Some Habitants of Michigan Fens

Don't expect any herps in this post.  I am on a steadily lengthening string of failures. 

On a trip early in the year I found an excellent looking marl fen than I know has wonderful herps hiding in it.  I have struck out on a few trips to the area, but the habitat is so wonderful I manage to forget the lack of success.  It wasn't a surprise then when checking out the fen a few weeks ago I managed to stumble into a nice area with a couple Michigan carnivorous plant species.

I usually see the pitcher plants at most of the bogs and fens I check out. 

Sarracenia purpurea

 If you look closely in the bottom left though, you will see something I don't often see...

Drosera rotundifolia

I ended up see hundreds of little sundews littered around the property, mixed in with the pitchers...  score!

No massasaugas or spotted turtles today, but Michigan has many other natural wonders to keep you busy even on the slow days.


BH

Meet Joy

Molly and I decided to adopt a second dog a little while ago, and I am shocked I haven't shared pictures of her yet.  Her name is Joy, and she makes an excellent addition to the family.

We thought Cid would enjoy a friend to play with and Molly picked her out a crowd because she looks like his sister.  We also thought we had been sleeping too well lately.

 Things were a little dicey at first, but they get along wonderfully now.

She makes an excellent addition in the field, but I wonder how many animals they scare off when they run through my fields.

I recommend rescuing dogs to anyone looking for a family companion.  The application process can be tough, but we have been able to pick up two wonderful friends this way.

BH

Just Another Nerodia?

I usually don't get all excited about subspecies, especially crappy ones based on a color phase, but the Lake Erie Water Snake, Nerodia sipedon insularum, is kind of an interesting beastie. 

They are federally threatened, and only occur on a few of the islands in Lake Erie off the coast of Ohio and Canada.  Once at the brink of "extinction", due to concerted and heroic efforts in raising public education and awareness, as well as the introduction of a nonnative fish, they have rebounded with gusto and are now up for federal delisting. 

So how do you know if you have seen one?  Just find an ugly water snake on one of the islands.  Theoretically, they have a darker, more uniform color, but protection status is strictly based on the location of the animal.  You will find they actually come in all different colors and patterns. Yeah I told you they were bogus.

Bogus and cool.

Lake Erie Water Snake Nerodia sipedon insularum

While not a "classic" insularum, it is a darn good looking snake.  At least for stinky Nerodia.

So if you happen to make it out to one of the western Lake Erie islands, keep your eyes peeled for an insularum.  You might even end up face to face with one.

BH

(you can all stop being shocked that buckeyeherper actually decided to post some Ohio herps for once...)

Speaking of Bothrops

When I last spoke to my brother, he complained that I never explained to him the nasty reputation of Bothrops.  I will actually argue all of my experiences have been very positive and even lucky.  I found them to be rather likeable, except for when you are stupid enough to mess with them (which I do not recommend).

Bothrops are a genus of Central and South American pitvipers that have a number of representative species.  The most well known of these, the fer-de-lance or terciopelo, is common throughout central america and northern south america.  They can be large, agressive snakes with potent venom.  Data suggests they are responsible for more deaths in the western hemisphere than any other snake.

Bothrops atrox that was found after it crawled out from between my legs.

Bothrops atrox found when our group stopped to photograph the above mentioned snake, curled up in the path, an inch from the last persons boot.  Yes we all walked right over it.

Bothrops atrox found alongside a trail during the day.  This snake was perfectly content to leave us alone, until we decided to bag it for measurements and samples.  The only snake that has made me uncomfortable to this day... 

And a couple reasons to fear Bothrops...

Ahh Brasil...

Some New Blood!

My brother is currently spending 2 months in Costa Rica working on some herp research. He was looking for a way to upload images to share with friend and family, so I offered to add him as an author. Hopefully, we will take me up on it and start posting some of his adventures.

You may remember him from some posts last summer.

Start posting some Bothrops!

BH

A New Era Begins

If you are interested in reptiles, amphibians, wonderful pictures and a little taste of drama, then I urge you to check out www.fieldherpforum.com.

This excellent forum has been instrumental in my growth as a herper and has introduced me to many new species and places across the world, that I might have never known existed. I have also met some wonderful people via the forum.

It recently had a set back, including the loss of hundreds of thousands of posts and is rebuilding from ground zero. The community is rallying to make it bigger and better the second time around.

Don't mind the dust, join in the fun, and get ready for some amazing stories.

BH

The Dark Side of Herping

Most don't find herping to be a glamorous pursuit. The briar, ticks, projectile feces, summer mosquitoes, and reptiles and amphibians themselves are often major deterrents for most. Yet, I find they help to sweeten the taste of success when it comes (and an icy beverage for that matter). But most of these features are not unique to herping. No, the dark side is something altogether different...

I was drawn to the hobby for many reasons, some of which are the picturesque locations, ample time spent in fresh air, and the chance to really get out and stretch your legs. As you really fall prey to the allure animals though, you start realize sometimes you have to sacrifice a small part of the ideals that drew you to the field.


So what am I so cryptically speaking of?

Trash, litter, gas consumption.

My travels have taken me to some amazing places...

But I would have never found these animals without roads and countless hours spent driving them.

And often the roads themselves take us through some great places.

Unfortunately, we see plenty of dead animals.

But I can learn a lot about the animal. I know they occur there, I can get an idea of habitat they utilize, and when fresh, can have an idea of movement patterns.

But most herpers drive these...

So they can do this. (only with permission of course...)

But we spent a lot of time looking for this...





And the trash helps us find these.

So while it isn't always glamorous, sometimes when the fever seeps deep into your bones, you will do what it takes to see animals. Roadcruising and flipping tin aren't my favorite aspect of herping, but they produce results and allow you to see animals during times of the day and year when the hunting is otherwise tough.

So next time you go to clean up your back yard, leave a sheet of tin for the neighborhood ratsnake and always watch the shoulders of the road for any wayward travelers.

BH