2454 replies to this topic

[StopSpazzing]

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for heads up, I am aware of the risks.

 

https://forecast.wea...&lon=-118.1315 

 

Altadena will be 82F tomorrow, was 79F today, and recently rained in past 7 days, 0.5-1.5 inches. This is why I chose Chaney Trail.

 

 

 

Cool, good luck! Drew may be hitting that spot up tomorrow as am I. Want to say again that they have a gate that closes at 8pm, so you won't be able to do much night anting unless you decide to sleep in your car (which I have done a number of times at Chaney).

 

How far is the distance from the gate to the anting location you tagged on inaturalist? Could I park outside of it? Or is outside it a tow zone?

Edited by StopSpazzing, March 29 2018 - 1:56 PM.

[nurbs]

 

 

 

How far is the distance from the gate to the anting location you tagged on inaturalist? Could I park outside of it? Or is outside it a tow zone?

 

 

A mile? Not far but not close. It's an incline, too. You can park on W Loma Alta Dr and hike up.

[anttics]

Hey Drew check this out tell me what you think. thx for all the help bud.

None of those look like founding chambers to me.

great that mean I have not miss any flights at that spot. I'll check it on the weekend. thx Drew

[StopSpazzing]

 

 

 

 

How far is the distance from the gate to the anting location you tagged on inaturalist? Could I park outside of it? Or is outside it a tow zone?

 

 

A mile? Not far but not close. It's an incline, too. You can park on W Loma Alta Dr and hike up.

 

eh, rather camp it then, do you just camp in the car parking lot and ignore this sign: https://www.google.c...!4d-118.1463531

? Also what time they open the trail up?

Edited by StopSpazzing, March 29 2018 - 2:23 PM.

[dspdrew]

 

 

How far is the distance from the gate to the anting location you tagged on inaturalist? Could I park outside of it? Or is outside it a tow zone?

 

A mile? Not far but not close. It's an incline, too. You can park on W Loma Alta Dr and hike up.

eh, rather camp it then, do you just camp in the car parking lot and ignore this sign: https://www.google.c...!4d-118.1463531

? Also what time they open the trail up?

 

I think they just don't want people pitching tents next to those picnic tables like it's a camp site.

[StopSpazzing]

I think they just don't want people pitching tents next to those picnic tables like it's a camp site.

Thanks Drew. Think the last question that comes to mind... other than when they open the gate, is when does most night species that could be flying come out at? Is it worth staying overnight? Prepared for both, hiking to spots from main road, or camping it out in my car with my son.

Edited by StopSpazzing, March 29 2018 - 6:58 PM.

[anttics]

10 min from v rocks

[anttics]

ok. just got here. LA where you at

[WestLA_DO]

I live 30 min. from agua dulce. I can check it on Thursday. I'll would like To join you anting. to learn a bit more. I have great spots around here with good diversity. and yet I have not gotten a single queen.

Check Thursday evening, after sunset, and please report back! Don't forget a headlamp. For many species such as Camponotus, there will no be founding chambers. They will be crawling around at night. Looks on rocks, trees, falling branches, stumps, etc. Again, this will all be at night. Also stay away from creepy clowns and windowless black vans.

I'm going local Thursday night, and then head out into the high desert Friday from the West. Drew will be checking my neck of the woods Friday evening, and he is heading into the high desert from the East (Phelan area), and I'll be coming in from the West. Lots of ground to cover, and there are lots of places that look primed for flights. Fingers crossed.

There will be much Ant_Rage if nothing flies.

I will try to be at Vasquez rock around 8pm. I'm super prepared now. I have night vision goggles. to stalk any scary clown lol. headlamp, tactical 9000 lumen flashlight. I have a 9mm, but I'll take a knife instead. don't want to get shot by cops lol. and camo clothing. this will be my first time at night in the desert. let's see if fear does not take over. if anyone else from here goes. let me know I would get spook if I see other light around there.

Hey anttic, I'll probably end up getting there a little after 9pm. Maybe I'll see you there. Don't stab me if you see someone with a headlamp looking at the ground.

lol. do not worry. I'm a peaceful, friendly, and respectful person. who tries to be ready for the worst. like a spyco better to be arm than not. nice I rather not being alone. post here when you get there. I'll check this post around 9pm so we could meet up. if you have experience anting I could use some tips.

Just got here. Parked on the side of the road outside. Gonna get my gear

[dspdrew]

 

I think they just don't want people pitching tents next to those picnic tables like it's a camp site.

Thanks Drew. Think the last question that comes to mind... other than when they open the gate, is when does most night species that could be flying come out at? Is it worth staying overnight? Prepared for both, hiking to spots from main road, or camping it out in my car with my son.

 

 

They usually start showing up about an hour after it gets dark.

