Non-birds at Chincoteague
Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is known for its ponies and its migratory birds but having such outstanding habitat on the island, you would expect to find some other hidden treasures!! The first hidden treasure can be easily locate on Chincoteague and called the Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel. This squirrel has been recognized as a subspecies of the fox squirrel and is listed on the endangered species list. I found it interesting that the Delmarva name come from where these squirrels had first originated: Delaware, Maryland and Virginia! I think they are adorable little squirrels to me!
Sika
Another great find at Chincoteague are the Sika (Oriental Elk) that were first released on the island around the 1920s. While out hiking at Chincoteague on Friday, I photographed some deer running across the wetlands and just assumed they were White-tailed Deer. But after hearing a presentation from a staff member from Chincoteague. . . . I was thinking back at how those deer were behaving differently and then I knew that I needed to look over those pictures again. Yep, I had photographed some of these Sika Elk and then needed to pull those pictures out of my recycle bin. The Gold-Star should go to Marg who captured an amazing photo of a male Sika while at the conference! Bravo photo Marg!
American Lady
Another highlight walking around the “Wildlife Loop” Friday morning . . . was when I located my first butterfly for 2009! While talking on the phone with Patty . . . . I was able to capture this one picture of an American Lady (CHECK) before it then disappeared into the marsh somewhere!
Painted Turtle
Frogs would plop into the waters edge before I had an opportunity to identify them to species. Saturday morning, Marg and I did find a few frogs in the road while heading out to the bird walk but they disappeared before we could return for a closer look. Other herps found where what I believe was Painted Turtles sticking their heads out of the water. But they do look a little different from the ones I regularly find in Allegany. O . . . . how I love Chincoteague!
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What’s not to love–what with cute squirrels, interesting deer, gorgeous butterflies?
Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
7 April 2009 at 10:55 pm
Great photos as always. What a wonderful place to visit. I like the fox squirrel too–don’t see them enough around here.
7 April 2009 at 11:00 pm
Great shots…Although we’re going to have to agree to disagree on the squirrels, of course!
8 April 2009 at 12:54 am
That is a classy-looking squirrel. Your photos are beautiful, as always. It’s fun seeing all the wonderful wildlife you saw on your trip to the refuge.
8 April 2009 at 2:59 am
It is great fun to see the other wildlife on your trip.
8 April 2009 at 4:24 am
Tom, I remember reading about the Delmarva squirrel a while back on another blog and thought it was weird that I’d never heard of it. Great image, are most of them grayish like that rather than rusty brown?
8 April 2009 at 7:07 am
That squirrel IS adorable! And aren’t ya glad you found out about the Sika Elk? To think you almost trashed that picture!! And yes, Marg did get a great capture there!
8 April 2009 at 9:18 am
That Delmarva Squirrel is so cute. Nice shot of the Sika Elk. I see why you thought they might be deer. Beautiful American Lady you have there, too.
8 April 2009 at 11:15 am
Wow! That is one seriously pale squirrel.
8 April 2009 at 1:17 pm
What a wonderful trip! I just love your photos. The squirrel is especially neat!
8 April 2009 at 4:27 pm
What a cool looking squirrel!! That sounds like such a wonderful place… just full of surprises. Thanks for taking us along Tom.
8 April 2009 at 4:49 pm
Wow! You were able to see and photograph it all while down there. American Ladies already! I’m still waiting to see a Cabbage Butterfly here!
8 April 2009 at 7:05 pm
@ KGMom – thanks and glad you ejoyed!
@ Joan – Thanks and I wish our fox squirrels would show up more!
@ Lana – Thanks and wouldn’t expect anything except! LOL
@ Linda – Thanks and it is great seeing so many different kinds of wildlife!
@ Lisa – it was, thanks!
@ Tom – all of them are that very light gray! They are interesting squirrels!
@ Bird Girl – I could have easily lost that picture and wouldn’t have known of my lifer!
@ Robin – Thanks and was great for sure!
@ John – I know right!
@ Threecollie – Thanks and was a wonderful trip!
@ Jayne – It is a great place and somewhere you should visit!
@ edvatza – hard to believe all this in about one day! What a great place this is!
8 April 2009 at 8:52 pm
Great pictures, I love that butterfly!
8 April 2009 at 11:41 pm
Nice sightings, and the squirrel especially is very cute!
9 April 2009 at 4:00 pm
I love that cute squirrel. We should look in the reptile field guide–see if that area has a different subspecies of Painted Turtle. I bet it does, being an island.
13 April 2009 at 1:55 pm