Tag Archives: reptiles

Episode 18: A Campfire Chat with Mike Cravens

Episode Post, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:50 — 57.5MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Hi everyone and welcome!  For Episode Eighteen, we travel to Arizona to talk with Michael Cravens.  Mike and I go waaaay back, and we’ve spent time in the field together in a number of cool places, and had a number of interesting conversations around various campfires (hence the episode title).  Mike and his wife Mary are from Missouri but have lived out in AZ for a number of years now, and it was good for me to chat with my old friend and catch up.

Along with talking herps, I also heard about Mike’s work with the Arizona Wildlife Federation, and a couple of his side interests, including Hunt To Eat.  Here’s a link to an article Mike wrote for HTE – “A Life Defined By Wild Places”, which I think you will find interesting. I am also including a YouTube link to “Wild Game Big Mac Challenge”, where Mike takes on the infamous hamburger using a pound or two of elk.  That was fun Mike!  You’re a natural and it was great to see the kids in there.  And now I want an Big Elk Mac!

Mike is also involved with BackCountry Hunters and Anglers – which I didn’t know much about, but I enjoyed looking through their website and there’s a lot of interesting material there.  If you’re a hunter or angler and you haven’t already checked BHA out, take a look!.

Thanks for coming on the show, Mike!  Good to talk with you again.  And thanks for listening, everyone!  And don’t forget, the podcast will be taking a two week hiatus after this episode, while I do some traveling.  In the meantime, please keep the comments and suggestions coming!  The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there’s also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, herp confessions. game cooking, tips for herping better, etc.

Stay tuned for more episodes! And don’t forget to herp better!

-Mike

 

 

 

Episode 17: Toadally Priya: A Conversation with Priya Nanjappa

Episode Post, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:51 — 62.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Hello everyone and welcome!  Episode Seventeen features my conversation with Priya Nanjappa (photo courtesy of Kevin Urbanek).  Among other things, Priya spent ten years with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), and served as the state agencies coordinator for Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), and she currently serves as one of the commissioners on the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission. During our conversation, we got into the nuts and bolts of wildlife conservation, and we also talked about the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which should be of interest to anyone who enjoys herps (or any wildlife, for that matter). From Rep Dingell’s press release: “RAWA is the most signification investment in wildlife and habitat conservation in a generation. The bill would dedicate roughly $1.4 billion to the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program for proactive, voluntary efforts led by the states, territories and tribal nations to prevent vulnerable wildlife from becoming endangered.”  That’s 1.4 billion EVERY YEAR, folks.

On another note, you all should know that So Much Pingle is not Priya’s first podcast rodeo – we also talked about her guest appearance (as it were) on Alie Ward’s Ologies podcast, where the subject was “Bufology”. You can listen to the Ologies toad episode on your favorite podcast platform. You can also follow Priya on twitter (@toadallypriya) and on Instagram (wildbeautifulworld).

Thanks for coming on the show, Priya, and hanging in there while we worked through some technical difficulties!  And thanks for listening, everyone!  Please keep the comments and suggestions coming!  The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there’s also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, herp confessions. toad therapy, tips for herping better, etc.

Stay tuned for more episodes! And don’t forget to herp better!

-Mike

 

Episode 16: The Mayor of New River: A Conversation With Daniel Dye

Episode Post, ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:53 — 53.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Hello again everyone, and welcome to Episode Sixteen!  I’ve been having a conversation with Daniel Dye for more than a decade, and for this segment, microphones were put into play!  Along with amphibians and reptiles, Daniel also has a great deal of knowledge and experience with insects, spiders, and other invertebrates, and fortunately for all of us, he’s crafty with a camera, and so there are a number of venues where you can check out his work.  We didn’t cover it in the interview, but Daniel is also a serious audiophile, and he has a home audio system that he built himself that will blow your hair back (I’ve been there, done that).  I get a kick out of his Facebook posts that feature a delicious breakfast and a selected album to go with it.  Jethro Tull’s ‘Minstrel in the Gallery’ was on the turntable this morning – tasty stuff, Daniel!

Be sure to check out Daniel’s Florida Backyard Snakes site, which also has a corresponding Facebook Group. And you can follow Daniel on Instagram (he’s @danielddyeii) and he’s on Flickr as well as Daniel D. Dye II.  It was great talking with you again Daniel, and thanks for coming on the show!   And as always, thanks for listening, everyone!  Please keep the comments and suggestions coming!  The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there’s also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, herp confessions. product placement, tips for herping better, etc.

Stay tuned for more episodes! And don’t forget to herp better!

