The Nature Photography Thread

[Mommy2many]

Those things can take down a hummingbird! Wonderful bugs to study, though! Too bad he may have the misfortune of not surviving a chance encounter with his mate

[ConcinusMan]

Actually, I captured a huge female a few years back and then later found a male and thought, what the heck. I put them together and the male locked up with her and remained that way for about 2 days. Later, after separating, he went to the bottom of the jar and died there. No eating involved. No aggression from the female.

About two weeks later, she attached an egg case to the lid of the jar. About a week after that, another smaller egg case before she died.

And Steve, I get the feeling that we pass by these "bugs" more than we can imagine. Just so happens some years/times we actually see them more. Could be because there is more of them, or it could just be chance. I haven't seen one in a couple of years whereas before I was seeing a lot of them. By far, they are most easily encountered this time of year when they are big and looking for mates. I'm pretty sure this male was out in the open and on the pavement because he was wandering looking for a mate. If you're going to find any, it's this time of year in tall grass / fields.

As I was flushing out garter snakes, I was also flushing out a lot more of these bugs out of the grass but most would simply take flight and get away.

[Selkielass]

Went for a walk yesterday at what I think will prove to be a great place to go herping. I didn't see any snakes, but I saw lots of signs that it should be a great place for garters.

Its a greenspace connecting two parks. One park is a sports field bordered by wet meadows, a river and floodplains and the other is a wooded area that was once the site of a canal.

This pair was just across the parking lot from my car.


Amazing tree.


Wild Cucumber vines


Crossing my path


Plenty of fungus



Continued...

[Selkielass]

And larger Fauna...




Now here's what really excited me- Lots of cover for snakes!

[Selkielass]

A big pile of tin roofing and boards.


And the ruins of a house.



This retaining wall looks like a good candidate for a brumation site- *if* it is actually high enough above river level. It may be too low.



This abandoned retaining wall was higher, but seemed to offer fewer voids and hidey holes.


Lots of birds and the logs and stones I turned were hiding plenty of worms, slugs and empty snail shells (Didn't see any live snails tho.) I talked to several dog walkers, and they reported seeing and hearing garters along the trail during the summer.

I'm looking forward to taking my son back with me if we get some more fair weather.

[indigoman]

Looks like a can,t miss place! Thanks for the pics The fun is really in the SEARCH!

[guidofatherof5]

That stone wall is a great place for garter snakes.
Best of luck , keep us posted.

[Selkielass]

Will do, and if anyone is planning on being in Metro-Detroit, and would like to go check it out themselves well, drop me a line. I decided against sharing the names of the parks publicly, but I'll be happy to in private to those who promise to respect the area.

[mustang]

wow steve herp-win (steve irwin steve herp-win ) lolo the snake hunter!

[infernalis]