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July 2007 Archives
New Brunswick Arrival!
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 30, 2007 at 4:01 PM
Afternoon Reptile Fans!
Well what a time to enter New Brunswick! This week begins the festivities for the New Brunswick day long weekend that is coming up...so lots of activities are going on that we will be attending! We are very much looking forward to being in all the festivities!!! We started off to New Brunswick around 7 pm leaving from Ste-Come, more specifically the house of Sarah Bernard (her family is soo sweet!). We wanted to leave as late as possible to give her as much time at home as we could before embarking on our 5 hour drive to Edmunston.
As we pulled into Edmunston, we realized that things with Eragon were not going well... in fact the engine light came on... OH NO! the coolant hose broke and not only were we leaking coolant- we were gushing it!!!! We decided to then spend the night in the parking lot where we had pulled over (Yay for Kent’s!) instead of trying to keep going with Eragon.
In the morning Jeff had talked with a few of the employees to see where the closest Canadian
Tire was and biked there to get the parts we needed to fix Eragon up for our show in
St-Leonard. Unfortunately Eragon was being really stubborn and was holding on tight to his
coolant hose even though it was broken. It took us a lot longer to fix it then we had thought
and unfortunately we had to cancel the show this morning as it was near 10 and we were nowhere near done yet -and there was still about a 45 minute drive to where we were going. It was so sad, we wished so much that we could have made it! I bet it would have been a blast!
Luckily, a few of the people decided to attend the second show in Grand Falls/Grande Sault!!
The first show in New Brunswick was awesome! There were just over 100 people in attendance to learn about the reptiles we brought with us. We also talked about the other reptiles that are found in the province that we did not have with us, like the ringneck snake, the smooth green snake and the red-bellied snake! All great, cool and fascinating snakes! Did you know that the red-bellied snake eats slugs??? Or that the ringneck enjoys chowing down on salamanders???
Smiles and Laughter
Mary-Ellen
Sarah B's house!
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 30, 2007 at 3:48 PM
After a wonderful sleep in a luxurious bed that Sarah Jane's grandparents had given us to sleep in, we awoke to packing animals, preparing the Eragon (the van) and the trailer. We drove out to Sherbrook where we had our first show of the day. It was a great group over all, they were very enthusiastic about all of the animals we brought with us, gasping at each one as we brought them over to talk about them.
Day 13: The Christmas surprise
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 30, 2007 at 3:26 PM
Arriving at the Magog community center, it became apparent with the lack of children that the daycamp we were supposed to be doing a show for had forgotten that we were coming. After a quick trip down to the beach, where the daycampers were celebrating "Christmas in July", the instructors surprised the kids with a special "christmas present"- a presentation on reptiles! We thought it was a smooth cover up move. The kids loved it too!
The next show we had was at Yamaska Provincial Park, where we met with some reservations from the park staff about letting people hold the snakes, for fear that the park visitors would want to catch the wild inhabitants of the park. However, we believe that touching the snakes is an important part of the program, since it really helps get people over their fears. So during the show, it was stressed that the wild snakes in the park were to be observed only, not touched (a Quebec park rule), and we compromised with the people touching the snakes in the second part of the show while we held them.
Day 12: Woes in Montreal...
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 30, 2007 at 3:04 PM
Not the greatest day!!! It all started off with rising early to try to beat traffic from downtown Montreal out to Vaudreuil. We discovered that Dan’s apartment keys were missing, which may have been our fault. They were found after a half hour search for them, and it wasn’t our fault after all.
Eragon (the van) was the next problem that popped up, as he’s been giving us a lot of trouble lately. We’ve decided to get a bit of work done on it, in hopes of curing the troubles.
Montreal...
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 26, 2007 at 4:40 PM
We did two shows in the Chatueguay library today, which is a really new, gorgeous building. Both shows were for small day camps, but were open to the general public as well. I find I am getting much more comfortable doing French shows now, and Sarah B. is as happy as she can be! We’ve added some a species to our talks, even though we don’t have any specimens to show for it. The Northern Brown (or Dekay’s) Snake is of special mention around the island of Montreal, as it is pretty much the only place to find this small, brown snake in Quebec.
