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TURTLE TRACKS expedition videos from this summer!

Posted on by Stevo

If you participated in an Eastern Box Turtle radio tracking expedition over the summer of 2012 then your video is below.  To find your video simply scroll down until you find the date you visited us and click the video to watch your experience!

Thank you all for tracking turtles with us at Earthshine Mountain Lodge!  You are all helping to further the collective knowledge and conservation of the Eastern Box Turtle!!  The Turtle Tracks project is developed, operated and 100% funded by Earthshine Nature Programs which is 100% funded by your donations–THANK YOU!!

Tracking Date June 26, 2012

Tracking Date July 03, 2012

Tracking Date July 07, 2012

Tracking Date July 15, 2012

Tracking Date July 17, 2012

Tracking Date July 22, 012

Tracking Date July 31, 2012

Tracking Date August 14, 2012

And here is an update on the travels of Mrs. Bones the turtle that ENP is tracking in Cedar Mountain, NC.

If you would to help support the Turtle Tracks or the Snake Tracks wildlife conservation, research, and education projects and/or Earthshine Nature Programs (ENP) please feel free to donate using this link. Receipts available upon request.

THANK YOU to all of you who have donated to ENP over the years!!  Without you these important wildlife conservation and public education projects would not not happen.

Snake Tracks Field Update for 8-31-12

Posted on by Stevo

Due to continued technical difficulties this post is late.

Utsanati is still sheltering in the remote forest at the edge of the power line access way  far from human habitation and activity areas.  He has recently shed his skin and is beautiful!  Today he participated in a special photo shoot (see photos and video) for the Blue Turtle/Turtle of Change project that is working to make a difference and a change all over the world. That is Utsanati with the Turtle of Change “Turtle Grupo Tortuguero” below.

If you have not had a chance to read my blog posts on the Turtle of Change blog then here’s another chance:

Post 1: Travels with a Naturalist (didgeridoo concert and rattlesnake surgery)

Post 2: The Continued Travels with a Naturalist (turtles, rattlesnakes, campers, a goat, Wild South and Turtle Dogs!)

Today I found Zoe in the same small clearing near the top of the waterfall sheltering under the same tangle of brush/logs where I found her about two weeks ago!  She obviously has some sort of special attachment to this spot be it a good thermo-regulation location or a possible maternity site–we may never know.  Because I have found her in this exact location on three separate times this spring and summer I now know that this is an important site for this rattlesnake.  To a human this site would look unremarkable but to this snake it is all important and may make all the difference in the world to her life and her success.  This is why we need to learn all that we can about wildlife–especially sensitive and threatened creatures like the Timber Rattlesnake.  The more we know the more we will be able to help conserve and protect nature and wildlife from us.

With the cooler nights and shorter days I believe that Zoe will soon be making her trek back up the ridge toward her over-wintering location.  To do this she will need to cross a dangerous road construction zone where a driveway is being cut into the forest so I fear for her safety.  I only hope that she decides to move after the workers “punch out” at the end of the day or late at night.

Zoe also participated in the photo shoot for the Turtles of Change project–see if you can find her in the photo below.

Take a look at the latest video of the Snake Tracks project below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQBqCbBKHG4

If the video does not show or play then follow this link to view the video: http://youtu.be/CQBqCbBKHG4

I am not paid to do this research–this is a volunteer project that I am undertaking to learn all that I can about these amazing animals to further educate you about their beauty, uniqueness and value to a healthy forest ecosystem. If you would like to support the Snake Tracks Timber Rattlesnake wildlife conservation, research, and education project and/or Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate using this link. Receipts available upon request. THANK YOU to all of you who have donated to ENP!!  Without you this important work would not happen.

Snake Tracks Field Update for 8-19-12

Posted on by Stevo

Both Zoe and Utsanati are in remote locations far from human habitation and activity areas.  However, if you are lucky enough to share habitat with them and you decide to take a walk to the waterfall–keep your eyes open for Zoe.  Her last location on 8-15-12 was a few hundred yards NW of the waterfall at the edge of a clearing near a trail.  I found her sheltering under a jumble of logs and limbs in an exact same location where I had founder her earlier in the summer.  This just shows that the Timber rattlesnake, like the Eastern box turtle, knows exactly where they are in their environment–and they do not need a GPS to navigate.

Take a look at a photo of Zoe before she moved to the waterfall location.  Notice the small inch-worm on her face.  Photo by Steve Atkins.

