Now for something really wild!

A few of the animals captured on cameras placed in the wild as part of the Smithsonian Institute's eMammal study. We share the trails whether we know it or not!  

And these animals are within a couple of miles from downtown Roanoke!  Bears, coyotes, raccoon - O My!  Turkey, skunks and deer strutting too! Courtesy of Jim and Denise P.

Visit eMammal on Facebook here, and see 206,340 more "camera trap" images from AROUND THE WORLD here!

Please note the big bear was taken in daylight hours...

REMEMBER IF YOU LIVE IN VIRGINIA YOU LIVE IN BEAR COUNTRY!

BRFAL Involvement in SMLA Town Hall Meeting

In case you don’t know SMLA is an acronym for Smith Mountain Lake Association. The SMLA is an organization dedicated protecting the investment of SML residents.  So what does that have to do with our BRFAL chapter and the Virginia Master Naturalists? Well quite a bit actually. The SMLA sponsors several BRFAL activities.

BLAST (Buffer Landscaping) Display (Pictured left to right: Meg Brager, Dick Hendrix and Jim Pilversack)

We made it to Facebook!

WE INVITE YOU TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!

We hope this will be a great place to interact with our fellow Master Naturalists and everyone else who wants to dive right in. We want this to be a great chapter resource.

Follow this link to our page:

http://www.facebook.com/BRFAL

Our next Basic Training will be Fall 2013 - dates TBA.

Doss Photography captures the beauty of our area

Darrin Doss lives here in Franklin County and takes the most incredible photos. 

If you follow him online you will usually let out a gentle ahhhh when you see his photos. Especially those photos in and around our area, from Rock Castle Creek to the Smith River. 

Note from Shellie - the photo above is one of my all-time favorite places to hike and photograph wildflowers in the Spring! This is Rock Castle Creek.  It is a Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. See trail map and directions here (there is limited parking so carpool y'all)

Author, Naturalist Fred First to Speak Feb 5, 2013

Finding a place in the world

Our neighbor and fellow Naturalist Fred First will speak on Tuesday Feb 5, 2013 at 7PM at the Ferrum College Gerber Hall. This is part of the series on "Sustainability: More for Less, for All" program.

Here is the article from the Franklin News Post (online edition):

Great turn out for the Environmental Conference

We had a great showing with 4 Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter Members at the DRBA Environmental Conference "Streams of Stewardship" today in Martinsville. Due to inclement weather, the conference was pushed to the afternoon at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

We got this cool conference t-shirt

Check out the DRBA website

DRBA (Dan River Basin Association) is a great organization with superior individuals who care about preserving and promoting the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River Basin through stewardship, recreation and education. 

Interestingly enough, they feel if they educate all the neighbors of these blue-ways  then once they have pride of ownership, and a vested interest they too will become stewards of this great region.  Check out their website here: http://www.danriver.org/

One of the presenters for a couple sessions was Brian Williams, here is one of the Hidden Gem videos he has put together about The Smith River, hope it makes you want to get outside!

Those in attendance today from BRFAL Chapter were: Charlotte Hubbard, Dick Hendrix, Guy Buford, and Shellie Leete (with both daughters in attendance).

We learned quite a bit and had a fantastic key note speaker during lunch who is the Executive Director of the Museum (VNMH), Joe Keiper. His expertise in the area of aquatic entomology, and his love for streams made it super interesting! 

Thank you to all who made this conference available to us, and a success.

Why trees can’t grow taller than 100 metres

Have you ever wondered about this?

Visit the Science Junkie website

Why trees can’t grow taller than 100 metres

TYPICALLY, the taller the tree, the smaller its leaves. The mathematical explanation for this phenomenon, it turns out, also sets a limit on how tall trees can grow.

Kaare Jensen of Harvard University and Maciej Zwieniecki of the University of California, Davis, compared 1925 tree species, with leaves ranging from a few millimetres to over 1 metre long, and found that leaf size varied most in relatively short trees. ...read the rest here.

Have you ever been to see The General Sherman tree in California?
It's said to be the largest tree in the world - based on bulk, not height. Standing 85 meters tall (that's around 280 feet for you Americans) and an estimated 2,000 years old, it's truly a majestic sight. Those little things standing near the tree's base are people. This tree is located in Sequoia National Park, California. See a photo here.

VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALISTS LAP UP THIS STUFF! BRFAL CHAPTER VMN'S NEXT BASIC TRAINING IS FALL OF 2013. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

New Leadership of Master Naturalists

The Blue Ridge Foothills And Lakes (BRFAL) Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program (VMNP) recently elected a new Executive Committee.  

