Chat Week on Kingsnake.com
Friday, December 13, 2002
Richard Bartlett
Herping in Peru
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AskRDB: Welcome to our 2nd and last Chat of the evening
AskRDB: our Guest tonight is renowned and prolific herp writer, author, photog.Mr. RD Bartlett
AskRDB: Welcome RD
rdbartlett: Thanx Bill, it's good to be here
AskRDB: Dick, I understand you're off to Peru next week..what will your mission be, Sir
rdbartlett: We are leading a tour group pf herp photographers
AskRDB: (Dick when you finish a response, could you type next please)
rdbartlett: will do next
AskRDB: Can folks herp Peru and bring back a few or is it like Costa Rica
rdbartlett: no herps are allowed out. photos only next
AskRDB: What is your favorite herping adventure? And why?
rdbartlett: that's too lengthy, but we have a lot of fun on all. next
AskRDB: how long will you be in Peru?
rdbartlett: 2.5 weeks. next
AskRDB: is it hard to find Peruvian boas in the field?
rdbartlett: not at all. it is hard to find LARGE peruvian rts though. next
AskRDB: Do you use a 33mm camera or a digital camera when you are out herping on trips?
AskRDB: 35mm...sorry
rdbartlett: the old standby a 35 mm. next
AskRDB: Can I ask which brand name
rdbartlett: canon eos. next
AskRDB: do you see many dart frogs in Peru
rdbartlett: a great many, but not all are colorful. next
AskRDB: Have you experienced any of the political unrest we sometimes hear about here..ie certain areas you wouldn'tcan't go in
rdbartlett: the political problems are in the mountain provinces. we have never had any kind of problem. next
AskRDB: What is your favorite lens to use on your camera for the best close up shots?
rdbartlett: a 105 macro. next
AskRDB: Is there one particular herp you'll be looking for to photo
rdbartlett: did you get the answer about the emerald palm snake? next
AskRDB: no, sorry, Dick
rdbartlett: i was aske what we'd be hoping to see, and it is the emerald palm snake. next
AskRDB: Dick, from reading your articles you seem to miss seeing what you want to see in the Trans-Pecos. Let me know when you are coming back and I'll offer my guide services to you.
AskRDB: (John Hollister)
rdbartlett: thanx so much. I will! next
AskRDB: do you own any animals personaly
rdbartlett: yes-- quite a few, incl some radiated torts weve had for more than 50 years. next
AskRDB: Have you had any rough experiences in the field
rdbartlett: Ive been VERY lucky. Never a major problem. next
AskRDB: Do you have to rough it in the field camping out or do you have pre planned areas where you stay?
rdbartlett: in today's world you're never far fom a hotel...except in Peru
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: whats next after Peru?
rdbartlett: we're already working on updating an amazon herp book that's just about to appear.. so that and Mexio are all that are in the plans. next
AskRDB: RD, I saw your post on the field collecting forum. What's the scoop with the tokays, are they restricted to Dade Co or have they been spreading, maybe Broward Co?
rdbartlett: they are in dade, broward, and lee counties
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: are there tarantulas or scorpions in peru?
rdbartlett: Absolutely both - several kinds
rdbartlett: none have caused fatlaities to my knowledge
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: What experiences have you had with different boas in Peru?
rdbartlett: We have all of them but the emerald tree boa at this time
rdbartlett: maybe next trip
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: were you able to make the Oregon herp trip this past summer and how did it go?
rdbartlett: have found
rdbartlett: we did
rdbartlett: it went rather well but not as well as hoped because of drought
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: will you be doing a feature article on the OR trip in Reptiles mag?
rdbartlett: several parts have already been submitted for the column
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: can scorpions and tarantuals in peru be found anywhere other than the bush?
rdbartlett: they have definietly been found on our sleeping platforms
rdbartlett: we always check our shoes tho
rdbartlett: we had 1 person that got bitten pretty badly
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: whats the most venomous snake you may encounter or have in Peru?
rdbartlett: because oi the amount of venom dispensed in a bite, the bushmaster
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: Dick, do you still need pics of Thamnophis sirtalis dorsalis? I didn't have time to check the Rio Grande area of NM much this year, but I should this coming spring. (Chris Newsome)
rdbartlett: no I do not... thank you
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: Do you have a site where people can view some of your photos?
rdbartlett: unfortunately not at this time - web site in developement
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: do you own any monitor lizards or have you seen croc monitors in the field
rdbartlett: no he does not own monitors and has not seen croc monitors in the field
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: How do the native people of the different countries you go to react to your presence?
rdbartlett: they react well. no problems. next
AskRDB: What kind of Dispositions have you encountered in Argentine Boas?
rdbartlett: foul. next
AskRDB: how do u check ur shoes properly in case of scorpions? I heard that u can hold the shoe upside down and tap it then they'll come out, but how do u make sure that there is NONE in there?
rdbartlett: knocking the heel sharply against the floor has always worked. next
AskRDB: Is there one venomous snake you look foward to photog. in Peru..either you haven't seen yet or enjoy the most?
rdbartlett: the little hog-nosed viper and the speckled tree viper, bothrops hyoprora and bothriopsis taeniate respectively. next
AskRDB: Do you have to use a lot of insect repllent in field/Peru?
