Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I've been doing taxidermy since 1974 and although I don't do the big stuff anymore....I still do fish (skin mounts and reproductions).

Here are some reproduction Tiger trout (Brook trout x Brown trout). They are hybrids and are quite variable in pattern depending upon where you catch them at. These aren't totally done yet...more fin painting and tinting and scale tipping and then put on a base with fake rocks.

I also compete in taxidermy competitions....and this year I will be competing at the New Mexico show (March), Arizona show (June), and the NTA nationals in Texas in July. I will be entering a smallmouth bass (reproduction), largemouth bass 13 lbs (reproduction) with a sunfish (reproduction)in mouth, a grass carp (skin mount), and a largemouth bass (skin mount)...and depending upon how they turn out...2 white throat monitors (skin mounts).

Any hobbies that keep us herpers busy during the winter time?

Kerby...

-----
Lonesome Valley Reptiles
www.lonesomevalleyreptiles.com
Specializing In California Kingsnakes

Great work Kerby!

I like to fossil hunt. I just like finding things, anything. I even do a little metal detecting (geek)

Sauronitholestes langstoni - a raptor in the family Dromaeosauidae that ran in packs, glad they don't exist today!

-----
http://www.hcu-tx.org
http://www.kingsnake.com/mexicana/
http://www.joeforks.com

I used to metal detect in the 1970's and 1980's in Kansas. I used Garrett detectors (Coin Hunter and the VLF Deep Seeker with a 10 1/2 inch coil). I also used them in water at the beaches (lots of gold rings LOL ).

I haven't done any metal detecting in Arizona...I gues the mineralization is high and the older Garrett's won't work...they sell a lot Mine Labs out here. I do pan for gold though around the Prescott & Stanton/Octave areas.
Kerby...
-----
Lonesome Valley Reptiles
www.lonesomevalleyreptiles.com
Specializing In California Kingsnakes

My hobbies outside of herps also include fossil and agate hunting as well as photography and in the wintertime, ice fishing. Went last weekend and the lake looked like a parking lot.

Joe, I am curious what fossils you find in your neck of the woods?

kevincollison.com

>>Joe, I am curious what fossils you find in your neck of the woods?

I own some property comprised of javelina and aguja formations in Texas, so there is a lot of good stuff there. So far we've found a couple of Hadrosaurs (kritosaurus), Tyrannosaurid teeth, Sauronitholestes teeth, parts of Chasmosaurus (triceratops), assorted Turtles, sharks teeth, Ricardoestesia isosceles teeth (another Raptor), crocodile teeth including Deinosuchus, and tons of unidentified pieces.

It was right on the shoreline of the cretaceous sea, so there is a good mix of both land and sea critters. Most of the good sites are ancient sand bars in shallow estuaries.

I've got a pretty good collection of Pleistocene fossils from North Texas too. A really nice femur from a wolly Rhinocerus, Mammoth parts, plus some Mososaur teeth, parts of jaws, and verts.
-----
http://www.hcu-tx.org
http://www.kingsnake.com/mexicana/
http://www.joeforks.com

joe do you have any pictures of a fossilized turtle?
ive always wanted one but when i find them for sale they are way to much dough for me
adam
-----
" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
hybrid breeders association
1.1 puebladurans
1.1 sinacorns
1.1 hypo corns
1.1 kenyan sand boas
1.1 mbk
1.1 albino corns
1.1 childrens python
1.2 ghost corns
2.2 butter(both females motley)
2.2 pyroxgreerixruthvenixalternaxcampbellixholbrooki
0.1 hypo pyroxgreerixruthvenixalternaxcampbellixholbrooki
1.0 snow corns
1.0 jurassic milk
1.0 house snake
1.0 crimson corns
0.2 albino pueblacorns
0.1 striped ghosts
0.1 anery pueblacorn
0.1 bloodred
0.1 striped albino corn
0.1 albino nelsons
0.1 anery motley
0.1 normal corn het hypo,anery
0.1 hypo tang hondo
0.1 rosy boa

Adam,
Nope, it's just chunks of the shell. Most of the fossils from this area are pretty broken up, unfortunately.
-----
http://www.hcu-tx.org
http://www.kingsnake.com/mexicana/
http://www.joeforks.com

This is how they look when the blank comes in or after I pour one from a mold. These 2 are blanks from Gary Bruch. As you can see I have to grind out the mouth, eyes and set the fins before the painting process begins.

