Outside with Sebastian

Photo by Bob Ferguson

The Ovenbird is a thrush-like member of the New World warbler Family Parulidae. It's common name is derived from the dome shaped nest which sits upon the forest floor, woven from vegetation. Each nest possess a side entrance where parents of nestlings enter to feed their young. They primarily feed on terrestrial arthropods and snails, but will add fruit to their wintering diet as well. Their scientific name stems from both Ancient Greek and Latin languages. Seiurus stems, in two parts, from "seio" meaning to shake, and "urus" meaning tail in Ancient Greek. This refers to their common behavior of bobbing their tail while walking about the forest floor. The specific epithet aurocapilla translates to "golden haired" in Latin, which refers to their distinguishing golden crown. Although it looks much like a Thrush, it is indeed a member of the New World warbler family. Genetic studies have suggested that the genus Seiurus may have diverged early on in the evolution of the family's lineage. 

It inhabits and thrives in mixed stands of primary and secondary forests of both deciduous and mixed types. They're migrants and overwinter primarily in the southeastern U.S., Caribbean Islands and Mexico to northern sections of South America. While they're a common sight in the right habitat, they're very vocal birds and especially easy to hear. Their call is characterized as a repeated CHER-tea, with each call being louder than the last. Keep an eye, and ear out for this cool little warbler. 

Until next time, there's a world we can visit. 

Every now and then I'm provided an unforgettable day in nature. As much as I'd like to keep every outing stored in some precious memory bank (I think they call those, brains?), many are reduced to photographs filed in my computer. 5 days after marrying my life partner, I had a day which would set the bar for as good a day in the field as I've ever had. Luckily, I was alongside my wife every step of the way. What's a honeymoon without a little herping? Especially in a region like the coastal plain of North Carolina. 

As I might've stated in previous posts, herping the coastal plain is much different than herping the piedmont and mountains. The former involves less flipping (typically) and more roadcruising due to a lack of rocky habitat. Hence, Kate and I woke up early Thursday morning to drive around some sandy roads in an expansive forest. A huge storm swept through the day prior, so I suspected reptiles would be out looking to replenish their energy deficits. It didn't take long for nature to support this hypothesis. Just before entering the forest, on a road transecting the surrounding farmland, Katelynn spotted this tiny little Testudine making its way across, step by tiny step.  

The next hour or so was relatively slow. We made a few wrong turns and ended up at a dead end. After righting the ship, we were back on the main road (which shall remain nameless). Shortly after, from the corner of my eye I seen a squiggly, green figure contrasting the bright white sand. It was a relatively new addition to my pattern recognition database, as just a few days prior I'd seen my first Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus) stretched out on the same road. They're extremely slender creatures, and I can't help but think I may have bypassed some on previous trips to the south. Luckily, this handsome fellow was spotted and helped across. 

As nice as it was to have seen a Rough Green and a juvenile Eastern Box Turtle, the day became infinitely more interesting at around 11:00AM. We were still slowly making our way down the same road, when to my right, I spot a black s-shaped figure sitting within a roadside puddle. It contrasted so well with the seemingly white water, just as its white pattern did on its pitch black body. Black snake, with thin white stripes. Almost immediately I knew we'd found exactly what we were looking for. I present, for the first time on the Outside Blog, the Eastern King Snake - Lampropeltis getula:

This spectacular non-venomous Colubrid is a species I'd been longing to see. I might've even tweeted earlier this year that atop my list of desirable lifers was Lampropeltis getula. It's contrasting colors and respectable dietary habits make it an awesome species to behold. As its name suggests, it feeds on other serpents, venomous species included. In addition to snakes it feeds on turtle eggs and other small prey as well. While baby turtles and snakes represent two of my absolute favorite things, I can't help but marvel at a species that helps recycle their matter back into the environment. Even after seeing the Eastern King for the first time, the day was yet to peak. At around 11:30, on my way out of the park, I encountered an animal just a little more spectacular. 

I came to an intersection I'd driven through a few times previously, and being the good citizen that I am, I looked both ways before making my turn. With intentions to turn right, I looked left, then right, then aggressively left. The reason for damn near breaking my neck was a very large snake, basking on the edge of the road. I crept slowly towards it with my car until I realized it was beginning to react to my encroachment. Just before acknowledging ITS acknowledgment, I recognized the species. One that I seen just once before, about 30 minutes prior. But this one was so much bigger, at least twice the size of the other and even more beautifully patterned. Hence, in a scurry of urgency I parked the vehicle and sprinted down the road towards it, hoping with every bone in my body I wouldn't miss a chance to capture this reptile. But, as nature can be utterly cruel, the snake scurried deep into the brush. The vegetation was so thick I'd be both crazy and irresponsible to jump into it. I'll prove to be be both crazy and irresponsible in just a minute. I walked back to the car, visibly defeated and frowning to my wife who mirrored my facial expression. Normally I'd let an instance like this go and move on about my day. However, I had the idea that maybe the snake had just eaten and would have to return to shortly to bask again. Why else would a kingsnake be out and about so late in the morning? I drove down the road a bit to buy maybe 8 minutes or so before making a U-turn. I crept slowly back to the spot I last seen the snake, got out of the car and cautiously approached the brush. Amidst the vegetation, low and behold, was the black and white pattern unmistakable in its beauty. The snake was longer than I anticipated, and I couldn't quite tell where the head was. Understanding that my previous attempts of running after it failed, I thought of a new strategy: channel my inner serval and pounce. So I did, and as a result, I got to capture the most magnificent snake I've seen to date. Another Eastern King, second of my life but one I'll remember likely for the rest of my time here: 

