Let's get our member biographies back online. Tell us a little or tell us a lot about yourself.

Old members, new members let's get this going!

my name is wayne I'm originally from NY but transplanted to coastal NC (onslow co) I'm a field herping addiict.

My name is Tim Borski and I live in the Florida Keys. I've been a resident here since 1988 but grew up in Central Wisconsin. I've been a hunter all my life...not necessarily killing, just hunting and somehow learned early on, that looking for something specific, doing it correctly and then finding it offered great reward. It always will.
In late summer of 2007, a friend of mine had a chance meeting with a group of herpers (members of this forum) and they took him out. He told me all about it, his excitement was contageous, and I soon found myself adding snakes to my list of "hunts."
In August of last year, I myself had a chance meeting with a couple of SE chapter members named Chris and Josh. They were both met late on seperate nights, on the same dark road, and each suggested I check out this forum. I did and have been an almost daily visitor since.
My initial thought was, any hunt that puts me on a lonely stretch of road in the middle of a warm, buggy night, can't be all bad.
The actual act of field herping was a comfortable fit from the start on account of it's easily pursued solo. I'm not gregarious by nature, but (contrary to popular belief) I don't dislike people...I'd just rather not have them around me on most occasions. There are of course exceptions, but they are few.
Field Herp Forum allowed me to accelerate my learning curve while semi-avoiding the part where a person has to seek out others, in person (with possibly different goals on any giving day) to move forward in the education process. For this I am indebted. But, it is the ONLY way for me to target WHAT I want / WHEN I want, maintain all the oddball hours, pull off the road and sleep in the front seat when too tired to continue, break for lunch, or choose not too...etc. Selfish? Possibly.
I am, and have always been completely Ok with long, empty hours when I decide to pursue an offbeat approach or particular animal of interest. These reasons, and more, are extremely important to me on an everyday basis. However, I will concede: I do enjoy the company of others... (there, I said it)... sometimes. But most days will find me happy as hell, doing the "tricky" math alone somewhere and I don't see that changing any time soon.

I have a family which consists of:

Jill, my Wife. We dated for 5 years before getting married 10 years ago. She is as mindbogglingly patient and intruiging now as the day I met her. We are both very independant and have traveled the world, sometimes together, sometimes seperately. We also are untoldly fortunate to have 2 vibrant and healthy sons.

Josef, soon to be 10, is my main companion while in the field. He has experienced more in his life already than I did by the time I was 30.

Gus, is 7. He can often be almost eerily wise beyond his years. 'Is quick with an honest smile, and far too clever to be tricked into the long-shot pursuit of small, nondescript snakes named oolitica... but joins me nonetheless.

I am an artist. Contempory best describes my work.

Tim Borski
Florida Keys
27 June 2010

edit: typos

Thanks Wayne...ice breaker!!

Excellent bio, Tim.

Bring them on, guys and gals!

Hello. I am from Iowa and a friend of Pyson, who suggested I post here.
I am a long time turtle breeder, mainly Asian stuff. I do however keep some European and Asian ratsnakes.
I am currently down in NW Fl with my wife who is in the US Navy. I won't be here too much longer so I will most likely only post DOA.
Reason, I don't herp alone because I am color blind and cannot see animals that are not either on the road, dor, or moving around.

Anyway, I like to look at all the cool pics and if anyone is ever in the Pensacola area feel free to drop me a line, I wouldn't mind tagging along.
Thanks,
Barry

Hello all,

As the screen-name suggests, my name is Josh Holbrook. I'm a recent Biology grad of Palm Beach Atlantic University and an Education specialist at the Palm Beach Zoo. I've herped since I was 10 or so, though only half-intelligently for the past five-ish years. I'm one of those academic/recrational bridge herpers that enjoys doing the deep and brooding research stuff and also the plain ole' "Lets go catch some snakes," stuff as well. I particularly enjoy the comradarie of herping ventures, as well as the good conversations had during small group outings; but also enjoy a good bit of solitude to clear my head and align myself. I've herped south Florida hard for the past 5 years and have turned up at least two of every native snake here, except four: the Eastern Hog, Tantilla oolitica, the SF Mole Kingsnake and the SF Rainbow snake - so basically the three super-rare species and an eastern hog, which are not plentiful in Southern Florida.

