Blog Tools
Edit your Blog
Build a Blog
RSS Feed
View Profile
« January 2007 »
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
Entries by Topic
All topics  «
Articles
Frog Blog Profiles
Frog Profiles
Fun & Games
Media
Out in the Field
Places to go
Reviews
Welcome
Global Conservation Links
button link Save The Frogs Day- April 28, 2012
button link Save The Frogs!
button link Amphibian Specialist Group
button link Amphibian Ark
button link Frog Matters Posts from Amphibian Ark
button link Tree Walkers International (TWI)
button link DAPTF
button link PARC International
button link Amphibian Conservation Alliance
button link AmphibiaWeb
button link SSAR
button link Caudata.org
button link Amphibian Species of the World
button link Living Underworld: Amphibian Information Resource
button link Amphibian News
button link Save The Frogs

Africa
button link Caroline Aguti, Herpetologist Interview about Ugandan Frogs

Asia
button link Amphibians & Reptiles of Mainland SE Asia

Australia
button link Frog Decline Reversal Project, Inc. and Cairns Frog Hospital

Europe
button link FROGlife

North America
button link NAAMP
button link CNAH
button link The Hellbender Homepage
button link Tadpoles of the United States and Canada: A Tutorial and Key
button link Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America Explained
button link Project Golden Frog
button link Costa Rica Amphibian Research Center
button link Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project (Panama)

Canada
button link Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network
button link FrogWatch
button link BullfrogControl.com Inc.
button link The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society
button link Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program
button link Herp Information Society of Saskatchewan
button link Westcoast Society for the Ptotection and Conservation of Reptiles
button link Nova Scotia Herpetoculture Society
button link Montreal Herpetological Association
button link Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary Atlas

Mexico
button link Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center
button link Fauna of Mexico - Amphibians

United States (National Links)
button link National Amphibian Atlas
button link Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)
button link Frogwatch USA
button link Amphibian Malformations and Declines
button link NBII- Amphibians page
button link ASIH

North East (Regional Links)
button link NE PARC
button link New England Herpetological Society
button link Northeast Herpetofaunal Species
button link Habitat and Management Guidelines for NE

Midwest (Regional Links)
button link MW PARC
button link Frog Calls...an evolving webumentary
button link The Herp Center
button link Habitat and Management Guidelines for MW

South (Regional Links)
button link SEPARC
button link SWPARC

West (Regional Links)
button link NorthWest Herptile Keepers Association
button link Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society
button link Pacific Nortwest Amphibian and Reptile Consortium

AL Alabama
button link Auburn Herpetological Society

AK Alaska
button link Frogs and Toads of Alsaka
button link Alaska Wood Frog Monitoring Project

AZ Arizona
button link Arizona Herpetological Association
button link Tucson Herpetological Society

AR Arkansas
button link Arkansas Herpetological Society

CA California
button link The Bay Area Amphibian and Reptile Society
button link The North Bay Herpetological Society
button link Northern California Herpetological Society
button link San Diego Herpetological Society
button link Southwestern Herpetologists Society
button link Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (Amphibians)

CO Colorado
button link Colorado Herpetological Society
button link Key to the Amphibians of Colorado

CT Connecticut
button link Connecticut Amphibians

DE Delaware
button link DAMP- Delaware Amphibian Monitoring Program

DC District of Columbia

FL Florida
button link The Calusa Herpetological Society of Southwest Florida
button link Florida Herp Laws
button link Central Florida Herpetological Society
button link Jacksonville Herpetological Society
button link Suncoast Herpetological Society
button link Sawgrass Herpetological Society of Broward County, Florida

GA Georgia
button link The Frogs and Toads of Georgia
button link Amphibian Species of Georgia

HI Hawaii

ID Idaho

IL Illinois
button link Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project Frog/Toad Monitoring
button link Chicago Herpetological Society
button link Herps of Illinois
button link Illinois Herp Regulations and list of endangered, threatened and species of special concern

IN Indiana
button link Hoosier Herpetological Society
button link ToadTimes Newsletter
button link Frogs and Toads of Indiana (DNR)
button link INAMP
button link Indiana Herp Regulations and Species List
button link Herp Indiana
button link Camp Cullom - Clinton County

IA Iowa
button link Iowa Herpetological Society

KS Kansas
button link Kansas Anuran Monitoring Program (KAMP)
button link Kansas Herpetological Society

