Snakes and Stones

Love the subtle tones in both the rocks and the reptile!

I've been considering upgrading to a UV45 as my UV18 has been a workhorse, but, cannot keep up with my volume coming out of material coming out of Stage 1.  I tried reviewing material online to see if there were any fundamental differences, between the two vibes, but, information was minimal.    I contacted Thumler's several times with technical questions and received no response.   After much consideration I did purchase one and have received it today.  Below is a snake-by-snake comparison of the size.  



I was unsure if I could transfer my ratios and processes from the UV-18 and just upscale them.  At first glance it appears that my modified ratios will work fine.

I found minimal information regarding the setup/operation of the device.  Only after purchasing one do I see that it is nearly identical to the UV-18.  I wish someone had made a video of the unboxing/setup for their rock tumbling.  So I did:

Keeping it: My plan is to keep the UV-18 running 24/7/365 and just using the UV-45 to play 'catch up' with the backlogged/larger material (preferably in the warmer months when I have easy access to running water). 

Iridescence is an interesting thing.  In some cases it is due to a snake going through a certain phase of shed cycle, and in others there are genes than can specifically control it.  I know of two separate genes that enhance iridescence:  One called Orange Dream, and the other called Lace (Lace having a more pronounced effect--I'm told).   I just started working with Orange Dream a year ago and should see my first hatchlings in a few weeks.   Lace is a more subtle pattern/color variation and even with my trained eyes I cannot see it clearly (the original founder Scott Seavey has shown me multiple times in-person).  Hypothetically a snake this has two copies of the Lace gene: which is a called a 'White Lace' (visually obvious) and has two copies of the Orange Dream gene (Super Orange Dream) should have significantly greater iridescence.  As far as I know:  No one has produced a Super Orange Dream White Lace Ball python yet (year-2020).

I've used black velvet:  Gets dusty, gathers lint, I have cats--gets hair on it.  If I need a black backdrop for a photo I use black duvetyne commando cloth from Amazon--works great--longer for me than black velvet, but, eventually gets dirty and doesn't like to be washed (frays).  There are advantages of the black cloth over my sci-fi  nano-tube stuff in that I can actually move the black duvetyne cloth around and/or take it places, inevitably get a little bit of light reflection off of it, but, it isn't too bad and doesn't shed black sand-papery dust.

I try not to mess around too much with my camera settings.  I loaned my camera to my gfs sister and unknowingly to me she had messed with the colors and grey scale and when I got back from a trip to a local zoo (Southwick) the photos were horrendous.  I reset all the camera options back to default and I shoot with the 'Auto' mode feature enabled.   If the camera refuses to take flash photos due to the lighting I will force override the 'Fill In' flash option.  If I'm taking a close-up I will enable 'Microscope Mode' on my camera and set it to 'Focus-Stacking' and let it do its thing...

As for post-processing:  For the photos posted here: If I have a photo that looks really neat, but, has reflection issues I will see if I can lower the exposure to decrease flash reflection off the rocks--sometimes it works---most times it doesn't.

I have messed around with photos in the past with changing color schemes all crazy and psychedelic (avatar photo based on real photo).  These snake/stones photos I display here I don't want to fiddle with too much because I am using them as a record of my collection. 

I haven't tried to photograph black high polish rocks yet.  I tried it out this morning with some mirror polish Black Dendritic Agate--my results were not very good.  With my usual technique of dark room, black background, the stone was just a star in a black sky.  I switched to a white foam board background and used one of my room lights to try and add some indirect light without using the camera flash.  It was still not good: the rock still saw the lamp pretty clearly, just at an angle (image below).  I think the issue is: the color 'black' refers to the absence of light: the more light reflected--the brighter the color becomes and a glossy rock is reflecting light from everything surrounding it and will appear grey.  That is why the blackest black colors are always matte.


Note: I was going to place a 50 Shades of Grey joke here. But, just too damn easy  

If you come thru Oklahoma I could take you to see Clark's monsters. What state are you in?

FYI, I have been tumbling Labradorite off and on for 5 years, including some pieces as large as my palm. I'm about to give up, as so few pieces are tight enough to come out pretty enough to satisfy me. I don't want to get into hand polishing, but I might dry some of the dry tumbling recipes someday.

A few years back a terrible fire killed almost all of Clark's snakes. I saw the photo of them all piled up in the parking lot by the firemen. It was an image of horror. This pile was maybe 3-4' high and maybe 8-12' in dia.

Bob told me that some fireman shared with him how much they hate snakes, but even they were crying.

Yes, there have been more than a few breeders who have lost their animals in a fire.  I have found some very concerning quality control issues with certain reptile products from certain brands (many of which are no longer in existence).

So I've been having trouble taking pictures of my tumbled Iolite--they have been crazy at deflecting my camera flash.  I did not know that it was pleochroic until Hummingbirdstones kindly informed me (Thank you!).

Pleochroic - adj.  (of a crystal) absorbing different wavelengths of light differently depending on the direction of incidence of the rays or their plane of polarization, often resulting in the appearance of different colors according to the direction of view.

First Photo is of the stone in 'Natural Light'.



Second Photo is Snake Photo #21 - Which is hit 'Head on' with a camera flash in a dark room against a black background.

Finally, the third Photo is taken using two LED flashlights at different angles above the stone.  Depending upon the direction of the light I apply-I can turn any part of the stone either blue or purple.  (sorry-no extra critters in this one-my hands are full).