A day off!
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 26, 2007 at 4:35 PM
Hey Guys! Sarah Jane here! Today was our day off, and man, was that nice. We all slept in (a wonderful thing! For those who know me, I am NOT a morning person). Once we were up, Sarah B. went to the beach to tan, Mary-Ellen stayed at the campsite to do some schoolwork and clean up, and Jeff, Andy, and I went on the Shoreline trail, down by the boat launch. And what a great walk it was!
Festival Day- Music and CHOCOLATE!
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 26, 2007 at 4:28 PM
We were woken up this morning by people knocking on the trailer asking if we were the snake people and if we were going to do another show tonight. It is pretty interesting to be recognized at parks now…
Fireworks and Friends...
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 26, 2007 at 4:21 PM
Well, we were up ridiculously early… about 3 am since there was a thunder and lightning storm right over our trailer. The thunder was so loud and so close it was actually shaking the trailer in some cases! We also lost our power so we the ice cream we had bought the day before melted in the freezer!
Day 8: A slow day for a change...
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 26, 2007 at 4:11 PM
We headed back to Ontario to finish the week off! After leaving the park, we stopped and to find the “wasp glove”. Sarah Jane took a few pictures then brought it back as we did not want to litter, and felt that we would eventually need it again.
Our only program of the day, in Seeley’s Bay, was a small crowd at the library, but we had a lot of fun interacting with everyone! We ended up with 12 people, but they were definately interested in the reptiles. From there we went to do a bit of shopping and then returned to Murphy’s Point Provincial Park for the night.
Hopefully we'll catch up soon!
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 24, 2007 at 2:26 PM
Hey everyone,
I've just put up a new entry from Mary Ellen, but I realize we're quite a few days behind. We're in Montreal now, and it has been pretty hectic and stressful. We'll try to get caught up though, and we're looking forward to heading out of Montreal this afternoon!
Jeff
First day in Quebec!
Posted by Jeff Hathaway on July 24, 2007 at 2:22 PM
Hello Everyone!!
On day 6 of the adventure LOTS of exciting, hilarious, random and interesting things happened! We headed into Quebec, and everyone was a bit nervous (except Sarah B.) about it, as we would be doing the first ever Sciensational Snakes!! Quebec, plus our first ever French program, and our first show of the summer without Jeff doing any part of the presentation!
The first stop, on our way to the “Belle Province” was to a veterinarian. All of our animals had to be checked out and have papers to cross into some of the provinces we are going this summer. Everyone checked out healthy, which we were expecting as we like to think that we take optimal care of our animals! Huge thanks to our friend, Dr. Mark Cochran, of the West Carleton Animal Hospital, for donating his services for this.
Photos from Shawville
Posted by Jonathan Crowe on July 19, 2007 at 8:50 PM
The tour came to the Shawville-Clarendon Library in Shawville, Quebec yesterday -- where I, your humble webmaster, just happen to live! So I was able to welcome the gang and take some pictures and video of the presentation. The photos are now up on the Sciensational Sssnakes!! Flickr group, and can also be viewed via this page.
I still have to see if the video turned out; if it did, stay tuned!
Day 5: Rockin' Brockville!
Posted by Mary-Ellen Peckham on July 17, 2007 at 5:15 PM
Hello World!!!
We are now in Brockville, our presentation is in about an hour, so we have decided to stop in to do a few errands. We are going to chow down on some lunch and reminisce about the walk we took this morning. We saw a few snakes, lots of frogs, and had a great wunder-barr hike! The terrain was great for snakes, lots of logs and rocks to flip and there were lots of places for wild mice and other small mammals like chipmunks and squirrels to live (snakes food…) We ended up at a look out that was took my breath away (in the good sort of way!) It was beautiful to look out at the still swamp with all the duckweed and lily pads, tons of broken and fallen trees sinking into the mud!