KY Kentucky
button link Kentucky Herpetological Society
button link Kentucky Herp Laws and Regulations
button link Kentucky frogs and toads
button link Kentucky Frog Loggers
button link Frogs of Kentucky Ringtones

LA Lousiana
button link Louisiana Gulf Coast Herpetological Society

ME Maine
button link Maine Herpetological Society
button link Maine Amphibian Monitoring Program

MD Maryland
button link Eastern Shore Herpetological Society
button link Mid-Atlantic Reptile Show (MARS)

MA Massachusetts
button link New England Herpetological Society

MI Michigan
button link Michigan Society of Herpetologists
button link F/T Monitoring in the Rouge Watershed
button link Michigan Reptiles and Amphibians

MN Minnesota
button link A Thousand Friends of Frogs
button link Minnesota Frog & Toad Calling Survey (MFTCS)
button link Minnesota Herpetological Society
button link Frogs for Kids

MS Mississippi
button link Mississippi Herpetological Atlas

MO Missouri
button link Missouri Herpetological Association
button link Kansas City Herpetological Society
button link Mid Missouri Herpetological Society
button link St. Louis Herpetologial Society

MT Montana

NE Nebraska
button link Nebraska Herpetological Society

NV Nevada

NH New Hampshire

NJ New Jersey

NM New Mexico
button link New Mexico Herpetological Society

NY New York
button link Long Island Herpetological Society
button link Upstate Herpetological Association
button link Western New York Herpetological Society

NC North Carolina
button link North Carolina Herpetological Society
button link Frogs and Toads of North Carolina
button link NC CASP (Calling Amphibian Survey Program)
button link Frogs and Toads of NC book/CD
button link NC PARC (Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation)

ND North Dakota

OH Ohio
button link OhioAmphibians.com
button link NOAH
button link Greater Cincinnati Herpetological Society
button link Greater Dayton Herpetological Society
button link Ohio Herp Regulations

OK Oklahoma
button link Amphibians and Reptiles in Oklahoma

OR Oregon

PA Pennsylvania
button link Northeast Pennsylvania Herpetological Society
button link Philadelphia Herpetological Society
button link Pennsylvania Online Herpetological Atlas

RI Rhode Island

SC South Carolina
button link Frogs and Toads Found in South Carolina

SD South Dakota

TN Tennessee
button link The Frogs and Toads of Tennessee
button link Tennessee Herpetological Society
button link Salamanders of Tennessee
button link TAMP
button link Froghaven Farm

TX Texas
button link Texas Herpetological Society
button link West Texas Herpetological Society
button link East Texas Herpetological Society
button link South Texas Herpetological Society
button link Dallas-Ft. Worth Herpetological Society

UT Utah

VT Vermont

VA Virginia
button link Virginia Herpetological Society

WA Washington

WV West Virginia

WI Wisconsin
button link Wisconsin Herpetological Society
button link Amphibians of Wisconsin

WY Wyoming

South America
button link Operation Atelopus
button link Yeager's Frogs

Kid's Links
button link FROGSTER-Video Game
button link Frog Coloring Pages
button link Amphibian Word Search
button link Froggyville Jokes and Games
button link Frogland!
button link Frogs for Kids

Other Links
button link Online Frog Dissection
button link Toe-Clipping of Frogs and Toads
button link Collection of Blood Samples From Adult Amphibians
button link Herp Job Opportunities

Contact Me
button link Email address in Profile
button link "Wendell's Frog Page" Myspace

You are not logged in. Log in
Wendell's Frog Blog
Tuesday, 16 January 2007
Toads Rule and Dogs Drool, especially if they suck toads!
Mood:  surprised
Topic: Articles

The Dog Who Loved to Suck on Toads

What an addiction! You have to wonder that if at some point the dog was told to "Go Suck a Toad!" and took it literally.


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 5:20 PM EST
Updated: Tuesday, 16 January 2007 5:26 PM EST
Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink
Awesome Frog Article is Cover Story in January Ranger Rick
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Media

Pretty Poison

Ranger Rick

The National Wildlife Federation's Magazine Ranger Rick is celebrating it's 40th Birthday. I was very excited when my children's copy came and had a beautiful blue poison dart frog on the cover. Its a great article about the little frogs that can kill you if your not careful. I love reading the magazine, I usually try to get to it before my kids to make sure I don't miss anything. It is the perfect magazine for every child (and child at heart). Check out the links for special subscription prices, they make great gifts too!


