Message from the President, July 2023

Hello my friends,

Well, it is that hot, humid time of year that makes me glad that the birds and I are early risers, so I can get in my daily bird count with eBird before it becomes too brutal out there. I try to do at least one eBird count a day as part of my citizen science volunteer service.  It is easy and fun, and, since most of the counts are at my house while walking my dogs, it is a good way to see how the bird life changes throughout the year.

This month (June as I am writing) our CMNA activities have been loosely focused on sharing the different types of volunteering we are all doing.  I want to remind our long-time members, and inform our newest graduates and members (Congratulations and welcome, by the way!), that volunteering can take many different forms.  We've had a couple of Turtle Walks and a Think and Drink that featured the work of two of our members in doing sea turtle patrols. Those members can log volunteer hours not only for the time spent doing their patrols, but also for the time spent prepping and presenting to the rest of us.  Those last hours count as Program Service, which is where one is supporting the Master Naturalist program in some way.  Of course, there are also the more traditional ways to volunteer.  For instance, I recently have been able to volunteer at Beidler Forest a bit in helping with their early (5:30 AM, ugh) bird banding. That's where the photo of the beautiful Hooded Warbler came from.  Although this volunteer activity involved very early hours, insects,  and a lot of perspiration, Beidler needs other help, especially in things like helping out at the front desk.  So, if you are looking for an air conditioned volunteer experience, contact them. You can find them on the Volunteer Orgs page on this site.

Some of our members volunteer as Natural History Interpreters for our County Parks.  you can read about the Bald Eagle work overall and also about Colin's adventures in particular in a couple of the other articles in this newsletter.  Now that the eaglets have flown, as it were, it is alligator interpretation time.  There was a very interesting training about alligators in late May, led by DNR staff.  Some of the interesting information presented is below

If you are interested in being an alligator ambassador (I think that's what they are called), contact Noel Williams.  I've spent a bit of time supporting that effort by helping turn some alligator bi-products, donated by a friend who hunts them legally, into outreach materials.  What this really means is I've sat around a boiling pot of alligator back waiting for things to soften up enough to get the scutes out.  I've had success, but it was a long process I wouldn't like to repeat soon.  Let's just say the smell was unique (not in ANY good way) and I have a completely new appreciation and understanding of the term "mucilaginous." `Nuff said about that.  But the good news is that there are about  a hundred or so scutes, some preserved hide, and other items for ambassadors to use.

However, one interesting thing that occurred while I was watching the pot boil, as it were, was that  I heard an odd rustling close by.  It was odd because it was slow and noisy.  Around here, reptiles are pretty quiet and quick when heard, and squirrels are loud, but they don't hang around that close for very long.  When I went to investigate, I found this:

This Rat Snake was moving slowly because he had managed to catch and eat a squirrel, or at least something that size.  I'm pretty sure it was a squirrel.  The snake could barely drag  itself along.  Two things amazed me.  Look at the size of its head and compare that to the girth of the "meal!"  I know they can unhinge there jaws, but, Wow!, that is impressive!

The other thing that was fascinating to me was that usual striped pattern almost disappeared in the bulged region.  Instead, that part appears blotched, similar to the pattern on an immature rat snake.  In studying the close up of the swollen region, shown above, I noticed the striped pattern is produced by the coloration of the scales, so can still be seen, but is much less noticeable.  In contrast, the blotched pattern is on the snake's skin, where it is usually hidden by the tight fit of the scales.  Who knew?  I think that is very cool.

Before I sign off, I want to thank Colin Hocking for the great work he has done on the web site.  We have just had our one-year anniversary with the new site. This has been a tremendous undertaking, initiated and led by Colin, with able assistance from others, especially Christine Magnarella Ray for posting events.  Please thank them for their leadership and work in improving the CMNA with this web site!

In closing, I want to thank all of you for the volunteer work you have been doing and encourage you to continue it and, perhaps, try something new.  If you hear of someone doing something interesting, ask if you can tag along for a bit and see if it is something you would like to participate in.  I'm happy to have anyone along on a Phytoplankton Monitoring collection trip!

Cheers,

Dave