Blanding’s Turtle on Massasauga Trail - August 25, 2007

IMG_1322, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

As I’m walking home from work I see this Blanding’s turtle in the middle of the trail. What a beautiful creature!

Wild Grapes - May 11 2007

Wild Grapes, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Here are the beginnings of some tasty treats coming later in the summer. These are located on Massasauga trail.

Rattlesnake Massasauga

Rattlesnake Massasauga

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Here’s our yearly early springtime visit from one of Michigan’s species of special concern the massasauga rattlesnake. It’s good to see that a few are still surviving.

 I’ve heard it said that these pit vipers may actually be able to “see” heat footprints of animals as they pass.

Calling Birds on Massasauga Trail Dec. 15,2006

Group of House Finches with a male bluebird (in the middle).

Finches_BlueBird_Mass_Trail_Dec_2006

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

I’m coming from lunch and heading back to work on Massasauga trail. I decide to try out the general bird call to see how if I can call in some birds. The bird call consists of a rythmic “psssst……psssst…….psssst” call with about 3 seconds in between each call. Within about 2 to 3 minutes, there are about 40 to 50 birds in the trees around me.
I identify: Blue Jay, House Finch, Bluebird, Nuthatch, Chickadee, Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Junco, Hairy Woodpecker, and a Ruby Crowned Kinglet. It’s fun calling out so many birds, when I didn’t see any before I started calling. This is the most birds that I’ve ever called in at one time.

 White-breasted Nuthatch Tufted TitmouseNorthern Cardinal(Male)

Black-capped Chickadee

Hairy Woodpecker(blurry in center of picture)

Garter Snake - Massasauga Trail - Oct 8 2006

This garter snake on Massasauga trail is also enjoying this warm sunny day.