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Snow came a little early this year to central Virginia.  It is unusual for us to get snow before Christmas, but maybe some will stick around until the 25th this time.  I decided to take a walk through the woods of Pocahontas State Park this morning, and I snapped a couple pictures of various tracks I came across.  Can you identify the fauna that created them?

There are three poisonous snakes that can be found in Virginia, and I am starting off this series with my favorite one.  Some may dislike all snakes in general, but I appreciate them for their benefits to our ecosystem.  The Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus), in spite of its toxicity, is truly an amazing snake.

The Eastern Cottonmouth is the most aquatic species in the genus Agkistrodon (which includes Copperheads and Cantils).  They can usually be found around creeks, marshes, swamps, lakes or streams in the southeast portion of Virginia.  They are very good swimmers and have colonized some Atlantic and Gulf Coast barrier islands.  In these areas, they can usually be found basking on a log or a rock.  Though they are usually found around water, they have been found more than a mile away from water in pine and coastal forests. 

The interior of a cottonmouth’s mouth is a shade of white.  This is how they got their name.  They will show their opened mouth as a warning to potential predators to stay away.  Adults average between 30 to 48 inches, but some have measured up to 74 inches long.  Their backs can be a mix or olive, black or brown and they have black crossbands that extend onto their belly.  Their belly is a light cream color.  Juvenile Eastern Cottonmouths (called neonates) have the same patterns, but are brighter in color.  Their banding is more distinct, and the tip of a neonate’s tail is yellow.

Cottonmouths are not as aggressive as their reputation may lead you to believe.  If they feel threatened, they will usually flee or coil up and open their mouths wide for you to see.  They will also begin to vibrate their tail quickly which produces a rattling sound against leaves and debris.  It may also release musk to help deter you.  This is a good time for you to leave these snakes alone as further aggravation could lead to a bite.  Remember, this body language is an attempt to scare you.

A cottonmouth bite can be quite dangerous and needs to be treated as quickly as possible with antivenom.  The toxin will destroy body tissue and is very painful.  Luckily, its venom lacks neurotoxins which can be found in another native snake, the Timber Rattlesnake.  Neurotoxins will actually cause paralysis.

A cottonmouth will hunt in the water and on land.  Their usual diet consists of amphibians, fish, invertebrates, reptiles, and small mammals.  They will bite their prey and hold it in their mouth until their venom has accomplished its task.  Cottonmouths are definitely not at the top of the food chain.  They often fall prey to an assortment of predators which consist of snapping turtles, eagles, owls, shrikes and cranes. 

The best thing to remember, when dealing with any wildlife, is to keep your distance.  Treat any snake as if it is poisonous, and you will help yourself avoid any dangerous complications.  All wildlife must be treated with respect.  Something as small as a squirrel can inflict quite a bit of damage if threatened. 
 

Summer days seem to be filled with millions of insects of all different varieties.  They thrive in the warm temperatures that spring and summer bring.  Then autumn comes and there numbers start to decline.

These insects are not simply dying off.  They have developed many different strategies for staying alive during the cold winter months.  Generally speaking, insects are not able to function when temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  You may notice that when temperatures start dipping into the lower 50’s or upper 40’s, your house begins to look a little more like the outdoors.

Ladybugs are the main thing people see coming inside when autumn comes around.  Sometimes these little critters seem to be infesting houses by the thousands.  I know they have become a sure sign that winter is not too far away. 

Before humans built hibernation spots for ladybugs (ladybird beetles), they would overwinter in leaf litter, tree holes, and under rocks and logs.  These are common hibernation spots for all adult insects.  Some other insects that hibernate as adults are elm leaf beetles, cluster flies, boxelder bugs, honey bees, and Morning Cloak Butterflies.  These insects commonly reduce their water content and build up a substance which acts as antifreeze called glycerol.  This substance helps prevent them from freezing.  Honey bees can actually raise the temperature in their hives by vibrating their wing muscles.

Other insects will migrate to warmer temperatures in the winter.  A good example of these are Monarch Butterflies.  These butterflies will actually fly to locations in the United States and Canada during the summer and return to Mexico and Southern California in the winter.

