snakes | Earthshine Nature

Turtle Tracks and Snake Tracks Field Updates for 11-10-2013

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Stevo

This is an update on the Turtle Tracks wildlife conservation and education project being conducted by Earthshine Nature Programs.

Today I discovered Catherine only about 30-40 feet northwest from her usual over-wintering location. Since I released her after her new transmitter was attached she has moved around 300 feet to the southeast and appears to be getting ready for her long winters nap. Just three feet to the south of Catherine I discovered another box turtle basking in the warm sun just outside of his form. This was a male turtle I had previously marked in 2007. Because of his marking sequence I call him “Abi” and I have found Abi several times before–several years ago I even found him mating with Catherine. It would be nice to one day attach a transmitter to Abi and see just how often he and Catherine cross paths.

Take a look at Catherine and Abi in today’s video below.

If the video does not play try following this link:

http://youtu.be/ErJa8tw7rOM

to watch the video on Youtube.

This is an update on the Snake Tracks wildlife conservation, research and education project being conducted by Earthshine Nature Programs.

Today both snakes were underground and not visible. Utsanati is in the exact location that he used for overwintering over the last two years. Zoe is a different story. She remains on the southeast side of the ridge not very far from the small clearing above the waterfall where she spent the summer and fall. She is only about 170 feet west of that location and she is in a small, sheltered valley, underground, beneath the roots of a Mountain Laurel shrub. I believe she has chosen to over winter in this location. My question is why? Is this a site she uses periodically for a reason or did she just get caught off guard by cool weather and decide to shelter here out of necessity? Only time may tell.

View a rather dark video (because it was night) of today’s locate.

If the video does not play try following this link:

http://youtu.be/fe7KFCykXgc

to watch the video on Youtube.

Turtle Tracks and Snake Tracks are two reptile conservation, research and education projects occurring near Earthshine Discovery Center in the mountains of western North Carolina, USA. Through the magic of modern technology and a lot of hard volunteer work by a wildlife conservationist and his small crew of volunteers, glimpse into the lives of two wild Eastern box turtles and two wild Timber rattlesnakes in their natural habitats. For more detailed info on our projects and programs please take a look at our website: http://www.earthshinenature.com

It is our goal at ENP to promote wildlife conservation of our misunderstood wildlife through exciting hands-on education, outreach programs, conservation based field research programs, and online with our nature documentary video series.

We are not paid nor do we collect a salary to operate ENP or to conduct our wildlife conservation activities. ENP is a 100% volunteer operated program designed to educate you about these greatly misunderstood and amazing animals and hopefully, to impart to you, their beauty, uniqueness and intrinsic value to a healthy Earth and healthy humans.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you who have donated to ENP over the years!! Without all of you, our wildlife conservation and education mission would just not be possible – your support makes this important work happen. If you would like to support Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate by visiting http://www.earthshinenature.com/donate

Music by John Mason and the Steep Canyon Rangers used with written permission.

Video and editing by Steve O’Neil

Earthshine Nature Programs is in no way affiliated or responsible for ads that may appear below this line.

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Turtle Tracks and Snake Tracks Field Update for October 29, 2013

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Stevo

This is an update on the Turtle Tracks and Snake Tracks wildlife conservation and education projects being conducted by Earthshine Nature Programs.

We released Catherine today after she received a new radio transmitter. If you missed out on the fact that her previous transmitter malfunctioned just take a look at this video for the update:

If the video does not play try following this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEZxcAQPcok

to watch the video on Youtube.

Zoe has moved about 170′ back toward the clearing where she spent the summer. Today we were unable to visually locate Zoe but Margaret found one of her recently shed skins!

We were unable to track Utsanati and Jimmy today but will have an update on their locations soon.

Watch the video of today’s locate:

If the video does not play try following this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU96ZlzfCCk

to watch the video on Youtube.

Music by John Mason and the Steep Canyon Rangers used with written permission.

Video and editing by Steve O’Neil

Earthshine Nature Programs is in no way affiliated or responsible for ads that may appear below this line.

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Wildlife Conservation in a Nissan Leaf EV

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Stevo

A few days ago I drove my Nissan Leaf deep into the forest in search of Zoe the Timber Rattlesnake! As many of you already know, I am following in Zoe’s tracks in order to learn more about the natural movements of a wild Timber rattlesnake in it’s natural habitat. Then I bring my experiences and knowledge to the world via this blog and my Youtube chanel, in the hopes of teaching you a bit about the beautiful and greatly misunderstood world of the Timber Rattlesnake.

