Eastern Fence Lizard

Eastern Fence Lizard, Sceloporus undulatus

Sometimes confused for another member of the Phrynosomatidae family, the horned lizard, the fence lizards are of a different genus. Of the two species of fence lizard, the Eastern Fence Lizard has a wider range across the eastern and southern states and includes eight subspecies. They can be found in grasslands, shrubland, forests, and suburban homes, but rarely far from trees. While overall grayish, the females have black horizontal patterning on their back, and, during breeding season, males can be seen with bright blue patches on their underside and chin. They are primarily insectivores, but females have been observed consuming plant matter in spring for egg-laying. A clutch of up to 16 eggs may be laid, and while young females usually only lay one clutch a year, older females may lay up to four clutches within a year. These are deposited under the soil, but receive no additional parental care.

Photography courtesy of Brittany Young. Thank you!

Eastern Chipmunk

Eastern Chipmunk, Tamias striatus

The Eastern Chipmunk can be found inhabiting temperate forests throughout most of eastern North America up through southeastern Canada. While they prefer open forests, they are not an uncommon sight near rural or suburban homes. Living in shallow burrows, they do not leave dirt near the entrances like many other Sciurids, but carry the dirt away and conceal it with leaves and rocks. This helps prevent predators from finding their burrow which can extend over 30 feet in length. During the cold winter months, this species of chipmunk does not hibernate, but rather enters torpor for a few days at a time. Torpor is one of three major classifications of dormancy in mammals with torpor as a shorter duration and differing rates of body temperature and metabolic rate than estivation and hibernation.

Photography credit to my brother once more.

Adirondacks Mountains III

Sunset on a river of the Adirondacks Mountains

The Adirondacks Mountains are a beautiful combination of protected mountains, forests, rivers, and lake. The name comes from an Iroquois word meaning "eater of tree bark", a term from the neighboring Algonquin tribe used in a derisive manner. The area is covered with pine forests, spruce, hemlock, and hardwoods. It is a known portion of bear country, with black bear and white-tailed deer as the two largest species of wildlife found in the region.

As mentioned earlier, credit for the photos of the Adirondacks this year go mainly to my brother.

Eastern American Toad

Eastern American Toad, Bufo a. americanus

The Eastern American Toad lives in wide variety of habitats from wetlands to forests, to lawns and fields. Unlike some other Anura, this species does live near permanent or ephemeral ponds. This particular species is easily confused for the Fowler's Toad, but can be distinguished by the spots on its belly and the number of warts per spot on its back. Compared to other "toads", the Eastern American Toad is within the family Bufonidae, known as the true toads family, in that all members of this family have gained the common name of toad. While the word toad is often used as a description for any member of the order Anura that is rough skinned and terrestrial, they are not all, in fact, toads, nor are toads recognized as a separate classification. 

Another thank you to my brother for capturing this beauty. He blends in well with the autumn leaves!

North American Beaver

Dam of North American Beaver(s), Castor canadensis

The North American Beaver is a highly abundant, nocturnal rodent known for removing trees and making dams. In the north they live in a lodge made from sticks, grass, moss, and mud, while in the south they can often be found burrowing into cut water banks. Of the lodges built, there are three different types including those built on islands, those on lake shores, and those on the banks of ponds. If the water is fast, the dam will contain a curve to provide stability, but if the water is slow, the dam will be built straight.

A special thanks to my brother, who took pictures while in the Adirondacks Mountains this year, using my camera, that I didn't even remember having with me. For the next week or so, the other photos related to the mountains will most likely be his.

Guest Photo: 'Blonde' Cardinal

A 'blonde' female cardinal by Michele Dudas.

The Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, is one of the most recognized songbirds in the United States and the state bird in seven different states. It can be found year round in all but the west and northwest portions of the country. While often confused with the House Finch, the male cardinals are larger and more colorful, and both genders have the characteristic prominent crest. The female cardinal is unique in being one of the few female North American songbirds that sing. This species has adapted well to the suburban setting and are common visitors to backyard feeders.

In the above photograph is an extremely unusual "blonde" female cardinal. The reason for the coloration is unknown. As the eyes are not red, and it is a sectioned white, it likely isn't a hypomelanistic, or partial albino cardinal, either. She was apparently a frequent visitor to the feeder, but has not been seen for a few years.

Guest Photo: Shorebirds

Corpus Christi by Adam Braun

Shorebirds belong to the Charadriiformes, a diverse order of birds that generally live near water and feed on invertebrates or small animals. Within this order is the suborder Charadrii which is referenced as shorebirds, or waders, which can be further divided into the families Haematopodidae, Recurvirostridae, Charaadriidae, Scolopacidae, and Jacanidae. 

While the beaks vary in shapes and sizes, most shorebirds have a characteristic small body with long, thin legs and three unwebbed toes pointed forward. These toes are fringed like scales to increase surface area which is effective in allowing wading without falling. The strong niche overlap and limited resources for many of these birds has led to significant interspecific competition. The diversity of beaks, leg length, and foraging behavior are all results of divergent evolution due to the partitioning of resources. In general, shorebirds can be found in open areas of a wide range of habitats including beaches, wetlands, grasslands, tundra, and mountains beyond the treeline.

Guest Photo: Sharks

Off the waters of Belize by Brittany Young.

One of the most notable aspects of a shark are the way they move. The thunniform mode of locomotion is characterized by a rigid head and body with rapid oscillation of the peduncle. This adaption maximizes swimming efficiency and can be found in roving predators. A fusiform body shape, narrow necking of the tail base, ridged lunate tail, and streamline form optimize this swimming locomotion in sharks, but especially in the Lamnidae family.

From the lecture Energy costs of locomotion and fish swimming by Guy Carton.

This week I'm experimenting with having a guest photo for all three days. If it goes well, I hope to do it more frequently. There are many different topics I'd love to touch base on, but have no photography to go with it such as sharks and general aquatic ecophysiology.