NatureNotes

Mon-Fri, throughout the day
  • NatureNotes
    SC Public Radio

Naturalist Rudy Mancke, host of ETV's NatureScene, shares his knowledge of plants and wildlife each weekday on NatureNotes. These 1-minute snippets offer you a chance to find out about diverse topics having to do with the natural world. From the inner workings of our world's ecosystems, to plants & animals unique to South Carolina, to tips on beautiful sites to visit, you'll learn more about the world around you on NatureNotes.

Ways to Connect

Happy Summer Solstice!

By • Jun 21, 2018
NatureNotes
SC Public Radio

Today is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Eastern Lubber Grasshopper Nymph

By • Jun 20, 2018
An Eastern Lubber grasshopper nymph.
Colinblenis [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

The nymph of the Eastern Lubber grasshopper is almost black, with a yellow stripe down the back.

Coral Snakes in South Carolina

By • Jun 19, 2018
This Northern Scarlet snake is sometimes mistaken for a Coral Snake.
Glenn Bartolotti, via Wikimedia Commons

If you happen upon a snake with bands of red, yellow, and black that has red and yellow bands touch, the is an Eastern Coral snake. Beware! Otherwise, you may be looking at a "mimic," like the Northern Scarlet snake.

A Wilson's Plover Near Winnsboro?

By • Jun 18, 2018
A Killdeer with its nest and eggs.
Mykola Swarnyk via Wikimedia Commons

Wilson's Plover is a coastal bird. Killdeer is an Upland Plover that is common all over South Carolina.

Rattle Bush... a Barbadian Plant?

By • Jun 15, 2018
Rattlebush
Dinesh Valke [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

A listener spots a  plant in Barbados that is similar to Rattle Bush. The latter was introduced initially in Florida.

The Great Leopard Moth

By • Jun 14, 2018
The Great Leopard Moth.
Arnstein Rønning [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

This moth is common in South Carolina. It over-winters as a caterpillar and builds its cocoon in the Spring.

A Brown Widow Spider?

By • Jun 13, 2018
An Orchard Orb Weaver Spider, Jekyll Island, GA.
gailhampshire [CC BY 2.0] via Flickr

The Orchard Orb Weavers have red markings on the belly, but, are much smaller than Brown Widows.

The Snake in the Wheel Well

By • Jun 12, 2018
Red-Bellied Watersnakes. An unusual group photo, probably one female in the tangle being pursued by 3 males.
Vicki DeLoach [CC BY 2.0] via Flickr

The Red-Bellied Watersnake is common in South Carolina. They are non-venomous.

Anhingas at Huntington Beach State park

By • Jun 11, 2018
An Anhinga.
Wknight94 [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons

A listener spots some "crazy" birds at Hunting Beach State Park...

Mullberry Trees

By • Jun 8, 2018
Leaves and fruit of a White Mulberry tree.
stux [CC0 1.0] via Pixabay

There are two kinds of Mulberry trees in South Carolina. The White Mulberry was introduced. The Red Mulberry is native.

Hellgrammite

By • Jun 7, 2018
A Hellgrammite.
Bob Henricks [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Not fond of Dobson Flies? You won't like its larval form much better.

Snakes and Lizards

By • Jun 6, 2018
A Black Rat Snake.
Stephen Lody Photography [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Listeners report sights of snakes... and of an snake "impersonator."

Spotted Wintergreen

By • Jun 5, 2018
Spotted Wintergreen in flower, with fruit.
dogtooth77 [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Spotted Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) is a "lovely little plant."

Cannonball Jellyfish

By • Jun 4, 2018
Cannonball Jellyfish at Smyrna Dunes Park.
Andrea Westmoreland [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Found on Folly Beach...

The Crows and the Bard Owls

By • Jun 1, 2018
A Bard Owl
John Triana [CC BY 3.0 US], Regional Water Authority, Bugwood.org

Why would Crows harass Bard Owls?

Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly

By • May 31, 2018
Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
James Holland [CC BY-NC 3.0 US], Bugwood.org

A listener spots a Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly.

Eastern Phoebe's Nest Invaded

By • May 30, 2018
A Brown-Headed Cowbird
naturespicsonline.com [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

A Brown-Headed Cowbird is a brood parasite.

Wood Storks

By • May 29, 2018
Wood Stork
Irene Atkinson, Bugwood.org

A listener spots a pair of Wood Storks...

Mantis Shrimp

By • May 28, 2018
A Mantis Shrimp
Roy L. Caldwell, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley (National Science Foundation) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

This shrimp has front appendages reminiscent of the those on a Praying Mantis.

Heart Urchin

By • May 25, 2018
A Heart Urchin, Brissus latecarinatus.
Philippe Bourjon [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

An interesting find on Fripp Island...

Ring Necked Pheasant

By • May 24, 2018
A Ring Necked Pheasant
Becky Matsubura [CC BY 2.0] via Flickr

A beautiful bird spotted in Ridgeway--is it native?

The Southern House Spider

By • May 23, 2018
The Southern House Spider
Edward L. Manigault [CC BY 3.0 US], Clemson University Donated Collection, Bugwood.org

A mighty big spider in the basement...

The White Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar

By • May 22, 2018
The White Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Distant Hill Garden [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0] via Flickr

The bristles on this caterpillar can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Lyre Leafed Sage & Dog Hobble

By • May 21, 2018
Lyre Leaf Sage
Scott.zona [CC BY-NC 2.0] via Flicr

Listeners ask about two plants with descriptive common names.

The Snake on the Porch

By • May 18, 2018
Eastern Garter snake, Florida.
Glenn Bartolotti via Wikimedia Commons

The Eastern Garter snake is common in South Carolina.

The Wool Sower Gall

By • May 17, 2018
A Wool Sewer Gall.
Jessica Lucia [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0] via Flickr

This fuzzy gall is always found on White Oaks.

The Tulip Tree

By • May 16, 2018
A Tulip Tree in flower.
Erica Maxine via Pixabay

One common name for this tree is "Tulip Poplar." However, it is not in the poplar family, but in the magnolia.

A Tale of Two Woodpeckers

By • May 15, 2018
NatureNotes
SC Public Radio

Woodpeckers will sometimes compete for already-existing holes.

Spring is Time to "Wake Up and Smell the Privet."

By • May 14, 2018
Chinese Privet
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

Privet, or Ligustrum japonicum, is a naturalized plant, and can be hard to control. Its flower has a strong, sweet odor.

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