Today I found Zoe at the same location where she has been since early June–the clearing in the forest. It is so late in the year I believe she has decided to overwinter at this location.

This snake tracking excursion was probably the first time a Nissan Leaf has been used as a Timber rattlesnake tracking vehicle and possibly the first time a Leaf has been used in a wildlife conservation field project.

After driving to the top of a steep mountain, parking at the end of a gravel road on a foggy, darkening mountainside I located Zoe and collected the vital biometric data and got ready to head home–that went easy but the adventure was not over. I noticed that my range gauge (aka Guess-O-Meter or GOM) said that I had ~41 miles of range remaining on my charge so I decided to take a remote, steep, one lane gravel road through the deep forest in order to benefit from the most regenerative braking and gravity assist (downhill) as possible to extend my range. The only issue I foresaw was near the bottom of the narrow, windy, dark, remote track in the forest–a creek crossing–yes, a creek crossing. It was a small creek but it must be crossed in order to make it back to the pavement. So, like any true pioneer I turned off the safety of the pavement and into the dark forest I plunged with LED headlights cutting laser-like paths in the foggy blackness of the deepening night. Down and down the narrow, steep road wound until I came to the recent thunderstorm ravaged, flash flood swollen and boulder strewn creek…oh wait, that is another story. The creek was rather small and quiet and about 8″ deep but still I wondered: would I tear out the bottom panels of the leaf on the rocks in the creek? Would the leaf flounder and get stuck? Would it um…short out? Like electrons through a wire all these questions and more went through my mind at warp speed…but I could not go back or turn around because the road was to narrow to do so…I was committed so I plunged into the creek…slowly…and the Leaf charged across with no apparent ill effects–woo hoo!! Without so much as a wheel spin or slippage the Leaf negotiated the creek and the entire journey with no problems at all. While it may not be a 4×4 it is a very sure footed and capable car for steep, mountainous, gravel roads…and yes, even shallow creek crossings.

I must say that the car performed admirably while quietly climbing steep, wet mountain gravel roads without issue. When I reached the bottom of the trek I realized that I had regenerated over 23 miles of range just by rolling downhill–amazing! Free power means more range, less money out of my pocket and less power I have to suck from the outlet and therefore a cheaper, cleaner and greener ride! I can feel my carbon footprint shrinking!

When I arrived at home I glanced at the GOM and noticed that it was sitting on 41 miles range–the same range I had when I was at the top of the mountain at the start of the trek–truly amazing–the 12 mile drive home was powered by the car for free!

Watch the video of the adventure below!

The Leaf is an amazing vehicle!

A few days after my snake tracking adventure I found myself in the city charging my Leaf alongside a Chevy Volt.

Premium Parking + Free Power = Pure Bliss.

Snake Tracks is a Timber Rattlesnake conservation and research project occurring near Earthshine Discovery Center in the mountains of western North Carolina, USA. Through the magic of modern technology and allot of hard volunteer work by a wildlife conservationist and his small crew of volunteers, glimpse into the lives of two wild Timber rattlesnakes in their natural habitats. For more detailed info on the project please take a look at the website at: http://www.earthshinenature.com

It is our goal at ENP to promote wildlife conservation through our unique, exciting, citizen science based, hands-on education, out-reach programs, and online with our nature videos, blog and website.

We are not paid to operate ENP or to conduct wildlife conservation activities. ENP is a 100% volunteer operated and donation funded organization. It is our mission to educate you about these beautiful but greatly misunderstood animals and hopefully, to impart to you their beauty, uniqueness and intrinsic value to a healthy Earth, healthy wildlife and healthy humans.

THANK YOU to all of you who have donated to ENP over the years!! Without you this important reptile conservation and education work would not happen. If you would like to support Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate by visiting

www.earthshinenature.com/donate

You may also donate supplies such as animal foods, medical supplies, vitamins and habitat supplies just contact us for more information on what supplies we are in need of and how to donate.

Music by The Steep Canyon Rangers www.steepcanyon.com used with permission.

Bluewater Leaf is not responsible or affiliated in any way with ads that may appear below this line.

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Snake Tracks Field Update for 9-21-13

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Stevo

Field update for the Earthshine Nature Programs Snake Tracks Timber rattlesnake conservation project for September 21, 2013.

Zoe remains in the small clearing in the forest where she has been since mid June. I found her today basking at the edge of the forest on a stump. Take a look at the photo below–this is how I found Zoe today!