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 5:05 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Saturday, 6 January 2007
Second Chance Salamander
Mood:  happy
Topic: Articles

Court orders protection of salamander  Judge said regulators ignored evidence when rejecting protected status

While not totally in the clear just yet, the California Tiger Salamander will get a year break while more information is gathered to make a final decision. 2007 will be a great year for them!


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 2:06 PM EST
Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink
Dr. Tyrone Hayes speaks to doctors at the Mayo Clinic
Mood:  incredulous
Topic: Articles

Mayo docs hear from researcher on suspected atrazine, cancer links

Dr. Hayes gave a lecture at the mayo Clinic about Atrazine and its effects on frogs as well as its link to breast cancer in humans!


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 1:52 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
What is an amphibian or reptile's life worth?
Mood:  don't ask
Topic: Articles

Debate heats up on road project

While this debate accuses the DNR of putting reptile and amphibian life above that of human safety, what I see when I read this is that there has been designs that would work for both submitted by both sides. The cost is the factor. So is a frog fighting for its life to cross the road to breed on the other side worth so much less than the speeding human that is late and ignoring common sense safety measures?


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 1:43 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Bronx Zoo helps in Frog Conservation
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Places to go

A Frog That Fits on Your Fingertip

Small enough to fit on the tip of a finger, a lemur leaf frog mugs for the camera behind the scenes at the Bronx Zoo

 

The frogs will be part of a new Panama collection at the Zoo’s World of Reptiles. 

 

In the wild, these frogs are critically endangered due in part to the rapid appearance of Chytridiomycosis – a fungal disease that has devastated amphibians across the planet, with as many as 30 percent of the world’s frog species infected.


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 1:33 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
An Inconvenient Truth on DVD
Mood:  on fire
Topic: Reviews

I finally got the DVD, and had the opportunity to watch and re-watch it, along with the special features. If you haven't seen it, go to the video store tonight and rent it, or better yet, buy it, watch it and share it with everyone you know. This is a horror movie, but its not Jason or Freddy thats killing, its us, with our CO2 emissions. Find out how you can be part of the solution, otherwise, you ARE the problem! In the special features it includes an Update Interview with Al Gore about what has happened since the movie was made. It also has a video of Melissa Etheridge's song "I need to Wake Up" about Global Warming.

"It doesn't matter whether you're a Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative...your ming will be changed in a nanosecond."  Roger Friedman, FOXNEWS.COM

 

"In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are. You owe it to yourself to see this film."  Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

 

 


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 1:25 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Freelance writer looking for herp experts
Please respond directly to Wendee Holtcamp (bohemian@wendeeholtcamp.com
or wholtcamp@houston.rr.com).

I am a freelance writer working on a project for Discovery Channel
Online -- online profiles of the species that are featured in the
Planet Earth TV shows. Unfortunately I have a bit of a tight deadline,
and only have a few weeks to get 50 of these done…and over the holidays
(by Jan 12)! Each one is only 500 words but will cover general
ecology/natural; history, unique behavior, conservation status and
future outlook. The cool thing is I have the freedom to mention
interesting ongoing research or conservation efforts and also to link
to conservation organizations working for these species directly or
their habitat.


The herp species I need to find experts on are:


Banded sea krait

Gliding leaf frog



Hmm I thought I had more but I guess that is it! Please contact me
offlist by email.



Wendee Holtcamp – bohemian@wendeeholtcamp.com or
wholtcamp@houston.rr.com (both go to the same place but one is my
domain name and sometimes it causes some people’s email trouble)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology
        Freelance Writer-Photographer
       http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com
   Online Writing Class!!  6 wks Dec. 9 & Jan 20.
         Bohemian Adventures Blog

http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 1:10 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Friday, 15 December 2006
Is Science really needed in deciding Endangened Species?
Mood:  mischievious
Topic: Articles

Interior Department disregarding science in decisions

Science, we don't need no stinkin' Science! Why waste all that money and time on research when they will "create" their own truth anyway that fits their specific goals. I'm going to hold off on my ranting for another post down the road, but there needs to be a line.


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 5:41 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Salamander DNA research by Japanese High School students
Mood:  incredulous
Topic: Articles

Decoding salamander DNA

Break through research is being done by High School students in Japan, the first to be done on this rare species.


