Georgia Backyard Nature

Stuffed Snake!

 

Lasr week after the rain, the wind died down but I saw small ripples next to a clump of grass in the marsh pond. I thought it might be a turtle but the binoculars revealed the gruesome sight of a fat Bullfrog about to become a snake’s dinner. I watched as the snake labored to swallow the frog whole.He did it though!

The frog offered no resistance because he had either died from fright or was paralyzed with fear. During the ordeal the ducklings arrived and Mama Duck sized up the scene immediately. The whole crew watched from the bank and after the snake finished his meal and slipped underwater they still would not venture in. I don’t blame them.

Too bad a Heron or a Hawk didn’t come by to turn the tables on the snake. I sent a photo to a friend whose son knows snakes and he identified it as a nonvenomous Banded Water Snake. I know that water snakes, Copperheads, and Water Moccasins live in the marsh but would rather they stay hidden and have dinner out of sight!

Speedy Spiny Softshell Turtle

I'm used to seeing turtles in the yard laying their eggs, but never one like this. This turtle is a Spiny Softshell Turtle and even though it's not obvious from the picture, she's big--at least a foot across. We usually stereotype turtles as slow, but when she saw me, this one covered the 20 or 25 feet to the lake in just a few seconds. I've seen her in the yard twice so I guess she's laying her eggs. If her babies are as fast as the Mother, then they won't have any trouble outrunning predators when they hatch!!

Slithering Snakes

Did you know that 2013 is the year of the snake in the Chinese Zodiac? Here in Georgia that’s especially prophetic. Because of all the rain this year and relatively moderate temperatures, snake sightings have ramped up dramatically.  A fellow bird watcher who lives about 10 miles away sent these pictures of the two snakes discovered in his yard this week.  The one above is the Southern Banded Water Snake and the one below is a Red-bellied Snake. Neither is poisonous, but they’d certainly give me a fright.

Even though I don’t like snakes, they are an important part of the  ecosystem. They eat bugs, rats, mice, and other pests. As a result, all non-poisonous snakes are protected in Georgia. Like other wildlife, snakes will lurk in areas where there’s a good food source, moisture, and cover. Tips for making your yard less attractive to them include

• Keep grass mowed and avoid dense ground covers
  such as ivy.
• Replace pine straw mulch with hardwood mulch.
  Rodents and snakes can hide under fluffy pine straw.
• Move birdfeeders, which can attract rodents,
  away from the house.

I usually see 2 or 3 snakes slithering in the yard every summer, but I haven’t seen one this year. I’m not complaining at all, but it is odd. On the other hand, I’m sure the overgrown marsh is probably snake heaven--moist ground, lots of cover, and teeming with mice, frogs, and bugs.

Doesn't that look like a place snakes would be never want to leave?

Manicured Marsh? No, Thank You.

The four goslings and eleven ducklings are still doing well. However, watching the ducklings has caused me to rethink my attitude toward this untidy part of my yard, a marshy area covered with grasses, Cattails, and weeds. Why the ducklings? Last year I had the landscaper cut back the whole area in late winter. The marsh looked cleaner, but there were no ducklings the following spring. I was going to do the same this year, but persistent rains made the area too wet to work in. This spring we have ducklings.

Coincidence? I don’t know, but it’s enough to make me question the wisdom of mowing the marsh. The tall grasses and weeds provide concealed nesting areas for ducks and seeds for birds. Even the invasive Cattails serve a purpose—ducklings swim among them for cover while foraging. The boggy area doesn’t conform to the suburban ideal of a manicured yard, but there is beauty in the marsh’s wildness.

I know that other, less savory, creatures inhabit the marsh, like rodents and snakes, but they’re part of nature, too. And it gives
them a place to call home that’s far from my house.

Even though I still dream of beautiful flower beds and a pristine lawn stretching to the lake, a manicured marsh wouldn’t seem like an improvement to the birds, waterfowl, and other creatures. The natural look is here to stay!

