Cool mornings, warm bodies
Here’s an adult female deer tick that I photographed yesterday on this ruler (inches). They are actually rather large compared to young ticks, or nymphs. I pulled another one off my dog this morning. If you live near or frequent an area or habitat prone to ticks be aware that at this time of year the cool autumn mornings can lead these parasites to find any warm body they can, leaping on to mammals quickly. Thankfully you should be able to spot them if you check carefully.
Read MoreAmerican Black Bear footprint
I took this photo of an American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) footprint on a recent hike with Elyse and Twan. The prints we found combined with the breaks in vegetation, such as broken branches with freshly wilting leaves, told us that bears were around us and were there very recently. Despite that we never actually set eyes on one that day. There is nothing to fear while outdoors but one should always be mindful whenever we venture into the natural world whether it’s for a tiny tick or a massive mammal.
Read MoreTimber Rattlesnake hunting
Timber Rattlesnakes have been drastically reduced in population in many areas of the Northeast. This drop correlates extremely well to regions where Lyme Disease has skyrocketed due to high levels of ticks. The University of Maryland and Edward Kabay found that rattlesnakes hunted small mammals to the degree that it kept the disease in check in areas where the population is strong. A single adult male can consume 2,500-4,500 ticks every year! If Timber Rattlesnake populations were at historic levels throughout their previous range maybe none of us would have to worry about ticks on ourselves...
Read MoreTick and disease warning sign
This was a very informative sign that certainly looks rather new that I saw recently here in Western New York. Please have a wonderful weekend outdoors and enjoy the gorgeous weather but always keep your family’s safety in mind – including those furry children, too. Without proper habitat management practices and the continuation of the degradation of our ecosystems signs like these will need to be all the more common as we create more edges, lose predators and spread invasive plants, permitting or even favoring environmental conditions that harbor ticks and foster their...
Read MoreLyme Disease bullseye rash
Recognize this? If you ever have a “bug bite” that feels warm to the touch and seems for all the world to be like a mosquito bit you…except that it doesn’t itch or feel painful…you should watch it very carefully and be ready to head to the doctor. This is the beginning of the classic Lyme Disease bullseye rash from the bite of a Deer/Eastern Black-legged Tick. The rash will continue to expand and in my case it ended up spanning my entire thigh. You’re lucky if you have a rash as many people do not get one. Twan and I have both had Lyme Disease when living...
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