Funky and Fearsome!

The beauty of working at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest is that no two days are the same. Today, even with two summer camp sessions under our belts, we discovered some funky and fearsome residents.

Here are a few images from the last two days:

Along the boardwalk, a crayfish threatened to take on 19 humans ranging in age from 5 1/2 to 45.

A pair of Barred Owl (Strix varia) siblings preened each other.

A Red-femured Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona domiciliorum) waited for an insect to drop by for a meal.

A species of Robber Fly dines on a fellow insect at the edge of the powerline during our insect studies.

A blue wasp with red antennae hovered near the edge of the powerline during our insect studies.

A species of writing spider rested on a small web between the blades of grass in the powerline right-of-way.

A large Timber Rattlesnake remained in its ambush position along the low boardwalk as both groups of summer campers took pictures and made sketches on their maps! Can you see it?

A very old Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) that appears to be blind in the left eye.

Images by Mark Musselman

Bird on a Hot Shingle Roof

Summer camp session #3 is full and underway at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. Although the temperatures have been mild for all three camp sessions and campers would try to avoid the heat if conditions were different, some animals actively seek out the hottest spots in the swamp!

The forest canopy blocks most of the sunlight from reaching the forest floor. However, where there are gaps in the canopy due to fallen trees, holes (deep, ever-present water preventing tree growth), or buildings, birds and reptiles take advantage of the ample solar heat. Obviously, reptiles use the solar energy to help regulate their body temperature, but what are the birds doing on the hot, shingle roof?

The shimmering images of the trees beyond the center attested to the heat rising from the nature center's roof. However, all afternoon we watched out our office window as Great-crested Flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus), Tufted Titmice (Baeolophus bicolor), and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) flattened or contorted their bodies onto the roof to maximize their exposure to the hot shingles. Birds will take dust baths in order to encourage the evacuation of parasites from feathers and body. The birds themselves likely can stand the heat of the shingles longer than any parasites can survive or remain.

Wasn't it Tennessee Williams that said, "If you can't stand the heat, get off the roof!"

Images by Mark Musselman

End of Summer Camp #2

The second session of summer camp at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest ended on Friday, but not before we made a few more discoveries!


1. Apparently, Caldy (camp counselor) is also a rockstar:














2. Female Golden Silk Orbweavers (Nephila clavipes) don't care for closeups:

3. Teenage White Ibis hang (Eudocimus albus) out at Goodson Lake at the end of the boardwalk:

4. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus) caterpillars rest on a bed of silk:

5. The White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) antlers found along the low boardwalk during the event mapping activity look a great deal like the antler on the display table in the nature center:

6. Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) produces some funny-looking fruit that will eventually turn red:

7. We got some competition when it comes to documenting the fun, excitement, and nature at summer camp! Session #3 begins tomorrow!

Images by Mark Musselman

Camp - Week #2, Day #3

The second week of summer camp at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest had a surprise yesterday. In addition to the scheduled bird house construction, bird feed building and insect collecting, Clint and Laura from the South Carolina Aquarium dropped by with an American Kestrel and a Screech Owl after hearing that our camp theme was "Birds!"

Coverage of week one of summer camp can be read in yesterday's Summerville Journal Scene.

Bluebird house construction:

Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris):

Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae):

Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans) dragonflies:

Female Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans) in web and Black-and-yellowArgiope (Argiope aurantia):

Images by Mark Musselman