Some insects will lay eggs before winter which survive until the spring.  Not as many insects use this method.  Some that do are Corn Rootworms and Praying Mantids.  Other insects will lay eggs that hatch before winter and the pupae or larvae will go into hibernation until the spring.  Some moths employ this method.

Despite how it may look at this point, some insects actually remain active in the winter.  These insects remain in their nymph stage during cold weather and live in water that does not freeze completely.  They remain active, and grow through the winter, emerging as adults in the spring.  Dragonflies and mayflies are good examples.

Next time you visit a Virginia State Park during the winter, remember that the insects are still all around you.  Nature is truly breathtaking and demands admiration.  This admiration may come to you a little easier while these insects are not flying around your face.
 

I know many of us enjoy the leaf colors we get in Virginia every fall, but have you ever wondered why the leaves change color?  In a recent trip to the mountains I saw a large cascade of different colors which made me wonder why some leaves turn one color and others turn another.  It turns out there is a scientific reason (go figure).

The primary function of leaves is to convert sunlight into food.  This is done with a green pigment called chlorophyll.  When fall approaches, and the days get shorter, some plants can no longer get the amount of light (food) required for active growth.  When this happens, the plants will begin to enter a dormant state.  During this state, the plant is no longer producing chlorophyll.  As the green pigment begins to fade, it leaves behind other pigments, which were always in the leaf, but deteriorate slower.

Leaves that are yellow or orange contain the pigment carotene.  This is the same pigment that gives carrots their orange color.  Reds and purples are caused by pigments called anthrocyanins.  These are the same pigments that give radishes and roses their color.

As these pigments fade, tannin becomes the predominate pigment left which gives leaves their brown color.  It is right before this occurs that the plant will detach the cell walls around the stem of the leaf.  At this point the leaf is connected by its veins which are easily broken.  As the wind blows, it breaks these veins and the leaves fall to the ground.

Leaves are still changing across much of Virginia, so it is not too late to plan a visit to one of our state parks to witness this for yourself.  Virginia State Parks will offer some form of camping until December 6, 2009 (a couple parks have year-round camping).  A lot of our parks have cabins and lodges that are open the whole year.  You can make a reservation by calling us at 1 800 933-PARK(7275) or booking online through Reserve America. 

If you have a fall foliage picture of a Virginia State Park you would like to send us, email me at resvs@dcr.virginia.gov and I may include it in our Facebook album.  Please include your name and the park it was taken at so I can give you the proper credit.
 

James River Weekend - Part 1

When I awoke on Saturday morning at James River State Park, I was saddened to see that it was raining pretty hard outside.  The weather reports I had seen earlier stated as much.  Nevertheless, James River is located near some attractions that do not require you to be outdoors.

We decided to head out of the park for a couple hours in hope that the afternoon would bring some better weather.  We cooked breakfast and then hopped in the truck to make our way to Natural Bridge Caverns.  Natural Bridge Caverns is located roughly forty-five minutes from James River State Park which made it a perfect morning trip (not to mention that it wouldn’t be raining sixteen stories beneath the earth).  The caverns are the deepest on the east coast.

The first thing we saw upon entering the caverns was a hibernating bat.  I was happy to see a healthy bat in light of the white nose syndrome which is killing bats in Virginia.  We didn’t seem to bother him.  The tour proceeded down into the depths of the caverns where many stalactites and stalagmites could be seen.  I have always loved caverns and can remember wanting to live in one as a child.  My opinion on that matter may have changed a little since then, but my love of caverns and rock / mineral formations, has remained the same.

At the lowest level, our guide rehashed a story I had heard years ago.  A crew working in the caverns began hearing a girl crying for help.  The spelunkers looked around but could not find anyone.  Eventually they heard something that made them flee immediately.  The girl’s voice was said to take on a demonic tone that no one wanted to stick around for.  Although the story may have been embellished a little by the workers themselves, it still gave the caverns a reputation of being haunted. 

We headed back to the surface to find that the weather had cleared in spite of the reports.  This was perfect since we had planned on hiking a couple trails.  My personal favorite trail at James River would have to be the Tye River Overlook.  This trail is accessed off of the Cabell Trail and is a 2.5 mile hike roundtrip (we took the Dixon Landing Overlook Trail to access the Cabell Trail).

