Nature Notes from Earthshine
October 2007
HI-TECH GEEK NOTE: These pages are best viewed using a DSL, Cable or higher internet connection.
A Praying Mantis is always a wonderful find! We found her while tracking Mojo the box turtle
during the last Critter Hunt in October!
The Mantis has amazing adaptations for its predatory lifestyle! I would not want to be a bug anywhere near this critter!
WOW!! Check out these amazing Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus) mushrooms that I found popping up a few days ago! They are edible and tasty but please do not pick any wild mushrooms without years of study and proper training.
Shaggy mane mushrooms grow in large colonies or rings often in disturbed ground and sometimes along the sides of dirt roads. Shaggy manes are one of the mushrooms that deliquesce--or self digest. Once mature they melt away into globs of inky black goo! Believe it or not this inky goo was once used as writing ink!
As I stated above: please do not pick ANY wild mushrooms unless you have had years of training, experience and study in the realm of the mushroom. Making a mis-identification and eating even one small poisonous mushroom could kill you.
Take a look at the Timber Rattlesnake Gene and his son found crossing a road a few miles from Earthshine!
It is only a few weeks old at the most and only had a "button" for a rattle. When baby rattlesnakes are born they have only a button--the beginning segment of the rattle. The button shakes but makes no sound until the snake sheds its skin. After each shed the rattle will add a new segment and therefore begins to generate that well known rattlesnake buzz.
Below is a video of the snake.
Unfortunately for this snake it will not be able to be returned to the wild since it was found in an area of heavy development and construction. Returning the snake to the site of capture would mean certain death for this little snake. Relocating this snake to another area would also mean the eventual death for the snake since Timber Rattlesnakes do not translocate well. This snake will remain in the care of one of the Earthshine Staff members and will be able to be seen at Earthshine during special nature programs.
UPDATE: Spring 2008. Sadly, this snake died after hibernation possibly due to the combined stress of loosing its habitat, capture and then not eating before or after hibernation.
Check out the Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
It is also known as Black and Yellow Argiope, or writing spider. The name writing spider comes from the ziz-zag designs the female spider weaves into her web. These silk designs are called: Stabilimenta.
Stabilimenta are conspicuous lines or spirals of silk that many diurnal (day active) spiders spin at the center of their otherwise cryptic (hidden) webs. It has been observed that spider webs using stabilimenta catch, on average, over 30% less insects than those without. However, the webs with the easily-visible Stabilimenta are damaged far less frequently by birds flying through the web--what an AMAZING ADAPTATION for survival.
Nature Notes Page Four
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEPAGE
HI-TECH GEEK NOTE: These pages are best viewed using a DSL, Cable or higher internet connection.
A Praying Mantis is always a wonderful find! We found her while tracking Mojo the box turtle
during the last Critter Hunt in October!
The Mantis has amazing adaptations for its predatory lifestyle! I would not want to be a bug anywhere near this critter!
WOW!! Check out these amazing Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus) mushrooms that I found popping up a few days ago! They are edible and tasty but please do not pick any wild mushrooms without years of study and proper training.
Shaggy mane mushrooms grow in large colonies or rings often in disturbed ground and sometimes along the sides of dirt roads. Shaggy manes are one of the mushrooms that deliquesce--or self digest. Once mature they melt away into globs of inky black goo! Believe it or not this inky goo was once used as writing ink!
As I stated above: please do not pick ANY wild mushrooms unless you have had years of training, experience and study in the realm of the mushroom. Making a mis-identification and eating even one small poisonous mushroom could kill you.
Take a look at the Timber Rattlesnake Gene and his son found crossing a road a few miles from Earthshine!
It is only a few weeks old at the most and only had a "button" for a rattle. When baby rattlesnakes are born they have only a button--the beginning segment of the rattle. The button shakes but makes no sound until the snake sheds its skin. After each shed the rattle will add a new segment and therefore begins to generate that well known rattlesnake buzz.
Below is a video of the snake.
Unfortunately for this snake it will not be able to be returned to the wild since it was found in an area of heavy development and construction. Returning the snake to the site of capture would mean certain death for this little snake. Relocating this snake to another area would also mean the eventual death for the snake since Timber Rattlesnakes do not translocate well. This snake will remain in the care of one of the Earthshine Staff members and will be able to be seen at Earthshine during special nature programs.
UPDATE: Spring 2008. Sadly, this snake died after hibernation possibly due to the combined stress of loosing its habitat, capture and then not eating before or after hibernation.
