Earthshine Nature

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 Space Oddity–Inspiration from the International Space Station

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Stevo

Commander Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency recently commanded the International Space Station for several months. During that time he worked hard all day as the station’s commander and after hours when he could have been sleeping …he recorded dozens of educational videos about life on the station that are all available on Youtube at this link , took hundreds of amazing photographs of earth from orbit (like the one below),

spoke with countless school students, William Shatner, and the Mythbusters just to name a few about science and following your dreams, tweeted like crazy about his experiences in space on Twitter, collaborated on two different musical endeavors with students across Canada and the Barenaked Ladies and on top of all that he somehow found the time to record the first music video from space–a cover of David Bowie’s A Space Oddity!

Yes, that would be a floating space tortilla! (note the speed limit sign!)

Below is just a small sampling of Col. Chris Hadfield’s amazing adventure in space and I highly recommend that you take just a few minuets out of your busy day to watch, learn and hopefully be inspired by his positive use of social networking to go ahead with throttle up and reach for the stars.

…and finally what you have been waiting for: A Space Oddity (truly a MUST SEE epic in my opinion.)

Thank you Col. Chris Hadfield for your great and positive inspiration and passion for life.

Keep up the great work!

Earthshine Nature Programs is in no way responsible for ads that may appear below this line.
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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Didgeridoo–a one of a kind experience!

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Stevo

While on family vacation over the last week of June I visited the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse National Monument. While there I had a wild idea: would it be possible to play my didgeridoo inside the tallest lighthouse in North America! I doubted that the National Park Service would say yes but it never hurts to ask. I did and they said go for it! I could not believe my luck so I grabbed my didgeridoo, followed a ranger inside, set up some cameras and started to play. The video below shows just a small part of my experience. In reality the camera can show only a one dimensional picture of what I have to say was one of the most unique didgeridoo experiences I have ever had–it was a four dimensional experience for sure. The reverberations of my drones off of the inner walls of the cylindrical brick structure were unbelievably haunting and powerful and a musical memory of the highest level for me. Also, as far as the park service rangers knew it was the first time the drones of the didgeridoo have ever been heard in the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse!
Check out the video below for just a taste of my amazing experience. Be sure to turn up the volume!

Special thanks to the National Park Service for making this possible!

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.

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 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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The MAD MOUNTAIN MUD RUN is TOMORROW!

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Stevo

WOO HOO!!

The Mad Mountain Mud Run is TOMORROW June 1st! Please come out in support of Earthshine Nature Programs, Hands On and all the runners in this wonderful and fun filled mudtastic event!

THANK YOU

To all of you that have already sponsored us in the race!

Without you Earthshine Nature Programs would not happen.

It is not to late to sponsor us in the race–we will gladly take donations before and after the race.

Please follow this link to make an online donation via PayPal–THANK YOU!

If this is the first time you are seeing this blog post and you are wondering what this is all about, below is a full explanation of tomorrows muddy events.

Yes, you heard it right–Earthshine Nature Programs Executive Director Steve O’Neil has formed a mud running team with three of his nature loving friends. They will be running in the Mad Mountain Mud Run 5K in Hendersonville, NC on Saturday June 1st 2013!

The name of our team is

The Earthshine Nature Nerds

The Nature Nerds are;

Steve O’Neil (captain),

Jenny Geer-Hardwick,

Will Thomas

Steve Atkins

(Hog not included and no animals will be harmed during the mud run)

Our community goal is to run in support of the Hands On A Child’s Gallery based in Hendersonville, NC with our entry fees and afternoon of muddy fun!

Our nerdy nature goal is to run representing Earthshine Nature Programs as our 2013 fundraiser. To do this we will need to find sponsors that are willing to support Earthshine Nature Programs with a pledge. Your pledge will provide direct support to our environmental education and conservation programs and projects and it is tax deductible.

Take a look at the course map below for what we have in store for us! It should be a muddy fun day!

Sponsor Awards

Those who sponsor us for $50 or more will receive your logo or name and weblink* on the ENP supporters website (to be updated after the race) and this blog, and on the back of our custom mud run t-shirt that we will proudly wear during the race (if you sponsor us before May 22th your name/loge will appear on the t-shirt).

Those who sponsor us for $100 or more will receive your logo or name and weblink* on the ENP supporters website and this blog, and your own custom mud run t-shirt–mud not included.