I love walking the trails at our state parks.  It is so peaceful, and if you are quiet, you can spot some wildlife along the way.  A trail map is located here.  We made our way to the Tye River Overlook and spotted two deer on the path ahead.  They managed to see us and run off before I could get a good picture. 

The view from the overlook was stunning.  Some of the leaves were changing below and the rolling pastures and railroad bridge added to the view.  I took a couple pictures and we began to head back for dinner.  This is when I got the best picture opportunity of the weekend (in my opinion).  We were walking the Dixon Landing Overlook Trail when my brother noticed a little critter hiding in the multi-colored leaves.  It was a frog!  I pulled out my trusty camera and snapped a couple of pictures (I only see toads where I live).  The frog didn’t seem to mind and we left it to its business.

After dinner, which consisted of steak and mashed potatoes, I proceeded to shelter #4 for the Autumn Sky Watch with the Crewe Astronomy Club.  I have attended this before at Pocahontas State Park, but I was surprised to see that nothing was repeated from one session to the next.  After giving an awesome PowerPoint presentation, the clouds cleared up enough for some viewing.  The first object they pointed the telescope towards was the Double Cluster (consisting of NGC 884 at 7600 LY and NGC 869 at 6800 LY).  Next we took a look at the fifth brightest star in the night sky named Vega.  Vega is only 25 LY (light years) from Earth and emits a blue light.  Jupiter was the last object we got a chance to observe before the clouds moved back in (Jupiter is roughly 0.0000621 LY from earth at its closest point).  The interesting thing about Jupiter is that you can also see four of its moons (Ganymede, Callisto, Europa, and Io) through a moderately powerful scope.

The next morning I woke up for my early morning commute to find a very thick fog had settled in the area.  This was truly a sight to be seen as I could barely make out the cabin next to us.  I went ahead and loaded my car as the fog lifted.  The vacation was over and it was time to head back home.  I have said it before, and I’ll say it again.  The best part about a Virginia State Park vacation is the memories you will cherish for a lifetime (even when the weather puts a kink in your fishing plans).


 

Last weekend I took my second trip to James River State Park.  My first trip was business related so I was hoping I could do more this time.  Unfortunately, it didn’t look like the weather was going to cooperate when I checked online Friday morning.  The best laid plans…

I packed up my gear, which included a laptop and flat screen monitor.  I love nature, but sometimes I have to watch videos at night.  I find this to be the best setup if you do want to watch videos at our cabins.  Since a lot of our parks are in the mountains, it will be hard for you to pick up television signals.  If you bring a laptop, then you most likely have a DVD player.  Hooking the laptop to a monitor allows the whole family to enjoy.  Luckily, our parks and their surrounding areas have so much to do that we only messed with this setup after it got dark.

With all the essentials packed, I headed out the door to embark upon my journey.  James River State Park is roughly two hours from my house and I’m not a fan of car trips.  Fortunately, I cannot describe how quickly this car trip went for me.  The entire trip down route 60 was absolutely stunning.  Trees along the way varied in color from yellow, orange, to red.  There were rolling farmlands and plenty of scenic places that begged to have their picture taken.

I arrived at the park around 4:45 which was too late to visit my friends in the office.  I decided to head straight to the cabin to begin unpacking.  I had rented cabin 14 because of the stunning view from the back porch (I also stayed in cabin 14 on my first trip to James River).  Since we arrived so late on Friday, we decided to go ahead and cook dinner so we could rest up for Saturday and have a little bit of family time together.

I took this trip with my parents and my brother.  The last time we all took a trip together was about twelve years ago, so this was a welcome change.  My father cooked some chicken on the cabin’s gas grill (most state park cabins have pedestal grills) while my mom worked on the potatoes, peas, and shells and cheese.  My brother and I tinkered with the electronics we brought so we could watch Land of the Lost after dinner.  The meal was excellent.  Virginia State Park’s cabins provide you with dishes and silverware, so this was one less thing we needed to pack. 

