? Did you find any?Stohlgren wrote:Spotted turtle habitat in SC.
- SnakeStick
- Posts: 355
- Joined: August 18th, 2010, 5:35 pm
- Location: Hilton Head Island, South Cackalacky
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
M. f. flagellum - Eastern Coachwhip by Ian Deery, on Flickr
Bronze Frog - L. c. clamitans by Ian Deery, on Flickr
H. platyrhinos - Eastern Hognose by Ian Deery, on Flickr
- BillMcGighan
- Posts: 2362
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
- Location: Unicoi, TN
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
CJ0000
PS
Sorry for any delay. We're camping in central FL where internet connection is lean.
I don't see why not, and we didn't close the other two so if anyone gets one of those pics where they "have got to show us", go for it!!!Do you think that we could let this one run for 2 weeks because of the holiday? I bet a good chunk of us are busy with family this week.
PS
Sorry for any delay. We're camping in central FL where internet connection is lean.
- Rich in Reptiles
- Posts: 494
- Joined: November 30th, 2012, 7:45 am
- Location: Missouri
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
N. sipedon in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
American toad in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Northern zigzag salamander in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
American toad in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Northern zigzag salamander in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
- mtratcliffe
- Posts: 533
- Joined: January 19th, 2014, 4:34 pm
- Location: Mt Laurel, NJ
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Pine uplands habitat in Gilchrist County, FL. Six Lined-Racerunners, Eastern Fence Lizards, and Gopher Tortoises were all found here.
DSCN5673 by zeonicweapon, on Flickr
DSCN5682 by zeonicweapon, on Flickr
Here's three juvenile alligators along a lake shore in Pinellas County, FL. These were some of the first gators I saw in FL and just loved how they were all out basking just feet away from the path.
DSCN1093 by zeonicweapon, on Flickr
DSCN5673 by zeonicweapon, on Flickr
DSCN5682 by zeonicweapon, on Flickr
Here's three juvenile alligators along a lake shore in Pinellas County, FL. These were some of the first gators I saw in FL and just loved how they were all out basking just feet away from the path.
DSCN1093 by zeonicweapon, on Flickr
- soulsurvivor
- Posts: 530
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:09 am
- Location: NE Florida
- Contact:
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
This was an adult Eastern Diamondback I walked up on with a former associate on some conservation lands. When first seen, she was out in the open in a stand of pines, coiled. We photographed her and she never moved or rattled. We left her to continue our hike, and when we came back around an hour later, she had moved about 10 feet over to this spot, where I'm sure she felt more hidden. Indeed, it did take a while for us to spot her the second time.
Eastern Diamondback by soulsurvivor08, on Flickr
This is a canyon in AZ I have visited on a few different trips. On one trip, I hiked down into it in the morning and found a nice yellow Blacktail coiled in a rock outcrop at the bottom.
AZ canyon by soulsurvivor08, on Flickr
This habitat in the Everglades didn't work out so well for this alligator.....
everglades canal by soulsurvivor08, on Flickr
~Bree
Eastern Diamondback by soulsurvivor08, on Flickr
This is a canyon in AZ I have visited on a few different trips. On one trip, I hiked down into it in the morning and found a nice yellow Blacktail coiled in a rock outcrop at the bottom.
AZ canyon by soulsurvivor08, on Flickr
This habitat in the Everglades didn't work out so well for this alligator.....
everglades canal by soulsurvivor08, on Flickr
~Bree
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Found this little guy nibbling on some purple elephant ear sprouts in my backyard. Common snapping turtle. Habitat in the background is a damned up steam (via beaver, not man) resulting in a swamp.
Probably not one of my better for Cottonmouths in habitat, but I have so many of those that there will be some more haha. I like this one particularly though because the lil' squirt is so darn purdy! It is on a small island in a river-swamp floodplain. The shot also characterizes how a majority of Cottonmouths are found in my area - not in the water, but usually camouflaged in the leaves close to the water.
Slightly different take on the cottomouth in a more stereotypical area that made for a nice picture. Floatin' in'a pond.
Probably not one of my better for Cottonmouths in habitat, but I have so many of those that there will be some more haha. I like this one particularly though because the lil' squirt is so darn purdy! It is on a small island in a river-swamp floodplain. The shot also characterizes how a majority of Cottonmouths are found in my area - not in the water, but usually camouflaged in the leaves close to the water.
Slightly different take on the cottomouth in a more stereotypical area that made for a nice picture. Floatin' in'a pond.
