A rare sight in northeast Oregon: a turtle! A Western Painted Turtle, in fact (Chrysemys picta bellii)
A rare sight in northeast Oregon: a turtle! A Western Painted Turtle, in fact (Chrysemys picta bellii)
Reflections
This is one of my early photographs, featuring two pond slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) resting on a log in the middle of a lake. What truly captured my attention, however, was the stunning reflection of the surrounding forest stretching across the water. Since capturing this image, I've come to see reflections as an added layer of beauty in every photograph.
Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.
An exciting encounter with the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on 18 May 2025. It was moving along the walking path, probably hunting. One person was making sure we all gave the Cobra enough personal space.
On iNaturalist [ https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/282000147 ].
A ratsnake, probably eastern. Pretty sure it just consumed a baby robin... On our river rocks bed below the hedges. We followed it around the corner, down the hill, and across the grass into the woods.
First and most important (and a week late), #HappyNewYear #AndyTheTortoise who came out of brumation a week ago today. He’d started it at the end of October. Was too busy to make announcement.
In the last 3 years, I always prolong his brumation artificially (with nightly coolings) till May 1, for optimal heat. This year, however, I extended by an additional week due to poor weather and my lack of readiness… So he was in brumation 6 months and 1 week! Likely his longest, because even in Northern California he normally woke up mid-April!
But he is up now, and doing very well.
Happy 104th year, Andy!!! You rock! I'm so happy to have you!!
The cutting board contains his typical meal at the beginning of the season: From bottom to top: Lettuce (here, red leaf), chopped up roma tomatoes on a leaf of lettuce, and above on chopped dendelion on the left and chopped broccoli florets on the right. I also plant an assortment of plants which I will show in a different toot.
#NewSpecies!
New lizard from #zambia just came by:
Nucras margaritae
Treatment: https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03478793-FFFD-053F-10A2-F990FB9EE712
Publication: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.3
#Zootaxa #NucrasMargaritae
#FAIRdata
#science #OA #openaccess #biology #taxonomy #ecology #biodiversity #nature #wildlife #conservation #animals #herpetology #herps #reptiles #lizards
My 25 years of palaeoart chronology...
Here's my 2023 illustration of Stenonychosaurus, from DINOSAUR BEHAVIOUR, by Prof Michael Benton (published by Princeton University Press). 50% off this book here: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691244297/dinosaur-behavior?srsltid=AfmBOorgA99oT9TaDBCIAidGBxUO7zqoGmclfzpauxoBnMG8MvE81xJA
#Art #Painting #PaleoArt #PalaeoArt #SciArt #SciComm #DigitalArt #Illustration #Dinosaurs #Birds #Reptiles #Palaeontology #Paleontology#Stenonychosaurus #JurassicPark #JurassicWorld #WildlifeArt
My 25 years of palaeoart chronology...
Here's my 2023 illustration of Quetzalcoatlus and Wellnhopterus, from DINOSAUR BEHAVIOUR, by Prof Michael Benton (published by Princeton University Press). 50% off this book here: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691244297/dinosaur-behavior?srsltid=AfmBOoqfleQCyoUVc4-BTmEGI2zzsR7VwDqCd5oWZyZGLeC1EYEKo40e
South Africa’s native reptiles and amphibians, including threatened species, are being illegally captured and exported for the global pet trade.
A recent study found that eight of the 10 most-exported reptiles from South Africa are native species, most of which are not protected by CITES, the global wildlife trade convention.
By Ryan Truscott
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/05/traffickers-slither-through-loopholes-with-wild-caught-african-snakes-and-lizards/
An Oriental Whipsnake (Ahaetulla prasina) spotted at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore on 27 Dec 2024. This individual was brown; others we've seen are usually green.
On iNaturalist[ https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/256479631 ].
My 25 years of palaeoart chronology...
Here's my 2023 illustration of a sneezing Apatosaurus, from DINOSAUR BEHAVIOUR, by Prof Michael Benton (published by Princeton University Press). 50% off this book here: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691244297/dinosaur-behavior?srsltid=AfmBOorFZpIRsz4gt3snIe2kgKx-ZrYvETlHpS596wX98R4eVCisy-y9
Got some goodies in the post!
Frog Life have some very neat FREE resources in their shop. You only need to pay postage.
Of course, it's nice to make a donation if you can afford to spare it. If you do, you get a copy of their member's magazine too.
My 25 years of palaeoart chronology...
Some zooms into my 2023 Western Interior Seaway illustration, from DINOSAUR BEHAVIOUR, by Prof Michael Benton (published by Princeton University Press). It features an Edmontosaurus carcass attracting attention from birds, pterosaurs, bony fish, sharks, marine reptiles, and ammonites.