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Not a thing wrong with this beautiful snake in the blooms- :gj:
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Every time I see this thread bold I get so excited to see all your phenomenal photos. You have an amazing eye, and some pretty fun subjects too!
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Not a thing wrong with this beautiful snake in the blooms- :gj:
Yep yep! :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Missiepixie
Every time I see this thread bold I get so excited to see all your phenomenal photos. You have an amazing eye, and some pretty fun subjects too!
Thank you for the positive feedback!
I get a lot of compliments on my eye, sometimes--even two of them. ;)
In other news: my gf likes puns. so I could not resist:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_o105tc.jpg
Also: It begins! A week earlier than normal for me this year.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kp0yza.jpg
Going to try and time lapse this one...(Gravel/YB x Spider/Likely YB).
Maybe make a Spider Highway...Life is a Spider Highway...going to ride it all night long...:)
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Re: Snakes and Stones
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Re: Snakes and Stones
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I recently got a UV light to check out fluorescence in some of my rocks and minerals, and to see if there were 'hidden markings' on any of my snakes. I got the 365nm since that's apparently best for looking at snakes. Unfortunately, it's tiny. I did discover that my Ultrafly's markings show a very interesting fiery orange tint under uv light, but the light is too small to photograph with it, just a little pen-light type. My bananas didn't seem to show anything special. Now I kind of want to see pictures of snakes that show markings under uv light, along with fluorescent stones.
Since I haven't been around in a while, congratulations on the clutch posted recently. As always, all your photos are beautiful.
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Argentum
I recently got a UV light to check out fluorescence in some of my rocks and minerals, and to see if there were 'hidden markings' on any of my snakes. I got the 365nm since that's apparently best for looking at snakes. Unfortunately, it's tiny. I did discover that my Ultrafly's markings show a very interesting fiery orange tint under uv light, but the light is too small to photograph with it, just a little pen-light type. My bananas didn't seem to show anything special. Now I kind of want to see pictures of snakes that show markings under uv light, along with fluorescent stones.
Since I haven't been around in a while, congratulations on the clutch posted recently. As always, all your photos are beautiful.
Thanks! I am also interested in ball python UV markings.
I have a 60 watt party black light that is long wave 390nm.
However, as you can see below (Fluorite/Calcite): Most UV reactive stones do not fluoresce at 390nm, and BP markings are barely expressed until you shorten the wavelength.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_q3sq8b.jpg
Ideally I think you would want to be in the ~245nm range.
I suspect that some BP markings may go lower than 365nm, so even at 365nm you may not be seeing the entire story.
A short wave UV light is on my 'Wish List' of items to get:
I think a half decent one to produce enough light to cover an entire snake will easily cost more than $200.
For $200 I could set up another time lapse incubator, or buy 300lbs of rodent food...so it is still on my 'list'...:)
Fluorescent stones I have used in my photos (thus far) include:
Agate, Apatite, Calcite, Chalcedony, Citrine, Corundum (rubies),
Diopside, Emerald, Fluorite, Opal (common), Serpentine, Sodalite
Topaz, Quartz (certain varieties), and I'm sure many others I haven't ID'd.
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Re: Snakes and Stones
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Re: Snakes and Stones
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Some awsome pics with the iris and phlox [emoji7]
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
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Re: Snakes and Stones
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Re: Snakes and Stones
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STELLAR photos- beautiful snakes matched by beautiful flowers- Thanks for sharing!
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
STELLAR photos- beautiful snakes matched by beautiful flowers- Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! Different plants bloom every few days. :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_xu7bsk.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_hsrggi.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_rwbtk7.jpg
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:bow: You have quite the collection! :cool:
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
:bow: You have quite the collection! :cool:
Thanks! I do...I have over 100 color variations of iris, and still adding to the collection.
The trick is adding iris that don't look like other ones I already have...some of them look very similar...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_gpgqx7.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_dstqge.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_nkb8ij.jpg
GHI/Lesser shown above.
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Awsome iris collection, some smell amazing too don't they[emoji3590][emoji3590][emoji3590]
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardhind1972
Awsome iris collection, some smell amazing too don't they
Thanks!
I'm not a fan of flowers that smell like 'flowers'.
But, I do enjoy the irises since they smell like fruit and/or fruit flavored soda.
I have about a thousand light purple flowers that smell like grape soda blooming right now. :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_towpx9.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_feu2uw.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_vflfso.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_qwpz6k.jpg
Super Pastel/Fire (SuperFly) shown above.