Here’s is another photo of Zoe–this time she has a spider on her head.  Photo by Steve Atkins.

Me and Zoe–can you find her?   Photo by Steve Atkins.

I found Utsanati sheltering under some thick vegetation in the middle of the power line access-way.  He was pre-molt as evidenced by his opaque eyes.  He was uncomfortable with my presence and moved off to hide under a nearby log.

Take a look at this photo of Utsanati. The opaqueness of his eyes indicate that he will be shedding soon.  The bright spot on his head is a droplet of water reflecting the flash.

For all the details of this snake hunt take a look at the video below.  This video covers three locate days: 8-10, 8-15 and 8-19.

I am not paid to do this research–this is a volunteer project that I am undertaking to learn all that I can about these amazing animals to further educate you about their beauty, uniqueness and value to a healthy forest ecosystem. If you would like to support the Snake Tracks Timber Rattlesnake wildlife conservation, research, and education project and/or Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate using this link. Receipts available upon request. THANK YOU!!

Snake Tracks Field Report for Utsanati for 8-3-12

Posted on by Stevo

Utsanati’s field update for 8-3-12.

Sorry it is late–technical difficulties again.

Utsanati resting on the leaf litter.

Today I found Utsanati deep in the forest around 110 feet NE from his last location in the power line access-way.

In this special tracking video–the longest I have ever produced–I show you exactly what I do–mostly uncut–for an entire Timber rattlesnake radio tracking excursion.

Seen in this video:
lots of shots of walking through the woods.
lots of plants.
lots of shots of me eating wild blueberries (aka: buck berries).
lots of sounds of me panting, grunting and groaning as I climb up steep slopes and over logs.
the sound of thunder in the distance.
more vision of me walking through thick bushes and vegetation.
lots of shots of Utsanati the Timber rattlesnake resting on the leaf litter.
shots of me collecting data with my instruments.
commentary by me on the importance of preserving snakes.
an unexpected encounter with other humans in the forest.
more shots of me walking through thick vegetation.
a bit more of commentary by me on the importance of preserving snakes.
the end.
If you are truly interested in learning what I do on a snake hunt then this video is for you.  If you are looking for adventure, excitement (a Jedi craves not these things:-) and a grand musical soundtrack   then look for another video because you will not find it here.  This is just the facts of what I do to help conserve, preserve and understand the beautiful Timber rattlesnake.

Enjoy.

Video and editing by Steve O’Neil

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

Special thanks to Dan Schreiman for the use of the GoPro camera.

Snake Tracks Field Report for Zoe 8-3-12

Posted on by Stevo

Snake Tracks Field Report for Zoe 8-3-12

I apologize that this post is a bit late. Again this was due to technical difficulties beyond my control (sick modem).

Due to the length of both Zoe and Utsanati’s locates and videos on this locate day I will be posting their locates separately.

On August 03 I started my snake hunt near Zoe’s last location in the field. Her signal showed me that she had seemed to have moved up above the waterfall so I decided to drive around the mountain and drop in from the top. I thought that this route would be easier–boy was I ever wrong. After arriving near the top of the mountain and realizing that I had no signal I decided that I would hike down to the waterfall and find her signal on the way down. I started on what was a well groomed trail but it quickly closed in and disappeared entirely giving way to thick laurels and chin high shrubs–thank goodness for snake chaps.

After awhile I came out on the old trail to the falls. It was easy going and after awhile I arrived near the top of the falls where I explored the rock outcrops and rock shelter before making my way to the bottom of the falls. After cooling off in the creek I again picked up Zoe’s signal and headed off toward her location. I was a bit miffed at myself because her signal led me once again to the field–where I had just located her signal about an hour before. Next time I will start from her last location as I usually do.

I followed her signal through the field, past the large maples on the hill, and into my friends Dave and Christina’s yard! Zoe’s signal put her in a deep gully just below a trail. I was unable to physically access her location due to the steepness of the slope and the obvious danger of falling on a rattlesnake! I needed to collect my data so Dave and I rigged a rope to a large tree and I used it to lower myself down the steep embankment to get closer to Zoe.

I found her coiled on the surface in a resting coil. She looked very healthy and never moved or rattled despite the fact that three noisy humans were only a few feet away.

It is very interesting to note that Zoe has visited Dave and Christina before! About a year ago Christina took a video of Zoe only about 15 feet from where I found her today. This just shows that Timber rattlesnakes, like box turtles, are creatures of habit and they follow the same paths year after year!

