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Reishi Mushroom Zen

Posted on by Stevo

A few days ago Jenny and I were leading a guided hike to the river in the National Forest near Earthshine Lodge.  I looked down an embankment and saw dozens of Reishi mushrooms bursting forth from a rotting Hemlock log.  Jenny went on to the river with the group and I made my way down to the log to get some video and a few mushrooms.  What I found was a beautiful zen-like moment that seemed to last forever…it was like time stopped.  I shot the below video of my encounter so take a look and hopefully you will get just a little bit of the tranquil zen-like state that I felt–enjoy.

 

Rattlesnakes Need Our Help

Posted on by Stevo

Hello friends,

You all know how I feel about Rattlesnakes. Not only are they part of a healthy ecosystem but they have a place in this world, a place in the wild doing what rattlesnakes do–control rodent populations and provide food for other animals.  They are not evil creatures that are out to hunt down and ruthlessly kill people.  They are peaceful, solitary creatures that prefer to be left alone but they will protect themselves if threatened with harm.  So would I.

Statistics show that only about 12 people per year die from venomous snake bite in the US.  However, for the 2011 year, 26 people were killed by lightning and over 500,000 people were killed by cancer.  These odds speak for themselves.  So why do people continue to target and kill venomous snakes?  Fear? Erroneous beliefs that snakes are “bad” or “evil” ?  Lack of information and education?  Misunderstanding?  Bad television, movies and media representation?  Collection for the bush meat, “pet” and clothing trade? The answer is all of the above.  If we do not stop the killing and ignorant persecution,  then one day they will all be gone.

Recently I visited an ancient Timber rattlesnake den site.  For eons this site hosted dozens of beautiful adult and young rattlesnakes.  As of last week, the site had been plundered by snake hunters who had not a care in the world for the snakes or the habitat.  I saw not a single snake.  The habitat was destroyed.  All the snakes had been captured or killed and for what–skins, money, meat, machismo–probably all of those reasons. I am saddened to think that this site had existed for probably millions of years as a rattlesnake haven and in only a few hours it was reduced to ruin by ignorant sub-humans out for a few dollars.  So sad and so wrong.

It must end.

Education is the key to understanding and with understanding comes respect,  conservation and preservation.

Please learn the facts about these beautiful and misunderstood creatures.  What if find out that you have been wrong all these years–do you wish to continue to do a thing just because you have always done it that way? That does not make it the right thing to do.  Do not be afraid of finding out the truth and setting things right.  Question what you believe and do the research–learn the truth.  Do the right thing.

Start by helping me change laws and minds to protect these magnificent and misunderstood creatures from continued wrongful persecution from persons who do not understand them.

I have put together a list of petitions that are working to end rattlesnake roundups and similar cruel practices directed toward rattlesnakes. Please consider signing them and then pass them on to those who care and maybe together we can make a difference in the protection of a greatly misunderstood and beautiful animal–the rattlesnake.

Thanks,

Steve

https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/tell-animal-planet-to-stop-promoting-rattlesnake-republic-and-the-slaughter-of-rattlesnakes

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/234/221/693/tell-animal-planet-to-stop-promoting-rattlesnake-republic-and-the-slaughter-of-rattlesnakes/

http://www.petitiononline.com/roundups/petition.html

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/45/Please-Stop-Rattlesnake-Roundups/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/stop-the-rattlesnake-torture-in-texas/

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/outlawing_rattlesnake_roundups/index.html

http://www.experienceproject.com/petitions/Stop-Rattlesnake-Roundups/-133167479

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/45/Please-Stop-Rattlesnake-Roundups/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/121/protect-the-snakes-give-eastern-diamondbacks-threatened-species-status/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/296/984/265/save-the-rattlesnake-americas-revolutionary-symbol/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/852/378/446/oklahoma-ban-rattle-snake-roundups-today/

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-rattlesnakes-having-their-mouths-sewn-shut-at-oklahoma-roundups?utm_medium=email&utm_source=signature_receipt#

Here are two petitions I authored a couple of years ago.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/stop-the-trade-in-rattlesnake-parts/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Rattlesnakes-are-important-too/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/crazy-crow-trading-post-is-selling-turtle-shells-and-rattlesnake-skins-end-this-unsustai/

Here’s an article about one advocate for rattlesnakes that attempted to document a rattlesnake roundup and how he was treated.  All the more reason to end these destructive events that not only kill snakes by the thousands but also continue to teach children that “the only good snake is a captured, tortured, dismembered, flayed alive, sold, eaten and lied about and then made into boots, bags and belts snake.”

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20120705/GRASSROOTS/307050004

Together we can end this madness.


Paint marking a Timber Rattlesnake

Posted on by Stevo

A few days ago we discovered a new Timber Rattlesnake near Earthshine.  It is a healthy dark phase female with a rather large rattle string. Fortunately she was found in the same are where Utsanati was found a little over a year ago. This area is visited only occasionally by lodge staff members and never by guests.  I captured and relocated the snake to a location a short distance away from the capture site.  Hopefully the snake will remember being captured and not return to the site.  In order to know if the snake returns I have paint marked three lower segments of its rattle with red acrylic paint so that if the snake returns or is ever seen again we will be able to visually ID it from a safe distance. If the snake is seen frequently, its movements, and eventually its home range can be plotted on a map.