I wrote a field guide on the snakes of southern Florida and am now awaiting a publisher, and I also have done a bit of research on the Florida Burmese pythons and have a paper on them coming out in the next issue of the academic journal Florida Scientist. I live in Lake Worth with my lovely wife Beka, who is the best herp-note taker ever, and my "Burm Dog" Shona (pronounced Shawna) a Rhodesian Ridgeback/Lab mutt.

The frau and I:

howdy, I'm Steve, I live in western NC on a small farm, I own a small tropical fish store, My son and I try and go herping as much as possible, he almost 5 and is always excited to go see what we can find.

Hi, I'm Tamara. I'm near Mobile, Alabama. I teach gifted/talented students. Field herping is my favorite way to unwind from work, grad school, and other miscellaneous responsibilities. I don't know a whole lot about herping, but am an avid learner. Just wish I had more time to spend in the field.

Hey! My name's Adam Cooner. I'm a 24 year-old third-year veterinary medical student at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama (War Eagle). I'm originally from Townley, Alabama (Walker County). I've always been fascinated by herps, especially snakes but only started actively searching for and photographing them in the past few years. My lofty, perhaps foolhardy, goal is to photograph each of Alabama's native species at some point in my life. I'm a long way from the completion of that goal, but, if you'll allow me to be a little cliche, the journey toward its end is half the fun.

My bio can be found here:

http://projectsimusflorida.synthasite.com/links.php

Hello. My name is Greg, and I'm a...I'm a snakeaholic.

Yes you are!!

hello, my name is francis, i try to get down to the south of FL atleast once a year

I posted earlier but will repost since I am finally moving from Pensacola.

Now I will be in Virginia. My wife is US Navy and is going to be stationed in Norfolk. Cannot wait. I did some digging around and found out they have a herp society close. While living in Iowa their society was 2 hours away and full of ball python morph people and that is not me!

I was surprised to find that Virginia is in the same sub forum as Florida and the rest of the South East.

If anybody reads this from Virginia Beach or Norfolk feel free to drop me a line. I am also looking for a decent place to live up there and will be moving around the middle of August if my wife's orders get here.

Dammit, this military gig sucks. Now I found out she is going to North Carolina until December. Oh well, now I can herp there maybe for a few months!

Might as well post here now. Originally from Central New York, but I just moved to Lexington North Carolina with my girlfriend to attend college for the next two years. I've been herping since before I can remember, but never put a name to it until recent years. Pretty excited about herping here seeing as how CNY was kind of a dead zone for most herps.

hello, my name is mike. Im originally from Pennsylvania, now living in central NC for the past three years. I have many herps and have been field herping since the age of five. I especially like going out for venomous species!

My name is Robb Herrington. I have been a long time lurker of this website and am just now starting to seriously document my herpetological excursions. I live in Phenix City, AL/Columbus, GA. This upcoming spring semester I shall be attending SUCC (the community college which feeds directly into Auburn) with hopes of fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a professional herpetologist (or at least a science teacher somewhere.) Fishing, kayaking, and the ocean are my other passions.

my name is nick jones, I live in central florida. I have 10 pet snakes right now and love herping. im only thirteen so I dont get to go herping alotbecause I can only go where I can ride my bike right now. some people think I dont know alot about snakes because Im so young but thats not true. I look really tired and messy in the pic because I just woke up at twelve when I looked outside and found that.

Hello all. My name is Alan, and I also suffer from reptile-olism. My Freshman Chorus teacher in highschool (Daniel Parker) showed me the ropes of road cruising while cleaning his cages and soon became addicted. I also met Bill and Kathy Love through Daniel, who they also taught me many things concerning breeding and road cruising, as well as the history of herpeticulture. These three had a large part in shaping my view of the reptile world, and I couldn't be happier!
I am a Freshman in college now, and am attempting to devote my time to finding and photographing a Florida pine snake and Eastern and Southern hognose. Though with school and a job, it can be difficult to get out in the mornings. I also breed some reptiles, but business is obviously hurting right now. If anyone wants to hook up and cruise while in Highlands County, I may be able to assist.

