The Journey to the South

Science is amazing, life is amazing. God, who created them all and set things in motion, is beyond amazing.

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Snake migrating: A yearly gathering in Southern Illinois

Common names of some of the species you might encounter on or near Snake Road include:

Spiny Softshell

Northern Red-Bellied Snake

Spotted Salamander

Chorus Frog

Slimy Salamander

Broadheaded Skink

Eastern Hognose Snake

Red Milk Snake

Midland Water Snake

Western Ribbon Snake

Eastern Rough Green Snake

Eastern Garter Snake

Western Lesser Siren

Marbled Salamander

Small-Mouthed Salamander

Midwest Worm Snake

Central Newt

Zigzag salamander

Long-Tailed Salamander

Black Rat Snake

Cave Salamander

American Toad

Fowler's Toad

Copperhead

Blanchard's Cricket Frog

Northern Spring Peeper

Eastern Grey Treefrog

Black Racer

Bullfrog

Green Frog

Southern Leopard Frog

Midland Brown Snake

Common Snapping Turtle

Stinkpot Turtle

Eastern Box Turtle

Ringneck Snake

Eastern Painted Turtle

Red-Eared Turtle

Northern Fence Lizard

 King Snake

Ground Skink

Western Cottonmouth

Five-Lined Skink

Western Earth Snake

Western Mud Snake

Diamond-Backed Water Snake

Notice that lizards and turtles are there as well, to snack on the baby snakes. Also, they would be lunch for snakes. 

My son is an entomologist who did his graduate work at University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana. One event he arranged for undergrads was to take them to view the "Annual Snake Migration in Southern Illinois". 

Sprout experience itenirary

I had never heard of the migration, thought it was something made-up. He described this with great enthusiasm and their one overnight campout went without any mishaps. 

He spoke of making another trip where hunters nailed dead squirrels on to  trees in this forest. This is now considered to be an urban myth, thankfully.

White oak snake, not poisonous

Snake migration is common in warmer seasons

Each of these videos is about 1 min and less. I hope you will take the time to see some slithering about.

Not every person shares an enthusiasm for such creatures. Fortunately, my son does and has taught us to appreciate them.  His primary focus is insects. He had two tarantulas which remained at our house for a few years. 

If a snake of any sort is within a few yards of me, I definitely would scamper away from it. Admire, appreciate, and wonder at snakes, I do. See them close up and personal, I do not.

A Place for Talent

Writing a post is one thing.  Posting a post is another.  BUT, making that post memorable and visually grabbing is a really huge thing.

I am a simple photographer who has files of quilts and grandchildren.  

Photos of grandeur never occur because I am a simple photographer.  And, items that speak volumes—like an abandoned shopping cart—those are photos that I would not take because I hurry by them.

   

HOWEVER, there are photographers who see the grandeur in the little things, the simplicity in the grand things, the glory of…you get the idea.

My source for such interesting photos is http://www.rgbstock.com/ where an impressive number of contributors provide such wonders.  Today’s post is to introduce some of them to you!

Adrian van Leen from Australia aka: TACLUDA

TACLUDA is an acronym for “Take A Closer Look Around”.  My eyes always gravitate to his images.

xymonau:Dez

xymonau is Dez at http://amazingdiscoveries.org and again, I find the perspectives to be ones I appreciate.  She is from Australia, and would love to capture photos for anyone in that amazing immense continent.

RWLinder

RWLinder has been taking photos for 50 years; Bob has a great view for nature and national images.

fishmonk: Dan Shirley

Fishmonk focuses on the small and creates an incredible universe.

Eve Blackwood

EveBlackwood is from Italy; her photos peruse the European land and city scapes.  She senses the change in time and the past intersecting with the present.

Soooo...I hope you will take a look at these photographers, appreciate their eye and abilities.  

p.s.  I will be out and about on vacation, so I won't be responding to comments.  Hopefully y'all will come back for posts like this information and praise post.

Random Acts of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest May 27-31, 2013

A teacher gives so much, almost everything inside the brain and heart.  That is what I always believed, always did.  I arrived at school an hour and a half before the required time to make certain that the day’s preparation was just right.  I stayed two hours after school to review student work and make adjustments for the next day.  

Every day for years, this was my work ethic.

Then, one day I received an irate letter from a father who ripped me apart.  

He had found typos in an assignment I had copied from a professionally produced  book of black-line masters.  He did not appreciate the topic being pursued and wanted to adjust it to his superior understanding.  He thought his child needed more explanation and monitoring—by discussing each lesson taught and assignment given, after the rest of the class had been dismissed.  

The letter, written in small font, covered a full page.

My entire being sagged in defeat, taking my heart and brain with it.  I left after school, numb and confused.  Was there more I could have done?

Flashing forward-- I tightened up my checking-for-typos, adjusted my explanations of all assignments, and double checking everything.  It didn't change that father, but it changed me.  For better?  I didn't know.  

 MANY years later, I received a card from the parents of another student.  

While going through old videos, they discovered a video of their son’s reading and speech presentations recorded that same school year.  They expressed their thanks and appreciation for giving their son such a wonderful year, for teaching him.

They will never know how much this act of kindness meant to me.  I could tell them “Thanks!” but that would be inadequate.

I still have the letter and read it occasionally.  And I praise God for these parents who gave me more than they could ever know.

Source: ChIandra4U