-Mike

 

Episode 15: More with Justin Elden

Episode Post, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:54 — 56.7MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Hello again everyone, here is Episode Fifteen, the second part of my conversation with Justin Elden on this Sunday double-fun day.  The main thrust of our conversation is Justin’s work in Guatemala with the Highlands and Islands Conservatory, which is centered around the pictured Guatemalan pit viper, Bothriechis aurifer, but of course includes other herps and more importantly, their habitats.  And of course, we wandered off topic, but in ways you’ll appreciate!

Justin and his associates put in a lot of time and effort with this conservation project, and that includes getting the local people involved, and in some cases employed. So what can YOU do to help?  Pretty simple – buy a tshirt or other merch at the links below and I will say thanks in advance!

The Highlands and Islands Conservatory also has a FaceBook page that you can follow.  I’m also including a link to the associated Ranchitos del Quetzal Natural Reserve, where birders come to see the Resplendant Quetzal, and which I myself hope to visit when travel is again open and safe.  I might even look for a quetzal.

Here’s the link to Highlands and Islands merchandise, which feature Bothriechis aurifer, and here is the link to the original Mayan t-shirt design, which is pretty cool as well.

One more bit of Herp Love:  here’s a link to the FaceBook page of Andres Novales, who is involved with the conservation projects with his buddy Justin.  Andres shares his great photos of Guatemalan wildlife on his page.  Check it out!

And on a final note: we make fun of Marlin Perkins a bit, but the dude was pretty bad-ass in all actuality….

Once again, thanks Justin for coming on the show!  And thanks for listening, everyone!  The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there’s also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, herp confessions, tips for herping better, etc.

Stay tuned for more episodes! And don’t forget to herp better!

-Mike

Episode 14: Zootopia: A Conversation with Justin Elden

Episode Post, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11:59 — 65.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Hey there herpsters, it’s Episode Fourteen!  What shall we talk about?  Let’s ask the triumphant dude on the left, the one with the little viper in a tube.  That’s Justin Elden, the viper is Armenian (Montivipera raddei), and guess where they are?  In this episode, I talk with Justin about his involvement with the St. Louis Zoo’s mountain viper conservation project, (be sure to check out the link for more info and cool photos).

Justin and I both grew up in the St. Louis area, and we had a lot to talk about.  The time just flew by as we covered a number of topics, and we talked so much that I decided to split the interview into two parts!  Both episodes drop today, so bonus!  There’s more to come with Mr. Elden and you won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for talking with me, Justin, and thanks for listening, everyone!  The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there’s also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, trainspotting, scary bear stories, herp confessions, tips for herping better, etc.

Stay tuned for more episodes! And don’t forget to herp better!

-Mike

Episode 13: Watch the Skies with Josh Wallace

Episode Post, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:01 — 68.7MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Hello everyone, and welcome to Episode Thirteen!  Lucky!  We’re talking about herps, herp trips, photography, and the overall coolness of the cosmos with Josh Wallace.  We’ve been to some places, and we’ve seen some things…..Josh also brings a strong herp meme game to social media, and we talk about that, and much, much more.  The fantastic photo at top left is representative of Josh’s astroscape work with a camera.  Think about it, folks – while you’re tucked snug in your beds, Josh is slapping his cheeks to stay awake and capture images of the universe as it wheels overhead.

So what’s the correct way to pronounce Charina?  Is it Shar-eena, Chair-eena, Car-eenah or Car-eyenah?  Shar-eye-nah? Susan? Nobody seems to know, or agree.  Regardless of how you pronounce it, you can check out Josh’s herp, landscape, and astro photography at his Charina Photography portfolio site.  You can also follow Josh on Instagram – @charina.photography

Thanks for listening, everyone!  The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there’s also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, arguments about pronunciations, cosmic debris, herp confessions, tips for herping better, etc.

Stay tuned for more episodes! And don’t forget to herp better!

-Mike

Episode 12: @snakeymama: A Conversation with Dr. Emily Taylor

Episode Post, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:26 — 58.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Welcome to Episode Twelve!   In this installment, I talk with Dr. Emily Taylor, professor of biological sciences at Cal Poly (California Polytechnic State University), and we cover a number of topics, including rattlesnakes and leopard lizards.  Dr. Taylor is pursuing some fascinating lines of research and her passion for her work comes shining through.  Now this episode comes with some homework – I want you all to read “Squirrels vs Rattlesnakes“, an article Dr. Taylor posted to medium.com just a few days ago.  You’ll be glad you did!

We also talked about her Rattlesnake Beauty Pageant Calendar project – I know many of you will be interested, and 100% of the proceeds from sales of this calendar will benefit Advocates for Snake Preservation.  Dr. Taylor sent out a call for high-quality photos of our buzzy pals, and when the herp world responded, she chose the best of the best for this calendar.  Check it out!   I pre-ordered mine today.  You can also follow Emily on FaceBook, Twitter, and Instagram – she’s “@snakeymama” on TW and IG.  The cartoon image of Emily featured here is her Twitter avatar, and was rendered by Ethan Kocak, who also did the artwork for this show!  He does good work.

