This morning we return to the topic of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) with Essex, NY's favorite wildway scout. John Davis, wildlife advocate, writer, naturalist, conservationist and athletic adventurer, has an uncanny knack for spotting wild critters in the West Champlain Hills. Here are just a few recent examples of local wildlife he's documented: skinks snakes songbirds coyotes and coywolves bobcats weasels snapping turtles beavers He frequently … [Read more...]
Avoiding Roadkill
Last week, I again had the sad experience of coming upon a dead rattlesnake in the road. I was bicycling Lakeshore Road, next to Split Rock Wild Forest, when I came upon another tragic death on the highway. This is the third dead rattlesnake I’ve seen on this road in the last few years, added to the dozens of dead porcupines and squirrels, and occasional dead beavers or foxes. The death is particularly sad in that our area is one of the northern-most outposts for the Timber Rattlesnake, and … [Read more...]
Serpentine Splendors: Snakes of Split Rock Wildway
Here on the equable Adirondack Coast, we are blessed with more snake species than colder parts of the Northeast. By northern forest standards we are fairly rich in amphibians, especially salamanders; but like most cool areas, we have only modest numbers of reptile species. The excellent field guide The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State puts Champlain Valley tallies at about ten frogs and toads, eleven salamanders, five turtles, nine snakes, and a skink. Native Snakes Daintiest of … [Read more...]
Recycle Bottles and Donate to CATS
Here is some great news—You can turn bottles into trails! As a North Country resident (or when you visit), you can recycle your bottles and cans and make a donation to Champlain Area Trails (CATS) at the same time. Rapid Returns, the new redemption center in Elizabethtown, has set up an account for CATS so you can choose to have the cash you would normally get back from returnables, go to CATS! So please, take your bottles and cans to Rapid Returns and ask them to credit CATS. Rapid Returns … [Read more...]
Rattlesnakes, Rumbling, and Rock
Now that spring is just around the corner, I called the chair of the herpetology department at Plattsburgh State, Dr. C. Horridus, for an update on the local timber rattlesnake situation. Essex is home to a number of the rattlers on Split Rock Mountain. Dr. Horridus told me that, with climate change, snakes are moving north and have been spotted in the hamlet, where they are thought to live in the foundations of stone buildings. This explains why you see so many people in town wearing tall … [Read more...]
Timber Rattlesnake Safari
Slightly less than a year ago I floated the idea of a "timber rattlesnake safari" with Essex, NY friends, John Davis and Tom Stransky. Our mission? To see some live timber rattlesnakes in their native Split Rock habitat. It was intended as an adventure. But it was also a reaction to the alarmingly frequent reports of timber rattlesnakes being killed. Enough dead rattlers; we wanted to see some live rattlers! If you're in a rush, the executive summary follows: Three intrepid fellows seek … [Read more...]
Timber Rattlesnake Killed
On Wednesday afternoon I drove on Lakeshore Road from Essex to Westport in the late afternoon. A little before 4:00 pm I came across this unfortunate timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) dead in the middle of the road near Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest. Although his head had obviously been hit, there was very little apparent injury. The specimen was approximately three feet long and of substantial girth considering its length. As you'll notice in the photograph, someone had cut off the … [Read more...]
One Music
"One Music" by Bob Rich is an essay about Split Rock Mountain that is a contender in the current Champlain Area Trails Travel Writing Contest. I find it to be a well-written essay with beautiful prose that is very striking. Nature's Music at Split Rock Rich talks about the geological history of Split Rock Mountain including a mention of the past mining operations on the mountain, as well as discussing the nature and wildlife around him there. Rich does a marvelous job describing nature, and he … [Read more...]
Timber Rattlesnake: Fact, Fiction & Mystery
Our recent timber rattlesnake post generated a larger than anticipated stir, so I'm returning to the alternately awe-inspiring and anxiety inducing Adirondack rattlesnake to clear up a few misunderstandings and to offer up a mystery that you may be able to help solve. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gctxWKzkPAo Timber Rattlesnake Despite its elusive nature, the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is being spotted with increasing frequency in recent years. While this is encouraging and … [Read more...]
Timber Rattlesnakes at Split Rock
Are you someone that finds snakes creepy or fascinating? Personally I am a mix of both, but creepy usually wins out with me. Either way you should be aware of the snakes local to your area, so you know which ones are dangerous. There is a particular snake that has been used as a symbol of American strength in the past. Think of the "Don't Tread on Me" slogan with the picture of a snake--that's the rattlesnake! The Adirondacks are home to many snakes, but one species that is unique to the … [Read more...]