During our lunch- which we had in a beautiful shaded park in Brockville, the Cheerleading Sarahs' decided to teach Jeff some gymnastics! They started him on the basic cartwheel which was rather fun for me to watch...as well as all the other spectators in the park. I was on the ground laughing! In all actuality, he did VERY well, especially for his first time!
At the Brockville library we had just under 80 people show up to learn about reptiles, which was really great! There were lots of great questions such as how to safely move turtles off the road (always look both ways first!), and if there are any snakes that eat people (there are NOT!) and as well on why garter snakes musk(in defense)! We were pleased with the audience they were so great and inquisitive.
Tomorrow we cross into Quebec, where we will do shows at a library and a provincial park. I think it is going to be a great day, it will be our first all-French presentations! We are really excited and really nervous about this but we hope that things will go great!
Smiles and laughter
Mary-Ellen
Day 4: Lot-o-Libraries!
Posted by Mary-Ellen Peckham on July 17, 2007 at 5:13 PM
Bonjour!
Today was a super fun day! It was so neat we got to go to THREE different libraries and talk to people about reptiles at risk (sounds like we are doing our job...) we were in Westport, Lyndhurst and Lansdown! We started out with a group of about 60 in size in Westport, they were really interesting and we heard lots of great stories about encounters with garter snakes, black rat snakes and turtles! Lots of people there have turtles nesting in their yard which was great to hear as they were often helping out the eggs by keeping raccoons away! This is great to hear as raccoons are a BIG predator of turtle eggs and with their populations declining they can use all the people-help we can give them!
Our next stop was in Lyndhurst where we had a small but enthusiastic group, they were about 15 people in total stopped by to hear what we had to say and to share their own experiences. There was one little girl who was sooo excited to hold a black rat snake, and the snake was about two times longer then she was tall...it was very cute!
We had about 80 people! There were even a few people who were nervous to hold the snakes that decided towards the end to give it a try. I always love when this happens; it is really great to see people tackle their fears head on. It is so encouraging *Round of Applause for them*! I know I am terrified of thunder...it is so loud and scary.. I am trying to get better with it, but I still find it scary. Sarah Jane is scared of deep water, but she did great the other day when we were out canoeing. Jeff is apparently not afraid of anything...I bet Boss Man has something, but he does not want to tell us because it really scares him! Sarah B is afraid of small spaces, but we are helping her overcome that this summer; because she is the smallest of us we have her sleeping in the top bunk of our trailer. There is NOT much space there at all; in fact she has measured it to be the same height as her elbow to her hand! *Sarah B is now shuddering at the thought of it*
Smiles and Laughter
Mary-Ellen
Day 3: Day Off!
Posted by Mary-Ellen Peckham on July 17, 2007 at 5:11 PM
Hello Reptile Enthusiasts!
Today is day three of the tour, and is coincidentally our day OFF *Big Smiles* .We have decided to spend the day at Murphy’s Point looking for black rat snakes *Delighted Look* as we are in prime habitat for them; there is lots of forest around for their tree-climbing habits and lots of small mammals and birds for them to eat.
Unfortunately, these snakes are an endangered species; the people in the Kingston area are VERY lucky to have them around! We have even heard some campers talking about seeing them right on their campsites!! If only we were that lucky!
As we were walking along we found (thanks to Sarah Jane's immense knowledge of the park) a wonderful frog pond. Jeff at one point counted 39 frogs!!!! THAT is ALOT of frogs in one place- but it was great to see, especially since some species of frogs are declining in some parts of Ontario. When we first got there; lots of them were laying out in the sun on rocks, because like all amphibians (and reptiles!) frogs are ectotherms. This means they use their environment around them to heat up and cool off. As we got closer they all jumped into the water but we sat very still on some rocks and slowly they reappeared and started to sun themselves again! Sarah Jane was even able to pick one up with a branch for some closer pictures!