This time last year Zoe was already on the move toward her overwintering area on the north side of the mountain. Why she is waiting so long to depart, only she knows.

Safety note: Zoe was only about 50 feet from the parked camper. If you are the owner of this camper, please be careful when walking in the area around dusk and dawn during the summer months.

Utsanati has close to half a mile since the last time I located him. I found him on the move and outstretched on the leaf litter. He was in the open, on a sun warmed ridge about 30 feet from the debris associated with a fallen oak and only about 60-80 feet from his overwintering location. He did not feel comfortable enough with my presence so he slowly crawled off into the nearby tangle of timber.

Below is a photo of Utsanati as I first found him.

The next photo is of Utsanati after he started to move off.

It is interesting how he was holding his head up high in a “cobra-like” stance. This is the first time I have seen this behavior in Timber rattlesnakes. It is also interesting to note that he never rattled or acted aggressive in any way–only very slowly moved off with almost no sound at all in order to escape the human interloper.

Take a look at the video from today below.

If the video does not play try following this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMneMJ6KgIE” to watch the video on Youtube.

What will they do next?

For more information on the Snake Tracks project and Earthshine Nature Programs please visit us at www.earthshinenature.com

It is our goal at ENP to promote wildlife conservation through exciting hands-on education, out-reach programs, and online with our nature videos, blog and website. We are not paid to operate ENP or to conduct wildlife conservation activities. ENP is a 100% volunteer operated organization with the mission to educate you about these greatly misunderstood and amazing animals and hopefully, to impart to you their beauty, uniqueness and intrinsic value to a healthy Earth and healthy humans.

Music by The Steep Canyon Rangers www.steepcanyon.com used in our videos with permission.

Earthshine Nature Programs is in no way affiliated or responsible for ads that may appear below this line.

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Snake Tracks Field Update for 8-3-13

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Stevo

Field update for the Earthshine Nature Programs Snake Tracks Timber rattlesnake conservation project for August 03, 2013.

Zoe remains in the small clearing in the forest where she has been since mid June. I found her today basking out in the open ~5 feet from the edge of the forest. I wonder if she is gravid! She was darker than I have ever seen her–I did not even believe it was her at first until I identified her distinctive markings. Take a look at the photo below–this is how Zoe looked today!

Safety note: Zoe was only about 40 feet from the parked camper. If you are the owner of this camper, please be careful when walking in the area around dusk and dawn during the summer months.

Utsanati has moved a few hundred feet west of his last location in the berry patch. We found him in a resting coil beside a large fallen tree.

What will they do next?

THANK YOU to all of you who have donated to ENP over the years!! Without you this important work would not happen. You may also donate supplies such as animal foods, medical supplies, vitamins and habitat supplies. If you would like to support Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate by visiting http://www.earthshinenature.com/donate

Visit http://www.earthshinediscovery.com to learn how you and your family, school, scout, corporate or camp group, can visit the Earthshine Discovery Center and have a wonderful fun and educational retreat!

Music by The Steep Canyon Rangers www.steepcanyon.com used with permission.

Take a look at the video from today below.

If the video does not play try following this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XShu4Z-ooY to watch the video on Youtube.

For more information on the Snake Tracks project and Earthshine Nature Programs please visit us at www.earthshinenature.com

It is our goal at ENP to promote wildlife conservation through exciting hands-on education, outreach programs and online with our nature videos.

I am not paid to operate ENP or to conduct wildlife conservation activities. ENP is a 100% volunteer operated project designed to educate you about these greatly misunderstood and amazing animals and hopefully, to impart to you, their beauty, uniqueness and intrinsic value to a healthy Earth and healthy humans.

If you would like to help support Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate using this link: http://www.earthshinenature.com/donate. Receipts available upon request. You may also donate supplies such as animal foods, medical supplies, reptile vitamins and habitat supplies. If you are interested in donating any of these items please contact us for more information on our current needs.

THANK YOU Earthshine Discovery Center and everyone who have helped make Earthshine Nature Programs happen! Without all of you our wildlife conservation and education mission would not be possible.
Visit the Earthshine Discovery Center to learn how you and your family, school, scout, corporate or camp group, can visit us and have a wonderful, fun and educational retreat!
www.earthshinediscovery.com

Music by The Steep Canyon Rangers used with written permission. www.steepcanyon.com

Earthshine Nature Programs is in no way affiliated or responsible for ads that may appear below this line.