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 5:34 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Fort Worth Zoo plans new Herpetarium
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Articles

Zoo building for the future

Planned herpetarium to aid work against extinction

With a special emphasis on amphibians and continuing their remarkable work with captive breeding and releasing the endangered Puerto Rican toad, the new facility will be a world class attraction.


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 5:29 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Frog Gift Idea!
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Articles

WRD offers gift of ‘frogs’

There is now a CD of the frog calls of Georgia available. This would be a great gift for any frog lover, especailly if from Georgia. What a great idea for a last minute gift.


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 5:20 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Wednesday, 13 December 2006
Southeastern Working Group of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 2007 Annual Meeting
Mood:  sharp
Topic: Places to go

When:
Thursday Feb 22, 2007
at 6:00 PM

Where::
Tennessee Aquarium
One Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37401
US
View Map


Registration now open.
Registration is now open at www.separc.org .

Southeastern Working Group of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 2007 Annual Meeting
Closing Ranks:
Aligning SE PARC to Meet the Next Generation of Conservation Issues
February 22-25, 2007
Tennessee Aquarium
Chattanooga, TN

Meeting Goals
Inspired by the national PARC strategic alignment workshop in August 2006, we will tightly focus our energies in 2007 on a small number of key issues with the goal of developing powerful strategies, tools, and products to address these issues. Our structure for the coming year(s) will be aligned to aggressively address these issues. While we are not doing away with our traditional technical working groups, our organization will be more flexible, with multi-disciplinary “Task Teams” being formed (and disbanded) as needed to address current and future conservation challenges.

Three issues have already been chosen by the ad hoc regional steering committee and a fourth will be nominated by members:
•   Eco-friendly development (emphasis on roads)
•   Invasive species (emphasis on fire ants)
•   State Wildlife Action Plans (emphasis on an annual review of herp-related implementation)
•   One member-selected issue (nominations to be taken as part of online registration)

The Next Generation: An Emphasis on Students
This year’s meeting will spotlight the next generation of herp conservationists and will kick off with a Student Poster Session Thursday Evening, February 22. All the moderators for our sessions will be students and, where possible, student speakers will be favored over gainfully employed adults. Funds permitting, a few student travel scholarships will be awarded by random drawing to help offset the costs of attending the meeting. So if you or someone you know is a student, teacher, professor, etc., encourage them to attend.

Lodging:
We have a block of rooms reserved at The Clarion in downtown Chattanooga. The rate is $65/night plus $7/night for parking. The Clarion is within easy walking distance of the Tennessee Aquarium. For reservations, contact:
Clarion Hotel
407 Chestnut St.
Chattanooga, TN, US, 37402
Phone: (423) 756-5150 Fax: (423) 265-8708
Remember to ask for the PARC rate!

Call for Papers
Papers on all topics are welcome, but those relating to the following topics are especially needed:
•   Eco-friendly development (emphasis on roads)
•   Invasive species (emphasis on fire ants)
•   State Wildlife Action Plans (emphasis on an annual review of herp-related implementation)
Student presenters are especially welcome.

Call for Student Posters
This year’s meeting will spotlight the next generation of herp conservationists and will kick off with a Student Poster Session Thursday Evening, February 22. All students are encouraged to participate.

How to Submit:
Email your abstract and bio to me at this address. The deadline for submissions is January 12.