rdbartlett: almost none. the mosquitos are worse in my FL backyard. next
AskRDB: how can one book a Peru tour w/you
rdbartlett: check www.amazon-ecotours.com. next
AskRDB: whats the most common herp seen in Peru
rdbartlett: there are several geckos, and almost always a fer-de-lance or two each night. next
AskRDB: You are quit an inspiration. What schooling does it take to get started in this field?
rdbartlett: absolutely nothing but the desire to do it. & thanx. next
AskRDB: how do u make sure that u do not get ticks on u when ur in the bush?
rdbartlett: good question. now you've got me wondering. we get chiggers (lotsa fun) but never a tick. next
AskRDB: outside of scorps and spiders are there any other bugs you have to be really careful about coming in contact with?
rdbartlett: the scorps and spiders aren'te really a problem. we look forward to seeing them. no anazonian peru is a very safe place
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: sort of a herp question: but is the food good in Peru or takes getting accustomed to?
rdbartlett: the food is GREAT. don't go down there expecting to lose weight-- at least not on one of our tours!. next
AskRDB: Do you need any special vaccinations for a trip to Peru?
rdbartlett: some are suggested but check w/local health dept
AskRDB: is there any probs w/malaria?
rdbartlett: no not in the area we go
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: is the U.S. dollar strong there..i.e. are items fairly cheap?
rdbartlett: yes items are very cheap
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: what equipment should one bring on a trip to Peru - field equip.
rdbartlett: hook, flashlight, replacement bulbs, lots of batteries and a desire to be ther
rdbartlett: of course a change of cloths is rewccomended as well
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: what's the weather generally like down in Peru?
rdbartlett: its reverse from th US ...
rdbartlett: December is like June in miami
rdbartlett: June is like December in Miami
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: What speed film do you like to use when photographing in the field?
rdbartlett: habitat ISO200 - closeups ISO 50
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: are there certain months not good for expecting to see herps in Peru?..ie cold etc.
rdbartlett: Every month we have been has beeb fruitful
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: whch times of the year will you be leading tours to Peru and what lengths of per
rdbartlett: June and December for either 1-2 weeks as clients pre3fer
rdbartlett: check our web site for particulars
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: Do you ever dine on Herps when in Peru? Or are they on loacl menus?
rdbartlett: Yes they are on local menus
rdbartlett: no he doesn't dine on them
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: have you ever gotten in a bad position with any herps you were observing?
rdbartlett: no
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: is there one herp you look forward to when inPeru
rdbartlett: Emerald Tree boa is always highj on everyones list
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: what's the most interesting thing that's happened to you while out on one of your Trips?
rdbartlett: Every trip is a new and interesting experience - no one thing has been most exciting
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: what kinds of tortoises have you observed in Peru?
rdbartlett: ther are only 2 and we have only seen the yellowfoot in the areas we go to
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: how rare is it to see an Emerald Tree Boa there?
rdbartlett: For us very... We have not seen one up to this point in time
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: what's the most unusual or rare herp you have found on an outing?
rdbartlett: most unsual - the slender caecilaen
rdbartlett: rare - velvety lancehead Bothrops brazili
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: Will you be doing much field herp'n in the U.S. this summer?
rdbartlett: tyes - trips planned to Appalacians, Texas and Arizona
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: when you were in Oregon last summer, what was the herp you foud that you really wanted to see/photo
AskRDB: the one herp
rdbartlett: numbers of rubber boas thanks to ricard hoyer
rdbartlett: richard
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: what has been teh most exciting place you've field herped inside the United States?
rdbartlett: they have all been exciting in their own way - no one stands out
rdbartlett: above the others
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: What time slots will you be in the Appalacians and what particular herp looking for?
rdbartlett: looking for a number of salamanders to photograph for the field guide to easetern amphibians
rdbartlett: should be there in the May time frame
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: what will your next book be about or do you know yet
rdbartlett: 8 books coming to press art this time
rdbartlett: next book will be field guide to eastern reptiles
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: will any of the pics for books be advertised on Kingsnake.com
rdbartlett: yes they will be in the kingsnake.com bookstore
rdbartlett: when they bec0ome available
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: How difficult is it to find and photograph salamanders? Any species in particular that's given you problems?
rdbartlett: there is no problem finding the salamanders. it's just getting to where they are next
AskRDB: folks I think we have another 10 mins of chat, post your questions to me
AskRDB: Is there a particluar sally in Apalachia you wanna photo
rdbartlett: the shenandoah salamander
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: have youo ever observed galopogas or aldabra tortoises in the wild?
rdbartlett: only have time for 2 more
rdbartlett: no I have not
rdbartlett: next
AskRDB: Earlier you said Canon eos. What would be a descent model for a beginning photographer?
rdbartlett: No particular model, just the best you can afford
AskRDB: Well we are up on our time tonight and a very special thanks to Dick Bartlett for having to deal w/the comp probs and still come back in
rdbartlett: sacrafice bells and whistles for qualiy
rdbartlett: check second hand camera stores...
AskRDB: Also special thanks to JeffB for assisting Dick
rdbartlett: their is some nice equip[ment and knowledgable peopl
AskRDB: Again, thanks so much Dick and next time (yes we will ask you again) will be much better for you!
AskRDB:
rdbartlett: thanks to everyone for such interesting questions