Kerby...

-----
Lonesome Valley Reptiles
www.lonesomevalleyreptiles.com
Specializing In California Kingsnakes

While the snakes are sleeping... I play in the snow.

I drink beer, eat chicken wings and watch the Giants get all the way to the SuperBowl!!

I drink beer, eat pizza, and when the temps are above freezing, take my horse out for a spin...
Obviously, old pic...

and if its too cold to play outside, I build lego houses for my snakes...

-----
~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
1.0 Brooksi
0.1 Red Belly Piranha
1.0 Quarter Horse
1.0 Australian Shepherd

.
-----
Work is the curse
of the drinking class!

I second eating wings!!
I also eat lots of bbq, fried chicken, and jam all year.

-----
Genesis 1:1

...nothing warms me up quicker than some up tempo jamtime.

Dang these Canadian winters...

BB

-----
"Have you hugged your drummer today?" --- Me

Killer snake and drum there! What can be better??
-----
Genesis 1:1

only I do a lot of traveling. Here's a pic from last summer.

Brandon Osborne
-----
www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

Killer pic! Just got done checking out your band on myspace! Great songs and your drumming is fantasic!
-----
Genesis 1:1

Wow! Thanks man! I really appreciate that. Where are you located? Once we get the new songs recorded we'll get them on the site.

Thanks again
Brandon
-----
www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

didnt know you played bud. got a regular band together? what kind of music you enjoy playing(alterna....tive?)/ i have quite a library of music mainly from bands of the late 60s -early 70s. love to hear your songs.

Howie, as soon as we're done recording the new stuff I'll let you know. Until then, you can hear some we did a couple summers ago. www.myspace.com/paradigum. Take a listen. We have a new singer, so don't listen to him or the recording quality. We did it on a digital 8-track. Ramble, ramble, ramble. Enough. Sorry.

Brandon
-----
www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

You are more than welcome!!
I sent you a PM as well.
I am located near Dallas, Tx. The music scene here kind of sucks. So many clubs have closed down.
-----
Genesis 1:1

wow. you too Billy? i was talking to Brandon but you are another music man (as well as Nokturnel Tom)? hey you could join as a power trio and call yourself something like the Discerning Nokturnel Osbornes. I'll manage y'all and well all make a million dollars.that can put us in pizza and rodents for life .

Howie,

You not only would be perfect for a manager but you have to dress in a classy Italian business suit, smoke cigars, and push for high ticket prices, all the while screaming the word, " Melanoleucus!!!!! ", to any concert promoter that doesn't agree to our band terms when gigs are being booked.

Pizza and rodents for life? I will do it!!
-----
Genesis 1:1

Man, do not curse yourself.
Of all things offered to a band by club owners Pizza is by far the thing we received more than anything. I grew up right outside Manhattan in NJ near Giants Stadium. Pizza there........I could live on it. But Dominos, Pizza Hut and Papa Johns became torturous.
If you play in Canada and end up going out you may be lucky enough to score a 1 slice with 1 topping combo that comes with a bag of chips [which to me was just weird, chips and pizza don't go well together] and a soda for $5 Canadian....and their Pizza is even worse.
After a while.......I think I would start eating the rodents myself instead of the pizza,,,,,,,
Tom Stevens
-----
TomsSnakes.com

Tom,

Thanks for sharing your experiences!
I bet that New York pizza you had back when you lived there was beyond incredible!!
-----
Genesis 1:1

small world
I grew up in Woodbridge NJ
then moved to CA
and still miss the pizza and pork roll
there is no pizza out here that even comes close to NJ pizza
and no pork roll to be found anywhere
what town in NJ you from?

Come to Evansville, IN and get some pizza. It's been said by many that we have the best pizza in the world. lol. No joke. I knew a guy that would drive 6 hours from Memphis , TN just to get an Una pizza. He did it once a week until he moved to TX. lol. Damn, now I'm hungry again.

