Snakes and Stones

Photo #181
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...lzkeknxmvl.jpg

Photo #182
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...71kw5ak3we.jpg
Leopard is one of my favorite morphs. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #181
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...lzkeknxmvl.jpg

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Wait, not so fast....:bow:

Video below:
My Time Lapse Clutch #20 - 2021
Moldy eggs and casualties, oh my...
https://youtu.be/T3xE7ZoJ50k

Photo #183
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...37ghq08vrx.jpg

I was looking at one of my new clutches (post-shed) and I noticed something odd: a non-symmetrical head-stamp on one of them.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_lztcaq.jpg
A trivial thing, but, something I haven't seen before. :)

Carnelian
Photo# 184A
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ephilrujjt.jpg
Photo# 184B: Backlit via LED flashlight
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...qyq64fg8qr.jpg

Photo #185
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...na8eeq7gb0.jpg
Some local river stones (Quartz/Chert based). :)

Photo #186
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...kyq1rav1dt.jpg
Single gene Het VPI Axanthic with a heavily pitted piece of agate.
From a distance the stone looks cool, but, up close you can see a lot of...'character'. :)
After rotary grind I vibed the agate for a while to remove some of the minor surface imperfections. I thought about breaking off the top half of the stone while it was still rough, but, there are more pits on the other side and even if I tumbled smaller pieces from this stone they would still carry flaws.

"Flaws"? I only see a very pretty stone with a nice little ball o' beep.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

"Flaws"? I only see a very pretty stone with a nice little ball o' beep.

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Ahhh, but, when you have a lot of something you can be picky. :)
Just like this Orange Dream wasn't high enough expression to make my holdbacks this year:
Photo #187
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_bpldnt.jpg

Oh, and someone msged me the other day and asked me what I like to tumble the most: Actually a little bit of everything.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...fnjbdg38na.jpg
And yes, there is an insect (lady asian beetle) hiding in those rocks...:)

Someone asked me how I know that Photo #187 is an Orange Dream and not an Enchi...
Here is quick side-by-side comparison between a 'single gene' Enchi and an Orange Dream.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_gsmisi.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ibo30h.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_v0wmc8.jpg

More stones from my backyard.
Photo #188
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...msjxxqrqkj.jpg

Never underestimate "neutrals" ^ ^ ^ to look every bit as gorgeous as all these bright colors that so many lust after. :sweeet:

Photo #189
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_bhpeak.jpg
These stones are at their 'limit'. Tumbling them further would not improve them...

Photo #190
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...fod3ydzxy1.jpg

Photo #191
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...afzbu2oam4.jpg

I was out hiking in my area a while ago.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_lmuzjb.jpg
A mile or two into the woods I spotted a green object on the ground.
I thought it was plastic at first and ignored it.
On the way back I saw it again and stopped to poke at it.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m2nce8ghvb.jpg
I quickly figured out that it was some type of rock.
At the time: I only found the one piece, but, I made a mental note where I located it.
A few months later I returned with some 'light' tools and dug around the area...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...txb4thbmwh.jpg
My 'rock friends' called it Serpentine, but, due to the hardness and porosity: I call it meta-basalt.
It doesn't tumble/polish well, and has a tendency to cleave erratically when shaping, but, it was the right price...free! :)

Photo #192
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ezrmf0dmxb.jpg

Well I think the shiny green looks awsome [emoji7][emoji7]

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Well I think the shiny green looks awsome [emoji7][emoji7]

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

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Me too, but for some reason, I prefer the name "serpentine"? :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Well I think the shiny green looks awsome [emoji7][emoji7]

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I'm glad you like it! Even though I get a shine on a lot of stones--it does not match the polish I can get on agate (which is kinda the 'gold standard' in the hobby)...:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Me too, but for some reason, I prefer the name "serpentine"? :D

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I like the name 'Serpentine' too! What I also find amusing is that Serpentine is also called Serpentinite and is formed through the process of 'Serpentization'...which sounds like someone/something getting transformed into a snake...but unfortunately is actually far less interesting...

For reference:
Serpentization - a processes whereby rock is changed with the addition of water into the crystal structure of the minerals found within the rock.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

...
I like the name 'Serpentine' too! What I also find amusing is that Serpentine is also called Serpentinite and is formed through the process of 'Serpentization'...which sounds like someone/something getting transformed into a snake...but unfortunately is actually far less interesting...

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"Serpentization" sounds like what happened to most of us? :rofl: And especially speaking for myself. :snake::snake::snake:

Photo #193
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...bghmuat6ks.jpg
These look like ironstone concretions.
As a sedimentary stone they are soft and unstable and should be near impossible to polish: I figured I would still take a shot.
They look a lot 'cleaner' than when I started.
I can seem some reflection from the quarter so I know I did a good job. ;)

Photo #194
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...uomipprj8y.jpg
Latest batch of Prairie Agate. Fun stuff to tumble...super easy to get a nice polish. :)

Photo #195
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ec7plu5crz.jpg
Blue Agate from Utah, a piece of Quartz from India. :)

Photo #196
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...lqoqulizb3.jpg
Interesting stone: looks like a granite variant with Potassium Feldspar.
Tough to tumble/polish due to varying hardness.
Found it in a nice area:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...053_dmjgbw.jpg
Lots of garter snakes around...very skittish on a warm day...not easy to get a clear photo with my camera...:)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...067_qhhiow.jpg

