January 27 – My Nature Journal
2024-01-27 Nature Journal
Land Snail
Class Gastropoda
I spotted this little land snail crawling every so slowly across the trail at the very beginning of today’s nature walk.
I was surprised to see it, since it is only January 27th and I would have expected it to be too cold still for an invertebrate like this snail to emerge.
On the other hand, temperatures and humidity have warmed significantly over the last seven days. On January 20th, the high temperature was only 33° F / 0.6° C with the highest humidity for the day at 53%. Yesterday’s high temperature was 74° F / 23° C with the highest humidity reaching 87%.
Since higher humidity decreases the rate at which moisture evaporates from a surface, perhaps this snail sensed the combination of both hotter temperatures and higher moisture content and roused from its winter dormancy.
The green spongy material upon which the snail is crawling is flattened out Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) excrement. I couldn’t speak to who or what flattened the goose droppings out before I arrived but I suspect it was a fellow walker, or possibly someone riding a bike, since I was still on the paved part of the trail.
My human sensibilities find the idea of crawling across goose poop….well, let’s just say “unappealing”. Naturally, I can’t begin to guess how the snail felt about the trail conditions in that moment.
On the one hand, this type of land snail is herbivorous, as are Canada Geese (mostly). Since Canada Goose excrement is composed of digested plant matter, the snail might have found crawling across this poop patch entirely unobjectionable.
On the other hand, snails have a reputation for moving slowly. But this particular snail was trucking right along; I got the impression it was in a bit of a hurry.
All I know for sure is that I would be.
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
I may be the only person who ponders the feet of Great Blue Herons while walking through nature (or ever, really). But honestly, it’s an interesting topic.
Great Blue Herons are wading water birds that hunt fish, small crustaceans, frogs, and small snakes in shallow water. Their feet evolved to have very long toes which spread the birds’ weight across a wide area. This adaptation keeps the birds from sinking down into mud and becoming stuck.
Superbly adapted to their hunting techniques, Great Blue Herons’ feet still let them perch on tree branches with ease. The long toes curl around and grip the branches and the birds’ innate balance keeps them upright and secure, even when standing on one leg.
Seeing such a large bird perched in a tree high over your head can surprise you.
But it’s just part of living life for a Great Blue Heron.
Today’s Nature Journal Snapshot
|
Time of Day |
Early afternoon |
|
Setting |
Large lake and forested trail |
|
Temperature |
64° F / 18° C |
|
Weather |
Partly sunny |
|
Humidity |
70% |
