Summer's Leather and Lace

The lace.....

- The inspiring blooms of the dogwoods, redbuds, and serviceberries may be gone, but late spring has more to display......the Queen Anne's Lace is currently blooming, as are the Honeysuckle (Caprifoliacae), along with many species of Compositae....daisies and their relatives. Also, the Princess Tree (pale blue blooms) is blooming in southeast Tennessee. Just last week, I saw the unique and beautiful blooms of the Flame Azalea in the forests of the Cumberland Plateau (including our properties)....the only orange bloom in the woods. As many flowering species....late this year, as compared to the last several.

Photos....bottom to top.....

- A Carolina Chickadee comfortably resting on one of my feeders (squirrels had just cleaned me out).......

- A Song Sparrow (note the streaked breast and 'spot' on the chest.....good ID field marks) enjoying the sunshine, perched near the top of a young Norway Spruce.

- This shot was taken during a steady rain......the songsmith (close examination shows the bill open....and the bird in full cry) is the Bewick's Wren.

- Had to include a garden.....taken recently in our area. This one contains lettuce, potatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, a few green beans, tomatoes, and peppers.

The leather.....

Get a lot of questions this time of year regarding the harmful Reptilia and related consequences. Briefly........

- While walking the woodlands, residential areas, or miles of trails of our Cumberland Plateau, you are likely to only encounter three lizards, and despite what you may hear...all are harmless to humans. They are: 1) The Eastern Fence Swift...grey and scaly....males have dark blue 'patches' on either side of the torso. Very quick....and have the habit of cocking the head as one approaches....typically seen on fences, wood piles or rocks. 2) The Five-Lined Skink....very common here....dark covering, smooth texture, almost glossy, with parallel lines beginning behind the head and running almost the length of the animal is the ID mark. Juveniles have a bright blue tail...hence the common misnomer...'blue-tailed lizard'. Often seen on rocks, sides of buildings, and scurrying across your porch or sidewalk. 3) Broad-Headed Skink....larger than the Five Lined and without the lines, even scales for a smooth appearance (not scaly).....mostly brown and lacking distinguishing ID marks. Habitat similar to Five Lined.

Snakes are on the prowl as well.....and only two species are venomous in our area. They are: 1) The Northern Copperhead...to around 3.5'....appropriately named as the head is usually, but not always, coppery, sometimes even shiny....moreso just after shedding of the skin. I look for a profile....especially of the head/neck region...where the venom glands make for quite a contrast (curve) from the head to the neck region. Compared to non-poisonous species, the body profile if often heavier...'stout' appearance. The eye is always elliptical (cat-like) while the non-poisonous species have a round pupil. I have had considerable personal experience with these snakes and have found them to be quite lazy...often retiring and unaggressive.....unless you happen to step on one. I seldom encounter them in the wild, though I have seen them on occassion...often around tree stumps, fallen trees, and in rocky areas. 2) The Timber Rattlesnake....a different story. My encounters with them in the wild have been just the opposite of the Copperhead, and though they sometimes warn an intruder into their habitat by 'rattling', sometimes they do not. Encounters with this impressive reptile are not quickly forgotten. They are more temperamental than the Copperhead, and in my opinion, much more dangerous. Also, the venom is, drop for drop, more potent. I have found this species to be aggressive and I treat them with great respect. I have caught many Copperheads, but I think and rethink before considering pinning the head of a rattler...very strong and unpredictable. Again, I look for a profile....and once you have seen this snake, especially an adult, you will never again confuse it with any other. Strong and muscular, with a girth greater than any of the non-poisonous species, this snake strikes an imposing posture. The largest of this species I have personally seen was 58" (many years ago) and the most number of rattles I have seen is 19. The number of rattles is the number of times the snake has shed the skin....which may be once per year....or 2-3 times per year...depending on growth....which depends on the prey population...which depends of growing conditions/weather. The venom of the young is just as potent as the adults.....they just do not have as much of it! I grew up in the rolling hills/farmland of Middle Tennesse and encounters with this animal were common...very common. On the Cumberland Plateau, encounters are not nearly as common....but they are around...usually coiled and resting on the leaves, near a fallen tree or rock outcropping. Usually they have no reason to loiter on trails or roads, and most often they are only seen as they cross a road, and this is when many folks seize the opportunity to kill them. I know many fear the presence of this species. They do demand respect. In the grand scheme of the wild, they are quite an impressive animal, and have a unique place near the top of the Tennessee food chain.