Field Trips
In Tennessee, the month of February is still too cool for most herps; however, it is still pretty good for most early breeding salamanders and frogs.
•   Tennessee River Gorge & Prentice Cooper State Forest: Over 26,000 acres of Eastern Deciduous Forest and bisected by the Tennessee River it has exposed bluffs and rock face with smaller streams found throughout the area. This area has yielded a number of Crotalus horridus and Agkistrodon contortrix along with a number of upland salamanders. This area also has the potential for Aneides aeneus. (Leader TBA)
•   UTC Field Stations:
o   VAAP- Enterprise South: 6,300 acres of which UTC has access to; 280 acres of hardwood-successional forest and a 10 acre wetland that exists on the property. The wetlands has been most productive from late January to early April and has yielded the following amphibians -Amybstoma tigrinum, A. maculatum, A. opacum, P. glutinosus, P. cinereus, P. dorsalis, Pseudacris triseriata feriarum, and P. crucifer. (Leader TBA)
o   Wildlife Hospital-Route 41 Facility is ~900 of Eastern Deciduous Forest and Rock Talus. This area has yielded a number of different species including Crotalus horridus, Agkistrodon contortrix, Elaphe obsoleta, Lampropeltis getula, Bufo mericanus, Hyla versicolor (complex) A. maculatum, A. opacum, P. glutinosus, P. cinereus, P. dorsalis, Pseudacris triseriata feriarum, P. crucifer, Desmognathus fuscus, D. ochrophaeus, D. monticola, Pseudotriton ruber, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, Eurycea longicauda, and E. lucifuga. This area also has the potential for Aneides aeneus. (Leader TBA)
o   Cash Canyon is an 80 acres site that is nestled in the area of Elder and Raccoon Mountain and lies directly across the river from TRG Pot Point Education Facility and Prentice Cooper State Forest. This site has access to the Tennessee River as upland forest and rocky seeps. This area has yielded a number of different species including Crotalus horridus, Agkistrodon contortrix, Elaphe obsolete, Bufo Americanus, Hyla versicolor (complex) A. maculatum, A. opacum, P. glutinosus, P. cinereus, P. dorsalis, Pseudacris triseriata feriarum, P. crucifer, Desmognathus fuscus, D. ochrophaeus, D. monticola, and E. lucifuga. This area also has the potential for Aneides aeneus. (Leader TBA)

Details Updated Frequently
Registration is now open and closes February 9. Check www.separc.org  often as logistics and agenda details are updated.

 

PARC is the future of the herps we care so much about. Join them at the meeting and find out how you can join a working group and make a difference!


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 11:04 AM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Sunday, 10 December 2006
Prime Amphibian Time for West Coast Hikers
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Articles

Weather brings wildlife to hikers

The rains brings out the amphibians! Feel free to send in some pics to share with those of us that are froze over.


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 5:08 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Enjoy the Silence of Winter
Mood:  special
Topic: Articles

Appreciating winter's silence

While I must admit that during the winter I long for the peepers of spring, without the silent pause of the night, I don't know that I would appreciate the first calls the way I do. Everything needs winter, it is just as important as the other seasons, and has a beauty of its own that you cannot find any other time. So...break out the Frog Call Cd's and practice up so that the first call you can correctly ID and record on whatever monitoring program you choose to volunteer with.


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 4:57 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Vegas Toad Show
Mood:  surprised
Topic: Articles

Las Vegas Sun

Apparently its a tricky business, training toads. He says the Woodhouse toads work the best. Tight ropes and hoops of fire, this is something I hope they put out on DVD.


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 4:48 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Frog Robots, Condoms and Foot Flagging
Mood:  quizzical
Topic: Articles

The frog robot condom

No, I haven't been hitting the eggnog, the title was supposed to read that way. This article has a large assortment of techniques being used in frog communication research. Although I have done nothing of this magnitude, and actually mine was by accident, I did place a Walkman with the headphones on top of a terrarium with a male Hyla versicolor in hopes of getting him to reply so the kids could see him inflate his vocal sac. After several hours of alone time on the porch with the CD on repeat, I was surprised that he didn't call, but there were about 8 frogs around the headphones looking a bit...confused I would say. 


Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 4:38 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Friday, 8 December 2006
Southeastern Working Group of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile
Mood:  sharp
Topic: Places to go
Registration opens early next week at www.separc.org  . We will send a
reminder when registration opens.



Southeastern Working Group of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile
Conservation
2007 Annual Meeting

Closing Ranks:

Aligning SE PARC to Meet the Next Generation of Conservation Issues

February 22-25, 2007

Tennessee Aquarium

Chattanooga, TN



Meeting Goals

Inspired by the national PARC strategic alignment workshop in August
2006, we will tightly focus our energies in 2007 on a small number of
key issues with the goal of developing powerful strategies, tools, and
products to address these issues. Our structure for the coming year(s)
will be aligned to aggressively address these issues. While we are not
doing away with our traditional technical working groups, our
organization will be more flexible, with multi-disciplinary “Task
Teams” being formed (and disbanded) as needed to address current and
future conservation challenges.