After dinner, we sat down as a family and watched the movie.  My brother had brought some cards and board games for when things got a little slow.  After the movie was over, we played Uno and then went to bed to rest up for an eventful day on Saturday.

Part two of this trip will be coming soon.   
 

If you are taking a trip to First Landing State Park, I would have to suggest passing by the bald cypress tress.  The Bald Cypress Trail will take you to the cypress trees, dunes, and ponds.  During October, you can also get the vibrant leaf colors that draw people from far and wide.

The bald cypress (also known as Taxodium distichum) is native to the southeastern United States.  It is a species of conifer ranging from 80 to 130 feet tall.  It is native to humid areas with 30 to 64 inches of annual rainfall.  Unlike a lot of other conifers, bald cypress trees are deciduous, meaning they loose their leaves in the fall.  They form seed cones ranging from about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.  Each seed cone contains roughly one hundred seeds. 

One of my favorite things about these trees are the cypress knees they form around their main trunks.  They look like wooden spikes rising out of the water, and their function is still debated.  Some believe they help supply oxygen to the root system.  Others believe they are to help give the trees structural support.  Whatever their function, they make me feel like I am in an area untouched since the Jurassic or Cretaceous period.

First Landing State Park is open year-round and campgrounds are available until December 6, 2009.  The park also rents cabins that are open year-round.  You can book these sites by calling the reservation center at 1 800 933-PARK(7275) or by booking online.  Whatever your interests, you can rest assured that one of the state parks in Virginia will have something for you to enjoy.

Most people can spot a cattail when they see one in the wild, but did you know that it is actually an edible plant.  They usually grow in marshes and swamps, but can be found anywhere there is water.  I have personally seen them growing in most of the Virginia State Parks I have visited.  The cattail has so many uses that it is considered by some to be the supermarket of the wild.  Once you know of its uses, it may be hard to disagree.

Cattails actually have multiple edible parts which can be harvested at different times of the season.  Pollen from the flower stalks was used by Native Americans to make breads, and it is still used by some to replace part of the flour used in recipes.  The pollen is high in vitamins and minerals.  Before the flower forms, there is and edible shoot that Russians refer to as “cossackis asparagus”.  The tender shoots can be eaten into the summer and are said to be like a combination of zucchini and cucumbers.  The shoots are also rich in vitamins and minerals.  The male portion of the flower can be harvested while it is immature and steamed.  It is said to have a taste reminiscent of corn and it actually has a central cob-like core.  This is one of the best wild vegetation sources of calories, protein, and unsaturated fats.  From fall until spring, cattail rhizomes can be harvested and consumed for their starch.  They are dug out of the ground, washed, and peeled.  The starch can be used in any recipe that calls for starch.

On top of its edible uses, Native Americans also used cattails medicinally and for making everyday objects.  They would collect the jelly from between the leaves and apply it to wounds and sores to relieve pain.  The fluffy white seeds were used to start fires, fill blankets, and stuff toys.  Cattail leaves can be used to make mats, thatch roofs, and weave baskets.  The dried brown flower heads can be burnt to help keep insects away.

In addition to all their other uses, cattails help improve water and soil quality.  Organic pollutants are made harmless by this plant and they also add nitrogen to the soil.  This is an important function for maintaining healthy ecosystems.  This is why I am always happy to see cattails growing in our state parks.  Now that you know of its uses, you may never look at a cattail the same way again.
 

Now is the time of year to grab your telescope and head to the park for a night under the stars.  During the summer, you can catch some breathtaking views of the Milky Way gas clouds, and it does not require a telescope to see.  It only requires a dark cloudless sky.  The band of the Milky Way is currently visible from north to south.  It's amazing when you realize that what you are looking at are not clouds, but actually the interior of our own galaxy. 

This time of year, Jupiter is visible as the brightest “star” in the sky for most of the night (currently rising in the Southeast / East about an hour or two after sunset).  To actually see Jupiter as more than a bright point of light, you will need a telescope.  Obviously some telescopes are better than others, but you should be able to see Jupiter better through any of them. 