I collected my data, climbed back up the mountain and said goodbye to Zoe the Timber rattlesnake.

Zoe’s Danger Level is a 5 due to her close proximity to human habitation.

I again located Zoe on 8-8-12 and she was in the same position as on 8-3-12.

For all the details of this snake hunt take a look at the video below. Keep in mind that it is the extended version of my trek. I wanted to show you some of what it takes to keep track of these snakes in their native habitat. Also keep in mind that I am not paid to do this research–this is a volunteer project that I am undertaking to learn all that I can about these amazing animals and to further educate you about their beauty, uniqueness and value to a healthy forest ecosystem.

Watch the video below for details and vision of the last locate day for Zoe.

If you would like to support the Snake Tracks Timber Rattlesnake wildlife conservation, research, and education project and/or Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate using this link. Receipts available upon request. THANK YOU!!

Snake Tracks Update for 7-20-12

Posted on by Stevo

I apologize that this post is a bit late. This was due to technical difficulties beyond my control. Unfortunately, due to these issues I have not been able to locate Utsanati and Zoe as often as I would have liked over the last few weeks.

On July 20th I started my snake hunt rather late in the day. Finding Zoe was a bit difficult because of a bouncing transmitter signal. I finally located her only a few hundred feet to the southeast from the collapsed barn where I had found her sheltering on the previous locate day. She was coiled in a resting coil under a small Mountain Laurel shrub at the edge of the forest/field. She looked very plump. It is possible that she had recently eaten a large meal but also possible that she is gravid (pregnant). Only time will tell.

I then drove around the mountain to look for Utsanati. When I arrived at my parking spot the clouds opened up and the poured the rain for about 15 minuets while I waited it out. By the time the rain ended it was getting quite dark but I needed to find Utsanati so I headed into the dark, wet forest. Utsanati’s signal was leading me toward his last winter’s hibernation site…but he was not there. I trekked over the steep north side of the mountain through dense rain-soaked undergrowth and slick moss covered logs. Finally, I located Utsanati in the power-line access way that bisects the north slope. He was coiled under some low growing vegetation in a resting coil. He had moved a great distance over the last few days and seemed to be doing well.  I believe that he was in the access-way because it offers plenty of sun during the day for thermo-regulation and excellent cover for reptiles and rodents because of the piles of cut limbs and saplings left by the power companies pruning foray back in the spring.

After locating Utsanati I had an interesting trip up the mountain through the saturated dark forest and when I finally arrived back at my truck it was close to 10pm and I was exhausted but glad to know that both snakes were doing well.

For all the details of this snake hunt take a look at the video below. Keep in mind that it is the extended version of my trek. I wanted to show you some of what it takes to keep track of these snakes in their native habitat. Also keep in mind that I am not paid to do this research–this is a volunteer project that I am undertaking to learn all that I can about these amazing animals and to further educate you about their beauty, uniqueness and value to a healthy forest ecosystem.

Watch the video below for details and vision of the last locate day for Zoe and Utsanati.

If you would like to support the Snake Tracks Timber Rattlesnake wildlife conservation, research, and education project and/or Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate using this link. Receipts available upon request. THANK YOU!!

Snake Tracks Update for 7.14.12

Posted on by Stevo

Great News!  Utsanati has recovered from his transmitter adjustment surgery and I have released him back into his habitat!  After spending the last month in captivity, having minor surgery, teaching over 200 children and adults about the beautiful and greatly misunderstood Timber rattlesnake and eating six mice and one small rabbit (not all at the same time) he was really ready to go home yesterday when I released him at his June capture location–the woodpile.  Upon his release I could tell that he knew exactly where he was as he quickly moved off into the hidden depths of the woodpile.  I do not know if he will stay around the area of the woodpile since the protective tarp has been removed.  I will locate him again in a day or so to verify his position.

Zoe has moved down off the ridge above the waterfall, moved across the abandoned fields and creek and was sheltering under a collapsed pole barn shed.  I have not seen Zoe in over a month due to the fact that on the last three or four locate days she has been under various types of cover that I could not safely navigate through to find her for two reasons: I did not want to disturb her and I did not want to risk getting bitten.  I believe that she has been laying low due to the record setting heat wave that the area has been subjected to over the last few weeks.

Watch the video below for details and vision of the last locate day for Zoe and Utsanati.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25HLegWNWwc

If you would like to support the Snake Tracks Timber Rattlesnake wildlife conservation, research, and education project and/or Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate using this link. Receipts available upon request. THANK YOU!!

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.