Three issues have already been chosen by the ad hoc regional steering
committee and a fourth will be nominated by members:

·         Eco-friendly development (emphasis on roads)

·         Invasive species (emphasis on fire ants)

·         State Wildlife Action Plans (emphasis on an annual review of
herp-related implementation)

·         One member-selected issue (nominations to be taken as part of
online registration)



The Next Generation: An Emphasis on Students

This year’s meeting will spotlight the next generation of herp
conservationists and will kick off with a Student Poster Session
Thursday Evening, February 22. All the moderators for our sessions will
be students and, where possible, student speakers will be favored over
gainfully employed adults. Funds permitting, a few student travel
scholarships will be awarded by random drawing to help offset the costs
of attending the meeting. So if you or someone you know is a student,
teacher, professor, etc., encourage them to attend.



Lodging:

We have a block of rooms reserved at The Clarion in downtown
Chattanooga. The rate is $65/night plus $7/night for parking. The
Clarion is within easy walking distance of the Tennessee Aquarium. For
reservations, contact:

Clarion Hotel

407 Chestnut St.

Chattanooga, TN, US, 37402

Phone: (423) 756-5150     Fax: (423) 265-8708

Remember to ask for the PARC rate!



Details Updated Frequently

Registration opens next week and closes February 9. Check www.separc.org
often as logistics and agenda details are updated.

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 5:58 PM EST
Updated: Friday, 8 December 2006 6:13 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Thursday, 7 December 2006
The 22nd Annual Herpetological Symposium (part 1,Friday)
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Articles
The Symposium was held at the Westin in Indianapolis, this place is amazing(a little pricey)but amazing. I have seen commercial that it is the first major hotel to go completely Smoke-Free(though there was a large number gathered together outside the door) Friday night the ice-breaker included a live animal display and talk with Larry Battson, he had an alligator, alligator snapper, gila monster and a black throated monitor, a very large one! It was educational as well as entertaining, he also has a children's book 'Baxter the EduGator' that his wife wrote and he illustrated, the kids enjoy their autographed copy. Rupert Boneham, America's favorite Survivor, was also there. He spoke about Survivor, how he got on and about the filming. He talked about 'Balboa', a snake he found that had been hit by a boat propeller that he tried to rehab. He also talked about the work he does for troubled teens, and how his winnings from Survivor has allowed him to help them so much more than before he was on the show. He was a wonderful man, he also spoke to my children about school, and how they need to keep up the grades. He is the best role model I could ever ask for. You can check out his website an www.rupertskids.com Its based in Indianapolis and he is doing such great work and could use your support. Mark Heinrich then played songs of herps and herping off his Alterna Rush CD. This guy is awesome. All the songs were great, but my favorite two was 'Safe Sex' about amphibian amplexus and 'She's a Tiger' about a tiger salamander. This is some very funny stuff, I got an autographed CD and the more I listen, the better it gets, I recommend this CD to anyone with a herp passion.  I also got to meet a great herp photographer that I have emailed countless times and even featured here in my profile section, but had yet had the pleasure of meeting in person, Todd Pierson. What a remarkable person, he's just a great of a person as he is a photographer. He has given me permission to use several of his photos in my Frogs of Indiana presentation.  After that we took the kids home, but the party continued in the hospitality suite with a slide show, beer, pizza and chips that were donated by Frito Lay of Frankfort IN. There was also a terrific display of Indiana's native herps brought in by members of the Hoosier Herpetological Society (including myself) and a beautiful display of Indiana Snakes (including venomous species) brought in by the DNR from O'bannon Woods State Park. Keep checking back, there is plenty more to come with a Saturday and Sunday post, but I have to work the pictures, the camera has been dropped so many times in the field, they are not what they used to be. Guess I shouldn't toss it when I leap for a frog!

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 2:41 PM EST
Updated: Thursday, 7 December 2006 4:45 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink
Tuesday, 5 December 2006
28th Unique Animal Expo
Mood:  sharp
Topic: Places to go
28th Unique Animal Expo
See and buy live birds, live reptiles, live mammals and animal related
merchandise. The largest and Oldest Combined Animal Expo in the
Pacific Northwest.
Date: Sat & Sun, February 24 -25, 2007
Time: 10-5 both days.
Location: Washington County Fairgrounds, Hillsboro, Oregon
Admission Costs: Adults-$7, Seniors-$4, Children 5-12-$3, Under
5-Free with paid adult.
More info: 503-717-8484 or 503-738-6996 or www.uniqueanimalexpo.com

Posted by wendellsfrogblog at 2:47 PM EST
Post Comment | Permalink

Newer | Latest | Older

Skem9.com!
web site hit counter
Travelocity.com Coupons