The moon has always been a favorite of mine.  With a good size scope, and high magnification, you can see the details of individual craters.  I have spent many nights viewing the moon for hours on end.  It never gets old to me.  The moon looks different through every phase.  When the moon is full, you will loose some detail since the light is hitting most features dead on.  When the moon is not full, you can see shadows being cast by impact craters. 

Astrophotography is becoming an increasing popular hobby these days with the increasing number of people who own digital SLR cameras.  These cameras allow you to adjust ISO, F-Stop, and exposure times.  This may be Greek to you if you have never worked with an SLR, but it allows you to capture some breathtaking images of the sky (including nebulae and galaxies).  These cameras can be set to gather light for longer periods of time than normal point and shoot cameras.  This allows the camera to pick up on visible colors that our eyes cannot.
If you do not own a telescope, our parks offer occasional stargazing.  The next offered stargazing program will occur at Belle Isle State Park on August 19, 2009.  There will also be another one at the same park on September 2, 2009.  The program starts off with NASA astronomer Kathy Miles teaching about current celestial happening.  The stargazing portion of these programs is dependent on the weather.
 

I took my first fishing trip of the year to Pocahontas State Park about two weeks ago.  I haven’t been fishing in a while, but luckily, one of my friends decided to invest in a boat and I finally made it back into the game.  There is something very relaxing about fishing.  I’m not sure what it is exactly, but I am always perfectly content doing nothing other than tossing my fishing line into the water.

The morning started off a little later than we would have liked, and we didn’t get onto the water until around 11AM.  As most people who fish can tell you, early morning or late afternoon is the best time to catch anything.  This didn’t really matter as much because even if we didn’t catch anything, we would still get out on the boat for a little while.  Pocahontas does not allow gasoline powered motors which was okay for us because we had an electric trolling motor.  Once we got into the creek, we took a tributary which brought us to a large open area with what looked like millions of lily pads in bloom.  Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera with me on this excursion so I missed quite a few beautiful picture opportunities.  We decided to cast our lines in this area since we assumed the fish may be taking cover near the lilies during the hottest part of the day.  Long story short, we picked a bad time to go and only had one nibble on our hooks in about two hours.  I did manage to loose a lure by casting just a little farther than I would have liked.  Turns out a tree branch won’t reel in as easy as a fish.  We decided to head back around 1PM before it got really hot outside.

In spite of not catching anything, it definitely was not a wasted trip.  We got to see the park from many unique locations and it was a great morning to get away from the stresses of life.  If you do not have a boat, do not worry.  Pocahontas rents canoes, kayaks, and rowboats from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  I highly recommend taking advantage of these opportunities and renting a boat to take a “water hike” around Pocahontas State Park.  It will be an experience you will not forget.   
 

I spotted my first Monarch butterfly this weekend which reminded me of yet another thing to keep an eye out for while visiting a Virginia State Park.  In Virginia, the most common butterfly I spot is the yellow swallowtail.  It is truly a delight to see the occasional Monarch during the summer. 

Each year, these butterflies travel very large distances.  They are one of the few insects capable of making transatlantic crossings.  Starting in the spring, they begin their Northward migration, and in the fall they begin a Southward migration which gives Virginia two seasons a year when Monarchs can be spotted (usually the beginning and end of summer).  It is during these migrations that the females lay their eggs for the following season.  The butterflies spend their winters in Mexico and Southern California.

The average Monarch butterfly lifespan is less than two months.  This means that a single butterfly does not make the entire journey of the migration.  Instead, the population is reestablished with newly hatched butterflies from eggs laid the previous season.  The last hatchlings of the summer will enter a non-reproductive phase known as diapause and may live for more than seven months.

Monarch butterflies feed on milkweed when in their caterpillar stage.  The toxins in this plant are stored by the insect which makes them poisonous to predators.  Their bright orange color is a warning sign that they are toxic if eaten.  During the winter, birds will kill many butterflies searching for ones with the least amount of poison.

These butterflies are pretty easy to spot in Virginia.  They are dominantly orange with black veins.  You will also see white spots around the edges of their wings.  This is yet another reason to make sure you bring a camera with you when visiting our parks.  You never know what unique creature you may find.  Monarch Butterflies can be spotted in all Virginia State Parks during the right time of the year.  Look for them near plants that usually attract butterflies.
 

