As spring brings sunshine and blooms to our yards, many of us are rediscovering the wonders of biodiversity in Northwest Georgia. The inchworms are rappelling from the trees, hatchling turtles are appearing along the shores of ponds, and the Cedar Waxwings are gobbling up the last of the holly berries. In the spirit of celebrating our natural resources and the start of life for so many organisms, I want to encourage everyone to unplug and get outside!
There are so many sights to see, sounds to hear, stinks to smell, and even flavors to taste. However, we need nature photographers and writers to help us experience the full array of these natural phenomena. The BIOBLITZ CHALLENGE is a community-wide field assignment that encourages us to develop our STEAM skills, like species classification, scientific observation, and digital photography. Please follow this link to submit your backyard sightings. We are trying to reach 100 species by Thursday at 3:00pm, so get started right away!
And, as you venture outside, I want to make you aware of the common snakes in our area. Most of our snakes are harmless to humans and warrant little more than a squeal. Yes, copperheads and rattlesnakes are occasionally found in our area, but sound science is our best way to avoid unnecessary drama or injury.
Please download the FREE e-book on Common Snakes in NW Georgia linked below. The snake photographs and field observations, taken in the Rome area over the past several years, combine to provide you with a simple way to identify the snakes species in our area. Add the book to your iBooks account on your phone or tablet, or simply return to this blog for the PDF book when you need it.
Now, get outside and enjoy this fantastic weather!
