Comments on: an abbreviated walk at Mill Pond http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/ a place where nature, photography and writing meet Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:30:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: DougT http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/#comment-144254 Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:33:53 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/#comment-144254 I think that your caution on the water snakes is well founded. We keep some here at the Nature Museum. Not only are they rather nippy, they are very ready to musk you when you pick them up. Yuk. I think that your caution on the water snakes is well founded. We keep some here at the Nature Museum. Not only are they rather nippy, they are very ready to musk you when you pick them up. Yuk.

]]> by: bev http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/#comment-143418 Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:18:02 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/#comment-143418 Cathy - Don and Sabrina often walk ahead and leave me shooting photos. After awhile, Sabrina gets anxious and keeps stopping, so they turn around and come back looking for me. She's so funny...a very devoted worry-wart dog. The cellophane sound -- yes, when dragonfly wings collide with you, or when they collide with each other, there's a sound like crinkling cellophane. Yes, I was guesstimating with the weight of the snake -- I guess I mean that it was a "weighty looking" snake, which a mature snake will be. I don't handle snakes too often, although I don't mind picking up Smooth Green Snakes, Ribbon and Garter Snakes. However, I always feel like picking them up probably stresses them, so I prefer to just observe them. I've never picked up a Water snake and doubt that I ever will. A lot that I meet are quite good-sized and water snakes have a bit of a reputation for "biting fiercely" when they feel threatened, so I figure they're better not disturbed. As for the deer flies, they can be just awful. That's just how they were on Sunday -- chasing us and biting. I've had that happen when I'm canoeing into marshes and it can be dreadful. And you're right, the "Off" doesn't seem to deter them one bit. I feel sorry for the poor animals that have to put up with them in the bush. Cathy - Don and Sabrina often walk ahead and leave me shooting photos. After awhile, Sabrina gets anxious and keeps stopping, so they turn around and come back looking for me. She’s so funny…a very devoted worry-wart dog.
The cellophane sound — yes, when dragonfly wings collide with you, or when they collide with each other, there’s a sound like crinkling cellophane.
Yes, I was guesstimating with the weight of the snake — I guess I mean that it was a “weighty looking” snake, which a mature snake will be. I don’t handle snakes too often, although I don’t mind picking up Smooth Green Snakes, Ribbon and Garter Snakes. However, I always feel like picking them up probably stresses them, so I prefer to just observe them. I’ve never picked up a Water snake and doubt that I ever will. A lot that I meet are quite good-sized and water snakes have a bit of a reputation for “biting fiercely” when they feel threatened, so I figure they’re better not disturbed.
As for the deer flies, they can be just awful. That’s just how they were on Sunday — chasing us and biting. I’ve had that happen when I’m canoeing into marshes and it can be dreadful. And you’re right, the “Off” doesn’t seem to deter them one bit. I feel sorry for the poor animals that have to put up with them in the bush.

]]> by: Cathy http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/#comment-143415 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:53:54 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/#comment-143415 "Don had wandered off . . :0)" My hubby wanders off when I'm fidgeting with my camera. Now of course, you've got me wondering about that cellophane sound. When you wrote that the snake was 'heavy' - I assume you're guesstimating. I mean - you're not handling it (?) *shiver* It's always a little disappointing when flies spoil the ointment. One of my worst outdoor experiences involved deer flies. They cared little that we were doused in 'Off'. The faster we moved - the more we sweat - it was like sharks to blood. “Don had wandered off . . :0)” My hubby wanders off when I’m fidgeting with my camera. Now of course, you’ve got me wondering about that cellophane sound.

When you wrote that the snake was ‘heavy’ - I assume you’re guesstimating. I mean - you’re not handling it (?) *shiver*

It’s always a little disappointing when flies spoil the ointment. One of my worst outdoor experiences involved deer flies. They cared little that we were doused in ‘Off’. The faster we moved - the more we sweat - it was like sharks to blood.

]]> by: bev http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/#comment-143146 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:33:46 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/#comment-143146 robin - I might have been disappointed by the length of the walk, but the biodiversity of that site makes even a short visit quite worthwhile. robin - I might have been disappointed by the length of the walk, but the biodiversity of that site makes even a short visit quite worthwhile.

]]> by: bev http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/#comment-143143 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:32:20 +0000 http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2007/07/04/an-abbreviated-walk-at-mill-pond/#comment-143143 Dave - Uhm.. what can I say? Indeed, there are a number of nondescript white moths in the forest. These are slightly greenish though, and the edges of the hind wings are a bit wavy, so they stand out from the rest. Hope that helps! - Doug - I've photographed quite a few other longhorn beetles, but I think that's the first of that particular species. I certainly had muscular looking legs! We're having a good year for a number of species here as well, so it may be that some of the less seen insects are just a bit more numerous this year. I think that's the case with Scorpion Flies. I don't generally see that many each year, but for the past few weeks, I've been encountering them everywhere. Dave - Uhm.. what can I say? Indeed, there are a number of nondescript white moths in the forest. These are slightly greenish though, and the edges of the hind wings are a bit wavy, so they stand out from the rest. Hope that helps!
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Doug - I’ve photographed quite a few other longhorn beetles, but I think that’s the first of that particular species. I certainly had muscular looking legs! We’re having a good year for a number of species here as well, so it may be that some of the less seen insects are just a bit more numerous this year. I think that’s the case with Scorpion Flies. I don’t generally see that many each year, but for the past few weeks, I’ve been encountering them everywhere.

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