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Code: Select all
Eastern Diamondback, South AL.
105_5025 by Paleosuchus, on Flickr
American Alligator Trio, Alachua County, FL
Apalone spinifera, Johnson County, IL by Paleosuchus, on Flickr
Spiney Softshell Turtle, Southern IL.
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Eastern Indigo
Eastern Diamondback
Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake
Eastern Diamondback
Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake
- SnakeStick
- Posts: 355
- Joined: August 18th, 2010, 5:35 pm
- Location: Hilton Head Island, South Cackalacky
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
C. adamanteus - Eastern Diamondback by Ian Deery, on Flickr
H. platyrhinos - Eastern Hognose by Ian Deery, on Flickr
Cottonmouth - A. p. piscivorus by Ian Deery, on Flickr
- Rich in Reptiles
- Posts: 494
- Joined: November 30th, 2012, 7:45 am
- Location: Missouri
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Slimy salamander in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Northern red salamander in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Mississippi ringneck in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Northern red salamander in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Mississippi ringneck in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Aiken county, I do believe. And, no. We did not find any. It was a well known spot, though.SnakeStick wrote:Love this shot. What county? Did you find any?
Here's some timber/copperhead habitat from the southern Blue Ridge.
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
This time I'm going just habitat:
I like this following habitat. While you won't see this many limbs piled up unless done so by human (this pile was as wide and tall as seen, but about 120 feet long), it sure makes some nice habitat. I found rats with their nests, grey rat snakes, pygmy rattlesnakes, slimy salamanders, and red salamanders while clearing it for a burn. Because of how many rat nests there was, I'm sure if I cleared it in warmer weather there would have been much more to find.
A restored creek. It use to be a man-made lake with a dam at the out-flow, but a few years ago I went there to go fishing just to see a little tiny trickle running where there use to be a massive lake. In this pic the water is rising because of a beaver damn further down-stream. It turned into a really productive herping trip instead with cottonmouths, black racers, water snakes, and a single juvenile queen snake. I have also found a plethora of anurans as well as slimy salamanders and eastern newts.
Finally, a nice Longleaf/Oak Hammock that just had that "feel" to it. I have found Eastern Hognose, Cottonmouths, Black Racers, Ribbon Snakes, and Eastern Diamondbacks in this particular area, just to name a few. The area behind is a spring-fed creek that runs into a lake before continuing to flow allowing for upland and wetland species to be found.
I like this following habitat. While you won't see this many limbs piled up unless done so by human (this pile was as wide and tall as seen, but about 120 feet long), it sure makes some nice habitat. I found rats with their nests, grey rat snakes, pygmy rattlesnakes, slimy salamanders, and red salamanders while clearing it for a burn. Because of how many rat nests there was, I'm sure if I cleared it in warmer weather there would have been much more to find.
A restored creek. It use to be a man-made lake with a dam at the out-flow, but a few years ago I went there to go fishing just to see a little tiny trickle running where there use to be a massive lake. In this pic the water is rising because of a beaver damn further down-stream. It turned into a really productive herping trip instead with cottonmouths, black racers, water snakes, and a single juvenile queen snake. I have also found a plethora of anurans as well as slimy salamanders and eastern newts.
Finally, a nice Longleaf/Oak Hammock that just had that "feel" to it. I have found Eastern Hognose, Cottonmouths, Black Racers, Ribbon Snakes, and Eastern Diamondbacks in this particular area, just to name a few. The area behind is a spring-fed creek that runs into a lake before continuing to flow allowing for upland and wetland species to be found.
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
This is a swampy spot in Francis Marion NF, SC where I have gone a few times with the ASU herpetology class. It's one of several spots we set out baited traps in hopes of catching turtles and amphiumas. Unfortunately we struck out on this trip, but previously we had found some huge Amphiuma means, musk and snapping turtles. And mosquitos. Plenty of mosquitos.
One of my favorite places ever and prime hellbender habitat. When my buddy was doing research here, we would pull at least 14-20 individuals out every survey. Coupled with 3 magnificent waterfalls upstream and miles of river to explore, this place is just amazing. There are also good populations of queen snakes, long tailed sallys, a few frogs and Desmognathus all over the banks.
More 'from' than 'in' habitat, but I had to show the goods....
-Brad
- Rich in Reptiles
- Posts: 494
- Joined: November 30th, 2012, 7:45 am
- Location: Missouri
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Northern slimy salamander in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Eastern box turtle in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Prime red salamander habitat
Prime ruber habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!!!
