Stationary » DFW Urban Wildlife

Spiny Oak Slug Moth – A Green and Tan Oddity

Apr 152012

I discovered this unusual looking Spiny Oak Slug Moth on my truck window. I landed there while I was inside a business establishment. I didn’t recognize the species of this moth, so I captured it in an acrylic case that I carry for just such an occasion.

At home, I put the moth in the refrigerator to induce torpor so that she wouldn’t injure herself trying to escape . Soon the moth was immobile.

The next day I took the moth out and witnessed the warming up process. I had read about insect warming their bodies by shivering. Insects vibrate their extremities (wings, antennae, and legs) rapidly as part of the shivering behavior. The repeated expansion and contraction of muscle tissue generates heat that helps the insect warm itself.

This is the first time I had witnessed this behavior in an insect. After 30 minutes at room temperature the moth was active and ready to be released.

County	-	Tarrant
City	-	Carrollton
Date	-	Apr 14, 2012
Time of Day	-	Afternoon
Temperature	-	Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather	-	Overcast
Habitat	-	Commercial-Retail
Type of Behavior	-	Stationary
Gender	-	Female
Maturity	-	Larva
Observer	-	Chris Jackson
Main Article	-	Spiny Oak Slug Moth	Observation Location

Western Ribbon Snake – Not Hidden

Western Ribbon Snake No Responses »

Apr 062012

I came across this Western Ribbon Snake in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, Texas. The snake was lying motionless in the dirt and gravel under an elevated DART rail.

I’ve seen many of these snakes in this area on previous visits, but never more than fleeting glimpses. They are always quick to flee when they detect someone approaching.

Because of this, I was puzzled when the snake did not try to retreat as I drew nearer. The snake’s head was covered by the leaves of a small bush, and maybe because of this the snake had the impression that he was more concealed than he actually was.

In any case, I could not see the condition of the snake’s head, and the though crossed my mind that maybe he was dead. I took a few picture and then attempted to prod the snake with my boot. Still no response from the reptile.

I began taking more pictures, working my way around the snake’s position. After traversing 180 degrees I could see the snake’s head. It looked OK. A closer examination of the body showed that the snake was breathing.

There was still no reaction from the snake even as I returned to my original position. I decided to gently prod the snake with a stick. That did the trick! The Western Ribbon Snaked coiled itself up into a defensive position in the blink of an eye.

I managed just a few pictures before the snake beat a hasty retreat.

County	-	Dallas
City	-	Dallas
Date	-	Apr 1, 2012
Time of Day	-	Afternoon
Temperature	-	Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather	-	Clear
Habitat	-	Recreation-Park
Type of Behavior	-	Stationary
Gender	-	Uncertain
Maturity	-	Adult
Observer	-	Chris Jackson
Main Article	-	Western Ribbon Snake	Observation Location

Tufted Titmouse – Lake Highlands Sighting

Tufted Titmouse No Responses »

Mar 182012

Not much of note with this sighting. I’m just documenting a Tufted Titmouse in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, Texas.

County	-	Dallas
City	-	Dallas
Date	-	Mar 17, 2012
Time of Day	-	Afternoon
Temperature	-	Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather	-	Cloudy
Habitat	-	Recreation-Park
Type of Behavior	-	Stationary
Gender	-	Uncertain
Maturity	-	Adult
Observer	-	Chris Jackson
Main Article	-	Tufted Titmouse	Observation Location

Tricolored Heron – UTSWMC Rookery

Birds, Tricolored Heron No Responses »

Dec 062011

A rare Tricolored Heron at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Rookery in Dallas, Texas.

County	-	Dallas
City	-	Dallas
Date	-	Apr 18, 2009
Time of Day	-	Afternoon
Temperature	-	Cool (50-69°F/10-21°C)
Weather	-	Clear
Habitat	-	Undeveloped-Wooded
Type of Behavior	-	Stationary
Gender	-	Uncertain
Maturity	-	Adult
Observer	-	Chris Jackson
Main Article	-	Tricolored Heron	Observation Location

Blotched Water Snake – Small Pond, Small Snake

Blotched Water Snake, Reptiles No Responses »

Oct 102011

I photographed this juvenile Blotched Water Snake in a small, ornamental pond at the Elm Fork Nature Preserve in Carrollton. This juvenile Blotched Water Snake was very small. In these pictures look for minnows and a spider, as these will help you judge the snake’s actual size.

County	-	Dallas
City	-	Carrollton
Date	-	April 23, 2006
Time of Day	-	Afternoon
Temperature	-	Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather	-	Clear
Habitat	-	Water-Pond
Type of Behavior	-	Stationary
Gender	-	Uncertain
Maturity	-	Juvenile
Observer	-	Chris Jackson
Main Article	-	Blotched Water Snake	Observation Location

Spiny Oak Slug Moth – In the Late Summer Sun

Insects, Spiny Oak Slug Moth No Responses »

Sep 272011

This intriguing caterpillar was photographed on a sunny, late summer morning in Grapevine, Texas. The caterpillar is surprisingly small at approximately 0.5in/1cm in length.

County	-	Tarrant
City	-	Grapvine
Date	-	September 25, 2011
Time of Day	-	Morning
Temperature	-	Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather	-	Clear
Habitat	-	Residential-Single Family
Type of Behavior	-	Stationary
Gender	-	Uncertain
Maturity	-	Larva
Observer	-	James P.
Main Article	-	Spiny Oak Slug Moth	Observation Location

American Bird Grasshopper – Big Bird

American Bird Grasshopper, Insects No Responses »

Jul 192011

This large grasshopper was over 3in/76mm in length.

County	-	Denton
City	-	The Colony
Date	-	November 7, 2009
Time of Day	-	Afternoon
Temperature	-	Cool (50-69°F/10-21°C)
Weather	-	Cloudy
Habitat	-	Agricultural-Pasture
Type of Behavior	-	Stationary
Gender	-	Female
Maturity	-	Adult
Observer	-	Chris Jackson
Main Article	-	American Bird Grasshopper	Observation Location

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