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Snake Tracks and Turtle Tracks Field Update for 7-16-2013

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Stevo

Field update for the Earthshine Nature Programs Snake Tracks Timber Rattlesnake and Turtle Tracks Eastern Box Turtle Conservation projects for July 16, 2013.

Since my last report Utsanati has moved almost .25 mile to the southwest. He is in an area only about 30-40 feet from the spot where I first discovered him in June of 2011. He has been in this area of thick herbaceous brush, vines, blackberries and Multiflora rose at the edge of the forest for about three weeks. I believe he is there because the area offers many great opportunities for food, shelter and thermoregulation.

Zoe has remained in the area of the clearing near the top of the waterfall for the last month. The well drilling machinery have departed leaving only a quiet clearing for her to thermoregulate, feed and who knows…possibly gestate her young? I do not know because I have been unable to visually locate Zoe in the last few weeks due to not only her elusiveness but also my schedule allowing me to locate her only late in the day and not being able to visually locate her due to falling light levels. Hopefully, the next time I locate her she will show herself and I will be able to determine if she is gravid or not.

Jimmy Irwin and Catherine the Eastern Box Turtles continue to follow the same patterns I have found them to follow over the last 5 years. They are both doing well and in good health. Catherine journeyed over the ridge last month to lay her eggs in the neighbors yard. I did not see her nesting but had a report from our neighbor Tom that she was “digging holes on the edge of the driveway” so I can now say with almost 100% certainty that she journeys over the ridge with the sole purpose to nest and lay her eggs. Why does she go almost 1/4 of a mile away? Why does she not nest closer to home where she can find similar environmental conditions an just deposit her eggs on her side of the ridge? Only Catherine knows for sure but I believe that she ventures over the ridge because maybe, just maybe she was born in Tom’s yard over 50 years ago and her instinct tells her to return to that very spot to lay her eggs. Just like a sea turtle returns to the beach of its birth, maybe box turtles return to the area of their birth to lay their eggs? It is just another big question that needs to be answered about the beautiful eastern box turtle that will help turtle conservationists everywhere preserve and protect these wonderful living gems of the forest.

Take a look at the video from today below.

If the video does not play try following this link: <a href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z04z70LMtn8&feature=share&list=UU97Use8D490EwauUWZA_gUg to watch the video on Youtube.

For more information on the Snake Tracks project and Earthshine Nature Programs please visit us at www.earthshinenature.com

It is our goal at ENP to promote wildlife conservation through exciting hands-on education, outreach programs and online with our nature documentary video series.

I am not paid to operate ENP or to conduct wildlife conservation activities. ENP is a 100% volunteer operated program designed to educate you about these greatly misunderstood and amazing animals and hopefully, to impart to you, their beauty, uniqueness and intrinsic value to a healthy Earth and healthy humans.

If you would like to help support our mission and programs please feel free to donate using this link: http://www.earthshinenature.com/donate. Receipts available upon request. You may also donate supplies such as animal foods, medical supplies, reptile vitamins and habitat supplies. If you are interested in donating any of these items please contact us for more information on our current needs.

THANK YOU Earthshine Discovery Center and all of you who have helped to make Earthshine Nature Programs happen! Without all of you, our wildlife conservation and education mission would not be possible.

Visit the Earthshine Discovery Center to learn how you and your family, school, scout, church, corporate or camp group, can visit us and have a wonderful, fun, and educational retreat!
www.earthshinediscovery.com

Music by The Steep Canyon Rangers used with written permission. www.steepcanyon.com

Earthshine Nature Programs is in no way affiliated or responsible for ads that may appear below this line.

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A visit with Eustace Conway and Turtle Island Preserve

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Stevo

I spend a day at Turtle Island Preserve.

Visit Turtle Island Preserve for a “Simply Real” life changing experience.

Special Thanks to Eustace Conway and Turtle Island Preserve for their wonderful hospitality and unwavering commitment to preserving the vanishing Pioneer way of life and intricate connection to nature and the web of life that we all share.

Video and editing by Steve O’Neil

Music by John Mason and Xavier Rudd

Visit us at www.earthshinenature.com

Earthshine Nature Programs and Turtle Island Preserve are not affiliated in any way with ads that may appear below this line.

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Snake Tracks Field Update for 6/20/13

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Stevo

Field update for the Earthshine Nature Programs Snake Tracks Timber rattlesnake conservation project for June 20, 2013.