Sneaky Snake

A fellow backyard bird watcher who lives nearby sent me this amazing photo of a snake raiding a nest box mounted on a tree and suggested that it be titled "Where not to mount a nest box." The nest box was on the tree when he moved in and already occupied, but was later remounted to be safe from predators.

Attaching nest boxes to tree trunks exposes the nest to all sorts of climbing predators--raccoons, mice, squirrels, cats, and snakes. Snakes are excellent climbers and can easily climb trees and even some rough vertical walls. Yes, they can get into attics, too, usually by climbing downspouts or trees near the side of the house.

The most effective way to protect nest boxes is to put them on a metal pole with a baffle. Snakes can't climb the smooth surface of the baffle.  This is a picture of a nest box with a raccoon baffle.

It's hard to think about how scared the mother bird must have been to see that snake in her nest, but I appreciate being able to share the picture. It shows how important it is to properly mount nest boxes so they don't become "lunch boxes."  

Brittle Blue Tailed Lizard

 

Here in the South, these little lizards with the brilliant blue tail are a common sight. They scurry around shrubs and flower beds looking for small insects to eat. These cold-blooded reptiles are generally harmless to humans, but will bite if caught.

Their tail is a distinctive feature but it's also a survival mechanism. The bright blue color directs predators’ attention to the tail, which will break off if grabbed, allowing the lizard to escape.  The tail will grow back.

Several years ago I saw one of my cats staring intently at the bookcase in my office. I knew some creature (hopefully only a bug) was probably  hiding under there. When I moved the bookcase, there was a terrified Blue Tailed Lizard, minus his tail. He somehow got in the house and the cat must have pounced on his tail. I swept him into a box put him outside.  He scurried away probably vowing not to be so adventurous in the future.

 

 

Terrestrial Turtle

 

I spotted this pretty turtle near the patio and thought she must have crawled from the lake to lay her eggs. That’s not the case, though. This is an Eastern Box Turtle, the most common turtle in the Eastern U.S. These reptiles live on land, but may go into shallow water or puddles.  Box Turtles are omnivorous and eat snails, slugs, insects, berries, mushrooms, and even carrion.

 

Eastern Box Turtles have a dome-shaped shell and only grow to about 8 inches long. They can completely close the shell to protect themselves from predators. Although slow-growing, they often live 25-35 years. In fact, they don’t mate until 7 to 10 years old.

 

I’ve never seen one of these turtles in the yard, but hopefully there’s more hiding in the shrubs. Any creature that feasts on those pesky slugs is certainly welcome in my garden.

Peeping Anole

You’ve heard of a peeping Tom, but what about a peeping anole? This little spy seems very interested in what’s happening in my breakfast room.

 

These small lizards are about 5-8 inches long and inhabit the Southeast US and Caribbean. Even though they are called green anoles, they have the ability to change color, like chameleons.  However, their range of color is somewhat limited, generally green, chartreuse, grey, and brown.  Males have a pinkish flap of their chins, called a dewlap, which can be inflated for territorial displays or courtship.

 

Their toe pads are covered with microscopic hooks that enable them to climb trees and walls. These lizards have a long slender tail that will break off under slight pressure, enabling them to escape predators.  The tail will grow back.

 

The anole peeped in the window for about 30 minutes before leaping into the Japanese Magnolia and scurrying off. Even though he’s kind of cute and harmless, I confess I wasn’t too gracious. Peeping anoles don’t get invited inside here.

Signs of Spring - Turtle Tanning

 

A warm and sunny day brought another sign of spring—turtles sunning on a log.  This is the first day I’ve seen them out. I count nineteen in the picture. It’s not a record, but it’s a great start for Spring.

Autumn Anole

Here it is December and the anoles are still out and about. This little guy is catching some rays on a shrub. This is the third one I’ve seen this week. Even though anoles spend the winter under bark or in crevices, it’s not uncommon to see them out enjoying a sunny day.