Here is the story you have been waiting for.  This story about Douthat was submitted by Lee Ann Everton Dail of Charlotte Court House, VA.  It won first place in our Facebook fan contest!

On May 15th, my family began a great adventure in Douthat State Park.  My husband Wayne and son Cody had signed up to participate in the first ever “Magic in the Mountains” Run, Paddle, and Bike Triathlon.  Our son Izaak and I decided to come along to help, and to explore the area.  I rented a cabin for the weekend in Douthat using the on-line site.  A bonus to renting a cabin in the park was that we could bring our little dog with us. 
We arrived on a Friday afternoon to the well staffed visitor center and picked up the key to cabin #27.  After buying a deck of wildlife playing cards, we left to find our two bedroom accommodations.  We drove up a hill through a lovely forest with tall, mature trees.    A large lake with a beach was to our left.  When we drove up to our cabin, I was surprised to see that it looked brand new with a screened in porch and picnic patio.  The rooms were spacious, clean, and refreshingly quiet which provided for a great night’s sleep.
The triathlon began with a run in Covington on Saturday morning.  We dropped off the guys’ kayaks and bicycles on the way.  Many volunteers and local officials were available to help in every location from Covington to Clifton Forge and up to Douthat Park.  The race took participants an average of two hours to complete.  Cody and Wayne thought it was all challenging fun.  Their finish times were 2:03 and 2:11 respectively.  Cody came in first place in the youth division for his very first triathlon!  We were really happy for him.
After all of the contestants finished the course, a BBQ picnic with band was given on the beach of Douthat Lake.  There was a classic car Cruise-In going on at the same time.  We all picked out our favorite cars before heading back to our cabin for the evening.  It rained hard that night, and we were glad to be inside playing cards.  I took a lot of pictures of our wonderful vacation at Douthat State Park.  We’re already planning to go back next year!

Lee Ann Everton Dail won two free nights in a cabin at one of our parks.  Thanks to everyone who submitted a story.  We really enjoyed reading them!

If you would like to read the 2nd and 3rd place winner stories, click the links below.

Second Place
Third Place

Contest

Charlotte Ct House, VA

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, we have our Facebook contest winners!  Here is the second place story written by Yvonne Shepherd of Chesapeake, VA.

Twenty-one women met at the southern-most end of Virginia Beach for a Wild Women’s Weekend to be held at False Cape State Park.  Our backgrounds or reasons for being there were diverse and multi-faceted.  Some of us were there with one or more friends, while others came alone. It was a time to reflect, a time to dream.  It was a time to become Wild Women.

We loaded our bags onto an old school bus and Mary Jo, park interpreter, drove us the seven miles from Little Island City Park to the Environmental Education Center (EEC) at False Cape.  We had to pass through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and along the way we saw an osprey nest, the results of rooting feral pigs and three different types of egrets- the great egret with their yellow bills and black legs; the snowy egret with black bills and yellow feet and cattle egrets that once lived amongst the wild horses roaming Virginia’s Outer Banks.

Our arrival at the EEC was met with the aroma of simmering tomato sauce and garlic.  Patti, our chef, had prepared a wonderful array of fruit, hummus and salsa as appetizers.  Before the evening meal, kitchen duties were assigned for the weekend and we found our beds- bunkhouse style.  We soon began the transformation from our regular daily lives to the calm and peace that False Cape offers all visitors.  Conventional time was slipping away to be picked back up on Sunday afternoon.

Our first night included a Night Hike where we called for the Barred Owl, the Eastern Screech Owl and learned about other night creatures.  Flashlights were used sparingly as our eyes adjusted naturally to the darkness and moonlight.  Our path led us to the ocean where the solitude on the beach wrapped around us like an old friend.  We welcomed its embrace as thousands of stars looked down from the heavens.

Saturday was self-paced with options for yoga, nature walks, journaling, or gathering plants and herbs for dinner.  Vickie was our naturalist guide and she taught us about edible plants and herbs along with survival tips.   After another delicious meal on Saturday evening, including some herbal tea from our gathering, the moon began to rise over Back Bay.  Its arrival was celebrated by Sara, our fire dancer. Her graceful dance was accompanied by recorded tribal music and live music played by the women on drums, didgeridoo and clap sticks.  We were then given our own glo stick for a chance to participate in a much less harmful type of fire dancing.

