Indulgence

This series explores the intersection of indulgence, excess, and addiction

Pituophis ruthveni

Number of Pages: 16Geological SciencesIntegrative Biolog

Use of Trees by the Texas Ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta) in Eastern Texas

We present information on the use of trees by Elaphe obsoleta (Texas Ratsnake) in a mesic pine-hardwood forest in eastern Texas. Using radiotelemetry, seven snakes (3 females, 4 males) were relocated a total of 363 times from April 2004 to May 2005, resulting in 201 unique locations. Snakes selected trees containing cavities and used hardwoods and snags for a combined 95% of arboreal locations. Texas Ratsnake arboreal activity peaked during July and August, well after the peak of avian breeding activity, suggesting arboreal activity involves factors other than avian predation

Use of Trees by the Texas Ratsnake (\u3cem\u3eElaphe obsoleta\u3c/em\u3e) in Eastern Texas

We present information on the use of trees by Elaphe obsoleta (Texas Ratsnake) in a mesic pine-hardwood forest in eastern Texas. Using radiotelemetry, seven snakes (3 females, 4 males) were relocated a total of 363 times from April 2004 to May 2005, resulting in 201 unique locations. Snakes selected trees containing cavities and used hardwoods and snags for a combined 95% of arboreal locations. Texas Ratsnake arboreal activity peaked during July and August, well after the peak of avian breeding activity, suggesting arboreal activity involves factors other than avian predation

Cooper’s Hawk Nest Site Characteristics in the Pineywoods Region

Early accounts describe the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi) as a species in decline in much of North America during the early twentieth century (Bent 1937), particularly when in close proximity to humans (Eaton 1914). This decreasing population trend continued to be recognized later in the century in both Texas (Oberholser 1974) and Louisiana (Lowery 1974). Shooting and trapping during the first half of the 1900s, and pesticide use (especially DDT) after World War II are suggested as primary causes of the decline (Henny and Wight 1972, Bednarz et al. 1990). The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1972 and the ban on DDT during that same year, along with changes in human behaviors and attitudes have guided Cooper’s Hawk populations toward recovery in areas negatively impacted (Bednarz et al. 1990, Johnsgard 1990). The overall North American population has increased substantially since the 1990s (Curtis et al. 2006), and the species is increasing as a breeder in parts of Texas, particularly in urban areas (Lockwood and Freeman 2004)

Concert recording 2014-04-27

[Track 01]. Introduction and dance / J.E. Barat -- [Track 02]. Three miniatures. Allegro / Anthony Plog -- [Track 03]. Three miniatures. Adagio / Anthony Plog -- [Track 04]. Three miniatures. Allegro / Anthony Plog -- [Track 05]. Concerto. Introduction-allegro / Corrado Maria Saglietti -- [Track 06]. Concerto. Adagio / Corrado Maria Saglietti -- [Track 07]. Suite for unaccompanied tuba. March / Walter Hartley -- [Track 08]. Suite for unaccompanied tuba. Valse / Walter Hartley -- [Track 09]. Suite for unaccompanied tuba. Sarabande / Walter Hartley -- [Track 10]. Suite for unaccompanied tuba. Galop / Walter Hartley -- [Track 11]. Sonata for euphonium and piano childs play / Barbara York -- [Track 12]. Apres un Reve / Gabriel Faure ; translated by Mead -- [Track 13]. Concerto in one movement / Alexei Lebedev -- [Track 14]. Tuba suite. Prelude / Gordon Jacob -- [Track 15]. Tuba suite. Hornpipe / Gordon Jacob -- [Track 16]. Tuba suite. Sarabande / Gordon Jacob -- [Track 17]. Tuba suite. Bouree / Gordon Jacob -- [Track 18]. Tuba suite. Intrada ; Mazurka / Gordon Jacob -- [Track 19]. Fantasia di concerto / Eduardo Boccalari

Concert recording 2013-04-27b

[Track 01]. Fantasia di concerto / Eduardo Boccalari -- [Track 02]. Apres un reve / Gabriel Faure -- [Track 03]. Arabesque / Joseph Turrin -- [Track 04]. Gabriel\u27s oboe / Ennio Morricone ; arranged by David Werden -- [Track 05]. Believe me if all those endearing young charms / Simone Mantia ; arranged by David Werden -- [Track 06]. St. James Infirmary / Joe Primrose ; arranged by Mike Forbes

Winter Movements of Louisiana Pine Snakes (Pituophis ruthveni) in Texas and Louisiana

Despite concerns that the Louisiana Pine Snake (Pituophis ruthveni) has been extirpated from large portions of its historic range, only a limited number of studies on their movement patterns have been published. Winter movement patterns are of particular interest since it has been hypothesized that impacts of management practices would be reduced during the winter. Using radiotelemetry, we determined winter movement patterns of Louisiana Pine Snakes (11 males, 8 females) in 5 study areas (2 in Louisiana and 3 in Texas). Movements during winter (November–February) were greatly curtailed compared to the remainder of the year; however, snakes occasionally undertook substantial movements. Relocations were typically within the snake’s previous active-season home range, and movements were more frequent in the early portion of winter. All hibernation sites were within Baird’s Pocket Gopher (Geomys breviceps) burrow systems at depths ranging from 13–25 cm. Louisiana Pine Snakes did not use communal hibernacula, nor did individual snakes return to previously used sites in successive years

The Bolocam Galactic Plane Survey IV: 1.1 and 0.35 mm Dust Continuum Emission in the Galactic Center Region

The Bolocam Galactic Plane Survey (BGPS) data for a six square degree region of the Galactic plane containing the Galactic center is analyzed and compared to infrared and radio continuum data. The BGPS 1.1 mm emission consists of clumps interconnected by a network of fainter filaments surrounding cavities, a few of which are filled with diffuse near-IR emission indicating the presence of warm dust or with radio continuum characteristic of HII regions or supernova remnants. New 350 {\mu}m images of the environments of the two brightest regions, Sgr A and B, are presented. Sgr B2 is the brightest mm-emitting clump in the Central Molecular Zone and may be forming the closest analog to a super star cluster in the Galaxy. The Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) contains the highest concentration of mm and sub-mm emitting dense clumps in the Galaxy. Most 1.1 mm features at positive longitudes are seen in silhouette against the 3.6 to 24 {\mu}m background observed by the Spitzer Space Telescope. However, only a few clumps at negative longitudes are seen in absorption, confirming the hypothesis that positive longitude clumps in the CMZ tend to be on the near-side of the Galactic center, consistent with the suspected orientation of the central bar in our Galaxy. Some 1.1 mm cloud surfaces are seen in emission at 8 {\mu}m, presumably due to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A ~0.2\degree (~30 pc) diameter cavity and infrared bubble between l \approx 0.0\degree and 0.2\degree surrounds the Arches and Quintuplet clusters and Sgr A. The bubble contains several clumpy dust filaments that point toward Sgr A\ast; its potential role in their formation is explored. [abstract truncated]Comment: 76 pages, 22 figures, published in ApJ: http://iopscience.iop.org/0004-637X/721/1/137