Joey's notes
Week ending 06-08-03
Been very busy this week. After a busy weekend, chasing kayaks and watersnakes, I had even more time outdoors ahead. Lots of stuff moving, and Black Racers, Black Ratsnakes, Eastern Kingsnakes, and Eastern Box Turtles have all been geeting nailed on the roads locally. Such a shame.
Monday (6-2-03), At work, the boys and I found a Red-Bellied Snake under some tin. After work, my friend Mike, his son, and I got together for some bug hunting. They were in the southeast from the west coast, and had arranged to stop by. We had hopes for Giant Stag Beetles, Hercules Beetles, and some of the larger Moths. We went to the pasture, where I checked some minnow traps/funnel traps and was able to show them a small Midland Watersnake. Then we set up generators, two mercury-vapor lights, two black-lights, and my my black-light trap. We got tons of small stuff in, and a few large moths, but nothing special. After we took the lights down, we checked some of the stores/gas stations. No Stags.
Tuesday (6-3-03), After a busy day at work, I met up with Mike and his son again. It seemed a bit wet/rainy/cool so we opted not to set up the lights. They worked the stores/gas stations, and I came on home to rest. It just did not seem like a good night for collecting.
Wednesday (6-4-03), I arrived at work, looked in the canoe I placed under the big light on campus, and there it was! My first Giant Stag Beetle of the year! They had been active on a cool/rainy night after all! After work, I gave it to Mike and his son. Then we hit the bushes. We caught a few Tiger Beetles (Cicindela sexguttata, C. tranquebarica, and C. repanda), and other assorted bugs. Found a Southern Ringneck Snake under some debris in Laurens County. In Spartanburg County, stopping at a store to get some drinks, we found a crushed Giant Stag Beetle! Mike vowed to glue it up and make a good specimen. After sunset we had the lights set up in the pasture but again, no major success.
Thursday (6-5-03), Another day at work. A fellow came by and donated a Uromastyx Lizard to my classroom collection. Neat creature. Later, the boys and I walked and flipped tin finding only an Eastern Worm Snake for our efforts. After work, Mike and his son spent a little more time outdoors with me then they departed. I really enjoyed their visit, and learned a lot by watching the way they set up and worked the lights.
Friday (6-6-03), After work, I saw a good chance to catch up on lost sleep. Bugging late and then getting up early make a rough combination.
Saturday (6-7-03), Helped my wife tape and photograph a wedding. I would love to learn more about using a camcorder to help tape some of the neat insects I am finding. I could even learn more about editing and add data (species/date/location) to the tape to enrich its scientific value. Maybe even sound effects or music? What goes good with Beetles? Beatles?
Sunday (6-8-03), Took a nice nap after church.
Joey Holmes
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