Field Report, 10-11-06

[Morti]

A buddy and I got out and herped Meade County, Kentucky yesterday.

We found:
2 Box Turtles
1 Unidentified salamander
several unidentified skinks
2 fence swifts
1 Toad (possibly American toad)
1 Very Large Black Racer

This Large and rather pretty Eastern Milksnake

http://www.primareptilia.com/gallery/albums/Herping-06/IMG_2163a.sized.jpg

And the Find of the Day:

http://www.primareptilia.com/gallery/albums/Herping-06/Rattler.sized.jpg

More pics coming soon due to technical difficulties.

Thanks for looking! :)

[EvilMorphgod]

Man!!!!!!!!

Donny that is kind of SWEET!


That Timber looks like a CANEBRAKE!

I think I need to start posting some pics here!!

I have not checked out what people are posting but I hearing some guys in MASSS are posting some great stuff!!

I will check it out on Friday!!!!

EVILMORPHGOD

[Morti]

Thanks Kev...

The Timbers here are highly variable. Some are real dark individuals like ya'll have up there, some are the more Canebrake colors. Before I saw the lighter phase from up here, I never understood why they were lumped. Now I am getting a clearer picture they they really are all C. horridus.

The temps here today got Real cold... I think I was out on the last decent herping day of the year. This was our first trip to this site. I can't wait to see it in the springtime. *Evil Giggle* Ya'll should come on down and visit. I'll take you to my super secret timber spot, and you can do a presentation to the Kentucky Herp Society... it'll be fun. ;)

-Your Sick Uncle Morti.

[Morti]

As Promised, a few more pics.

Salamander - possibly a Northern Slimy (Plethodon glutinosus) although I didn't get slimed:
http://www.primareptilia.com/gallery/albums/Herping-06/sally.sized.jpg

Toad - 99% certain it's an American Toad (Bufo americanus):
http://www.primareptilia.com/gallery/albums/Herping-06/toad.sized.jpg

One of the two Box turtles:
http://www.primareptilia.com/gallery/albums/Herping-06/box.sized.jpg

The second one could have been this one's twin. The only reason I don't think it was the same one is the second one was found a quarter mile away. :)

Another shot of that milk:
http://www.primareptilia.com/gallery/albums/Herping-06/milk.sized.jpg

And the racer:
http://www.primareptilia.com/gallery/albums/Herping-06/racer.sized.jpg

Thanks for looking.

[windsong]

:038: :038: :038:

Very nice pictures Morti. What kind of camera are you using?

The temps here in the Northeast have been everywhere on the scale from the high 70's to low 50's and as low as 30 at night. It even snowed 2 feet in Buffalo, NY over the past 24 hours. I think that last weekend was our last weekend out herping. We saw 4 timbers at one low elevation den and 1 at another, that did not budge from it's spot for at least 3 days. The 4 were only coming out to catch the rays during the mid-day sun. It was quite warm for this time of year.

EvilMorphgod, please do post some pictures.
Windsong

[jeosbo01]

The camera is a Canon 20D.

[jeosbo01]

Oh yeah, I was the one who was with him

[Morti]

Oh yeah, I was the one who was with him

And he's also the one who shot the pics... I just played with the snakes. I Think I had the fun job. ;)

[windsong]

How's the camera do in low light situations like when shooting pics of snakes and things under dark undercut rocks etc. That is the line that I have been looking at.

Windsong

[jeosbo01]

I'm not much of a photographer and the camera is my brothers, but I have never noticed any issues with shooting in lower light conditions

[TimOsborne]

Windsong..
I might as well chime in a bit too.. the camera is actually one of mine. The 20d's sensor does very well in low light. It has one of the best low light/high iso cameras in terms of photo quality on the market right now in my opinion. I have shot very usuable photos at iso3200 and lots of great shots at 1600. Of course, a fast lens helps alot in low light.. The flash on the 20d is not much, and I would recommend investing speedlight (flash) if you get one. The good thing about the 20d right now though, w/ the 30d and 5d being released earlier this year, the price for the 20d (if you can find one) is very appealing right now.

The only downside to the camera in low light, it occassional will "dance" when trying to autofocus if the light is not enough and you disable the flash (but I think every camera on the market has the same issue).

[windsong]

Tim
Thanks for the info about your camera. Your right about it being difficult to get ahold of a 20D. You can't find the kit anywhere. I may just wait for a good sale on the 30D. Circuit City has a web special for the basic kit selling at $1,375.00, but that is still more than I want to pay. I know that in addition to a good memory card, I will need a flash unit as well as a good tele lens. Major investment but I guess the cost of the camera will eventually pay for itself when you consider how much you spend on film and developing. I just printed five high quality prints at home and used 1/3rd. of my color ink cartridge though. You can't win! Once again your photos are spectacular. Thanks again.
Windsong

[TimOsborne]

Windsong.. there are lots of "economical" ways to get prints.. but you are right, you will need the initial investment for the equipment. Drop me a PM when you get ready to make the purchase and I can offer some advice based on what the camera will be used for.

also.. if your feeling bored.. you can see tons of 10d, 20d and 1ds photos here.. most are shot with either the body flash or no flash at all (I do use pc lights a lot though). http://photos.xtremecombatsports.com