Show Time

Super Pastel Mojave Pinstripe

So it's show time, and this weekend we will be in Costa Mesa displaying our snakes at the Repticon  show.

As I believe I've menbtioned before, this is a new one, so I really hope that it will be good. Since the last show was not as good as I was expecting, my expectations have been a bit lowered. This is not to say that this show won't be amazing.

I'm sure there will be good times to be had!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the show, and of course, getting the breeding season underway this weekend.

Since the pairings have been officialized, I am going to start going thru the collection and making it happen.

Also, due to the weather we are having here in Southern California (aka RAIN), it would behoove me to actually get my act together.

Pastel Enchi Butter

Also, I would like to personally thank Dr. Brady Barr, Colette Sutherland from TSK, Andrew Wyatt from USARK, and Shawn Heflick from the Python Hunters for representing the Reptile Industry at the HR511 hearing yesterday.

To hear/watch it, click here.

There is always a fight on our hands, and it is good to know that so many passionate people out there represent us in a professional and clear way.


Here is the definition of H.R.511:

112th CONGRESS
1st Session

                           H. R. 511

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation of various injurious species of constrictor snakes.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 26, 2011

Mr. Rooney introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation of various injurious species of constrictor snakes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Importation or shipment of injurious species.

Section 42(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended in the first sentence by inserting after “polymorpha;” the following: “of the Indian python of the species Python molurus, including the Burmese python of the species Python molurus bivittatus; of the reticulated python of the species Broghammerus reticulatus or Python reticulatus; of the Northern African python of the species Python sebae; of the Southern African python of the species Python natalensis; of the boa constrictor of the species Boa constrictor; of the yellow anaconda of the species Eunectes notaeus; of the DeSchauensee’s anaconda of the species Eunectes deschauenseei; of the green anaconda of the species Eunectes murinus; of the Beni anaconda of the species Eunectes beniensis;”.

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Pastel Cinnamon Enchi

This is not a good thing, and we have to fight it to be able to keep our hobby and our industry alive. There has been clear scientific evidence that the invasive pythons of Florida will not extend past Florida, and this Bill has no basis to be Federally instituted. It is nothing but a waste of time and taxpayer money.

But I digress...

Do what you do, reach out and talk to your congressman and your other political figures.

Make it clear that this is not right, not fair, and completely biased.

Make your voice heard.


Have a great weekend, my friends.

It is Complete....

It is DONE, my friends.


The plans for the 2013 breeding season have been completed!

I apologize for not being around yesterday, but the list took precendence over the blog, and therefore, things got done!

I also took some pictures for my friends on Facebook to share on my Facebook Page, and thus shall share the better ones here, for my loyal readers!

Of course, I also was trying to see if I was going to win the Powerball lottery, which fortunately enough for me, my brother helped get me a ticket.

Sadly, I didn't win.

Life goes on.

So the list is done, random 2012 babies have been photographed, and other than needing a more reliable rodent supplier, I am pretty pleased with this upcoming season!

I need to get it rolling, but I need to feed....

Grrrrrr.

Anyway, we are prepping for the Repticon Costa Mesa Show, which is another first in the area. I hope that this show is more popular than the last one, to say the least.

I shall be there vending, and it should be a good weekend, albeit a bit cold and rainy. That's alright though.

By then, I should have pairs together.

I shall give bits and pieces of the pairing plans thru the weeks ahead, just to tease.

I may also introduce a few new males that have been growing up over the years.

Until then, look at some 2012s.

This Pastel Clown is the one available. I think he is AWESOME looking.

Zebra Bee. TSK Axanthic Bumblebee, pissed off and ready to eat me.

This little girl is the Pewter or Sterling Fire female from this year. I'm not completely convinced she is a Sterling, but she has the look. 

What do you think?

I think they are awesome. And you are too!

So here's to another day, living the life.

Have a great day, my friends!

Huntington Gardens and YAY!

One of my favorite places to be is at Huntington Gardens...

I wanted to get married there, but of course it was going to be a Million Bajillion Dollars, so we decided against it.

So of course, on my last day of "vacation" back from traveling the East Coast, I wanted to have some down home wandering in the warmth. So we did!

And I brought my camera, which I had been playing with a lot while on vacation, and remembered to do so again. 

Roses are awesome, and I really like the Rose Garden here. It is very well tended, and you can see over 200 varieties of roses when in season.

This is almost my favorite rose... Not quite.  (Circus Roses FTW)

Also close, but no cigar.

This one is just awesome.. I would totally love a bouquet of these.

I love the Candycane stripes on these..

And of course, I found critters. This mantis didn't move for several photos.. I wanted to poke her, but I decided against it. 

The butterflies were out in full force as well.

As were the Fence Lizards...

And the Hummingbirds.

The Japanese Garden portion of the Botanical Gardens just reopened recently, so I wanted to take a look. 

Cool Lion Statue

Awesome Bonsai setup

One of the relaxing pools

Our leaves change too!

Ginkos in the Fall

A view from the wooden bridge

It was peaceful, relaxing, and most importantly, got me inwardly thinking.

Which in turn, got me a bit jazzed for this upcoming season, which should be in full force, but has yet to happen.

