Monthly Archives: September 2019

Marsh Crab

Posted on by

Marsh Crab_8214

While staying at North Beach, Maryland, I would often see these crustaceans in rock piles that bordered the brackish water shorelines. They were shy and would quickly retreat into their rock hideout if they felt they were being watched or approached.

Marsh Crab_8655

The Marsh Crabs live communally within interconnected burrows in the mud. The tunnels may be 2 to 3 feet deep and often filled with water. Males are known for making “rapping” sounds when defending their burrows by striking two of their legs together.

Marsh Crab_8660

Though I saw them in the daytime, they are mainly nocturnal. These invertebrates eat the outermost leaves of marsh plants, especially cordgrass.

Marsh Crab_8663

Sometimes known as Squareback Marsh Crabs, these creatures live in a marine environment, but do not require seawater to survive, making them true terrestrial crabs.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Snowy Egret

Posted on by

Snowy Egret_8231

While staying at North Beach, Maryland each day I walked to a tiny nature preserve, where more-often-than-not I would see this elegant bird. During breeding season adults develop long, wispy feathers on their backs, necks and heads.

Snowy Egret_8625

The Snowy Egret is one of North America’s most familiar herons, but it was almost hunted to extinction in the late 1800′s, due to their plumes being in demand as decorations for hats.

Snowy Egret_8235

It was then protected and its numbers not only have rebounded, but its range seems to be expanding as its population has increased. It can be seen in marshes, swamps, ponds and shorelines in both fresh and salt water.

Snowy Egret_8639

This bird is not only known for its immaculate white feathers, but also for its contrasting yellow feet. It uses its feet to stir up food items – mainly fish and crustaceans, but it also eats worms, insects, snails, snakes, small lizards and frogs.

Snowy Egret_8245

Like other herons, this two foot tall species nests in colonies, often with other types of wading birds. It was always nice to see this graceful inhabitant of Chesapeake Bay while on my trip.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Orange-winged Grasshopper

Posted on by

Orange-winged Grasshopper_8496

While visiting a Pine Barrens habitat in Maryland this Summer, I came across this very cool creature.

Orange-winged Grasshopper_8519

Grasshoppers jump to get around and to escape from predators and several species enhance their leaps by having the ability to fly.

Orange-winged Grasshopper_8525

This species prefers old fields, meadows and open woodlands, where it is almost always grassy, sunny and near (but not usually under) trees. It is more often seen in upland areas than in valleys and prefers areas where there are patches of bare soil.

Orange-winged Grasshopper_8505

True to its name, my specimen had orange wings, but the inner wing color can also be yellow or pinkish. The Orange-winged Grasshopper belongs to a group of insects known as Band-winged Grasshoppers, as evidenced by its black wing borders.

Orange-winged Grasshopper_8511

These grass-eating insects are heavy-bodied and equipped with enlarged hind legs. Their head too, has an appearance of being over-sized. It’s bright, intricate, cryptic colors make for a neat looking invertebrate.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail

Reindeer Lichen

Posted on by

Reindeer Lichen_8860

Although I’ve encountered this lichen occasionally on my travels, while visiting Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Maryland, I saw quite a bit of it.

Reindeer Lichen_8863

Lichens are “dual organisms,” made by mutualistic associations between fungi and algae. They grow in some inhospitable environments – on rocks, trees and man-made objects – yet they are very sensitive to air pollution and are natural indicators of air quality.

Reindeer Lichen_8870

These organisms are important to the environment because they break down rocks into soil and they help to stabilize soil that’s already there. There are several different species known as “Reindeer Lichen” and this is Grey Reindeer Lichen, which is also known as True Reindeer Lichen.

Reindeer Lichen_8861

It features hollow intricate branches coming out its main stem. The branches have a dull, cotton-like look and feel. Grey Reindeer Lichen can form extensive carpets over the ground in open pine forests, especially on sandy soils and in open areas.

Reindeer Lichen_8884

This organism has a range extending into the tundra and is a important food source for Caribou. Reindeer Lichens grow slowly and mature clumps are often around 100 years old.

Third Eye Herp
E-mail