We continued on our walk in search of the black rat snake and stumbled upon another pond in which we saw a painted turtle sitting out on a log sunning! We knew it was a painted turtle because of the yellow markings on its neck and the red ones on its legs we saw once we looked at it through our binoculars we knew for sure we were right. This was a cool sighting, but we were expecting to see some on our walk since they are one of the more common turtle in Canada. As we looked at the painted turtle, Jeff noticed another turtle and immediately upon recognizing its yellow chin and very high domed shell talked with EXTREME excitement in his voice (at least by Jeff standards!) to tell us all "Look left! Bandings Turtle!" We immediately all looked right....no, we looked left....eventually...We were all thrilled to see this, as bandings turtles are a threatened species in Ontario.
After lunch we went out on a different trail as we had yet to see a black rat snake, it was a cool trail that showed some great forest succession and had lots of cool rocks and logs to flip as we looked for some of the smaller snakes. Jeff and Sarah Jane found some garters by the sound they make rustling through the leaves. Jeff even caught one for a minute and was able to guess that by its large size, it was a girl! We continued along to a little bridge where we saw a water snake out sunning and then were caught off guard when Sarah Jane almost stepped on another one as she went to look off the other side of the bridge. Around the bridge, which we dubbed "water snake passage", we saw 11 water snakes...and it was not a long bridge. As Jeff commented, it makes you realize how many things you walk by and do not see. It was a great end to a day off.
Smiles and Laughter
Mary-Ellen
Day 2: Lanark County
Posted by Mary-Ellen Peckham on July 16, 2007 at 3:10 PM
Good Evening World!
GOOD NEWS!!!! This afternoon we did not get LOST!!!!!!
The Art of Being Green Festival was amazing; we had about 100 people in total stop by the tent for the show! The kids (and parents!) were awesome! We even met one boy who was able to hold his breath longer then the water snakes - over 45 minutes- or at least he claimed he could! He was neat!! We also ran into some snake-lovers who knew SOOO much about snakes; I am not sure we taught them anything new....but I know they enjoyed the show a lot, and all the handling of the snakes really thrilled them.
After the presentation we hung around for a while and checked out some of the displays- it was so amazing! *Big Smile* I gave the solar panal guys high fives on their great set up and information - they were sure into green energy! We also saw a display with posters about a wide variety of wildlife. There were reptile posters, butterfly posters, wild flower posters and tons more! They were into conservation which was great to see, as we love people who love the wild outdoors of Ontario and BEYOND *that should be said in a great echoing voice*. There were a few booths set up to teach people about their choices when it comes to choosing natural products - and they had such amazing smelling products! There were a few other booths set up around to talk to people about converting energy and/or saving energy. At one table I got a pin and it has a flower on it and anyone who knows me, knows I enjoy flowers! I think I will call it Pinny, and it will be my pin and I will love it forever!
There was also a really neat booth set up with a lady who read eyes. Yes, a lady who read eyes. It was an interesting process; she looked deep into our eyes with an interesting gadget and read the patterns and undertone colours of our eyes. From this she was able to tell us things about our personality. Sarah Jane and I were both "Stream"... I was almost a "Stream-Jewel" but I was one jewel short of such combination. Apparently, stream-eyed people like to cuddle ...can anyone vouch for this!? We are also tactile people ... we have to touch everything...and if you take us into a store you might see this in action. Sarah B was a "Flower-Stream" which is an athletic- dancer sort of person...hehe! They got that one right! Jeff was a "Shaker" which translates to him enjoying physical activity and is good at inventing things - Is this the Jeff we know?- hehe only teasing Boss Man..!
After the festival we packed back into the van and headed off to Murphy's point. The show there was also superb! It rained the WHOLE show...well not the WHOLE show but for a good part of it, and it was cold and BEAUTIFUL! *I adore the rain* So we did the talks and the hands on part then I jumped around in the new made mud and was quiet content. I met a few people there who I talked with during the hands on part who after the show stuck around to talk. I then introduced them to a grand maritime tradition- Puddle Jumping *Large Smiles* they took well to it and we created a GREAT mess, laughed A LOT and talked about HARRY POTTER which comes out in a few DAYS!!!! We at Sciensational Sssnakes are VERY into Harry Potter...VERY VERY into HARRY POTTER...as in there will be three copies in the van when it comes out so that we can all read it at the same time and not spoil it for each other.
