Sam Martin (abikeOdyssey)'s photostream  

I graduated from the University of Oklahoma in Norman in 2009 with my B.S. in Zoology, and I'm now working on my M.S. at the University of Tulsa under Dr. Ron Bonett. I hope to finish writing my thesis in Spring 2011. I'm interested in many different evolutionary questions, but my research is focused on Eurycea tynerensis, a salamander with both paedomorphic and metamorphic populations, and what abiotic (environmental) and biotic (community) variables differ between their preferred habitats. My fieldwork has primarily consisted of surveying the fish, invertebrates, and herps at 19 field sites, with two different stream types; I've also taken environmental data, including long-term monitoring of the temperature (stream and ambient) and humidity. Other current projects include studies of newly-found parasites on several study animals and substrate experiments. I tend to be interested in ecological questions, but I find many aspects of biology and evolution exciting.

I spend much of my free time photographing some of the amazing reptiles, amphibians, spiders, insects, birds, and mammals I find. Documenting nature's diversity is a passion and a challenge, and if I feel like I'm successful each time someone tells me they have a new appreciation for wildlife (especially the little stuff).

I got a DSLR in August 2008 to photograph the herps I was catching, but around January 2009 I realized I really enjoyed photography and started practicing in earnest. I have a long way to go, but I like to think I've improved a lot in the past few months.

I appreciate invitations to groups, but I will not add photos to groups requiring comments on other photos. While I do try and provide feedback to people visiting my photos and to my friends, I unfortunately do not have the time to devote to commenting more other photos; school and work take up most of my time, and when I get a break I like to spend time with my fiancee or out taking photographs.

If you are interested in using any of my photographs, please contact me at oklasam87@hotmail.com.


With a wild Copperhead in the Caddo Mountains of Arkansas.


With Robert Trivers and fellow TU grad students at OU in November 2009.


With Richard Dawkins at OU in March 2009.

My main equipment:

bodies:
Nikon D300s
Nikon D60

glass:
Nikkor 60mm micro F/2.8
Nikkor 50mm F/1.8
Nikkor 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 VR
Sigma 10-20mm F/4-5.6
Sigma 70-300 F/4-5.6
Kenko 1.4 Teleplus Pro 300
Kenko ext. tube set (for N/AF)
52mm off-brand filters (PL, ND, UV)
77mm Tiffen UV and ND filters

Misc.:
Nikon SB-400 Speedlight
Nikon DB-600 Speedlight
Nikon NC-17 off-camera flash cable
Nikon BR-2A reversing ring
Stoffen flash diffusers (for both speedlights)
Folding flash diffuser (for macro)
Nikon ML-L3 remote
Spare battery and memory cards (~20gb worth)
52mm male-male reversing ring
Various step-down rings
Homemade bendable flash bracket
Macro bellows (new, generic)
Velbon El Charmagne 530 tripod and 3 misc. cheapos
Cam-Pod Beanbag
Lowepro 200 and 300 AW bags, two smaller generic shoulder bags