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This is literally me in the hotel at Tinley checking forums. Photo by former ks.com staffer Clint Gilders

There was going to be a final Herp photo of the day, but I couldn't decide. Anything I post will have memories and a farewell anyhow.

There was a lot of waffling to decide who today was, it was the NRBE2009 gallery when I saw my face at the first time I met a komodo that I realized that it had to be Krakatoa!

Thanks to running this joint, I see zoos differently. I have loved every single one I have gone to and have many "boyfriends" around the country, but as I said, I started with Iguanas and I cannot forget the most Iconic Iguana I ever got to love on.

Today's is a bit late but hey, what is Jeff gonna do? Fire me? I lose my job Saturday anyhow!

The Chiricahua Desert Museum hosted a BBQ as I mentioned in my post about herping with Mark O'Shea. When I arrived at the museum, I learned that a certain forum poster was there. For those who remember the days of say the Kingsnake forum or perhaps the monitor forum, you might know the name I am about to mention. If you are leaning to ole FR you are leaning in the right direction. I had someone point him out to me and I just walked up and waited for a break in his conversation when he was free and smiled that smile some of you know so well when something sassy is about to come out of my mouth and said

Behind the scenes zoo trips were the BEST. I got to see so many species up close and personal that most people dream of. I feel so honored to have had that chance and I adore all my friends who have given me the chance to do that. My first loves were iguanas and as I grew through the community, I also spread my wings into conservation work after joining the Chicago Herpetological Society. Through there I learned of the IRCF and other iguana specific programs. I also learned how many species of iguanas there were. I started as an adult in this world, so I was behind a lot of you all, and I want to thank you for not making me feel different.

This was from a trip to Reptile Gardens a while back in South Dakota. Every herper should make the pilgrimage because Terry Phillip does an amazing job. I was like a kid in a candy store and that was BEFORE I got behind the scenes. But this photo is the holy grail of Iguanas in the US. *MY* moment where I got to meet my first Fiji Island Iguana. I was so very excited. If you are on my Facebook page, you can see a few other photos I will share there as well.

Since it is Rattlesnake Friday, this photo is looking out over the parking lot of the The Lodge of the Chiricahua Desert Museum. IT was just after sunrise, still kinda cool in the desert. Everyone in the lodge was asleep, except for me and this fella. You might recognize him. I had the pleasure to herp the Chiricahuas with Mark O'Shea once. Well, Mark and I woke early and went to take sunrise photos and that lucky bastard found a Mojave within seconds. Remember I mentioned everyone else in the lodge was asleep? Well half of them also did not know that a woman had joined their ranks. Oh yeah and most of them were not happy with the 5 am wake up call for just a Mojave, I mean they had seen several the night before. Mark wanted to photograph it better, so we had to find a bag, which woke the rest of the lodge. I helped Mark bag it and we ran into another herper staying in the other side, Jarron Lucas (RIP). He had several more mojaves and plopped them out for us to photograph. By the time Mark and I got back to our part of the lodge, we had a lot of disgruntled roommates for being woken up early, one Mojave hanging from a lamp so everyone saw the snake bag and a few startled older men shocked that a woman moved in while they slept.

A little side story, one of those surprised was Michael Dee, former keeper at the LA Zoo and the Book Guy at West Coast Shows. He became a wonderful friend over the years. When I got divorced and took Dan out to California and Mike met him for the first time, he looked at Dan with a smile and wink and just said "I slept with your girl before you did" and walked away giggling. I mean it was a multi-room condo, but it was so cute. Mike and Jarron were such great old school herpers I loved getting to spend time with and while many were inspired by Steve, I was more inspired by Mark. And to think this job gave me the chance to actually catch reptiles in the wild with THE Mark O'Shea and become actual friends with him.

There is no more photo of the day. It is now my memories. I used to love when we handed out free shirts. PEople were always confused when I said FREE! We would time it and race because once the shirts were gone, Clint and I could party. Jeff wasn't a social person so he was happy to pass shows off to Clint and I decades ago. This was back when we sponsored the NARBC shows. NARBC have always been my favorite of all the shows. I have attended every single Tinley, all 25 years. The first 2 I was not part of kingsnake.com and then one where I worked for someone else. All others I have been kingsnake. We don't look too rough, so I am going with this is Saturday AM. Clint Gilders was our programmer for many years and is still a great friend. He was also my first show husband. Funny, at Tinley, you can find me basically in the same spot. I only moved maybe 10 feet from where our booth used to be.

Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

Before we shut down for good, I wanted to share this one. A favorite at the holidays this Rosy boa in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user natsamjosh wants to wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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The natural sunlight makes this Rainbow Boa glitter in our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user curaniel! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Looks like it is date night for this pair of Diamond Jungle Carpet Pythons in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user terrapene! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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All coiled up, this Crotalus lepidus klauberi in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user lepidus-klauberi looks ready for something! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

This male Lacerta has his eye on you in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user danielk! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Sonoma County has some beautiful Black Speckled Salamanders, just like this one in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user skyserpent ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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A True Giant. This Komodo Dragon takes center stage in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user cowboyfromhell ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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