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So THAT'S how they make grape soda!? :D
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Re: Snakes and Stones
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Yes the smell of iris flowers is so sweet [emoji3590][emoji3590][emoji3590][emoji7][emoji7]
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
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Re: Snakes and Stones
I also like flowers that don't smell 'floral'. One of my Phalaenopsis smells like lemon candy, and I have an Oncidium that smells like vanilla. The Oncidium is in bloom currently, but looks horrible. the flower spike was ingrown into the basal leaf it was supposed to emerge from, and ended up extremely deformed. Can't really take a picture, since it's a miniature, and the entire plant is about the size of my snake's head. Now I know that plants can get ingrown flowers. Unfortunately, the Phalaenopsis that's currently blooming has no scent at all, but the flowers last for a month, so... I can't complain. Scented orchids frequently have surprising aromas. But not all are pleasant. I envy your Iris garden, since I can't plant outdoors here currently.
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Argentum
I also like flowers that don't smell 'floral'. One of my Phalaenopsis smells like lemon candy, and I have an Oncidium that smells like vanilla. The Oncidium is in bloom currently, but looks horrible. the flower spike was ingrown into the basal leaf it was supposed to emerge from, and ended up extremely deformed. Can't really take a picture, since it's a miniature, and the entire plant is about the size of my snake's head. Now I know that plants can get ingrown flowers. Unfortunately, the Phalaenopsis that's currently blooming has no scent at all, but the flowers last for a month, so... I can't complain. Scented orchids frequently have surprising aromas. But not all are pleasant. I envy your Iris garden, since I can't plant outdoors here currently.
Yes we sell alot of scented orchids at the garden centre I work at and the smell is amazing, especially on a warm day, I don't think alot Of people realise how nice some of these really smell[emoji7][emoji7][emoji7]
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Argentum
Scented orchids frequently have surprising aromas.
Orchids, Iris, and Asparagus are all members of the family Asparagales (*Google It*) :)
The second iris photo with my Highway Ball Python is a Blue Rhythm Iris which smells strongly of Lemonade.
Thankfully all the Iris that I have encountered have pleasant aromas.
I didn't want to use a BEL and be cliche, but, with a 'black iris' (dark purple-under bright light), it had to be done. ;)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_jwjv5x.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_q6d13t.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_hzmbrg.jpg
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Re: Snakes and Stones
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Sorril
It has been rainy and windy in my area the last few days-It has been tough on the flowers...
Well you wouldn't know it by those gorgeous photos- I especially love that first flower- & your BP more than keeps up.
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Re: Snakes and Stones
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Sorril
I love those little dwarf lilacs, great smell and not as big as the other lilacs(syringa) you really have some awsome irises in your collection
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardhind1972
I love those little dwarf lilacs, great smell and not as big as the other lilacs(syringa) you really have some awsome irises in your collection
Thanks!
(Pastel/Lav Albino)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_sz118r.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_xlryrs.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_etabl5.jpg
As I have a casual interest in machine learning: I was wondering what would happen if I trained an AI model on my Ball Python flower photos.
Pretty steep learning curve (for me) and a lot more technical than I was expecting: however, hopefully I will have some interesting results in a few days (if my computer doesn't catch on fire). ;)
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Last night someone lost control of a vehicle in my area and took out my electricity.
My Deep Learning program was interrupted and configuration was wiped.
Thankfully I had a save point integrated at the half-way point of training (so I retained 3 days of computer-processing).
I generated 30 images using the old model, and 30 images (same detail level) using my partially trained model (of a ball python with flowers).
Below are the top 3 images generated from the old model, and top 3 from my new trained model (in progress):
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...023_vnd3kk.jpg
I am going to resume the training eventually, but, I really need a better Nvidia GPU (+more VRAM) so I can measure progress in hours instead of days... :)
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of this. Are there any images that your AI got completely wrong? I'd like to see those. When AI goofs, it's often very funny.
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homebody
Very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of this. Are there any images that your AI got completely wrong? I'd like to see those. When AI goofs, it's often very funny.
Throughout the training process I have the AI generate a sample for me to show me its progress.
Apparently it thinks that snakes can have more than one head...:taz:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...dup_zt5gmy.jpg
I'm considering using a completely white background and taking a few hundred clear ball python photos and then regularizing them to the algorithm to show that they have one head and one tail...
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Re: Snakes and Stones
So, my first clutch should be hatching in a week or so. Exciting!
In the meanwhile I haves still been fumbling around with developing an AI constructed model that can draw ball pythons.
I configured a second model based on a pied ball python on a white background. However, I may not have gave the AI enough time to develop the algorithm properly.
