July 19th, 2006
more treasure from kejimkujik
Sometimes it turns out that the most simple thing can really make your day. That happened to me on Sunday while hiking at Kejimkujik National Park. After hiking the Gold Mines Trail, we stopped at Grafton Lake to do a bit of hiking around. While checking out the old dam and watching Ebony Jewelwing damselflies flitting about over the fast-moving creek, I caught sight of a Maritime Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis pallidula) moving through the grass next to the footbridge. Although they’re common enough here in Nova Scotia, I’ve only seen one of these snakes once — last time was during a visit to Nova Scotia in 2002. What good fortune to have one suddenly appear during our hike.
I quickly shot off a couple of photos of the snake — admittedly, not exactly the best of shots, but I’m happy with them. This is the best shot of all — a cropped detail of the front half of the snake. The above shot was taken just before the snake slithered into hiding beneath Sabrina. We were somewhat surprised to see that she ignored the snake, turning to glance at its tail for a moment before looking away. The snake remained in hiding for a few seconds before sliding through a crack in the footbridge. The sighting really made my day.
On Sunday we had another interesting encounter in the Grafton Lake parking lot. A long-horned beetle flew up to us as we were getting ready to head out on our hike. It was quite large — the body perhaps an inch long, and the antennae were probably at least three inches long (see photo below). The beetle behaved in the most odd way. No matter where we went in the parking lot, it would fly to us. At one point it even landed on Don’s leg. Before it would fly, it would raise its body by extending its front set of legs, and would hold its antennae up and out. If we moved to one side, it would pivot and look right at us, and then fly to us. The behaviour seemed quite territorial. I haven’t yet ID’d the species but will try to do so after we get home.
Edit: David Shorthouse has posted a comment on the identity of the long-horned beetle. Here is what he has written.
That beetle is a male Monochamus scutellatus (Say), commonly called the white-spotted sawyer. There are undoubtedly other links on this beetles, but here’s one.
Well, tomorrow is our last day in Nova Scotia (*sigh*). Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. We’re beginning the long haul homeward, but hope to stop off and do a couple of hikes on our way to New Brunswick. We may spend another day in New Brunswick hiking around, and then head for home on Friday. A lot will depend on the weather. Today, we were down at “The Hawk” which is near Clark’s Harbour. It was our first visit. It’s a very special place and we hope to return again some day. I’ll post some photos — perhaps tomorrow night if I have time.
July 19th, 2006 at 2:59 am
I love snakes. I spent six years growing up in Florida, near Cape Canaveral. Snake paradise.
There’s a photo of me at the old Serpentarium in Florida. The one owned and run by the guy who’d been bitten by so many snakes so many times they sometimes used his blood as anti-venom. I got volunteered to go up on stage for the demonstration. I was maybe ten years old. The picture shows me with an indigo snake across my sholders and down both arms.
And I have the biggest smile on my face.
July 19th, 2006 at 10:05 am
Xris – What a great memory that must be for you – and also neat that you have a photo of it as well! I love snakes, and turtles too for that matter. We don’t have all that many species in our region though.
July 19th, 2006 at 10:19 am
I echo Xris on this – the garter snake is a beauty. (And the beetle is great too! What interesting behavior.)
On my own walks I really really try to tread softly in the hopes of catching a snake unaware, but very seldom spot anything.
Treasures indeed!
July 19th, 2006 at 10:30 am
Wayne – yes — it was a beautiful snake! I wish I had a good photo to show this, but those markings provide incredible camouflage. Even when I was looking right at the snake as it was moving in the grass, I could barely see it. If I hadn’t caught a brief glimpse of its tail just as it disappeared off the path into the grass I would never have been able to find it. We manage to see a lot of snakes when we’re out, but I can’t really explain how we do it… I’d have to describe it as a sort of Spiderman thing — “my spider (snake) senses are tingling.” Of course, we also have Sabrina helping out and she does seem to find a lot of snakes too! Nothing quite as useful as a snake-pointing collie dog. (-:
July 19th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
The snake is quite a beauty, and what a surprise to have a snake go and hide under Sabrina, and for Sabrina to be so accommodating. And the beetle is very interesting. What incredibly long antennae, and that behavior does sound territorial.
July 20th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
That beetle is a male Monochamus scutellatus (Say), commonly called the white-spotted sawyer. There are undoubtedly other links on this beetles, but here’s one: http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/sawyer.htm.
July 21st, 2006 at 11:34 am
Robin – It’s funny, but we’ve seen snakes and frogs hide under Sabrina on past occasions. It’s almost as though they don’t realize she is a living creature. She seems to not mind them at all – perhaps because we observe and photograph them so much that she’s become at ease with them. That could be a problem if we take her to Arizona or a similar place sometime. Her “snake finding” skills could certainly get her into trouble in a region where there are venomous species!
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David – Thanks very much for posting the ID of the sawyer beetle. I’ve just edited your info into the body of the main post. I wonder if the territorial behaviour of the insect was typical for males of this species, or just coincidental(?).