After the show we had dinner then we all swapped stories as we ate some chocolates. MMmmmm Chocolate! Chhhhhhoooooocccccoooolate!!!!!! We all shared a Caramilk bar, the one that we recieved from our turtle co-workers (Thanks Turtle People - it was delicious!), and decided to turn in a bit early. We have tomorrow off and we are sure to have TONS of adventures and stories to tell you. As of now the itinerary is to do a mine-hike tomorrow, look for black rat snakes since we are in a perfect place to find them and to take a bit of a walk through the park....perhaps even visit the beach. As for how much of it we accomplish...that is yet to be seen and the Sarahs' will be telling you about it as we blog our way to Nova Scotia.
Smiles and laughter,
Mary-Ellen
Day 1: We're on the ROAD!!
Posted by Mary-Ellen Peckham on July 16, 2007 at 3:00 PM
Hello World!
After weeks of planning we are finally on the road - and of all days to leave- Friday the 13th ...OOOO! Luckily of all the things that could have gone wrong- a minimal number did! We left yesterday at 5:00 pm after a hectic day of last minute planning,packing, building and repairs. We realized before pulling out of the driveway that we would miss our fellow coworkers. This was marked by the tears that started at 4:30 pm with our "Bon Voyage" toast and continued to the moment Sarah Jane pulled out some chocolate for all to chow down on. Then to our astonishment and happiness- minutes after our good byes and seconds on the road; we realized we had forgotten the mirrors for the van- the ones we needed to see around the trailer- so we pulled in to get diesel fuel and had them delivered along with a last hug, a few tears and a good laugh!
In the packing and organizing, Sarah Jane attempted to take Frank Burns (resident ferret of the staff housing) as a stow away but was then informed that a van full of snakes would make a tasty meal for Frank and we decided to leave him there. At Sciensational Sssnakes!! reptile safety is our primary concern! I am sure if there was room, we would have taken all the other staff and animals as stow aways!
The trip to Presque'ile was quiet, no real news from that other than to say we realized that the tape deck in the van is broken...we have decided to fix that...SOON! (I don't know anyone who wants to hear me sing from here to Nova Scotia without music to turn up louder then I can sing!) OH- a cool sighting- we saw an osprey's nest on a telephone pole!
The show itself last night was great! The group was amazing and very patient! Thanks to all of the 400 people who attended! All the kids were so clever and intelligent and knew all the right answers. The hands on part had great participation. I am proud of all those who were hesitant to hold the snakes but then realized how harmless they are and decided to give it a try to end up loving it! I even heard a few of them say they would not mind a pet snake!!
Today we were up early, packed and on the road for errands. We realized last night when we went to get the chicken to cook for supper that I forgot to pack the freezer box - note to Orillia staff....there is a surprise in the freezer! *In fact, I meant to leave it as a fairwell present for you* We made a pit stop for some groceries and some duct tape.
As I blog for you, as we are heading to Lanark for their "Art of being Green Festival"- to see where else Jeff, the Sarah's and I are going check out the calendar on the website! So far as navigator I have ONLY gotten us lost twice and taken the long way once....yet no one else has volunteered to be a navigator in my place....Hmmmm....I'm really excited for the festival, this sounds like a great event to be able to talk with people at about reptile conservation!
Looking out the window I can see some Canadian Shield - this is really exciting for me as until this summer I have never seen it before! - I hail from the maritimes. Jeff is pointing out turtles in the small wetlands on the side of the road and it is great to see them in their natural habitat. Meanwhile Sarah B is going through Justin Timberlake withdrawl in the backseat (the no tape/CD issue) and has just told me she misses her "petit poisson" song; but she is finding some comfort in her Antoine pictures (a hockey player for the Senators). Sarah Jane is currently attempting to write in her journal but is often distracted by things out the window..especially shiny things...As for me, I am back to navigating....which consists of attempting to not get us more lost than we are...especially since we just found ourselves!
Smiles and laughter,
Mary-Ellen