Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's an idea, let me know what you think.

It's about time to create "The Mexicana Page" in the same vein as "The alterna Page".

If you are familiar with the alterna page you'll know what this entails. Pretty much all things Mexicana - maps, photos, literature, references, etc. etc.

It's a lot of work, but I have a considerable volume of information and work already done on the subject.

I'd need some help - someone that knows HTML - any takers? I'm still thinking about it, but let me know what you think.

Forky

I wish I could help, but I'm afraid at this point I'd just a happy visitor. My wife might be able to help with some simple HTML stuff if you don't get any better offers.

Good luck!

Great idea. I don't really know html, but I have created pages with
Netscape/Mozilla composer. Here are a couple of pics I threw up on a page (super simple, I've done more complicated things) the other day for fun.
Field Photos

Hi Greg

Just checked out your field pics. Man, they're very nice. Would you mind sharing what camera and settings(ISO/F-stop/Shutter speed) you used for those pics? I'm trying to learn what settings would work best for some of my herping pic ops. BTW, were the animals found during spring or the monsoons? I just came back last weekend from AZ but missed out on the willardi due to the rain and cool weather. Hopefully, next year. Take care.

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Jonel M. Lopez

www.spsnakes.com

Hi Jonel,
The camera is a 5yr old range-finder style Panasonic LC-5 (Same camera as a Leica Digilux1). I like it because it because it's small, has a really rugged body, a large lcd screen, and the controls are laid out like the Leica M series film cameras.
The shots were all taken with available light except the willardi had some (too much) fill flash. Most were taken in the spring, except for the pyros and the willardi, which were taken during the monsoons. I just moved to Oregon in June. I'll miss those AZ herps.
I recently saw some shots of yours elsewhere and I thought they were fantastic.

Greg

Man I agree with Jonel those are some awesome pics. Does that LC-5 have an auto-focus feature? I saw one recently on Ebay for about $300.00. I've read both good and bad about that camera. From the looks of those pics though I'd say there an awful lot of good.
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Vichris

Vichris Variables

It's an autofocus camera, or you can manually focus it. I've read good and bad things about it too. Mostly about "posterization" in low contrast situations. I've been happy with it. For a similar camera that has gotten great reviews, you might look at a Canon G2, or G3. I'm not saying my camera is great, it's the only one I've got, thats all!

getting the most out of your equipment. I'd say you are getting quite alot out of your set up.

I've been half heartedly looking at getting a new digital camera. I like that large lcd screen the LC-5 has too. Thanks for the tip on the Canon G2/G3. I have a freind who has the G3. He gripes about it alot but it's the first (decent) camera he's ever owned and I think there's a bit of a technology gap there.

Again excellent pics Greg.
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Vichris

Vichris Variables

Hi Joe

I'll 2nd what Mike and Greg said that it's an excellent idea. Although I have only worked with thayeri, I know a lot of people(and all of us here in the subforum, ofcourse) would really appreciate a mexicana specific page. It would also be helpful for those individuals looking for info and that are just starting out or planning to get into mexicana. I know a little bit of HTML and have designed a few sites for some friends. I would love to be able to contribute to an effort like this. Let me know if I could help in any way. Take care.
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Jonel M. Lopez

www.spsnakes.com

..if there was a species/complex that needs it, it'd be mexicana. And the guy to do it it'd be you for sure!
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

I've referenced the "Alterna Page" often. I think this is a great idea but I'm wondering what the format would look like. Since most mexicana complex are non-local would the site mostly reference stuff like the classified, this forum, mexicana of the month, and an image gallery?

I guess its time to take a web design class and learn HTLM. This is just the type of thing I'd love to work on if I was able. Let me know if there are "other" ways to contribute.
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Vichris

Vichris Variables

>>I've referenced the "Alterna Page" often. I think this is a great idea but I'm wondering what the format would look like. Since most mexicana complex are non-local would the site mostly reference stuff like the classified, this forum, mexicana of the month, and an image gallery?

Good question,
In one sense it would a portal so to speak, but in reality much more.

I can envision sections on natural history, distribution, care, feeding and breeding.

I would think we'd have a clear deliniation between C.B. snakes and Museum specimens and or / published localites. I don't see a problem in accumulating _published_ localities on the internet.

I'm still thinking it over.

Are we on for Oct.? or anotherb rocket run sooner? E mail me, I had 0 breeding opportunity this year and have some seriously randy snakes!!! Let not this year go by without a triumph! You sound as though you have a little German in you!
Todd Hughes

You must have given me a bunk phone number or something because everytime I call it I get an answering machine and no return call from you.

German? You'd like that, would you? Well no thank you Sir!

Check yer e-mail and I'll send a schedule.
>> Todd Hughes
>>

Suit yourself! See your p.m.
Todd Hughes

Sounds great Joe. A Mexicana page is long over due. I do not know HTML, wish I did though. I use MS FrontPage and MS PhotoDraw.
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Dan
www.SerpentsOnline.com

Joe a mexicana page is a very good idea. I think it should have a wild-caught gallery and a captive born gallery. The wild caughts are of much more intrest to me. I don't know anything about HTML though so I'm afraid I can't be of much help.

would be pretty short since only a select few can even legally do field research in Mexico. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think even biologist can import them alive anymore.

I know there are a few field pics of mexicana taken over the past several years and those would be of interest to all of us. I would guess most of those could be covered on a habitat page or something similar.
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Vichris

Vichris Variables

The wild caught gallery may be small, but Joe, Dan V., and Bob Hansen, have pics of wild mexicana and their habitat. There could also be a natural history page with research, photos etc.. and of course a captive bred gallery. I recently saw some new pics of Bob Hansen's from Mexico with some great habitat shots and some wild greeri. Maybe he'll post them here too.

Like the Alterna page, there could be a recommended breeder page, and a link to this forum. Not to slight the alterna forum (I love alterna), or classifieds, BUT the mexicana forum is more popular. Why not have a Mexicana only classifieds? They do it for alterna. The mexicana forum is the #5 forum on ks.com and the alterna forum is not even in the top 10. Definitely time for some recognition.

>>>>The mexicana forum is the #5 forum on ks.com and the alterna forum is not even in the top 10. Definitely time for some recognition.

Neither are even close to the top 10. Those figures on the main forum page are messed up, at least for those of us viewing outside the server. I've talked to JeffB about this but we could not figure out "why".

The popular forums are Pythons, Boas, Leopard Geckos, Corn Snakes, and others like that. Both the Mexicana and alterna forums are way, way down the list in terms of traffic and posts.

I remember the exitement when the Mexicana forum was ranked #1 for a short time! I figured corns, ball pythons and such would be much more popular. I wonder why they dont just drop those rankings if they are flawed?

LOL. Well they are my favorite but the reason there is a specific alterna forum is because this whole dang website was started as the alterna page by an alterna hunter.
Anyway... there are lots of pics of wild mexicana taken by guys like Frank Retes, etc. who did alot of collecting back in the day and if there was a wild caught gallery maybe some of those guys would be inspired to dig up their old photos and contribute.