Check out the Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
It is also known as Black and Yellow Argiope, or writing spider. The name writing spider comes from the ziz-zag designs the female spider weaves into her web. These silk designs are called: Stabilimenta.
Stabilimenta are conspicuous lines or spirals of silk that many diurnal (day active) spiders spin at the center of their otherwise cryptic (hidden) webs. It has been observed that spider webs using stabilimenta catch, on average, over 30% less insects than those without. However, the webs with the easily-visible Stabilimenta are damaged far less frequently by birds flying through the web--what an AMAZING ADAPTATION for survival.
Nature Notes Page Four
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEPAGE
during the last Critter Hunt in October!
The Mantis has amazing adaptations for its predatory lifestyle! I would not want to be a bug anywhere near this critter!
WOW!! Check out these amazing Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus) mushrooms that I found popping up a few days ago! They are edible and tasty but please do not pick any wild mushrooms without years of study and proper training.
Shaggy mane mushrooms grow in large colonies or rings often in disturbed ground and sometimes along the sides of dirt roads. Shaggy manes are one of the mushrooms that deliquesce--or self digest. Once mature they melt away into globs of inky black goo! Believe it or not this inky goo was once used as writing ink!
As I stated above: please do not pick ANY wild mushrooms unless you have had years of training, experience and study in the realm of the mushroom. Making a mis-identification and eating even one small poisonous mushroom could kill you.
Take a look at the Timber Rattlesnake Gene and his son found crossing a road a few miles from Earthshine!
It is only a few weeks old at the most and only had a "button" for a rattle. When baby rattlesnakes are born they have only a button--the beginning segment of the rattle. The button shakes but makes no sound until the snake sheds its skin. After each shed the rattle will add a new segment and therefore begins to generate that well known rattlesnake buzz.
Below is a video of the snake.
Unfortunately for this snake it will not be able to be returned to the wild since it was found in an area of heavy development and construction. Returning the snake to the site of capture would mean certain death for this little snake. Relocating this snake to another area would also mean the eventual death for the snake since Timber Rattlesnakes do not translocate well. This snake will remain in the care of one of the Earthshine Staff members and will be able to be seen at Earthshine during special nature programs.
UPDATE: Spring 2008. Sadly, this snake died after hibernation possibly due to the combined stress of loosing its habitat, capture and then not eating before or after hibernation.
Check out the Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
It is also known as Black and Yellow Argiope, or writing spider. The name writing spider comes from the ziz-zag designs the female spider weaves into her web. These silk designs are called: Stabilimenta.
Stabilimenta are conspicuous lines or spirals of silk that many diurnal (day active) spiders spin at the center of their otherwise cryptic (hidden) webs. It has been observed that spider webs using stabilimenta catch, on average, over 30% less insects than those without. However, the webs with the easily-visible Stabilimenta are damaged far less frequently by birds flying through the web--what an AMAZING ADAPTATION for survival.
Nature Notes Page Four
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEPAGE
Shaggy mane mushrooms grow in large colonies or rings often in disturbed ground and sometimes along the sides of dirt roads. Shaggy manes are one of the mushrooms that deliquesce--or self digest. Once mature they melt away into globs of inky black goo! Believe it or not this inky goo was once used as writing ink!
As I stated above: please do not pick ANY wild mushrooms unless you have had years of training, experience and study in the realm of the mushroom. Making a mis-identification and eating even one small poisonous mushroom could kill you.
Take a look at the Timber Rattlesnake Gene and his son found crossing a road a few miles from Earthshine!
It is only a few weeks old at the most and only had a "button" for a rattle. When baby rattlesnakes are born they have only a button--the beginning segment of the rattle. The button shakes but makes no sound until the snake sheds its skin. After each shed the rattle will add a new segment and therefore begins to generate that well known rattlesnake buzz.
Below is a video of the snake.
Unfortunately for this snake it will not be able to be returned to the wild since it was found in an area of heavy development and construction. Returning the snake to the site of capture would mean certain death for this little snake. Relocating this snake to another area would also mean the eventual death for the snake since Timber Rattlesnakes do not translocate well. This snake will remain in the care of one of the Earthshine Staff members and will be able to be seen at Earthshine during special nature programs.
UPDATE: Spring 2008. Sadly, this snake died after hibernation possibly due to the combined stress of loosing its habitat, capture and then not eating before or after hibernation.
Check out the Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
It is also known as Black and Yellow Argiope, or writing spider. The name writing spider comes from the ziz-zag designs the female spider weaves into her web. These silk designs are called: Stabilimenta.
