Herping Arizona.

[mandie]

Actually, isn't it 6/11? We win!!!

Nice pics, by the way. I'm insanely jealous of your adventure. I'm sure you had a fantastic time.

[zohariels]

Ahhh, another female - awesome!
I can tell you that this was the best herping trip I've ever taken, because I was with another girl. When you are field herping for crotes with males, the tasks and chores (such as hooking, bagging, bucketing) are assumed by the male, and other hobbyists assume your interest in the snakes is secondary to that of your male companions.
So this excursion was very much a "coming of age" trip for both myself and my girlfriend, as our endeavors were considered rather hardcore by even the most seasoned Arizona field herpers. It was a blast.

I try to get and see our viridis as often as I can, and I am always looking for company. It's safer to go with someone than alone, and it's so much fun to see others take as much delight in the finds as I do.

The different lighting is largely due to when they were found. In the summer, the temps are so hot that the snakes are only moving when the temps drop. As a result, you primarily road cruise at night and hike in the early mornings. Some of the pics (such as those on the road) were taken at night, and some in the early morning light. The cerb in that photo was a late afternoon specimen on a cooler day. (And that species tends to be found in more treed areas, and not in the classic desert such as atrox and scutulatus.)

It's nice to know there is an active herping commuity in Alberta. I am new to this province, and it's always pleasant to make new friends. Thank you for the warm welcome.

Well if you ever want some company let me know, although I usually cant get away for more then a couple days- at least till Thailand!

Awesome, well looks like doing that had some great results for you!

Besides the Red Deer show this weekend we also have the Calgary Reptile Expo coming up midway through September as well as the Edmonton show end of september. We are doing a rattlesnake trip as well, although I think you definitely have me beat for experience! If you're interested in coming to any of our meetings we have those once a month as well. Well thats my little spiel, hopefully we'll see you soon!


Cheers,
Jessica

[SheriMonk]

When do you do the rattlesnake excursion?
The expos are interesting, because of the people I meet, but when you're not keeping any reptiles, it's not quite as exciting as it would be for those that are.

If you ever have a field herping themed meeting, please let me know! Work sometimes brings me to Calgary, so I might totally be able to time it with something like that.

Thanks again for the hospitality! I will definitely let you know when I need a field herping partner!

[zohariels]

September 22! All the info is here:http://albertareptilesociety.org...12-Rattlesnake

Ah yes I suppose that wouldnt be quite as much fun.

Actually, if you would ever like to come to one of our meetings let me know, and I would love to set aside some time so we could here more about your adventures. Plus we have junk food. And bad jokes.

[joeysgreen]

If there is a field herping themed meeting, I could do a field herping powerpoint of my 2011 season. The ERAS members seemed to have enjoyed it and it was also a big hit at Jurrasic Forest when I brought it out to keep people occupied during a thunderstorm.

Ian

[SheriMonk]

Darn it - I have firefighter training that entire weekend, and the one following.
Next year, for sure!

I'm going Labour Day weekend. Hoping to see some neonates, and I expect some adults will already be back at the dens. I'll blacklight for scoprions at night, and try and hike a known feeding ground out to see what's still out there hunting. My next viridis excursion after that will likely be mid-October for one last hibernaculum visit before winter.

I would love to see other people's field herping presentations as well. A great idea for a meeting - especially one in the winter to help pass the time until the herps emerge again in the spring!

[zohariels]

That would be fantastic Ian, then we could combine that with any pics/stories from the Rattlesnake trip as well. How would the november meeting work for you?

[SheriMonk]

That would be fantastic Ian, then we could combine that with any pics/stories from the Rattlesnake trip as well. How would the november meeting work for you?

November 19? In Calgary?

Let me think about it and get back to you. I'm a single mom of two boys, and it's sort of a far drive. I'll check schedules, work stuff, and try to make arrangements for it!

[joeysgreen]

November should be okay. Any other Edmontonians wanting a carpool to save gas $?

[zohariels]

I might even be able to wrangle up some good food!