So, when I got back home, I went into the room and did a count of ready females and males.

And guess what?

I HAVE MY EXCEL SPREADSHEET DONE.

This is huge news, people. I am on my way to actually pairing and having documentation to make it official. By the end of the week, I will have put males in with females and have a PLAN in hand.

WOW.

Yes, I am doing this late, and yes, I know that this should have happened like four months ago, but since I have been out of it, I admit, I've been slow on the uptake.

But we are on our way, people.


Now to figure out which way to go...



Have a great day, my friends!

Whirlwind Vacation and What I learned

So I was out of state for the last week, doing the vacation thing with friends.

First we started out in Virginia, then Washington D.C., then New York.

Then back to California!

So here is what I learned over the last week:

• There are awesome folks out there that breed Ball Pythons in Virginia. Specifically Virginia Beach, where there is apparently something in the water to make all snakes HUGEMONGOUS. 
• I have tiny snakes, and I feel inadequate and need some Virginia Beach water. 
• I need to come out of my "dark place" and get my ass in gear. Thank you for that reminder. :)
• Oh Doo and Bacon FTW
• Joel is now known as Mister Dude. 
• Cool peeps live in Virginia Beach and know how to have a good time.
• It is cold on the East Coast. We came from 80 degree weather to 50 degree highs. 
• My best friend has very cute children.
• Driving from one part of Virginia to the other isn't too bad...
• The leaves do change dramatically during the Fall. (I knew this, but took pictures to show you, and of course the picture isn't that dramatic.. We were driving.)

• Washington D.C. is pretty big!
• Lots of cool things to do there... Two days is not even close to enough time to see it all. 
•  It's cold... and bound to get colder.

Rooftop D.C.

Washington Monument from the Mall

Capital Building

White House

White House again

White House one more time!

Hey, Look! It's the White House!

Washington Monument

View of Lincoln Memorial from the Washington Monument

Washington Monument

World War II Memorial

World War II Memorial

4048 Stars, each star representing 100 soldiers who died in WWII.

View of the Washington Monument from WWII Memorial

Reflecting Pool view of Washington Monument (from the Lincoln Memorial side)

Lincoln Memorial (was very popular)

Hey Look! It's Lincoln!

HERE are some pretty leaf colors.

More pretty leaves, and the Washington Memorial.

Beautiful shades of red.

Arlington Cemetery with changing leaves

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with Guard.

• I felt like I didn't have enough time. Didn't get to see enough. 
• Metro rides are not bad in the city.
• Excellent Food in the City. Founding Farmers was a good place to enjoy some well made food.
• Flying around the country is not my favorite thing to do. 
• New York was damaged significantly from Sandy, but nothing that can't be fixed. 
• It's cold there too.
• My family is awesome, and I am blessed to have them.
• My husband is also awesome, and traveled well in the cold, considering he is a Southern California Boy, born and raised. Snow isn't even in his vocabulary.
• I need to stop eating so much. Thanksgiving is a great time, but it's time to lose the Lbs. 
• Apparently, I can pass for a fifteen year old girl, as the lady in security in New York asked me if I was...
• It is easier to understand the time difference when you experience it first hand. Three hours is a lot of time. I will take that into account when dealing with East Coast Customers. 

That is all for today. There is more, as I spent some time doing other things after getting home from the trip.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. 

Safety First

So this morning, we had an alarm go off for Carbon Monoxide...

I was very concerned about the wellbeing of the animals in the house, as I was already out of the house. Joel went home, and we are waiting to get clearance to make sure everything is safe.

This is just a reminder that things can happen, and to be prepared!

What will happen if something happens in the area? Like if Hurricane RuPaul comes thru your area, are you prepared for it and what will happen to the animals in your collection if you are asked to evacuate?

Do you have a generator?

Do you have a backup plan?

Do you have a place to put all of your animals if you need to move?

Safety first, my friends.

Don't forget about things like this.

It's not only for your animals, but your own well-being as well.


Be prepared, be cautious, but don't be paranoid.



Have a great day, my friends!

Clowns

I admit it. I'm kinda a Clown. I like making people laugh, and make people think, while being able to satirize the topic. So of course, I needed to get in to the Clown project...

I got into it rather late, more like four years ago.

I got a Het Clown male from a friend for a Birthday present back in 2007, and I then bred him to a Pastel female. I kept back all three of the females, two Pastels and one Normal.

Fast forward to two years ago, and I finally felt it was time to pick up a Clown male. I did, got an awesome reduced pattern male...

And then.. He turned gay. Homey the Clown, who I picked up in 2010, never proved to be a prolific breeder.

So then, this past season, with two years of frustrations counting on Homey, I purchased a Pastel het Clown male from another friend.

FINALLY, he did his job, and I have to say, hatching out my own Clowns has been an awesome experience!

I really like the variation of them, from busy patterns to reduced pattern... Clowns are a great morph to work with.

But, like my year, the Clowns I hatched out were primarily male.

Booooooo...

But that's alright! I love the idea of being able to play with more Clown stuff over the next few years.

The Enchi Clown and Firefly Clown hatched out this year and are AMAZING... The Banana Clown is stunning as well. 

What combinations do you think would be good?

Let's talk Clown!