Sunday was bittersweet as we gathered our belongings for the trip back to civilization.  Cameron, assistant park ranger, showed up with the Terragator- a multi-access vehicle designed for low impact on the environment.  The trip back along the ocean’s edge was the perfect mode of transportation for the Wild Women.  New friendships had formed, old ones were renewed and our spirits had been lifted.  Our weekend living as Wild Women would remain in our hearts forever.

The Facebook contest has ended, and we have the results!  Here is the third place story from Dr. J. Ann Straus of Norfolk, VA.

Kiptopeke State Park was the destination for my Memorial Day camping trip. Barbara, the office manager, checked us in quickly, and answered questions pleasantly. The campsites were immaculate. Since the weather was perfect, we enjoyed jet skiing and getting sun at the beach. Enjoying the awesome view of the water, and the concrete ships was very relaxing. One friend called, and upon hearing of our good time, wanted to come. Alas, Olivia did her best, but there were no sites to be had. Our neighbors, Bruce and family, caught an 80 pound black drum, and several other smaller black drums. Grill cooking made the food taste better than ever. Other campers and the camp host stopped by to look at my decorations, and I know I won best decorated site despite there not being a contest. My favorite activity is enjoying a campfire with friends, and talking into the night. Even though the sites were all booked, at sunset, the park was extremely quiet as Sam, the park manager, agreed it was the quietest busy weekend he ever experienced. This made for excellent sleeping in my popup camper. The awesome staff contributed greatly to my awesome five day vacation with my friends!
 

Ann Straus won the 70th Anniversary Virginia State Parks Monopoly game.

 

Reading Nancy Heltman’s blog about ticks reminded me of yet another unwelcome human feeding arachnid.  The chigger (also known as harvest mites or red bugs).  Unfortunately, these can be picked up in any tall grasses or low plants and cause an itch the likes of which you have never seen.  One of the worst parts about chiggers is that you never seem to get them one at a time.  Instead, they seem to travel in packs whenever I get the unlucky fortune of catching these critters.  They are very hard to see and may require a visual aid such as a magnifying glass to spot.  Unfortunately, the tale tell signs of a chigger are the tiny blisters or rashes they leave behind.

Unlike ticks, chiggers do not actually burrow into your skin.  Instead, they attach themselves to your skin and inject digestive enzymes that break down your skin cells.  The chigger drinks these broken down cells and it is actually the enzyme which causes the itching.   

Since chiggers do not actually burrow into your skin, they are easily dislodged which can be a bad or good thing.  Scratching can remove them from your skin, but they will just find another spot on you to feed.  Taking a shower after coming in from outdoors is the best preventative measure you can take.  Another preventative measure is to wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt.  You can apply bug repellent to your shoes, ankles, and wrists since this is their most common way of getting onto your body.  I also like to spray my pants as a whole since tall grass may be higher than my ankles in woodland areas. 

No matter what precautions you take, if you encounter an area with chiggers, you will most likely end up with a couple bites.  It is good to note that, although chigger bites can be quite itchy, chiggers in the United States do not usually carry diseases.  The main thing to watch out for is that the bite does not become infected.

If you are unlucky enough to get bit by a chigger, there are ways to help sooth the bites.  Apply some anti-itch cream to help prevent scratching which can lead to infection.  An oral antihistamine can help stop the itching as well.  Despite what you may have heard, applying nail polish does not help since that remedy is based on the misconception that chiggers bore into your skin.  

Use this information to help you enjoy your trip to a state park in Virginia.  Even if you are tent camping, most parks have bathhouses with showers which is your best defense against chiggers and ticks if you have become exposed.  No matter how many times I get these on me, I will never let it deter my love of the outdoors.
 

Memorial Day may have passed, but this is just the start of our summer season.  Everyone seems to become more active during the summer months, and one of summer’s greatest pastimes is swimming.  Fortunately, almost all of our state parks have a swimming option.  Some offer lake swimming while others offer pools.  First Landing State Park offers swimming in the Chesapeake Bay.  Pocahontas State Park has a mini waterpark complete with water slides. 

