Snakes and Stones

Photo #300
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_h2izrc.jpg
Clown ball python with some more Rubellite and a big chunk of tumbled Milky Quartz.

Photo #300 makes 300 individual ball python specimens shown.

For my 2023 season:
I have 45 mature females allocated for mating.
With 1:1 Matings I only expect ~50% to actually produce eggs.
So, that is about 22 clutches of eggs, around 6 eggs/clutch-so I'm expecting ~130 offspring for the season (barring any unforeseen issues).

I am excited to introduce my Pastel Blade Het Clown male into my collection of Het Clown females.
It will be interesting to see first-hand the impact of the Blade gene on the patterning of the inherited Clown offspring of my line.

Since I have a variety of genes in my collection: I was trying to figure out what morphs I should target for 2023...
I looked back in my records from about 8 years ago and I had wrote down a list morphs I thought were pretty cool.
This year I am breeding towards these goals that I set long ago-some of the offspring will be one step forward, and others should complete some of these projects (hopefully). :aww:

Wish me luck for 2023!

You bet, we wish you ALL the LUCK for 2023 & beyond. And we'll never tire of your photos- nothing like adding fresh "models"-:D

Photo #301
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_npvj8a.jpg
Piebald in shed with some assorted Petrified Wood.

Photo #302
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_mjr7ss.jpg
Brazilian Agate with a Clown (+Pastel or Fire).

Photo #303
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ch20wa.jpg
Leopard Het Clown with some Obsidian (black/silver sheen), a large piece of chalcedony and a few strange stones.

Photographing obsidian is odd because it both absorbs, reflects, and diffracts light at the same time.

Below is a closeup of the greenish areas on unknown the stones.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...002_iw5rqu.jpg
If someone IDs these stones in the rock forums I will let you know what they are. :)

Photo #304
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_dulsks.jpg
Some local Quartzy rocks, and a few pieces of Rose Quartz from the Mid-West USA (for some color).
Ball Python is a Pastel/Het VPI Axanthic.

I like how this ^ ^ ^ snake's head matches the rock he's posing next to. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I like how this ^ ^ ^ snake's head matches the rock he's posing next to. :D

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I didn't even notice until you mentioned it! You are completely right though! :)

Photo #305
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_vug8lt.jpg
I can count a little more than 15 types of stones in this photo (from Agate to Grossular Garnet to Topaz).
Ball Python is a Spider/Black Pastel.

A while back I bought a box of halved Thunder Eggs from Ebay. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderegg
I thought the faces on the eggs were pretty neat, but, the 'shell' of the eggs was heavily textured and rough.
I thought I would try and clean them up to be a bit more aesthetically pleasing to hold.

Photos below are the same stones shell vs. face (first group out of vibe), with a clown ball python.

Photo #306A
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_irwlhh.jpg

Photo #306B
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_wxa6ar.jpg
I never intended them to be perfect tumbles-so I am not surprised they are a bit rough.
I am still very pleased with the results. :)

Who cares about "perfect tumbles"? They have so much color & personality- much like the snake.