Western Cape

[nvlooi]

I decided to start posting in just on thread for all the reptile records I get from now on.
This will include all reptiles and amphibia I find in the Western cape.
I will also include location etc to be more specific and any other relavant info.
I would also like for the photographers on the forum to critisize the photos, for I would like to learn more to get the photos perfect.

Regards
Henco Nienaber

1. Karoo Whip snake - Psammophis notostictus- Cederberg, 30+ degrees, mid-day, sunny.

[froot]

Awesome Nvlooi, I'm sure many people will find these records useful and your efforts will be worth while.

Thank you.

[nvlooi]

2. Cape Crag Lizard - Pseudocordylus microlepidotus- Miaspoort Paarl, 20-25 degrees, mid morning, Sunny.

[mgiddings]

Thanks very much for this. I really appreciate it, am really looking forward to your finds!

[alexander]

Excellent natural shot of the sand snake, the blurred mountains are a bit distracting as they are, maybe could have eliminated them or showed more?

The crag lizard is a bit overexposed by the light, try keep even lighting. Flash would be good to bring the colours out and reduce that sheen.

Just my thoughts.


I take it you didn't get that sand snake in situ at 30 dC?

[rolandslf]

Awesome idea Henco, now lets see this post grow to 100 pages.

[Durban Keeper]

I'm with Roland! I think your photo's are top notch!

D

[nvlooi]

I thought I share this with everybody.
I m planning to keep this thread as lively as possible.

I go out every now and then when I have the chance. I m a nature freak so it includes birding, plants, still waitng to see that elusive Cape Leopard, not bugs as much but always keen to learn more about everything.

I go out once a month to a new location in the western cape( see planning below), not specifically for reptiles but as a passion to see everything there is to see in a lifetime we are lucky to have, also too capture life in still photos...!!!

Junuary- Roadtrip from Upinton down to Capetown after two month hard work in Kakamas. (was AWESOME, and this is how I manage to pay for all of this)
February- Groot Winterhoek berge.( Amazing place with amazing views, an area I visit still very often)
March- Cederberg and west coast national park (stunning found a few first for me- P. leightoni, C. cataphractus)
April- Tankwa Karoo and Sutherland.
May- EXAMS ( 4th year student @ US)
June- extensive exploring of the Limietberg region( 48 days holiday, so I'll be going everywhere when the weather allows me and not working).
July- Table Mountain (first time)
Flowering season to Namaqualand and surrounds.
September a 15 day trip to Kgalagadi.
October- DON"T KNOW YET (any ideas?)
NOVEMBER- EXAMS
December- Richtersveld and surrounding region for three weeks.

In between I go when I have the time or money to see random nearby places.

This is my year plan, and planning to keep to it.

Regards

Henco

[nvlooi]

Excellent natural shot of the sand snake, the blurred mountains are a bit distracting as they are, maybe could have eliminated them or showed more?

The crag lizard is a bit overexposed by the light, try keep even lighting. Flash would be good to bring the colours out and reduce that sheen.

Just my thoughts.


I take it you didn't get that sand snake in situ at 30 dC?

Thanks Alexander.

I'll see if I can mabey PS a blue background into the second photo and decrease the exposure.
My aim was to get some idea of the habitat with the first photo, but I see now what you mean, it is a bit distractive.

[mgiddings]

That sounds great! Keep us updated. Also, do not be afraid to add things you find often. I enjoy seeing the same species a hundred times over.

[nvlooi]

3. Puff adder- Bitis arietans- Berg rivier dam, 20-25 degrees, 15:30, sunny.

Length- 350mm
Found by my brother while cycling.
He said it was the most amazing yellow he has ever seen.

[Rob]

Gorgeous patterns on the forebody of the Puffy.
Also, since Alex pointed out the mountains in the first pic theyre bugging the hell out of me.

Otherwise good going.

[nvlooi]

4.Angulated Tortiose - Chersina angulata - Melkbosstrand, 25degr, Mid-day, Sunny


5. ID(Knox's Desert Lizard?) - Meroles sp. - Melkbosstrand, 25degr, Mid-day, Sunny

[BushSnake]

How did I miss this thread?

I'd also put my money on M.knoxii. You wanted an idea for October.... mmmm... you can always join up on a little NC trip. I've got a list of 5 species that I desperately want to photograph in the wild, so I am planning some time in deserted, barren locations Kgalagadi sounds cool too. I missed a Gherrosaurus typicus there last year, so if you see one... run and dive!

[nvlooi]

How did I miss this thread?

I'd also put my money on M.knoxii. You wanted an idea for October.... mmmm... you can always join up on a little NC trip. I've got a list of 5 species that I desperately want to photograph in the wild, so I am planning some time in deserted, barren locations Kgalagadi sounds cool too. I missed a Gherrosaurus typicus there last year, so if you see one... run and dive!

All I need now is a decent 100-400mm lens for the Kgalagadi trip, I've 150-500mm but it has no IS so would be diffucult to get crisp and clear photos at a distance.

Gherrosaurus typicus, I first have to manage to see one!

Trip sounds great, I also have some species absent in my photo collection(I'd rather not mention which, you might laugh) .

Henco

PS. Just one more week before I m finished with exams CAN'T WAIT!!!