Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Green Again! Spring 2010 Observations












- Spring has sprung! After a comparatively cold winter and above average snowfall, it is great to see green again.
- For the first time ever, this spring, I have witnessed the Flowering Dogwood, Eastern Redbud, and Downy Serviceberry blooming at the same time. Normally the procession of blooms is Serviceberry, then the Redbuds, then the Dogwoods. Interesting times.
- The weather has been delightful recently...today is mid 70s, low humidity, and brilliant blue skies. The remainder of the week is forecast to be similar.
- As usual, the various species of birds have been a major springtime topic of conversation....the courtship, nest building, and sometimes male competitive aggression...along with the seemingly tireless activity, have birders making notes all over the area.
- To the photos....all signs of spring in the southeast Tennessee mountains....from top to bottom....
1) This photograph is of a group of Cedar Waxwings taken back in mid-March....there were hundreds of these colorful, nomadic birds.....note the yellow border at the tip of the tail on some of the males. Periodically they would leave this lofty perch in a tall Silver Maple to feverishly devour the red berries of a nearby Holly tree.
2) Needs no introduction.....these Daffodils (family Amaryllidaceae) were photographed near The Lodge on Lake George....
3) Nature's mimic to the Copperhead. This Northern Water Snake, Nerodia sipedon sipedon (formerly called The Common Water Snake), was caught sunning on a rock, near a rushing stream. Don't be afraid! These reptiles are found around most every stream, pond, marsh, and lake all across the Southland. They are harmless, though sometimes temperamental. They usually slide into the water or beneath a rock and the first signs of disturbance....but if threatened, will strike aggressively prior to fleeing. They differ from Agkistrodon contortrix (The Northern Copperhead) in several ways....most noticeably the smooth contour in the head/neck transition (due to lack of venom glands...the Copperhead has an almost 90 degree turn from neck to jaw due to these glands...giving the head a distinct triangular shape....) and the round eye pupil (the Copperhead, like other Viperidae, have elliptical 'cat-like' pupils). Also, note the gentle slope from between the eyes to the anterior tip...the Copperhead has a high, almost vertical 'wall' in the area descending to the mouth cavity, as well as pits (heat sensory devices) on each side of the face.
4 and 5) Taken only a couple of days ago. An Osprey sailing over the waters of Lake George. Soon after these photos were taken, the bird made a succesful dive for a fish, and then flew, fish clutched by talons, to a nearby tree to enjoy the catch.
- Several Bald Eagles have been seen lately. I had the pleasure of watching one of these magnificent birds for several minutes a few days ago. The immense size and brilliant white head and neck make identification of our national emblem relatively easy.



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