Joey's notes
Week ending 09-8-02
Warm-hot again. Water levels at local rivers & ponds are still down.
Monday (9-2-01), Walking on campus with a class, we found the expected lizards and toads. We even saw a Black Racer, but he was alert. Enough said?
Tuesday (9-3-02), Nothing noteworthy.
Wednesday (9-4-02), Uncovered an Eastern Worm Snake under a rock. Again, on campus
Thursday (9-5-02), Nothing noteworthy
Friday (9-6-02), The darkest night of the month, and quite possibly the last good month of road cruising for 2002. I still needed to catch a snake in Chester County. Road cruising in some Sumter National Forest lands, I got my snake, a Copperhead, at 9:50 PM. He was a big one; 40-41-42 inches long, but VERY lean. I fear that he will not survive the winter. Too bad. But nature will have its way. With my goal for the evening met, fifteen minutes later I stopped at a store, and got my second victory of the night; a live male Hercules Beetle (Dynastes tityus). Good score! My first live male Hercules of the year. Glad to get it in Chester County as well.
Saturday (9-7-02), Off to Ashville, NC to see my brother (a fine musician and herper himself) perform at the Gray Eagle. Of course I stared off the road as we traveled, and longed to explore the fields and forest we passed. The show was fine and worth staying up late for.
Sunday (9-8-02), Having spent the night in Ashville, we rambled a bit in the mountains. I found places that might be good to hunt for Snakes and Tiger Beetles, should I return. And I hope to! Week ending 08-11-02
Week ending 9-15-02
Week ending 09-15-02
This week has seen little time for outdoors. I have observed that the seasons are changing. Temperatures are lower, and sunset is earlier. Almost time for Autumn.
Wednesday (9-11-02), Smooth Earth Snake on Campus, Grey Fox crosses the road as I ramble after dark.
Thursday (9-12-02), A different Smooth Earth Snake on Campus. We spent a great deal of class time cleaning the pool in the outdoor Caiman pen. Messy work, but needing to be done. I collected some Tiger Beetles (Cicindela repanda) after work to set up in an aquarium in my classroom. I also spend a lot of time thinking about what this day/date means. There is almost no way to get it out of my mind.
Friday (9-13-02), My students enjoyed setting up the Tiger Beetles in a aquarium in the classroom. We even got to see them eat several flies (easily collected with bug nets at the compost pile). Really neat, and I am surprised I have never kept these creatures before. Out after dark, the roads were cluttered with frogs and toads, but no snakes. I did get to see a Barred Owl come down right in front of my truck, grab a prey item (likely a frog) off the road, and take off with it. NEAT!
Saturday (9-14-02) and Sunday (9-15-02), We received lots of wonderful rain. This should do much for rejuvenating the environment. A benefit to wildlife, flora, and mankind.
Still lots to look forward to. Many species of herptiles are active in Fall. Several species of insects are only found in Fall. Camping is pleasant. Still a lot to do, a lot to enjoy.
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