Zoe has moved about 1/3 of a mile to the south east since I released her a couple of weeks ago after her transmitter surgery. I am amazed that she has moved so far in such a short time after having major surgery–truly amazing! Even more amazing is that I found her in almost the exact location, on almost exactly the same day, as this time last year! She was coiled under brush at the edge of a clearing on the mountain above the waterfall only about 50-75 feet from some well drilling machinery! She looked drab and is possibly getting ready to shed her skin.

Utsanati has moved several hundred feet to the southeast and was on the edge of the power line access-way. I found him in a resting coil in an area where he could thermoregulate yet remain protected by a log he could retreat under if need be. He looked beautiful and clean, as if he has recently shed his skin.

Take a look at the video from today below.

If the video does not play try following this link: http://youtu.be/UPrTQSkbXlY to watch the video on Youtube.

For more information on the Snake Tracks project and Earthshine Nature Programs please visit us at www.earthshinenature.com

It is our goal at ENP to promote wildlife conservation through exciting hands-on education, outreach programs and online with our nature videos.

THANK YOU Earthshine Discovery Center and all of you who have helped to make Earthshine Nature Programs happen! Without all of you our wildlife conservation and education mission would not be possible.
Visit the Earthshine Discovery Center to learn how you and your family, school, scout, corporate or camp group, can visit us and have a wonderful fun and educational retreat!
www.earthshinediscovery.com

Music by The Steep Canyon Rangers used with written permission. www.steepcanyon.com

Earthshine Nature Programs is in no way affiliated or responsible for ads that may appear below this line.

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Snake Tracks SPECIAL EDITION Field Report for Late May-Early June 2013

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Stevo

This Snake Tracks field report is a special edition because we venture out into the forests and fields in search of snakes and turtles with Pierce Curren of Pierce’s Scaly Adventures!

Tracking Jimmy Irwin the Eastern Box Turtle!
Tracking both Zoe and Utsanati the Timber Rattlesnakes!

Capturing both rattlesnakes!!
Taking both snakes to the Veterinarian for radio Transmitter replacement surgery!!

Returning both snakes to their habitats!
Science happening before your eyes!

Genuine naturalists doing what they love–getting cut, scratched, dirty, tired, wet, and chased by dogs in the name of wildlife conservation!

Exciting and informative reptile education for everyone!
Good people making a great and positive difference!
Fun!

Video by Steve O’Neil and the Curren family of Scaly Adventures www.scalyadventures.com

Special Thanks to Dr. Bolt and Sweeten Creek Animal and Bird Hospital

Editing by Steve O’Neil http://www.earthshinenature.com

Music by The Steep Canyon Rangers used with permission www.steepcanyon.com

Watch the movie below. If the movie does not play just follow this link to view the movie on Youtube

or cut and paste the following link into your browser: http://youtu.be/DEk9A5mwfNI

A HUGE THANK YOU to the Curren Family of Pierce’s Scaly Adventures for assisting us with the making of this wonderful movie and look for a future posting on this blog with the dates and times for the airing of footage from this adventure on Pierce’s Scaly Adventures on worldwide television at some point in the near future!

For more information on the Snake Tracks project and Earthshine Nature Programs please visit us at www.earthshinenature.com

It is our goal at ENP to promote wildlife conservation through exciting hands-on education, outreach programs and online with our nature videos.

Music by The Steep Canyon Rangers used with written permission. www.steepcanyon.com

Earthshine Nature Programs and Pierce’s Scaly Adventures are in no way affiliated with ads that may appear below this line.

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Mad Mountain Mud Run–THE MOVIE!

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Stevo

It has been over two weeks since the Mad Mountain Mud Run, and finally the editing is complete and the video of the mudtastic event is complete! Follow the Earthshine Nature Nerds from Steve’s helmet mounted GoPro camera as they run, crawl, slide, slosh and squish their way through over three mikes of mud covered obstacles in the name of wildlife and nature conservation and children’s education.

If you are unable to view the video above then follow this link to the video on Youtube.

Thanks to many of you, the Mad Mountain Mud Run Fundraiser was a success for both Earthshine Nature Programs and Hands On! A Child’s Gallery!

If you sponsored us in the mud run, your supporter t-shirts are in the works as I write this and I will be getting them to you soon.

THANK YOU ALL to all of our SUPPORTERS and FRIENDS who worked to help make this unique mud covered fundraiser a great success! Many, but not all of you were featured on the back of our mud run jersey that we wore in the race!

Without all of you, Earthshine Nature Programs would simply not happen.

If you would like to donate to Earthshine Nature Programs please click here.

Earthshine Nature Programs is not affiliated with any and all ads that may appear below this line.

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