Brandon
-----
www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

My first drummer was in New Brunswick, Bass player in Burlington. I mostly lived in Rutherford, but I did bounce around too. Lodi, Jersey City, short times in Burlington, Red Bank and probably a few other places. I spent a lot of time upstate in New York with another band and also in Ohio and PA. I finally came to my sense and moved to Florida and later when I met my wife moved to Texas where I've been for 9 years now
Tom Stevens
-----
TomsSnakes.com

Hey Tom, i know what you mean about the pizza. pizza here in va tastes like cardboard. im from brooklyn myself and have to go back every now and then to take care of my pizza,bagel,egg cream, and mcsorleys fix. go Giants!!!

try squid pizza disgustingly served up at millstream pizza in woodstock ny.

Hey Howie try some of this
http://bertc.com/japanese_ice_creams.htm

I think I'll pass on the chicken wing or seafood flavored ice cream... thats just sounds gross...
-----
~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
1.0 Brooksi
0.1 Red Belly Piranha
1.0 Quarter Horse
1.0 Australian Shepherd

I know what you mean about crappy music scenes. Our ONE original music venue/bar closed down yesterday. Rumor has it someone else is taking it over....so keep your fingers crossed for us. Other than that, it an all cover town and we hit the road a couple times a month. BTW, I play in an 80's rock tribute band as well. It keeps me busy...and sane.

Brandon
-----
www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

Yeah, the music scene is strange indeed.
What songs does your 80s band cover?
-----
Genesis 1:1

You guys are awesome...
-----
~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
1.0 Brooksi
0.1 Red Belly Piranha
1.0 Quarter Horse
1.0 Australian Shepherd

Thanks Maggie. Add us to your friends list. Spread the word of Paradigum. lol.

Thanks again.
Brandon Osborne
-----
www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

add you to my friends list that is, the request will come from Trippin~Bubbles... as soon as you accept it, I'll add you to my top friends so everyone else on my friends list checks you guys out to...
-----
~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
1.0 Brooksi
0.1 Red Belly Piranha
1.0 Quarter Horse
1.0 Australian Shepherd

Awesome! Thank you so much! Accepted.

Brandon Osborne
-----
www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

no problem... I never have an issue with helping promote good music...
-----
~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
1.0 Brooksi
0.1 Red Belly Piranha
1.0 Quarter Horse
1.0 Australian Shepherd

Surfing. I see lots of dolphins, seals, sea lions and occasionally whales, otters, bat rays and stingrays. Never seen a shark except for one time when I was on land there was a HUGE one, had to be a great white judging from the distance between the dorsal and tail fins and it was way off shore circling, apparently feeding on a kill or scavanging.

control AND A BLENDER. lol Randy W.

Nice one Randy! I actually am a home brewer and make my best ales in the winter when the snakes are mostly sleeping.

Rob

Nothing better than a doped (that means properly sighted in) M1, a good tree stand, and unsuspecting deer.
This is me the Saturday after Thanksgiving -

-----
ECC
www.eastcoastcolubrids.com

Home of TEAM ECC
It's an Inner Circle thing... you wouldn't understand...

why did you shoot the 2 little puppies. You call those deer???
-----
Joe

There are several guys in here that will verify the truck in this picture as mine. Later in the same day.

Any more questions or demurs?

-----
ECC
www.eastcoastcolubrids.com

Home of TEAM ECC
It's an Inner Circle thing... you wouldn't understand...

where are you finding these puppies? lol I'm in florida and I didn't know deer were so tiny.j/k that last one is a good one my least was poached last year while I was working and I haven't put much time in this year at all.
-----
i'm not over weight i'm under tall

Posted by: charleshanklin at Tue Jan 29 16:05:01 2008 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

where are you finding these puppies? lol I'm in florida and I didn't know deer were so tiny.j/k that last one is a good one my least was poached last year while I was working and I haven't put much time in this year at all.
-----
i'm not over weight i'm under tall

I am in Miami I went fishing last week first time in Ockochobee . Moved here several months ago.
Caught a few small bass let them go as they were small plan to go saltwater fishing soon as like red snapper

THAT is a respectable deer. Did you shoot it? What did it score out at?
-----
Joe

It scored 147.

The rack is in my basement now.