[nurbs]

Nurbs reporting from the field! Camponotus vicinus (mobile won’t italicize) flew at Gabrieleno trail north of JPL. Hiked alone in the dark up here. No clowns. Yes I’m crazy.

Found one winged C. quercicola. Don’t think they have flown yet.

[WestLA_DO]

Just got back from Vasquez Rocks. Think we might have been a day early. There were some flights but it was tough finding. Or we just weren't looking in the right spots. Saw a lot of mature colonies of Camp sansabeanus (edited) and Veromessor andrei. I didn't find any queens but anttics did. I'll let him share what he caught another lesson for me: get a brighter head lamp haha. Good meeting and anting with you anttics!

Edited by WestLA_DO, March 30 2018 - 8:05 AM.

[nurbs]

Just got back, hiked over 4 miles. Legs hurt!

 

Got about 17 C. vicinus, one L. occidentale, and one winged C. quercicola. More fun tomorrow

 

There are Camponotus at Vazquez, but don't think they are C. vicinus. And it's way too early for V. andrei to fly, so curious to see what anttics found. Please take pics!

[WestLA_DO]

Just got back, hiked over 4 miles. Legs hurt!

Got about 17 C. vicinus, one L. occidentale, and one winged C. quercicola. More fun tomorrow

There are Camponotus at Vazquez, but don't think they are C. vicinus. And it's way too early for V. andrei to fly, so curious to see what anttics found. Please take pics!

Ah yeah. Poor ID by me. Saw C. sansabeanus colonies

[anttics]

Just got back from Vasquez Rocks. Think we might have been a day early. There were some flights but it was tough finding. Or we just weren't looking in the right spots. Saw a lot of mature colonies of Camp sansabeanus (edited) and Veromessor andrei. I didn't find any queens but anttics did. I'll let him share what he caught another lesson for me: get a brighter head lamp haha. Good meeting and anting with you anttics!

Same here bro. funny thing. we got to Vasquez rock at the same time. 5 seconds apart he was the car following me behind. I first though you were a cop that stop behind me to question me lol. I will take pics Nurbs. I was going to yesterday. but I lost the queen when trying to change her to a tube. I looked for 30 min. it was like 1230am. I gave up at 1am, was sad and pissed. pick up my socks to put them on. guess who was hiding in my socks for 30 minutes the queen. Any info how to raise her. once queen is id will be appreciated

[StopSpazzing]

 

Just got back from Vasquez Rocks. Think we might have been a day early. There were some flights but it was tough finding. Or we just weren't looking in the right spots. Saw a lot of mature colonies of Camp sansabeanus (edited) and Veromessor andrei. I didn't find any queens but anttics did. I'll let him share what he caught another lesson for me: get a brighter head lamp haha. Good meeting and anting with you anttics!

Same here bro. funny thing. we got to Vasquez rock at the same time. 5 seconds apart he was the car following me behind. I first though you were a cop that stop behind me to question me lol. I will take pics Nurbs. I was going to yesterday. but I lost the queen when trying to change her to a tube. I looked for 30 min. it was like 1230am. I gave up at 1am, was sad and pissed. pick up my socks to put them on. guess who was hiding in my socks for 30 minutes the queen. Any info how to raise her. once queen is id will be appreciated

 

Please make another thread for ID's and how to raise them. Once IDed check journals for tips. Also, congrats and GL. You can also make a journal yourself too.

 

 

Regarding the trip tonight, I want to beat traffic, so I may go there earlier and just relax, maybe hit the waterfall up. Probably get there around 4-5

Edited by StopSpazzing, March 30 2018 - 10:21 AM.

[AntsCalifornia]

Anything flying here in Rancho? I can´t go on anting trips like you guys.

Edited by AntsCalifornia, March 30 2018 - 10:29 AM.

[Scrixx]

Went to Lytle Creek from 11-2:00. I didn't find any queens. I flipped some rocks over and found some nest entrances but there were workers there. I tried the creek area and a dry area but nothing. It was actually pretty dead today, barely any workers crawling around. It's still that one species I keep seeing, the one I think is Camponotus. They have a silver abdomen, somewhat shiny, and there are two obvious worker sizes. They walk then stop pretty often. If you move they'll run to the closest crevice. 

 

I went back to the place where I found the two species with alates in front of the nest but I couldn't find the same nests. I found a pretty big nest with multiple entrances but there were no workers walking around. Strange, it might still be too early for them or I went too late. I'll be going back tonight though and blacklighting. Will let you guys know what I find. 

[anttics]

post if you guys find something in Vasquez rocks. I will check my sweet spots on Simi valley. I expect tons of queens to fly. it is warmer here than in Vasquez rocks. will post what I find.

[SamKeepsAnts]

I saw some Dorymyrmex Bicolor colonies flying in Laguna Beach.