My tank is partly filled again, and we have photos today from three readers.
The first is from reader Joe McClain of Williamsburg Virginia (home of my alma mater), who notes:
I’m sending along this photo from my yard. It’s dead, but not long dead. This northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) came to grief after being snarled in my blueberry netting. Something had come along and eaten part of the poor thing. We were wondering it it was Gimpy! [A cat.]I have mixed feelings about finding a venomous snake in the yard. I’m not worried about them and I know that they keep the mice and vole population down. It’s beautiful animal, too—just look! But my grandkids visit and that’s another thing.
Reader Gregory James wants this moth identified. I’m sure that someone can.
This little guy was on my front step this morning when I came back from getting my coffee. I thought someone might know what kind it was.
And Stephen Barnard fills us in on the bald eagle fledgling (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on his property:
Here are a couple more photos of the surviver. Recent fledglings aren’t very easily spooked — they have to learn that — so I could get close.
I bet you can’t find the nightjar next to that moth.
What moth? 😉
impressive!!
I believe that moth is genus Catocala. They apparently sport colorful underwings…
The moth is a member of the Sphingidae (sphinx moths). A quick look in Bugguide identifies it as: Ceratomia undulosa.
We have a country place – blacksnakes etc. are more than welcome, but find a copperhead near the house and I am afraid it is disposed of. Anywhere else and it is free to go.
There is something extra icky about a dead reptile. For some reason I find it really sad if I find one dead.
Rattle snakes in Williamsburg, Va. ?
I understand it takes nearly 5 years for the juveniles to get to full adults with the white heads.
I’m with Adam. Live in the country, out in W Tn. Rat snakes and King snakes, Garters, Hognose, Ringnecks, Black Racers, are all welcome. We will even catch them and play with them a bit before we release them. But a poisonous snake soon sees the sharp end of the hoe.
I know they deserve to live as much as the rest of them, but not in my yard!
Venomous. 🙂
Doh! That too!
That plastic netting for keeping birds away from berries is deadly for snakes, I think no better snake trap could be made – my impression from having hog-nosed snakes get caught and die in it when I used it to cover strawberry beds. So, it’s no good. My solution: quit growing strawberries. Well, if I do grow them again I’ll do it without the netting.
The bald eagle fledgling (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) I’m in awe of this family.. the photos are just superb, the northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) is fascinating to someone from a snake free country.. but would I like them in my native bush where I live? hmmmm.