I'd be a liar if I said the day got better from there, which I seemed to have stated once or twice in this post. However, the day wasn't over quite yet. Collateral species accrued as we left the forest. Spotted from quite a distance away were two large turtles, about 20 yards apart from each other but in plain sight sitting in the middle of the road. Just by their size and shape I new they had to be one of the larger pond turtle species. Upon closer examination, I identified both to be Yellow-bellied Sliders - Trachemys scripta scripta. While this species isn't particularly difficult to find, they're extremely tough to get your hands on outside of the nesting season. I was pleased to take a picture with both and help them get on their way. 

The final find of this spectacular outing occurred just feet from the busy highway which borders the forest. I thought for sure the "Herp Gods" placed plenty in front of us that morning and that our luck had run out. But, for good measure, stretched out in front of our approaching vehicle was a long, non-venomous colubrid called the Rat Snake. It was clearly an integrate between the Eastern Rat and Yellow Rat Snake, but the conundrum that is the Rat snake complex is a headache. Here's a few pictures of the serpent:

And just like that, the day concluded. It seemed as though so many interactions were crammed into only 3 or 4 hours. The only comparable day I could think of would be an outing a few years back in South Carolina where it seemed to be raining Mud Turtles. We seen several, I think 16 in total on the road that day. But I've no adventure in my memory quite like this one. Two Eastern Kings, a Rough Green Snake, a juvenile Eastern Box Turtle, two Yellow-Bellied Sliders in hand, and an integrated Rat Snake isn't too shabby. I'm afraid this blog may have peaked with this post and we're only halfway through the year. I'll do my best to find more cool things and share them with you folks. Thanks for reading folks!

Until next time, there's a world we can visit.

www.theoutsideblog.com

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura and a Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor from this past spring. 

-S.Harris

Red Trillium - Trillium erectum

-S.Harris

Excited to announce the reason for my lack of posts as of late. I introduce you to my latest project: END-DNGR

END-DNGR is a brand oriented around the conservation of nature. We seek to unite like-minded people from all walks of life in order to spread the importance of preserving our natural world. We provide gear and goods from which a percentage of our profit goes to organizations on the forefront of conservation. We’re currently partnered with the Orianne Society which has put forth a number of Reptile & Amphibian conservation efforts, and Pennsylvania Bat Rescue which is on the forefront of Bat conservation here in my home state. 

Our hope is to provide a voice for the voiceless, and ignite a wave of conservation whose effects will be seen by our grandchildren and their grandchildren. With our current crisis, there's no telling what will be left for them to see, appreciate, and be inspired by.

Here’s the story behind my latest discovery. The largest salamander in North America! 

Enjoy. 

Two of Pennsylvania’s three venomous snake species. To the left is the chevron-like pattern of the Timber Rattlesnake - Crotalus horridus, and on the right is the hourglass pattern of the Northern Copperhead - Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen. Unfortunately, both of these species are perceived as not just dangerous, but evil and malicious. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Snakes in general want nothing to do with giant creatures (from their perspective) like us. Both of these species are important ecologically, as they feed primarily on rodents which can become overpopulated pests. Aside from their instrumental value is their intrinsic value, as vipers are among the most adapted & specialized reptiles on the planet.

There’s a world we can visit,

-S.Harris

Instagram: @bash.harris

Eastern Milk Snake - Lampropeltis t. triangulum

There’s a world we can visit,

-S.Harris

www.theoutsideblog.com

Pennsylvania is home to three venomous species: 

The Timber Rattlesnake - Crotalus horridus, the Northern Copperhead - Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen, and the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake - Sistrurus catenatus catenatus, shown in that order. I’ve found that many people from the Keystone state are unaware that we have two rattlesnake species here. Largely misunderstood, one of my life projects is to change the perception of venomous species to the general public as year in and year out civilians kill them for unjustifiable reasons. They serve important roles in the ecosystem and were here long before we were. That being said, they’re a part of our natural history. If we can preserve and admire the Liberty Bell, which dates back a few centuries, why can’t we do the same for species such as these that have been here for tens of thousands of years? 

There’s a world we can visit, 

- S.Harris