The past President, Guy Buford, and Vice-President, Jim Pilversack were replaced by incoming President, Dick LeRoy and Vice-President, Rich Brager.  Continuing in their roles as Secretary and Treasurer are Lee Borgman and Tim Quinn, respectively.

BRFAL Leadership group (L-R, Front Row) - Rich Brager VP Elect, Guy Buford past-Pres, Jim Pilversack past-VP (L-R Back Row) Dick LeRoy President Elect, Lee Borgman Sec, Tim Quinn Treas.

For more than 6 years Buford has provided leadership to establish and then preside as president of BRFAL. From the first organizational meeting at his home in Rocky Mount to handing over the gavel at a recent meeting of the now flourishing group, he has been a persistently steady influence.  In recognition of his pioneering contributions he was awarded a plaque by LeRoy.  Many personal tributes from BRFAL members accompanied the award.

BRFAL President Elect Dick LeRoy presents to Past President Guy Buford a Certificate of Recognition for his dedicated pioneering service over the last 6 (plus) years.

The mission of the VMNP is to train volunteers who are dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities through projects related to education, citizen science and stewardship service.  Over the years BRFAL has grown to a cadre of 32 active members that contribute to many local projects. Some of those projects are listed on the website BRFAL.org. 

The next Master Naturalist Basic Training class will be held in the Fall from early September until mid-November.  The exact dates and class location have not been set yet, but, as in the past, the class will cover various topics such as local Geology, Stream and Lake Ecology, identification of plants, birds, mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles, weather and farm/forest management.  Graduates are then expected to complete 40 hrs of service projects and 8 hrs of Advanced Training.  To get additional information about this class please send an email to contact@brfal.org, or call 540-365-4613.  Photos and info by Carl Boast.

Virginia’s East Coast is tops for bird-watching

"Still, I hadn’t traveled all the way to Virginia’s Eastern Shore to look at a bunch of ordinary, French-fry-loving seagulls. It was late September, the migratory season was in full swing, and this long finger of land — stretching south from Maryland, with the Chesapeake Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other — is known as one of the country’s top spots for bird-watching."

Tundra Swans enjoying the early morning sun at False Cape State Park

One of the best places to see the winged migration is along Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

Read the entire article here in the NYPOST.

More on False Cape State Park:
No vehicular access. Located in southern Virginia Beach, False Cape State Park is a mile-wide barrier spit between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Access is through the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and is limited to hiking, bicycling or boating. The park features primitive camping and an extensive environmental education program in one of the last undisturbed coastal environments on the East Coast.

In the 1800s, False Cape gained a reputation as a ship’s graveyard. The area got its name because its land mass resembled Cape Henry, luring boats into shallow waters. One of the area’s first communities, Wash Woods, was developed by survivors of such a shipwreck. The village’s church and other structures were built using cypress wood that washed ashore from a wreck.

Vehicular access to False Cape State Park is prohibited because the park is land-locked on the southern end of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Those wishing to visit the park for the day must either bike or hike through the refuge (via beach or interior trails, and the interior trail is closed from November 1 through March 31), or boat or canoe in down Back Bay. You can also take the Terra Gator, a specially designed vehicle that minimizes impact to this special environment, during this period.

The Back Bay Restoration Foundation operates a tram (PDF) that leaves from the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (4005 S. Sandpiper Rd. in Virginia Beach) and travels through the wildlife refuge. The trek allows visitors to explore the park for two hours in the Barbour Hill contact station area or ride farther to False Cape's Wash Woods area. This area has a church site and cemetery. The tram provides a round trip ride and is not available for overnight guests. Overnight guests must either hike or bike through the refuge, or canoe or boat in. Both day use and overnight visitors are advised to read all warnings regarding visiting the park to learn what is expected and about preparation. All visitors must follow refuge regulations while on refuge property.

The diversity of Virginia

From the mountains to the seashore there is so much here in Virginia for Master Naturalists to explore!

Potomac River in Winter (along the shore at Caledon State Park) 

Mystery Snails

ON A RECENT TRIP TO VIRGINIA'S NORTHERN NECK I FOUND SOME OF THESE MYSTERY SNAILS, AMONGST OTHER THINGS. 

Chinese and Japanese Mystery Snails (Bellamya chinensis, B. japonica)

A few of the mystery snails among other debris collected at Caledon State Park

Fraser Fir Native to Virginia Blue Ridge

You may or may not know this, I lived in Washington State (western wa) and thought all the fir trees were from there. When we moved to these Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia I learned better!