Watch the video of the paint marking and release below.

Heat. Another amazing video from NASA

Posted on by Stevo

I am really getting excited about the next Mars Rover mission that is going to arrive at the red planet on August 5th.

I am also a bit worried about its complexity…worried that if only one thing goes wrong it will end in a fiery disaster in the remote outback of the red planet.

So may things have to happen at just the right time, in just the right sequence or the next rover–Curiosity–will not survive.

Curiosity is the most complicated and advanced robot planet probe ever sent into space and I honestly hope that it lives for many years to explore the wonders of Mars.

This video highlights the challenges NASA and JPL are facing–please watch and wish them luck…they are really going to need it this time.

I support all exploratory space missions because if we do not explore, we do not grow.

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”  –Carl Sagan

Open House Photos

Posted on by Stevo

Take a look at all the great photos from the last open house/benefit for Earthshine Nature Programs.

Sale of all remaining auction items benefit Earthshine Nature Programs educational projects, programs and animal care 100%

Potter O. Possum

Posted on by Stevo

It is with great sadness that I must report that Potter passed away last night.

Late yesterday afternoon his condition had quickly worsened and he and was rushed to an emergency Veterinary clinic where he was given IV fluids and meds but his injuries were just to severe to save him and he passed away on the table at around 11pm. According to the doctor he may have had internal injuries including swelling of the brain and possibly a bacterial infection that resulted from his battle with his attacker. These internal injuries did not show up at his first exam but developed later.

Potter was a great ambassador for wildlife education. He educated thousands of people on the value and beauty of our native wildlife and nature. He became a celebrity at Earthshine where thousands of children and adults met him and learned about his life and twice he appeared on WLOS TV to help promote nature education events. He showed us that even misunderstood animals like the Opossum have a place in nature and should be respected and admired for their role in the web of life.

Potter, your gentleness and uniqueness will not be forgotten.

Thank you to everyone who donated your time, money and care for Potter after his ordeal and in his final hours.

POTTER THE OPOSSUM ATTACKED

Posted on by Stevo

On the night of June 5th Potter O. Possum–Earthshine Nature’s resident Opossum–was attacked by an intruder.  The animal–most likely a Raccoon–tore its way through the wire and into Potter’s enclosure and attacked him.  He was badly scratched up and suffered several bad puncture wounds to his neck, shoulders, face, front feet and he also lost a large amount of fur in his battle with the varmint.  The most startling thing was that both of his dagger-like upper canine teeth were badly damaged and one of his lower canine teeth was broken off at the gum line.  For this to happen he must have put up an incredible fight with his attacker.  Hopefully he gave out just as much or more than he received and the raccoon will think twice about trying to tangle with Potter again.

I rushed Potter to Riversong Veterinary Clinic in Brevard where Dr. Ann Holshouser and her assistants gently treated his wounds and sent him home with an order for with plenty of bed rest, good food and meds.  They were very caring and professional in their care of Potter and I highly recommend their services to anyone with a pet or Opossum in need.

Here is a pic of Potter at Riversong undergoing treatment for his wounds.

For Potter’s ordeal in it’s entirety (not including the fight) view the video below.

Potter is sleeping now and will hopefully be back to his old ‘possum self soon.  I am worried however that he may have to have major dental surgery at some point down the road because of the injuries to his canine teeth.  Opossums have very long canine teeth and to remove them will require over an hour of surgery with Potter fully anesthetized.  I honestly hope that this does not have to happen because an opossums first line of defense are his teeth–without them he would not be able to defend himself if an attacker ever broke into his habitat again.  For this reason I have decided to appeal to you–Potter’s friends and family–for any and all donations to Potters fund.  All donations to help Potter recover will be used to cover the costs of Potters recent vet bills, future care and in the event that he needs further health care resulting from any complications from his injuries.

The first 5 people who donate $50 or more to the Potter fund will receive an autographed (his paw print) photo of Potter and a plush Opossum toy.

Below is a pic of a photo similar (but not exactly like) the one you will receive.  Your photo will be actually autographed by Potter as he walks across the photo after stepping in non-toxic ink so it may appear a bit different than this photo-shopped photo.

The plush Opossum will be like the one in the below photo.  It is made by Fiesta toys.

Please sponsoring Potter with a donation.   When you donate please note that your donation is for the Potter Fund and it will be used only for Potters support.

Thank you for your support.

Rattlesnake Report for 6/4/12

Posted on by Stevo

I tracked Zoe on 6/3/12. She remains in the same area of old fields and tangled undergrowth as I reported on 5/28. She has only moved around 50 feet and was in a tight resting coil when I found her. While searching for her I “discovered” a beautiful waterfall known as Kings falls.

Watch the video below for the full report.