This morning David Kramer from Virginia Tech gave a rocket net demonstration to Tami Ransom's Wildlife Techniques class from the U.V.A. Biological Station. The net was set-up at the Old Horse Barn on Mountain Lake Conservancy & Hotel property. David uses this type of rocket net for capturing large birds of prey, particularly golden and bald eagles and vultures. The net is set up next to a lure, an animal carcass, so the net quickly covers and traps the bird while it is on the ground.
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| The rocket launch set up |
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| Kramer showing the class how to set up the wire fuse |
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| Testing the voltage |
A video of the net being launched. The loud noise startled me so the shot is a bit shaky!
A portion of Kramer's research is studying the Golden Eagle, which now winters in the Appalachians of Southwest Virginia, but then migrates north to Canada to breed. Kramer and his associates band the eagles in addition to attaching a radio transmitter that tracks the eagles.
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| Post-launch, this net is 40' x 60' |
The walk back along the Lower Jungle Trail on this fabulous Friday on the mountain offered stunning fungal views and melodic bird songs.
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| Hemlock varnish shelf fungus |
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| Reference shot for the size of the Hemlock tree with fungus |
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The song of the Wood Thrush and call of the Pileated woodpecker.
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