What moth is this??

Leslie took this photo over the weekend. Anyone know which moth this is? I had not seen this one before seeing the photo.   UDPATE: THANKS HELEN FOR LETTING US KNOW THIS IS A ROSY MAPLE MOTH.

Glenn

Timber Rattlesnakes on SMT.

Jim K mentioned he saw a rattlesnake with a very thick body rattling away at him on Sideling Mtn. Grant and Nancy apparently had two (?) run ins with rattlesnakes recently. Be careful when moving objects outdoors (boxes left out, firewood, under flower pots, etc.) or stepping over logs in the yard!

http://www.marshall.edu/herp/Old/rattlesnake.htm

Broad Wing Hawk

Finding a Broad Wing Hawk in River Ridge was a highlight of some birding my friend Jay and I did this weekend. We heard a call that sounded like a raptor just as we left the lower gate and started up Sideling Mountain Trail. We did some research on line and thought the call sounded like a Broad Wing. Jay recorded the sound, and we went back to the gate and played the recording. It responded! We actually called it in and saw it! The hawk is quite reclusive, doesn't soar like other hawks, and generally hides away in dense woodlands. Jay was very happy since this was the only North American Buteo he didn't have on his life list.

Fossils

River Ridge is an excellent site for fossils! We found an array of Devonian Era Brachiopods in the limestone outcroppings along the river on Constant Run Road. Found spirophers, tintaculitis, and chrinoid stems (I should check the spelling on these). So far we haven't found Trilobites, but I'm betting they are there. Enjoy the hunting!

Hawks Nest Humming with Birds and Butterflies August 12 - 14

 

            ANSTED, W.Va. – A celebration of the hummingbird and the butterfly is the focus of a festival scheduled for August 12-14 at Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted in Fayette County. The Hummingbird Weekend is supported by a variety of area businesses and it promises to be a fun outdoor event, according to Megan Flinn, Hawks Nest naturalist and event site host.  “People are fascinated with hummingbirds and butterflies and the weekend will offer good information, bird banding, learning, and observation.”

 

The Hummingbird Weekend activities include:

A GLOBE Certification Hummingbird Workshop is scheduled Friday, August 12 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  The workshop covers  the natural history of hummingbirds from feeding to nesting to migration; observing and photographing hummingbird behavior; designing a hummingbird habitat; attracting and caring for hummingbirds in your own backyard, schoolyard or nature center; reporting hummingbird observations via EarthTrek and The GLOBE Program; using hummingbirds as a teaching tool; banding hummingbirds; and other information.  There is a charge to participate. For teaching certification it is a $30 fee and the workshop is limited to 20 guests, ages 16 and up and includes lunch.  Advance registration is required. Contact Rachel Davis at 304-574-4320 to register and workshop details.

 

"Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: From Your Yard to Costa Rica . . . and Back!" is an evening program on August 12 from 7 - 9 p.m. at Hawks Nest Lodge.  There is no charge to attend.

 

“Hummingbird Banding, Native Plants, and Butterflies” activities are part of Saturday, August 13, activities from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  "Hummingbirds and Plants" is a 10 a.m. session and, at 2 p.m., a session on "Butterflies and Plants" is scheduled.

 

Hummingbird banding is continued on Sunday, August 14, from 8 a.m. until noon and open to the public to observe and assist as appropriate.  “It is a very neat way for children and adults to view hummingbirds and learn about their habits and also about banding birds and the importance of studying bird migration,” Flinn said.

 

            The Hummingbird Weekend event features three noted authorities. Bill Hilton Jr. is a master bird bander and hummingbird expert. Hilton is Consulting Director of New River Birding & Nature Center and one of Discover magazines "50 Best Brains in Science”. He is a certified bander with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Connie Toops is an accomplished naturalist, nature writer and photographer. Toops recently co-authored the well-received book "Hummingbirds and Butterflies" published by Peterson Field Guides/Bird Watcher's Digest. Terri Johnson is with Honeysuckle Hill Gardens Nursery, Greenhouse & Gift Shop in Oak Hill and identifies with native plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. 

 

            Festival supporters include: Perky-Pet, Earth Trek, Wolf Creek Park, Operation Rudy Throat, Ace Adventure Resort, Honeysuckle Hill Gardens, New River Gorge CVB, The New River Birding and Nature Festival, and Hawks Nest State Park.

 

            Hawks Nest Lodge room rates will be discounted 20 percent for the Hummingbird Festival.  Hawks Nest Restaurant will be featuring menu specials throughout the weekend. For Hawks Nest State Park information, call 304-658-5212.

 

            The Hummingbird Festival is organized by Wolf Creek Park, located south of historic Fayetteville, W.Va., a project owned by the Fayette County Urban Renewal Authority (URA).  For additional information visit www.hawksnestsp.com and click Special Events for event details.

 

About the GLOBE Program – Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project

            The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program is a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based science and education program. GLOBE's vision promotes and supports students, teachers and scientists to collaborate on inquiry-based investigations of the environment and the Earth system working in close partnership with NASA, NOAA and NSF Earth System Science Projects (ESSP's) in study and research about the dynamics of Earth's environment.

 

            GLOBE's vision is of worldwide community of students, teachers, scientists, and citizens working together to better understand, sustain, and improve Earth's environment at local, regional, and global scales.

 

            More than a million K-12 students in 10,000 schools have taken part in The GLOBE Program, supervised in field and classroom by more than 16,000 GLOBE-trained educators.

 

            Teachers and other adults who are not GLOBE-certified and wish to participate in GLOBE Operation RubyThroat are encouraged to attend the certification workshop at Hawks Nest State Park on August 12, 2011.

Polyphemus Moth

Like the Luna and Imperial moths these things are just huge. They get up to a 6" wingspan.

For more info on these moths:

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/polyphemus_moth.htm

Wild Turkey

This isn't a great shot considering there were 2 adults and about 8-10 baby turkeys sitting on a log about 5 seconds earlier. The camera was in the back seat and a few seconds is all they need to get away.

They are much lighter colored in the summer too.