Monday, September 28, 2015

Monday Punday


Saturday, September 26, 2015

Mars, here we come!

Today was the Virginia Science Festival in Roanoke. I really enjoyed listening to the research being done to get humans to Mars. There is a special, light-weight material called zylon that can withstand very high temperatures (for entry) and is built into stacked rings to help with landings. This astronaut-model was present, illustrating the new and improved spacesuits. The material was strong but lightweight as well. So much STEM and STEAM taking place today with kids everywhere. It was GREAT!!!! Thanks to all sponsors for making this happen.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Snakes are not enemies!

This is mole kingsnake, left. It is a skinny, 2'-3' long snake that usually remains underground and eats insects, a few mice, and maybe some frogs here and there. Sure, if cornered it may bite, as any animal might. It is NOT a copperhead. I stopped a couple of men from killing one today because they said it was a copperhead. Please realize that copperheads (shown below) have distinctly triangular heads, an obvious pattern, and is much fatter/thicker around.





This guy, right, is a copperhead. These pictures are fairly to scale, so you can see how much fatter the copperhead is, plus the pattern and head that are very distinct.

Snakes are good to have around!!!! Please don't kill one just because it's there. I know, I know, some of you are terrified of them. Not sure why that is, but just leave them alone out in the world, and they'll leave you alone.

I've had black snakes in my barn. They keep the mice under control.