And on a side note, Hubbs was the man who made me officially frightened of my fellow addict. The only man my girlfriend will honestly say is drier than me!

Tim Borski did not mention that he is one of the best saltwater flyfisherman and inovative flytyer in the country, I know because I sell his flies and dvds in my shop in Santa Rosa Ca. Cheers Tim

my name is bob brown i live in laurel county in southeastern ky. i have always had a fondness for reptiles snakes in particular. i remember as a kid putting cardboard out next to the creek to attract garters (or gardner snakes) as they are called here. the family really didnt like my fondness of them so was only allowed to have lizards while i was living at home. back in the mid 90's i moved to PA where my love of them renewed and i got my first snakes. mostly corns, a black pine and other colubrids for a while. then i got stupid according to friends and family and bought my first helleri from the show in lancaster, pa i guess it snowballed from there. after a couple years my collection included gabbies, eyelashes, different crotalids, cerastes, puff adders, and a couple temple vipers. field herping around Pittsburgh wasnt much or i was looking in the wrong areas one..lol when it was about time for the our first child to come along i sold all the hots and i guess kinda lost interest in it all for a long time. i moved back to ky a few years ago and after my devorce i needed a hobby so i started with colubrids again and field herping. which in my area is pretty easy to do. i love to just be out seeing what is under the next rock. i still dont like getting bit but i guess is part of the game. my backyard has the usual black ratsnakes, kings, and the usual lot of ky colubrids had to remove a black rat from underneath my kitchen sink a couple weeks ago. it was small and in full shed so i picked it up, skolded it and took it outside to the bushes. i am hoping to find someone else close to me here to do some field herping. all the family has already graciously declined. lol i hope you all have a good one and be safe out there.

Ok my name is Todd McKinney, I am the Reptile and Amphibian educator for a small 26 acre nature preserve in KY named Saunder's Springs, We mainly give conservation talks to 2-6 grade.

As my screen-name suggests my name is Jacob but I go b Jake I am a die hard herpetology enthusiast and have been since I was a little I actually plan to major in it in college I have never owned a reptile or amphibian but I a soon to become an owner of a Uromastyx which I am very excited I am 18 years old I also live in a small town in Kentucky called Ashland its very boring here lol.
I have no children that I know off at this time.
I live with my father who is a retired marine and we are getting to know each other more because I have lived in North Carolina most of my life.
Well that's all I can think of right now to put but I hope to be an active part of this website.
Jake

Thanks for the Bios you all.

Keep them coming.

Daniel

Hi all,

I've been lurking on the forum for a few months now so I guess its time to formally introduce myself. My name is Kris Bell and I'm dual british/american by nationality but have lived in Australia for the last 3 years so have a VERY confused accent. I am currently living in Sarasota and interning at Mote Marine Laboratory while I search for a real job!

I have always loved wildlife and nature and studied Marine Biology at university (thats not counting previous degrees in Business, Economics and Investment...long story) though over the last year I have been researching snakes in tropical north Australia and hopefully will have a few scientific publications coming out within the next 6 months. My bio can be found here http://www.jcu.edu.au/reptilelab/people/students/JCUPRD1_063679.html

Outside of herping I have a bunch of interests including, but not limited to, fishing, scuba diving, playing guitar, photography, motorbikes and any sport going.

If anyones finds themself herping in my local area, get in touch - I know nothing about Florida snakes but am more than willing to learn.

Hi my name is Jake Edwards. I am a college student right now. I just recently got interested in herps about 2 years ago. I went from a fear of being near snakes and alligators to then running educational exhibits for the school board with them in a short time span. I am learning new stuff all the time. I have just begun the art of field herping and hope to continue it. I am looking to gain experience with captive reptiles if anyone has suggestions. Look me up if you want : facebook.com/gatorjake

Hello everyone. I'm Bob Ferguson and have been around the forum for about four years now. If you frequent the forum often you've noticed that I post on the Main Forum every now and then, lurk in others forums, and mainly am active in the Northeast Chapter. I am currently the Secretary in the NE Chapter, but will be resigning my position there to take over as the new Vice President.

