I love my Indiana Jones hat. I love wearing it on intrepid adventures, nature trails, and bird walks. Magee Marsh located at Oak Harbor, Ohio, is famous for unusual finds during spring warbler migration season. As of May 8, 2009, I was happy to see four "lifers" (birds seen for the first time that I can now proudly add to my life list of observed birds): Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Nashville Warbler, and Least Bittern. As for photographic evidence, forget about it. My camera's only good for landscapes. And, as luck would have it ... snakes!
Something else I have in common with Indiana Jones besides the hat. I hate snakes! Now this little guy happened to be contentedly sunning himself along the boardwalk trail, close enough to reach out and touch. (Perish the thought!) Turns out I had encountered a "species of concern" called the Eastern Fox Snake. The Eastern Fox Snake, Latin name "Elaphe Vulpina Gloydi," is relatively tame. Hence the concern is that its population is thinning, though it remains at this point an unprotected species.
As the Eastern Fox Snake slithers off into the sunset, here are a few websites for more information:
http://www.ohiodnr.com/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/easternfoxsnake/tabid/6607/Default.aspx
This adventure demonstrates yet another instance of going off in search of one thing and finding something completely unexpected. Sure keeps life interesting!
Questions for Readers: What's the most interesting non-bird that you've come across during a bird walk? And what's your most exciting or memorable life bird?
Questions for Readers: What's the most interesting non-bird that you've come across during a bird walk? And what's your most exciting or memorable life bird?
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17 comments:
I'm not fond of snakes either, but you did get some good photos of him!
Good for you, braving the snake and getting the picturs anyway. I like snakes. They are my favorite part of a zoo. Go figure.
What a most incredibly cool snake! Thank you for sharing. Now, I have to say that even if you are afraid, you have a tremendous eye for the snake's beauty and respect for the role snake people play in nature.
I can say the fear did not show in your photos of the snake..
Brave..Brave..
I'm not a birder, but I do love to see golden eagles soar.
I learned to accept non-poisonous snakes years ago since my husband and boys were always bringing them home. The poisonous ones, I'd really rather avoid.
Hi CD, What a cute picture of you... AND---I hate snakes also. Some are supposed to be GOOD--but they all make me shiver!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
I despise snakes - can spot them on the river a mile away!
Jane
Love the Indy hat, but surely it won't replace your cowboy hat? Nice photos of the snake, especially considering your Indy Jones persona.
Don't know if I could classify it as a bird walk, but whilst walking in the woods and fields looking at the sky I saw a glorious emerald green praying mantis. Does that count? For the record, bugs annoy and skieve me, but snakes don't bother me at all. Now, if I saw a cobra swaying at me, that would be a different story, but ...
Great post and pictures of the snake. I hate being surprised by snakes but am fascinated by them....go figure! Thanks for sharing.
Smiles
You must be brave like Indy...those are great photos of the snake :-)
Great photos, as usual! You were really brave to get close enough for that great picture. I happen to like snakes, but would be terrified to stumble on a poisonous one. My husband hyper-ventilates when he sees any kind of snake.
I spotted a beautiful bluish green snake beside the tractor shed. I ran to get the camera and when I got back it was gone. I've never been able to find a picture of one so I have no idea what it was.
My favorite bird..Painted Bunting. My ID is one that spent the winter in my yard.
www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com
Have not heard from you in awhile.
Are you still in Ohio?
Katelen
Yeah, I don't much like snakes either or SPIDERS!!! Great photos though. In fact all your photos are very pretty. Thanks for sharing.
What use is it to have bird houses if snakes are the only ones that inhabit in there. Rat snakes love to crawl into birdhouses they probably smell a possible lunch coming ahead.
They eat little birds and thats just one reason i hate snakes
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