Both models I have created now have issues with the head and tail being indistinguishable from one another.
I attempted to combine the two models together in varying strengths to see if I could produce a viable result, but, I ended up with mostly 'snake donuts'.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...023_dd47dl.jpg
I am developing a third model and set the training factor to 'indefinite' and I will review the sampling (every 500 steps)....until it learns...or I give up...:P
I'm not certain if drawing snakes follows the 'hands issue': https://petapixel.com/2023/03/02/why...t-hands-right/
Ah well, if that is the case: I can expect not to find a solution any time soon, and especially not on my current hardware setup...
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But still, those are lovely donuts. :D
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
But still, those are lovely donuts. :D
Hahaha thanks! My computer spent 9 days working on a new model and it still ended up with the same problem.
I think that my AI has an issue where the snake can be in an infinite number of positions in a 3-dimensional space--this is very confusing.
I'm sure I could build a model with a snake in a specific position, but, not interested in spending the effort atm...
In other news my Clutch #1 Hatched:
https://youtu.be/mSdKkjIGrB0
Some would call the outcome good luck, others would call it bad luck...All five hatched: so I consider it a 'win'! :)
Note: The worst part about making a time lapse video is listening to all the horrible free music before I can find some that doesn't sound like a cat stuck under an ice cream truck at the airport...
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Re: Snakes and Stones
So begins the 2023 Snakes and Stones Season:
Photo #308
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_fkuukj.jpg
Ivory (Homozygous Yellowbelly) with a tumbled/polished chunk of Blue Chalcedony from Nebraska, USA. :)
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You're off to a GREAT start! :D And your snakes even know how to pose. :cool:
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #309
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_qvendv.jpg
Het (Gravel or YB), with some Nipomo Agate + Marcasite inclusions.
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #310
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kcysvv.jpg
Ivory/Spider with a piece of Agatized Coral (most likely from Indonesia). :)
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #311
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_schzk6.jpg
Assorted Tumbled/Polished Thunder Eggs with a Clown Ball Python.
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Re: Snakes and Stones
As of July 29th: I just received my Clutch #10:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ted_cjjukd.jpg
So: this has been a tough breeding season for me: Normally by August, I have about 75% of my ball python clutches.
I'm expecting ~25 clutches from 40 females.
As a hobbyist: 10 clutches still seems pretty good...However, for whatever reason #3 and #6, both completely failed. :tombstone
The failed clutches were in separate incubators with independent controls and heating equipment.
All other clutches in those same incubators are unphased.
There was nothing unusual about the genetic crosses (Highway x Super Pastel Lesser & GHI/Fire x Pastel Lesser).
The pairings were from non-related family lines and the eggs seemed viable.
The only real connection between the two failures clutches were that they were laid by sisters, and these were both their first.
I have an entire clutch die once every few years. Having two clutches unexpectedly die in the same season is pretty ominous...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...023_s7jdos.jpg
Lets hope everything is 'smooth sailing' moving forward...:)
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That's a shame about the failed clutches (it does seem suspicious that those two first-time sisters both had bad clutches- might be something "going on" there?) & that so many others are taking longer too. Well, here's hoping that all those that do make it, at least do so spectacularly well with plenty of eye-candy, eh? -Don't they realize you're counting on them for photo shoots too? ;) Always sad to see an entire clutch die- it makes you question everything as to the genetics & the incubation- and I gotta say, those eggs (clutches #3 & #6) looked great at the start. You just never know. :confusd:
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #312
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_crayij.jpg
Ivory Spider Ball Python with a polished chunk of King Cobra Jasper.
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Wow, that is some snake AND some jasper! Great pairing-:gj:
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #313
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_hshtpt.jpg
Some local granite and a Het Gravel or YB.
Since Granite is composed of quartz, and feldspar: the hardness of the Quartz is greater than the Feldspar which makes it often not polish evenly (with rock tumbling).
Pieces with higher quartz content and/or larger grains have better results.
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #314
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_efpdvx.jpg
Some Chalcedony from the Mid-West USA, with a 66% Het Clown.
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #315
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_jvgjz2.jpg
BP: 66% Het Clown
Some Tiger Jasper, Chrysocolla, and the stone in the center: Possibly Idaho Green Seam Agate. :)
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Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #316
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_jwyem5.jpg
Atlantis Wonder Jasper with a 66% Het Clown BP.
The rough material I purchased had significant imperfections (pores, cracks, voids) throughout the entire material, but, did take a high shine (compared to Utah Wonderstone).
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