I enjoy the community here. I enjoy sharing, teaching, and learning about fieldherping, all within proper discretion of course. I have been a very active member of NAFHA and put in as much data as possible. I have enjoyed using the forum as my vehicle for inspiring others to contribute to the database and be a part of something "bigger than yourself." I hold no degrees. I simply enjoy field herping; mainly with my three children, my significant other, occasionally people from the forum, and sometimes myself.

I some day hope to move to Florida. I am looking forward to frequenting the SE Chapter forum to begin learning about the herps, habitat, and anything else I can soak in. I asked to be added to the SE Chapter as I hope to take a few trips into VA this next season for herping purposes. I will also be running for secretary here, once the election is updated by Mr. Dye.

If you haven't read any of my field herping posts, I have provided a few links so you can get to know me and the way I post. Also, feel free to peruse the NE Chapter as I have a lot of things going on up there since we are in the "dead" season. We have plenty of fun-type threads going right now and I welcome you all to join in on them. Check out some of my threads if you want to see who I am or are interested in the herps we have in the NE.

I look forward to being a valuable member and contributor here in the SE.

Bob

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Hi guys, I'm Bree. I'm north Florida born and raised, and was fortunate enough to be brought up in the "boonies" along the St Johns river. As a kid, I was terrified of snakes, but got myself over it during my teenage years. During my 20's, I maintained a Florida venomous permit, and kept a variety of snakes, both native and exotic. Today (in my 30's), I don't keep any snakes, just dart frogs. When field herping, I prefer not to even handle wild snakes, but instead try to photograph them as I find them, and then send them on their way. I've decided it's not worth the risk to my safety, nor the stress to the snake, to handle them.

You can check out some of the animals I've photographed over the years on my Flickr page. I've been lucky to herp in not only Florida, but Arizona and California as well.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulsurvivor08/

Hello all. My name is Daniel Duff, I am 26, and I work as a lab tech at a water treatment plant in North Ga. My interest in reptiles began as a kid with dinosaurs, so naturally the anoles, fence lizards, skinks and rat snakes in my back yard became my physical connection to dinosaurs. I started keeping snakes at the age of 10, then through mentorship I started working with venomous at the age of 16. Currently I am working on a massive data gathering project focused on Ga’s population of mountain dwelling Horridus. I look forward to joining in on many interesting threads here.

Hello, I'm Joseph Jenkins. I have always been a field herper at heart, but I have only gotten into it hardcore for the past couple years. I live in Madison, AL and will be attending Auburn next fall. I also keep and breed a few reptiles.

Here is a link to view my animals:
http://www.iherp.com/Public/ShowUser.as ... f1a11dbd8e

Welcome Joseph,

Posting photos holding hots is discouraged on the forum for several reasons. One reason that comes to mind is, children may be viewing a may be encouraged to do so as well. You may want to reconsider your photo.

The link to your animals appears to be broke.

Daniel

Fixed

welcome Joe.

Hey everyone,

My name is Jon and I'm a native Floridian. Long time lurker - first time poster to this forum! Part of my new years resolution is to get out in the field more and spend less time in the cubicle! (my professional background is in the software industry).

As far as captive herps, I've kept pretty much everything (excluding hots) but have focused my efforts in the last few 5 or 6 years in working with and breeding pythons (mostly morelia and aspidites). Looking forward to reading and learning more about field herping and possibly even contributing!

Welcome Jon. Be sure to register (if you haven't already) at naherp.com - putting field info there is a much appreciated, powerful tool for herp research and conservation. We look forward to your posts!