The other two are not puppies --- I am not a trophy hunter: I hunt for the meat. Let's see some of your pic's, Joe.
-----
ECC
www.eastcoastcolubrids.com

Home of TEAM ECC
It's an Inner Circle thing... you wouldn't understand...

147 very nice. Did you shoot that with the same rifle?

Here's a rack of a nice 9 pt. from a few years ago that I never finished. It would have been perfect but for the 10th. Thanks for reminding me, now I'll get it done. My buddy told me I should have scored it but never did.

-----
Joe

No - rifle used was an Ed Brown Marine Sniper in .308.
Scope on that rifle is a Nightforce 3.5 x 15 with luminous mil-dots and held in place with Nightforce low rings on a Nightforce mount, torqued to 65 inch pounds.
The ammunition used was a 168 grain Nosler / Winchester Combined Technologies silver tip bullet, seated to 2.810" in a Lapua case filled with IMR 4064 powder and set off with a WW standard large rifle primer.

By the way, the rifle is "stock" Ed Brown except I sent it back right after I got it to have them put a Jewell trigger on the rifle - which is set at 1.5#.

Nice rack.

Any more questions Joe?
-----
ECC
www.eastcoastcolubrids.com

Home of TEAM ECC
It's an Inner Circle thing... you wouldn't understand...

nothing like a weekend in the woods. I usually don't kill everything though. My favorite is catching hogs nothing like that adrenaline rush especially when they are coming at YOU!

-----
i'm not over weight i'm under tall

is why the terrorists will never kill all of us.
-----
ECC
www.eastcoastcolubrids.com

Home of TEAM ECC
It's an Inner Circle thing... you wouldn't understand...

the same way. open season, I couldn't imagine how many people would be ready to shoot with no repercussions or how would be shot for no reason becauseof the stupid little things that people get all worked up over roadrage etc.

-----
i'm not over weight i'm under tall

I don't feel bad about shooting little ones myself this year lol... But when they stand there less then 50ft away and give ya a good headshot, its hard to let them walk away...

That and my boyfriend made me drag my own this year, so if they'd have been to big, I would probly still be in the woods trying to drag them out...
-----
~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
1.0 Brooksi
0.1 Red Belly Piranha
1.0 Quarter Horse
1.0 Australian Shepherd

Nothin better than getting into the woods riding four wheelers, sitting in a treestand and killing things. Its great to get the whole family involved too.

What...are you kiddin'? I herp, of course! I will travel down to the border if I have to in order to sustain my fix!!!
Yesterday, not much, but keeps me from gettin' cabin ever!

-----
Todd Hughes

Same here. The only time I don't herp in the winter is if it's raining. Here's a few from mid December.






And this little guy was the highlight!

NICE Ruber!

//Todd

...

That is some SCHWEET winter herpin' there!
-----
Todd Hughes

Thanks Todd! The rain really helped.

i make stained glass windows and lamps, etc

All these hobbies are cool, and things you don't see every day! Stained glas rocks, dinos rock, stuffed fish rock, lol!
-----
Todd Hughes

Wow, that's very cool.

For me, playing guitar (been playing since I was 12). Martial arts ( Karate and Kung Fu), skateboarding and showing my dogs.

I try to spend a lot of extra time with my family in the off season as when things are going full steam here it's not unusual for me to work over 10 hours a day with the snakes on top of whatever else I have to do.
I have been considering making music a big thing for me this year, I have not been active touring and whatnot since the late 90s.... but I have a new drummer and a LOT of offers as of late so maybe... I just may give some of the collection this year off and get out there again.
Snake related stuff is eternal here. Now I have my eye on my Pythons as the colubrids snooze during their brumation....or better said my vacation from them


Tom Stevens
-----
TomsSnakes.com

wow. fist i find that brandon is a musician and now you too Tom? so cool. great to have more than one passion isnt it?

I have been playing in heavy metal bands since about 1983. That's where my nickname comes from, note the logo on the shirt. Nokturnel
I used to fish a lot too, but I just don't have the time anymore but I am due to take my daughter out for her first time soon.
I put the music on hold for a while and then took a job just driving a friends band on a 30 day US tour. My kid was only 2 and it was too hard on her having me away. Now that she is a bit older and we can talk on the phone I'd like to get out there again.
Snakes took over for me and everyone knows I love them. But I still love music more, it's just my priorities prevent me from pursuing it like I used too.
Tom Stevens
-----
TomsSnakes.com

very cool. something else to talk about as we continue the liver destroying process down in daytona..

