Got Turtle (pics)?

An Eastern Box Turtle peers curiously at your narrator from the protection of his armoring. Perhaps you, too, are a turtle aficionado and enjoy documenting the animals on pixels (or film). If so, you may want to consider submitting your best stuff for the next Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp competition.

The "OWLS", as it's known, was launched by the Ohio Division of Wildlife in 2010, and featured a photo of a Baltimore Oriole. The stunning image that graced that inaugural stamp was taken by Ohio photographer Russ Reynolds. The 2011 OWLS sported an Eastern Amberwing dragonfly; the 2012 stamp depicted a Spotted Salamander, and the current stamp is graced with an image of a Black-capped Chickadee.

Getting right up in the grill of suspicious subjects such as this Midland Painted Turtle is not necessarily easy, but if you've done so and snagged some good images, you might be the next OWLS featured photographer. Any species of native Ohio turtle - there are a dozen species - is eligible. The deadline for submission is August 16, and all of the details are RIGHT HERE.

Would such a mug as this Common Snapping Turtle possibly be pretty enough to feature on the stamp? Who knows; that's for the judges to decide. Once all of the entries are collected, the judging will take place by an esteemed and knowledgeable panel of jurists in early September. Whoever's photo is declared the winner will see vast fortunes ($500) and widespread fame come their way.

Cute as a button but looking rather surly is this Spiny Softshell Turtle. It's a hard animal to approach, but would certainly be a worthy OWLS subject.

The Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp exists to raise funds for habitat protection, endangered species research, and educational efforts related to wildlife. Perhaps you've seen those nifty booklets that the Ohio Division of Wildlife produces - birds, spiders, butterflies, dragonflies, mammals, etc.? The OWLS stamp helps fund such outreach, and to date about one million of those booklets have been given out to Ohioans (they're free).

So, if you've got a candidate turtle photo for the stamp - or manage to get one soon - consider submitting it. Again, all of the details ARE HERE. If you want to purchase a stamp, current or past, GO HERE.

New Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp winner

The Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp was introduced in 2010 as a vehicle by which anyone interested in conservation of Ohio's natural resources and its wildlife could help. The OWLS stamp is the product of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, and features an animal selected by the Division. The stamp's price tag is $15.00, and $14.00 of that goes directly to the Division's Wildlife Diversity Fund. These monies are used to fund endangered species research, habitat restoration, and production of educational materials. Perhaps you've seen the wildlife division's free booklets on Ohio's birds, butterflies, spiders, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, etc - this is the pot of money that funds that work.

The OWLS stamp features the work of Ohio photographers, who are encouraged to submit entries of the selected subject. The first year, Baltimore Oriole was chosen, and the winner was Russ Reynolds of Lima, Ohio. Dragonflies were chosen for OWLS II, and it was Sharon Cummings of Graytown, Ohio who won with a beautiful photo of a male Eastern amberwing. The latter is the current stamp, and it is available HERE.

Salamanders were the chosen subject for the 2012 OWLS stamp, and the winner was selected yesterday at the Division of Wildlife's annual Wildlife Diversity Partner's Meeting. Twenty-seven photographers submitted a total of 58 entries, and the meeting's attendees - who collectively represent an extraordinary pool of knowledge regarding Ohio's natural history - serve as judges.

And the winner is...

This beautiful photo of a spotted salamander, captured by Nina Harfmann of Pleasant Plains, Ohio. Although many outstanding photos of a diverse range of Ohio's salamander species was submitted, it was this image that was the clear standout. It'll be available in stamp form on March 1, 2012.

Nina writes a natural history blog entitled Nature Remains, and you can see many other examples of her work there. She is also a talented writer, and you'll enjoy reading her essays and tales of exploration.

Congratulations, Nina!

Northern Dusky Salamander

A Northern Dusky Salamander, Desmognathus fuscus, peeks at your blogger from the chilled waters of a woodland rill. I had the good fortune to encounter several of these extraordinary, if rather bland-looking salamanders the other day.

The northern in this species' name is apropos. It ranges throughout the New England states, and south along the mountains and west into Ohio. While locally common here, its range includes only eastern and southern Ohio.

Quicksand-colored and unadorned, duskies won't blow your socks off with flashy coloration. The same is not true of some of their mates, such as the Mud and Red salamanders, both of which can occur as companion species with the Dusky Salamander. In fact, both of those bright red species are known from the very springhead where I photographed this animal. Just wasn't my day to find them, but I was quite pleased to find the duskies.

Finding any salamander is always a treat. It's a bit like treasure-hunting, and the quick, casual observer will not be rewarded. One must tun rocks and logs, and in many cases wallow in boot-sucking muck. And to do it right, exercise care. You shouldn't behave as a bull in a china shop, but rather turn the objects slowly and with caution, and replace all just as it was.



Here's a challenge for you photographers. The third iteration of the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp (OWLS) will feature a salamander. Submissions will be voted upon by a panel of judges, and the winner's shot will grace this beautiful stamp. Stamp proceeds go to fund habitat acquisition, research on rare species, and educational efforts about natural history. Read more about the stamp HERE.