Those who sponsor us for $500 or more will receive your logo or name and weblink* on the ENP supporters website and this blog, your own custom mud run t-shirt, and one “Honored Supporter” custom made (by Steve) award which includes a certificate of appreciation and small glass vial filled with a small amount of the actual mud from the race course that we will run through on June first

Those who sponsor us for $1000 or more will receive your logo or name and weblink* on the ENP supporters website and this blog, your own custom mud run t-shirt, one “Honored Supporter” custom made (by Steve) award which includes a certificate of appreciation and small glass vial filled with a small amount of the actual mud from the race course that we will run through on June first, and Steve and his animals will come to you and present one of his Misunderstand Wildlife animal shows with live animals at your birthday party, school or other gathering!

*You can opt-out of having your personal/company information publicized on our shirts/websites if you choose.

The nitty gritty muddy dirt of the sponsorship (rules)

If the Earthshine Nature Nerds team completes the race–all sponsored pledges will be collected from the sponsors by June 15th, 2013. Supporter awards will be awarded within 30 days following the race.

If the Earthshine Nature Nerds team does not complete the race–no donations will be collected unless you choose to support us despite the fact.

If the race is cancelled due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control you may choose to honor your sponsorship agreement or not. All donations will be used to provide direct support to our environmental conservation projects and programs and it is tax deductible.

If you would like to sponsor our team please contact me and we will make arrangements.

You may sponsor us with either monetary pledges or supplies. If you would like to pledge supplies please contact us for a list of our current needs.

No matter if you choose to support us or not, please do come out to Berkley Park and watch all of the mud runners get muddy and have fun for a couple of great causes–the education of children and conservation of wildlife and nature!

If you know anyone who may like to support ENP with a sponsorship or donation please forward this post on to them–THANK YOU!

NOTE: The Nature Nerds will video/photograph their perspective of the race using the latest technology including HD GoPro cameras and more so that their nerdy muddy experience will be able to be shared by all! A few days following the race look for the video to be posted here on the ENP Nature Blog!

THANK YOU!!

That’s all for now…I need to go train!

Steve O’Neil, ENP Executive Director and Mad Mountain Mud Runner

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Snake Tracks Field Update for 5-23-13 Utsanati’s Tracks

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Stevo

Field update for the Earthshine Nature Programs Snake Tracks Timber Rattlesnake Conservation project for May 23, 2013.

Today I found Utsanati about 150 feet northeast of his last location. He was in the middle of the power-line access way, on the surface in a resting coil. He never rattled or moved event though I walked to within 3 feet of his location. I was not able to locate Zoe today.

On May 25th I will locate Zoe and Utsanati and pull them from the field just long enough to replace their transmitters, let them recover and then release them back at their capture locations. I will be sure to get it all on film for you to witness.

Take a look at the video from today below.

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

Turtle Tracks and Snake Tracks Field Update for 5-18-13

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Stevo

Field update for the Earthshine Turtle Tracks and Snake Tracks reptile conservation projects for May 18, 2013.

Turtle Tracks

First I located Catherine the Eastern Box Turtle. I found her in a location that she uses this time of year to feed heavily before making her long trek over the ridge to lay her eggs in the small field in the community adjacent to Earthshine.

She was sitting on the leaf litter in the forest possibly searching for food items such as slugs, snails and worms. She just looked at me never moving and waited until I moved off.

Jimmy has been missing for over a month. His transmitters’ signal stopped transmitting shortly after he emerged from hibernation and I have not seen him since. It may be a transmitter issue however, I believe it is not. Holohil, the brand of transmitters that I use, are some of the best in the world and Jimmy’s transmitter was replaced last fall. I think Jimmy was either attacked by a predator that damaged his transmitter or he may have been hit by a mower. We have been following Jimmy Irwin since May of 2008 and if we never see him again we can rest assured that the time we have spent following in his Turtle Tracks has been exciting and educational and generated some remarkable data that will be used to help conserve our only terrestrial turtle–the Eastern Box Turtle. Thousands of people of all ages have met Jimmy online or in person when they journeyed to the fields and forests surrounding Earthshine to search for Jimmy and learn a little bit about his life and how this tiny turtle plays a gigantic role in keeping nature–and us–healthy and happy. I will continue to search for Jimmy in the hopes of finding him and be sure to let you know if he ever turns up.

Snake Tracks

Over the last 7 days since her last locate, Zoe the Timber rattlesnake has moved about 1/2 mile to the southeast. She has traveled along the ridge, passed through or around several houses and yards, crossed the road at least once, moved through several thousand feet of thick forest and made her way to where I found her today–resting about 2.5′ from the edge of a swift flowing mountain stream. Can you find her in the photo below?

On the other side of the stream there were two large dogs tied to trees continually barking at me while I searched for Zoe! It was nerve wracking to say the least. I believe Zoe is on her way to her summer activity area in the fields near the waterfall where she spent last summer. Only time will tell.

I did not track Utsanati today because I ran out of daylight…I will locate him soon.

Take a look at the video from today below.

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

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