Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, as promised I have a follow up on the prairie king/ cal king hybrid that was disputed on here last year. If you recall, I produced an albino caligaster-looking snake from a virgin mom and the only possible father was an albino california king. Because she looked so much like an albino caligaster, I repeated the breeding this year with much better results. However, the eggs have started hatching today, and the three heads already pipped or completely out of there shell look nothing like my snake from last year. I have no idea now, unless one of the remaining eggs produces a baby that looks similar. However, the good news is that these new babies look SWEET in their own right, having a black and silver banding that shows a mix of california and caligaster traits. So, here is the first 06 Cal/Cal, as well as the albino from last year.

Nate.

Ps- sorry my camera won't do better pics so close up. any suggestions?

What kind of camera do you have? Most of the mid-level to better digitals have a macro mode of some kind. If not, you could shoot on super high definition and just crop the picture. By the time that you've cropped, you have a reasonably small close-up of your little snakes.

The snake shown at the bottom is interesting. I'm not sure whether I like hybrids or not, but it's a pretty animal.

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

Its a minolta dimage 4 or 5 megapixel, I don't remember. What is the macro function? I admit that I haven't really studied it and know nothing about photography.

thanks,
nate.

As the other poster said, the macro function allows you to focus on things that are closer than the usual focus range for the camera. The effect of this close focus is that you can take very close-up pictures.

I've never used a Minolta, so my advice won't be all that specific. On most digital cameras, the macro focus is accessed by clicking on a button or choosing some other option that shows an icon that looks like a flower. On my Olympus, there's a button on the back of the camera towards the top and in the middle. On the Nikon that I have at work, the button is on the left side of the camera. On some Canons that we have at work, I think the button is on top of the camera. The idea is to press that button until you see that flower icon on your screen. At that point, the camera knows to try to focus on something close to the lens. With the Nikon at work, I have to get something else in the right position. I always forget what it is, but the flower icon turns yellow when things are correct. The manual for your camera should explain this feature.

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

awsome looking snakes. as for the camera try finding a macro setting if you have a point and shoot. if you have a slr get a macro lens.

im a huge photographer. I didnt read your other post so a macro lens or setting is a lens that can get from 5 inches to 3 feet acording to the amount of zoom and quality. it allows you to focus close. Most older cameras dont have macro settings. I only use canon cameras they (in my opinion) are the best quality. (i took 9,000 pictures last year and i think im going to a photography college and want it to be my carrer but im only 14 so what do i know)

I will definitely look into it, as I will be having a bunch of little ones to document this year.

thanks,
nate.

Nate,

You can usually tell if your camera has a macro lens if their is a symbol that looks like a flower on its buttons or on the side of a button. Just look for it on the camera of check you manual for the flower symol. With a macro you should be able to get perfectly clear pictures at 1.2"-2" away. Most shots for a small snake you will probably need 3"-4" inches to get the entire snake in the shot.

I'm at work right now, but I am going to check as soon as I get home. Thanks a bunch!

nate.

That guy use to always post the best darn photos, and I don't even think he knows how good they were. I think some people are just good at it. A good digital camera is a must, though.

remember this guy? check your email.

**I produced an albino caligaster-looking snake from a virgin mom and the only possible father was an albino california king**

How about a picture of the parents? Are you saying that both parents are cal kings?

Kerby...