-Josh

Hi all,,

Chase here. Think I'm a gypsy as I seem to have the need to be traveling a lot. I spend summers in Provincetown, Mass and up till this season I had been spending winters in Palm Springs, Ca. Thought I would experience Florida this year and I'm not disappointed with the introduced anoles and iguanas running around. Not to mention the hookbills in the air. LOL. I field herped a lot as a kid and then strayed away. I got back into it again after discovering what could be found in the southwest desert around Coachella Valley hiking, flipping and roadcruising. However common, the boas, kings, torts and geckos are always favorites for me.. I have 2 Rosy Boas (both of which are wild caught and locality pure) and a juvi Speckled King (purchased from a local reptile retailer). Once I finally settle in one location the collection will no doubt increase by leaps and bounds. The snakes seem to be the easiest to travel with. I also have a 60 lb pup of unknown parentage. When asked I tell people she is registered speculation. I would say I'm at my best when outside enjoying what nature offers.

Welcome Chase,

Are you registered on NAherp.org?

I'm not on there. yet

Jon and Chase,

Once you've registered here http://www.naherp.com/, I can add you to the list here viewtopic.php?f=11&t=639.

Let me know when you register.

Thanks,

Daniel

Daniel,, I'm registered.

Excellent, Chase.

I'll add you to the Florida list when I get home tonight after a raining day salamander run.

Daniel

You're on the Florida list, Chase.

Hey all, Im Chance, Ive been Herp addicted since I was knee high. None of my family has the interest. I have no idea where i got it from, but it has me hooked and wanting more! I live in North Carolina and Have been Lurking the FHF for about a year until i decided id better make myself an account so i could meet some of the amazing people on here! I love it here in NC finding Copperheads and Hog nose snakes and everything else, my success has sky rocketed in the past 2 years since i found out the magic of artificial cover and drift fence funnel traps. I love waking up early in the morning, grabbing a coffee and the old Furmont hook and going on a Herping trip! i currently own a good sized collection of reptiles too. Some say im crazy, some call me a freak, but i love what the good Lord has put me on this earth to do!

My sunglow Columbian red tail boa by Reptile Man Chance, on Flickr

Thanks for bio, Chance and welcome to the SE Chapter.

If you've registered here http://www.naherp.com/, I can add you to the NC list here viewtopic.php?f=11&t=639

Let me know if you have registered.

Daniel

Thanks and ill be sure to register. And sure put my name on the list im chance feimster
Im registered! thanks

Registered.....! and also replied in the other thread.

thanks! Jon

Hi Everyone. My name is Melissa & I live in Tampa, FL. I have lurked around long enough, haha. I know some you already from different chapter trips over the past couple of years. Anway, I've done a couple big trips (Peru in 2009 and Costa Rica in 2007) but most of my herping has been confined to Western US, Florida, and New England. I have a website that is dedicated totally to field herping - I think it's actually starting to look pretty decent but I still have a lot of work to put into it (http://www.snakehuntingchick.com). I'm the current president of the Suncoast Herp Society (if anyone is in Tampa/Clearwater area and interested in coming out to a meeting or joining PLEASE let me know... membership is really hurting these days).
I keep a lot of herps too - big fan of tegus and boas.

Oh... and I will pretty much drop everything & anything for a chance to get out in the field!

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Melissa

Hello,

My name is Bradley and I am currently wrapping up my BS degree in Biology at Appalachian State University. I have loved my past five years in the southern appalachians. Our biology department has many high quality professors who have each had a major and unique impact on me, it has been a purely good time. I am originally from New Jersey but moved to NC about 8 years ago. Salamanders are my favorite herps and I tend to focus on plethodontids in my area. My best day of herping would have been around the Nanthahala River while on a school trip and finding a Eurycea junaluska adult at our campsite. Lately I have been immersing myself in the world of fungi, honing my diagnostic and cultivation skills and trying to master photography with my point and shoots. I love being outside but also enjoy guitar, cooking, drawing and video games. If I had to pick, neon would be my favorite color :/ which is leading me into keeping dart frogs. I also have a few juvenile Titurus marmoratus which have been spectacular pets and plan to breed them once I have the space. I have been on the lookout for new places and people to share my life long hobby with and that is the main reason for me joining up here, and it's been great so far.



Thanks,

Bradley Skinner

Nice website, Melissa.

Bradley, tell Dr. Wayne Van Devender high for me.

Daniel