Curious Findings

 We have a large set of curious findings this week!  

Bob spotted some curious creatures last week. Check out the Virginia Herpetological Society site for more information on our local snakes. 

Photo by Bob Becker: Possibly an Eastern Smooth Earthsnake

Photo by Bob Becker: Possibly a Northern Rough Greensnake

Photo by Bob Becker: Northern Ring-necked Snake

Photo by Bob Becker: Praying Mantis

Photo by Bob Becker: Deer fawn, poorly parked

A note on the fawn:  Mother deer will "park" their fawns for the day and expect them to stay put until she comes back to get them.  This mother chose a rather poor spot.  If you find a fawn, chances are it was told to stay put and is not abandoned.  Please leave any fawns alone and watch for the mother to return later in the day. 

Regina also found some curious things. 

Photo by Regina Flora: Color variation in Maple leaves

Photo by Kamara Nelson: Regina investigating the leaning nature of Sourwood trees

Photo by Kathy Fell: It is hard to miss the vibrant red of the Sourwood in fall!

Regina also provided a short lesson on the Beech Blight Aphid Grylloprociphilus imbricator), also known as boogie-woogie aphids.  These aphids have covered an entire lower limb of an American Beech, plus the ground under that branch. The aphids excrete “honeydew” which then leads to sooty mold fungus - but doesn’t kill tree.  For more information (and to learn about their boogie-woogie name), see the NC State Extension Publication.

Photo by Regina Flora: Beech Blight Aphids

And I'll end with my back yard!

Photo by Kathy Fell: Reds and yellows of fall