Remember whenever you decide to go swimming to wear sun block.  As we have heard more and more during recent times, too much sun is really bad for you.  Sun block will allow you to be outside to your hearts content without getting those dreaded sunburns.  If you do get a sunburn, there are multiple products that help sooth your skin and prevent peeling (most contain aloe).  It is also good to wear sunglasses when you are outside on a bright day, as your eyes can become damaged from the sun.  Another summer tip is to make sure you drink plenty of fluids.  Our bodies loose more water during the summer and it is quite easy to become dehydrated.   

So visit a state park and swim to your hearts content.  When you feel the need to do something else, we have plenty of other options.  Our parks have over 500 miles of hiking trails.  You can go fishing or take your camera around for some good photo opportunities.  Have a birthday party or cookout in the works?  Why not take a look at our picnic shelters?  They are the perfect base of operation for a daytime park visit.   
 

Many of you who camp in Virginia State Parks may have noticed our alert to leave your firewood at home.  Although you may find this a nuisance, there is a very good reason.  The reason is the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).

The emerald ash borer is an insect that is native to Asia, and like the Japanese beetle, has become a problem in the United States.  Despite their tiny legs, the have scaled the globe to cause devastation in areas that do not have sufficient predators to counteract them.  Many efforts are under way to try and quarantine as many of the affected areas as possible to prevent their spread.  This is why Virginia State Parks ask that you do not bring firewood into the parks.  One piece of firewood with emerald ash borers could cause a park-wide problem that can quickly spread to surrounding areas.

There are certain signs to look for that can point to an emerald ash borer problem.  Usually you will notice that the tree will begin to lose its upper leaves.  This can progress until the tree is completely bare.  You may also notice that the tree begins to send out shoots, called epicormic shoots, from its trunk and roots.  If you investigate the problem further, you may notice that the new shoots have leaves that are larger than normal, and there may be increased woodpecker activity in the area.

The direct signs of emerald ash borer are vertical fissures on the bark which is due to callous tissue formation.  You may also see tunneling in the exposed bark which is a sign borer activity.  There are often serpentine shaped larval feeding galleries in the bark.  The weaves will go back and forth across the wood grain.  They will be packed with a mixture of sawdust and excrement called frass.  Adults will form D-shaped holes when they emerge from the tree. 

The insects themselves are bright metallic green and are about a half an inch long.  They have a flattened back and purple abdominal segments beneath their wing covers.  The larvae are found in the trees and are creamy white with flattened, bell-shaped body segments.  Their terminal segment has a pair of small appendages. (pictures can be seen here)

Currently, the emerald ash borer has infested its way into Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.  All these states are taking steps to prevent the spread of these insects.  Millions of ash trees have already been lost, so please help us do all we can to prevent this problem from spreading further.
 

I recently took a trip to Chippokes Plantation State Park to do some training.  As most of you should know by now, spring is here in full force.  This would be the perfect time to explore the gardens at Chippokes or take in the breathtaking views of the James River.

I was amazed by how many flowers were already blooming in the beginning of April at Chippokes.  It was quite unexpected as most the plants at my house were still looking quite dormant.  The area around the mansion was gorgeous.  Even the grasses added some color to their surroundings.  Most of the plants I cannot identify, but the honey bees sure seemed to love them.  I was glad to see the little critters after hearing about their population loss worldwide.  I cannot imagine a world with food that is only open pollinated. 

As I was taking pictures, a swallowtail flew from flower to flower.  Unfortunately, I was a little too slow to get a good picture.  Maybe it was too fast.  Either way, a swallowtail is a common yellow butterfly in Virginia.  A little later in the year, we will get to see black swallowtails in their larval stages.  Personally, I think they are the weirdest caterpillar I’ve ever seen around here.
 

Nature provides some of the best picture opportunities, but do not forget about the mansion.  It was originally built in 1854.  Since then, it has been the home of multiple owners.  Tours are offered daily from 1PM – 5PM.  If you are interested in nature, or history, Chippokes Plantation State Park is the place for you.