Wiki shares:

Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri) is a species of fir native to the mountains of the eastern United States. It is closely related to Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), of which it has occasionally been treated as a subspecies (as A. balsamea subsp. fraseri (Pursh) E.Murray) or a variety (as A. balsamea var. fraseri (Pursh) Spach.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park Visitor Center

The Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists encourage you visit the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake State Park. 

Dick LeRoy (BRFAL) and Sara (Park Staff)

How Has America's Founding River Changed?

Dumping Ground to Best River Town; 40 years of Progress on the James River
Celebrate 40 Years of the Clean Water Act

Photo courtesy of The James River Association

This is a terrific video to learn more about the health of this river!

Planting American Chestnut Seedlings

Planting American Chestnut Seedlings in Jefferson National Forest, Craig County, Virginia, November 27, 2012

The orientation for planting American Chestnut Seedlings

Sea Turtle Rescue

Meg Brager shares: This past weekend my sister and niece were hiking at the Welwyn nature preserve on Long Island, NY, and came across a young sea turtle which they at first thought was dead.  

Kemp's Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)

They called a local vet who told them to try and bring it in. Once it warmed up a bit it started moving, and the vet contacted the Riverhead Turtle Rescue Foundation. Turns out it is a Kemps  Ridley sea turtle, and quite rare.  It had probably gotten off course swimming back to Mexico for the winter and became trapped on the beach, possibly as a result of the hurricane.  It most likely would have died of exposure on the beach that night if they had not found it. 

This breed was added to the endangered list in 1970 and is making a slow comeback  but is still in a very precarious position. Luckily for this youngster it was found by people who cared enough to carry it a mile back to their car and bring it to someone who could help. Good on ya’ sis!

Read about these endangered turtles :  

Kemp's Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and Here

VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALISTS CARE ABOUT ALL CREATURES on land, air and sea...LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM HERE.

Eagleowl highspeed movie

What buildup, what visceral crescendo in the last five seconds. Show on Photron Full HD High Speed Camera SA2 at 1000 frames per second.

IF THIS SORT OF STUFF INTERESTS YOU, LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM HERE

Ladybugs take off - in slow motion

To take your breath away, ladybugs unfolding their wings in ultra-slow-motion. Complement with seven ordinary things in extraordinary slow motion.

Various sequences of ladybugs, which prepare and take off for flying away. The sequences were recorded by cameraman Rainer Bergomaz from Blue Paw Artists with a pco.dimax HD at 3000 frames/s and 1296 x 720 pixel resolution. Within the sequences the before and after parts are displayed at 250 frames/s and when the ladybug starts to unfold its wings the display speed is reduced to 25 frames/s. And a sequence with a water drop falling onto a flower is included.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM HERE

Found Among the Potatoes

WHAT IS IT? READ ON TO FIND OUT!

By Meg Brager 

Dick LeRoy found this casing while we were digging sweet potatoes at the Booker T. Washington National Monument heirloom garden. We had no idea what it was, maybe a cicada…but it looked too big. You could see the wings through the casing, and it was actually wiggling. 

Those present will attest to the fact that in true Master Naturalist fashion I reacted to this unexpected movement by throwing the pupa straight up in the air. I took it home and did some googling.  

It appeared to be the pupae of a Sphinx Moth, also known as the Tobacco Hornworm. Apparently it was unharmed by my frightened response, as it has now hatched and is unfurling its wings and proboscis  in a box of dirt on my porch.  Maybe it would have waited until spring except for the warm weather?  

Find more info on these fascinating creatures that are often mistaken for baby hummingbirds.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphinx_Moth 

Visit Booker T Washington National Monument year-round, for free here.

New herp county records for Franklin County!

Dr Todd Fredericksen shares this exciting news:

The first recorded captures in Franklin County of the Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii) and the Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) occurred at Ferrum College this past summer.  

Click image for larger view of the Spadefoot

The Eastern Spadefoot spends most of its time below ground and occurs mostly in the Coastal Plain with a few scattered locations in the Mountains.  It was captured in a pitfall trap in a hardwood forest following a heavy rain in July. 

Click image for larger view of the Must Turtle

The Eastern Musk Turtle, also called the “Stinkpot”, is rare in the upper Piedmont and Mountains and was captured with a net trap in a small pond in September.

Dr Todd Fredericken is a member of the Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists. He is also one of our treasured instructors for the VMN Basic Training Program. The next training is scheduled for Fall 2013!