Stabilimenta are conspicuous lines or spirals of silk that many diurnal (day active) spiders spin at the center of their otherwise cryptic (hidden) webs. It has been observed that spider webs using stabilimenta catch, on average, over 30% less insects than those without. However, the webs with the easily-visible Stabilimenta are damaged far less frequently by birds flying through the web--what an AMAZING ADAPTATION for survival.
Nature Notes Page Four
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEPAGE
Take a look at the Timber Rattlesnake Gene and his son found crossing a road a few miles from Earthshine!
It is only a few weeks old at the most and only had a "button" for a rattle. When baby rattlesnakes are born they have only a button--the beginning segment of the rattle. The button shakes but makes no sound until the snake sheds its skin. After each shed the rattle will add a new segment and therefore begins to generate that well known rattlesnake buzz.
Below is a video of the snake.
Unfortunately for this snake it will not be able to be returned to the wild since it was found in an area of heavy development and construction. Returning the snake to the site of capture would mean certain death for this little snake. Relocating this snake to another area would also mean the eventual death for the snake since Timber Rattlesnakes do not translocate well. This snake will remain in the care of one of the Earthshine Staff members and will be able to be seen at Earthshine during special nature programs.
UPDATE: Spring 2008. Sadly, this snake died after hibernation possibly due to the combined stress of loosing its habitat, capture and then not eating before or after hibernation.
Check out the Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
It is also known as Black and Yellow Argiope, or writing spider. The name writing spider comes from the ziz-zag designs the female spider weaves into her web. These silk designs are called: Stabilimenta.
Stabilimenta are conspicuous lines or spirals of silk that many diurnal (day active) spiders spin at the center of their otherwise cryptic (hidden) webs. It has been observed that spider webs using stabilimenta catch, on average, over 30% less insects than those without. However, the webs with the easily-visible Stabilimenta are damaged far less frequently by birds flying through the web--what an AMAZING ADAPTATION for survival.
Nature Notes Page Four
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEPAGE
Below is a video of the snake.
Unfortunately for this snake it will not be able to be returned to the wild since it was found in an area of heavy development and construction. Returning the snake to the site of capture would mean certain death for this little snake. Relocating this snake to another area would also mean the eventual death for the snake since Timber Rattlesnakes do not translocate well. This snake will remain in the care of one of the Earthshine Staff members and will be able to be seen at Earthshine during special nature programs.
UPDATE: Spring 2008. Sadly, this snake died after hibernation possibly due to the combined stress of loosing its habitat, capture and then not eating before or after hibernation.
Check out the Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
It is also known as Black and Yellow Argiope, or writing spider. The name writing spider comes from the ziz-zag designs the female spider weaves into her web. These silk designs are called: Stabilimenta.
Stabilimenta are conspicuous lines or spirals of silk that many diurnal (day active) spiders spin at the center of their otherwise cryptic (hidden) webs. It has been observed that spider webs using stabilimenta catch, on average, over 30% less insects than those without. However, the webs with the easily-visible Stabilimenta are damaged far less frequently by birds flying through the web--what an AMAZING ADAPTATION for survival.
Nature Notes Page Four
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEPAGE
UPDATE: Spring 2008. Sadly, this snake died after hibernation possibly due to the combined stress of loosing its habitat, capture and then not eating before or after hibernation.
Check out the Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)
It is also known as Black and Yellow Argiope, or writing spider. The name writing spider comes from the ziz-zag designs the female spider weaves into her web. These silk designs are called: Stabilimenta.
Stabilimenta are conspicuous lines or spirals of silk that many diurnal (day active) spiders spin at the center of their otherwise cryptic (hidden) webs. It has been observed that spider webs using stabilimenta catch, on average, over 30% less insects than those without. However, the webs with the easily-visible Stabilimenta are damaged far less frequently by birds flying through the web--what an AMAZING ADAPTATION for survival.
Nature Notes Page Four
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEPAGE
It is also known as Black and Yellow Argiope, or writing spider. The name writing spider comes from the ziz-zag designs the female spider weaves into her web. These silk designs are called: Stabilimenta.
Stabilimenta are conspicuous lines or spirals of silk that many diurnal (day active) spiders spin at the center of their otherwise cryptic (hidden) webs. It has been observed that spider webs using stabilimenta catch, on average, over 30% less insects than those without. However, the webs with the easily-visible Stabilimenta are damaged far less frequently by birds flying through the web--what an AMAZING ADAPTATION for survival.
Nature Notes Page Four
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEPAGE
Nature Notes Page Four
CLICK HERE FOR HOMEPAGE