Try some green tea Howie. It may actually help!
Not in Daytona of course.....hehe but as of late my wife has me on a diet and healthier food kick.
As long as I get to enjoy my beers, I will go along with it. She worked in a transplant hospital for a while, seriously need to keep the liver in working order as there's a long line of needy people who need transplants and beer lovers are usually not near the top!
We have NARBC in Arlington TX coming up. It's no Daytona and I don't think I will be partying with the snake people as there's also a horror convention in Dallas which I will attend on Saturday and then off to NARBC on Sunday. Always great to see fellow herpers but nothing matches Daytona for good times with good herpers. Really looking forward to seeing you and your friends there again!
Tom Stevens
-----
TomsSnakes.com

What kind of guitar and EMG pickup is that Tom? Looks very nice!
-----
Genesis 1:1

It's a custom series Washburn, 29 fret extended cutaway. I don't think there's many of these out there, matter of fact I have been looking for one and striking out. Hoping to find one on ebay or something....
I can't remember which model pickup that is, but it sounds great straight into that amp with no extra effects and really great through my Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. I used effects on the Fury Unleashed record for maybe 20 seconds? It's all straight guitar.
Has an orignal Kahler tremelo too possibly 20 years old? I got it when that company was brand new.
Tom Stevens
-----
TomsSnakes.com

I really like Washburns. At this time, I actually am having an EMG taken out of my Washburn ( very cheap model I found in a pawn shop years ago ) and being placed into my Ibanez RG-520.
Your setup sounds great on Fury Unleashed!!!!!
-----
Genesis 1:1

I was going to guess a late 80's model Washburn. Those were great guitars. My cousin had one and it played so easy. Nice gear...but it you're gonna do it, you might as well do it right.

BTW Tom, I don't know if I told you this before or not, but the Nocturnal CD kicks a$$. Death metal has never been my bag, but that's excellent work my friend. Great guitar skills.

Brandon
-----
www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

and for those that think talking about axes shouldnt be on this forum, remember that guitars are KING!!

Thanks Brandon! Nothing makes me happier than to hear people who don't listen to my type of music recognize the musicianship. I am actually going to start recording my solo rehearsals and putting some on myspace, maybe videos too. That is a lot more tolerable for people without all the screaming and blasting drums. My wife occasionally has said over the years I need more guitars. I tell her that guitar is my second wife and I do not cheat! I never even had a back up guitar during the tours. I have broken a single string on stage, hundreds of shows and one broken string. Not bad eh? hehehe! Tom Stevens
-----
TomsSnakes.com

Nice ax! What kind of gear do you have and play through and who are your influences on the giutar?

Scott

Washburn custom EC29 with EMG pickup and Kahler tremelo
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier amp and crappy cabinet
My influences are not really heard in my music but I learned a lot from Dave Murray and Glen Tipton back in the early 80s.
Later I was impressed by Malmsteen but since early on I was into Blackmoore with Rainbow I could see how Malmsteen took his style and made it his own by building off it. I like anything with good guitar solos but I have been part of the thrash/death/black metal scene forever.
Tom Stevens
-----
TomsSnakes.com

Very cool gear Tom! For me I've got a 1976 limited edition Gibson Explorer, a 86 Gibson XPL with a Floyd Rose trmolo and two Seymour Duncan Invader pickups. My main ax is 1983, 1963 reissue Fender Strat with an old Floyd Rose tremolo and one Seymour Duncan Invader pickup.

For amps I use Carvin, the old X100B. I've got nine heads and four cabs.

For effects I prefer the old school stuff. I've got four old echoplexes, a MXR phase 90 and a MXR flange. I've got rack gear, but don't really use that stuff too much. A Digitech 21 Legend, Alesis Quadraverb, Boss WS 100 wireless system, Hush 2CX and a Furman PL-8 power/light module.

My influences are Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch, Paul Hansen, who I studied with for about four year.

Hybrid Forum. lol. Very nice work there.
-----
Mark