Eastern box turtle in habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Prime red salamander habitat
Prime ruber habitat by Bethany Avilla, on Flickr
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!!!
- Josh Young
- Posts: 262
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:59 pm
- Location: Wakulla County, Florida
- Contact:
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Everglades dwarf siren habitat.
Pseudobranchus habitat in Palm Beach County, FL. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Apalachicola dusky, two-lined, and three-lined salamander habitat, with an Apalachicola dusky salamander pictured.
Apalachicola dusky salamander. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Eastern tiger salamander in the habitat it was flipped in.
Tiger salamander. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Pseudobranchus habitat in Palm Beach County, FL. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Apalachicola dusky, two-lined, and three-lined salamander habitat, with an Apalachicola dusky salamander pictured.
Apalachicola dusky salamander. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Eastern tiger salamander in the habitat it was flipped in.
Tiger salamander. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
- BillMcGighan
- Posts: 2362
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
- Location: Unicoi, TN
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Wow.
We've been out of touch (actually we've been out of touch for years) and just got back to signal. What do we find here but a bunch of great pics that raise the bar in habitat pics.
Some skinks just like trees!
(3 pic violation for perspective)
Hope everyone had a great Christmas, or whichever holiday you celebrate!
We've been out of touch (actually we've been out of touch for years) and just got back to signal. What do we find here but a bunch of great pics that raise the bar in habitat pics.
Some skinks just like trees!
(3 pic violation for perspective)
Hope everyone had a great Christmas, or whichever holiday you celebrate!
-
- Posts: 276
- Joined: August 27th, 2010, 3:00 pm
- Location: AL & GA
- BillMcGighan
- Posts: 2362
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
- Location: Unicoi, TN
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
We'll hold for another week for the next theme, because of the holiday activity.
Which lizards would you expect in the sandy scrub?
(Looks a bit like SE sand hills; FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, etc., if you don't look too close.)
Why Sand Lizards (Lacerta agilis), of course.
Near Viernheim, Germany
When I found this spot, I immediately thought of SE sandhill scrub and race-runners; not to be disappointed.
Which lizards would you expect in the sandy scrub?
(Looks a bit like SE sand hills; FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, etc., if you don't look too close.)
Why Sand Lizards (Lacerta agilis), of course.
Near Viernheim, Germany
When I found this spot, I immediately thought of SE sandhill scrub and race-runners; not to be disappointed.
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Went to a pretty famous prairie with in-laws from Indiana to show them a few animals Florida has to offer. The park recently took out a canal, which leaves a big stretch of land pretty barren making it easy to spot wildlife that crosses over it. Also, the rains and warm weather seemed to bring the Nerodia out, and closer to the trail than I normally see.
Both animals pictured were about 3' long.
Both animals pictured were about 3' long.
- BillMcGighan
- Posts: 2362
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
- Location: Unicoi, TN
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Beware the Basilisk.
This should be habitat from Belize or Qintana Roo, but no... It's south FL.
This should be habitat from Belize or Qintana Roo, but no... It's south FL.
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Home to Desmognathus conanti, Eurycea cirrigera, Eurycea l. longicauda, Eurycea lucifuga, Gyrinophilus p. porphyriticus, Notophthalmus v. viridescens, Pseudotriton r. ruber, Plethodon glutinosus, Plethodon ventralis and Aneides aeneus. ALL of which I have seen within close proximity to this waterfall.
Waterfalls by Jake M. Scott, on Flickr
-Jake
Waterfalls by Jake M. Scott, on Flickr
-Jake
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
One of the most memorable trips I was able to take was actually a work related trip to Scottsdale, AZ in 2011. Since the meetings were in February, the worst time of year for herps in AZ, I decided to drive a distance over to Southern California to meet with a herping friend. Here is some of the habitat and a couple of finds in this area. Nothing gets my adrenalin going more than a new and unfamiliar habitat. It just screams lifers!
Cary
Cary
- mtratcliffe
- Posts: 533
- Joined: January 19th, 2014, 4:34 pm
- Location: Mt Laurel, NJ
Re: Theme 3 - "Herp-in-habitat" shots, habitat only
Thought about putting this in the Camo thread, but decided that this thread was more appropriate.
Gopher Tortoise fleeing into its burrow that's surrounded by vegetation (center of image.
DSCN6112 by zeonicweapon, on Flickr
Gopher Tortoise fleeing into its burrow that's surrounded by vegetation (center of image.
DSCN6112 by zeonicweapon, on Flickr