Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Before a trans-pecos trip, I always find myself digging out my old copy of Kauffeld, and re-reading "The Search for Subocularis" (and being once again struck by the conspicuous absence of references to alterna lol). It really seems to get my enthusiasm stoked.

Anyone have any other favorite pre-trip "reads"? And why not include any books you consider essential to bring along......

Brad Chambers

Hey Brad.
Being a creature of habit, I generally find myself induldged in reading through most of the material on the alterna page a few months before heading out. I find myself scanning through old posts of friends captures and reports from prior years, looking at past "alternas of the month" and revisiting all the travel information sections on the alterna page as well.
As far as good reading beforehand, Snakes of Texas by J. Dixon is a great book to have and I usually always go through the species accounts a few times to get me fired up.
It's getting close...anyone else getting that alterna itch yet??
Nathan

Great suggestions Nathan. Also, I forgot to mention that I always bring along an array of field guides, beginning with Conant & Collins, of course. But I also include the Peterson Texas Bird guide (saw an Aplomado Falcon near Marfa last year!), and guides to plants and wildflowers.....And yes, as you can see I've got the "itch" bad-I fear by late May it will be near terminal!

Brad Chambers

Hi Nate,
Yeah the itch is big with me this year. I'll be out there around the end of July thru the 3rd of Aug and while I know that that isn't prime time, I'm still excited as I'm bringing my son for his 1st trip to the Bend. Hope to see some of you down there.
Best...
Jim

Getting the itch?!? I haven't lost it from last year, lol! I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS TRIP LIKE NO OTHER!! My budd ies at the zoo found a real purdy chocolate splendy and another friend's dog held a hognose at bay for me this weekend so things are starting to move in Corpus! We have some moisture scheduled in for this week (40%) for two nights so hopefully that will help things along. I am like you and read the alterna page top to bottom before the trip. Can't wait!
Todd Hughes