While a bit off-topic: I went home to visit my parents for Thanksgiving.
My mom was breeding Fire-Bellied Toads for a while and had hundreds of them at one point.
She was initially feeding them crickets, but, really despised the odor.
I introduced her to Dubia roaches several years ago and she had been feeding them those since...
Recently she sold several hundred toads to local pet stores and the remaining ones (pets) she taught to eat floating Tetra ReptoMin pellets in a black plastic container which she floated in the water.
https://youtu.be/PJuPGhQdnn0
As for the remaining Dubias, after they were frozen: she had enough to fill a 2.5 gallon bag.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ias_w24av1.jpg
While the frozen roaches will be used as a supplemental food for the quail/chickens...
in the event of a crisis, she said she plans on using them as a backup protein source. :chew:

Anyhow, I thought it was amusing. :)

Love it, LS! That reminds me, I haven't had breakfast yet...:)

Photo #197
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...hbpfqkmgrk.jpg
A river stone from my area...looks like a quartz/quartzite composite.

Gnarly head-stamp on this Het VPI Axanthic.

Dubias make pretty great alternative to worms for composting too! I love them. I never thought to freeze them, but I bet that works pretty well to preserve them for food for less picky reptiles and chickens. I think my cresties would eat them frozen thawed.

A while back I was visiting a little house in my area:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...4n5tfckbb4.jpg
Had a little private beach:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...nbmrplvf1n.jpg
Found this rock, looked kinda odd, orange color was pretty neat:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...fign8ltcib.jpg
A little bit disappointed how it tumbled...you never know until you try though...:)
Photo #198
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...qxb8ggoo2j.jpg
If you guessed another Het VPI Axanthic--you would be right. :)

"...a little house"??? :rofl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

"...a little house"??? :rofl:

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Size is relative. Just a 'little' bit larger than my own. ;)
I do like the architectural highlights of this one better though.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-1_dv3sti.jpg
The gryphons are cool, Greek versions...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-2_aueyie.jpg
Not sure what that thing on their head is supposed to represent...Googlers: feel free to let us know.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-3_b4q4ap.jpg
I am jealous of the backyard...then I think of all the maintenance...and I'll pass on keeping it as a summer home.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-4_d7rcqu.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-5_s2yhzv.jpg
(bet you thought this entire post was going to be off-topic)
Behold! Athena and her sacred animal: The Snake
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-6_xqpo4y.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-7_epgvs6.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-8_z90jcz.jpg
Great place to watch a thunderstorm.

I'm with you on the yard work. (I'd sooner have a lap pool anyway.) Way too much house-work too, no thanks! Full-time job just sweeping those chimneys & keeping those fireplaces going. :rolleyes:

Thank you so much for this thread!!

I love crystals and have been wondering how my Ball girl would react to them if I put a few in her enclosure! I find them to be so soothing and by your pictures, it seems the snakes feel the same way!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Holly_Medusa

Thank you so much for this thread!!

I love crystals and have been wondering how my Ball girl would react to them if I put a few in her enclosure! I find them to be so soothing and by your pictures, it seems the snakes feel the same way!

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Your snake won't mind them at all- just something to investigate or rest on. :D :snake:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Holly_Medusa

Thank you so much for this thread!!

I love crystals and have been wondering how my Ball girl would react to them if I put a few in her enclosure! I find them to be so soothing and by your pictures, it seems the snakes feel the same way!

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Thank you for the feedback! I'm glad you like the photos. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Your snake won't mind them at all- just something to investigate or rest on. :D :snake:

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My sentiments exactly!
I'm sure ball pythons will appreciate rocks and crystals to examine-more than my cats do...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e0juiyrvjs.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...8o6t4dwxlq.jpg
Photo #199
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...cpln3also9.jpg
https://youtu.be/STrKrqo1qM8

Montana Agate:

Photo #200A (Dark)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ix4metjhm9.jpg
Photo #200B (Bright)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...bynjvwlqbq.jpg
Side-by-Side
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ki6w2jhn7n.jpg
I tried very hard to integrate a several gene combo morph into the photo, but, after several lackluster attempts...I chose a 'regular' Axanthic for the subject. :)

That's so cool [emoji7][emoji7][emoji7]

Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

Photo #201
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...oprcmryb6d.jpg

Photo #202
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...hnzn9sr5ib.jpg
This one refused to pose for the photo...which is also a pose...;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #202
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...hnzn9sr5ib.jpg
This one refused to pose for the photo...which is also a pose...;)

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I like it anyway...darn snakes! :rofl: Also like the previous one- very festive, would make a nice Christmas card! :D

Photo #203
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_atztjg.jpg
Not the most aesthetic agate, but, an interesting color.

Het VPI Axanthic ball python. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I like it anyway...darn snakes! :rofl: Also like the previous one- very festive, would make a nice Christmas card! :D

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Thanks! I was planning on making Christmas cards and having the outside be dark Krampus themed folk artwork by my gf, and the inside a photo collage of ball pythons done by me, but, unfortunately we have not had the time (compliments of The First Horse: Pestilence). Ahh well...maybe next year...

Photo #204
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_fj8isw.jpg
I think I have tumbled more local Granite/Quartz than anything else, but Carnelian Agate is a close second...

Photo #205
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_t4oscf.jpg
Used some Leland Blue for this photo.
I am tempted to buy other colors of slag furnace glass and try them out, but, this stuff was a real pain to work with and glass seems to eat away rapidly at my vibe tumblers polypropylene bowl...

Photo #206
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kxf3g6.jpg
Iolite (blue/purple) is always interesting to photograph.

Photo #207
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_fpkezq.jpg

Photo #208
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_gtzdgh.jpg
GHI with some Nipomo Agate (+Marcasite).