Thanks so much for coming on the show, Emily, I enjoyed our conversation and my brain is still in high gear thinking about some of the things we talked about!

Thanks for listening, everyone!  The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there’s also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, robot burrow-cams, herp confessions, tips for herping better, etc.

Stay tuned for more episodes! And don’t forget to herp better!

-Mike

 

Episode 11: Colorado Herp Survey with Tim and Hunter

Episode Post, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:04 — 42.2MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Hi folks!  For Episode Eleven, we have an interview that I recorded last month, on location in eastern Colorado, with Tim Warfel and Hunter Johnson.  The main thrust of our conversation was the recently concluded COPARC Otero County herp survey, and we managed to cover a few other topics as well.  This was the eighth Otero survey and I was happy to participate, and to hang out with a lot of Colorado herpers.  We found some pretty cool herps as well.  In photo left is Ryan and Cambria Borgmann.  Cambria was the youngest participant, and she got to see her first horned lizard and her first rattlesnake.  Guess who the oldest surveyor was?

Herp surveys and bio-blitzes are great ways to meet and hang out with herpers, biologists, and others of like mind, while seeing some cool herps and helping with conservation and research efforts.  For more information about upcoming COPARC surveys and other activities, join the COPARC Facebook group. There are some photos of CO herps and shots from the recent survey as well.

Also, check out the COPARC web page for more information on the group’s activities.  COPARC is a local chapter of PARC (Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation)

One more item – I threw together a trip report for the event on my Notes From The Field blog.  Oh yes, and thanks to Jill Rials and Michael Moffat for the intro!  🙂

The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there’s also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, dinosaur bones, herp confessions, tips for herping better, etc.

Stay tuned for more episodes! And don’t forget to herp better!

-Mike

 

 

Episode 10: SmetLogik: A Conversation with Rob Kreutzer

Episode Post, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:01 — 54.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Hello again everyone!  Welcome to Episode Ten!  I like that double-digit number.  For this episode, we’re talking with Rob Kreutzer, AKA SmetLogik, a YouTube content creator par excellence when it comes to documenting herps and herp adventures.  Rob, Jennifer and Nick Kreutzer recently relocated from the Denver area to Tucson, Arizona, and I caught up with Rob a few weeks ago in their new home. I really like Rob’s approach to the herp vid medium – he’s got a great sense of style and flair, as does son Nick (also, see photo at left).  I’ve also had the good fortune to spend some time in the field with this father-son combo and I enjoy their company.

Here’s a link to the SmetLogik YouTube channel.

And here’s an Amazon link for some SmetLogik merch!

 

Also, I’m throwing in this photo of Rob’s grandfather, who was the very first U.S. Forest Ranger.  Those Kreutzers come from hardy stock!  And you can read more about William Kreutzer on this Facebook page that Rob put together.  Very cool!

Thanks for talking with me, Rob!  I thoroughly enjoyed it and I look forward to the next time we can hang out in person..  And as always, thanks for listening everyone!

The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there’s also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, forest ranger sightings, VHS versus BetaMax, herp confessions, tips for herping better, etc.

Stay tuned for more episodes! And don’t forget to herp better!

-Mike

 

 

Episode 6: Origin Stories

Episode Post, , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:35 — 64.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

Hello everyone!  Here in Episode Six we’re trying something a little different – we’re talking about origin stories.  How did YOU come into the world of amphibians and reptiles?  Everyone has a story, and on this show we’ve got five people telling us about theirs.  Four of the interviews were recorded in Peru in January 2020, and one just a few weeks ago. Some of these folks I met for the first time in Peru, and the rest I’ve known for some time.

Jill Rials is from Mesa, Arizona, and the critter she is holding is a smooth-fronted caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus).

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew DuBois is from Lakewood, Colorado.  Here he is enjoying a Pinocchio Anole (Anolis proboscis) in Ecuador.

 

 

 

 

 

Cynthia Samake lives near Santa Fe, New Mexico.  In this photo she is sketching a leaf-mimic katydid in our Madre Selva field station.

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth (Liz) Hughes lives in Phoenix, Arizona and here she is with her first giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor).

 

 

 

 

 

Justin Michels is from Pekin, Illinois.  We herp in Illinois together quite often, and here he is with a large and thankfully tranquil diamondback water snake (Nerodia rhombifer).

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed our little origin story experiment!  Thanks to Jill, Andrew, Cynthia, Liz, and Justin for coming on the show!, And as always, thanks for listening everyone! The show email is somuchpingle@gmail.com, and there’s also a So Much Pingle group on Facebook, for discussion, comments, feedback, suggestions, origin stories, tips for herping better, etc.

Stay tuned for more episodes! And don’t forget to herp better!

-Mike