WG's Snag Appreciation Program (SAP) contest

[Hedgerowe]

Staff has asked me to launch a contest seeking the best photo of a snag, to run for the next 90 days.

Briefly (according to The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds, Stephen Kress, p. 56), a snag is a dead or partially dead tree. Depending on "size, species of tree, and age since death...snags will provide homes for cavity-nesting birds, ranging in size from the turkey vulture to the prothonotary warbler. Snags also provide places for nesting and roosting, as well as homes for many forest mammals such as mice, squirrels, and raccoons."

Snags/dead trees are often removed by property owners. To be fair, there are often liability issues associated with dead trees. However, many are removed simply because they are "unsightly." I disagree. They are often quite sculptural, the more so as they age and loose limbs, becoming more spare and stark looking against the sky (Equlibrium's photo on the "snag" thread proves this beautifully).

That said, I hereby launch the WG's Snag Appreciation Program photo contest!

[Hedgerowe]

And here are two example photos (although I hope submissions by others will be more interesting than these!).

The first is a favorite perch for kestrels, I've noticed (although none showed up for this photo op). It is a small tree on my neighbor's property slowly being consumed by a wild grape, leaving this small snag exposed on top--a perfect perch at the edge of our field.

The second is a large maple near the barn (and just one of several dead limbs); there are often woodpeckers and the occasional great horned owl spending time here.

[bubbleoffplumb]

I LOVE this!!!!
what a great idea - I'll try for some pics today.

a question, tho.
does a snag have to be upright and still in the earth?
would a wood pile be considered a snag?
or a fallen tree?
I have all of the above -
one of my favorite perches are the limbs of a fallen pine.

eta:
"snag - a dead tree that is still standing, usually in an undisturbed forest" (from thefreedictionary.com)
"Tree snags--dead or downed trees in various states of decay"
Attracting Wildlife With Dead Trees - Garden for Wildlife - National Wildlife Federation

other than that - it appears a wood pile is simply a wood pile
(I'll post my pics of these on another thread)

[Staff]

You are so right bubbleoffplumb. Wood piles/habitat brush piles don't fit neatly into the snag category of a dead or downed tree. When members make statements like that, they leave us with no choice but to invite them to start the program they suggested.

bubbleoffplumb, you may do the honors of starting a new thread titled 'WG's Pile Appreciation Program' (PAP). Run it as a contest for 90 days and at the end you may judge which member has photographed the most worthy pile. We'll go into our National Wildlife Federation bag of donated goodies to see what we can give your winner.

This would be an ideal area for the harbinger of habitat (you) to start your PAP thread:
Habitat - Wildlife Gardeners - North American Wildlife Gardening

[Fearless Weeder]

Thank you Staff. Superb initiative. These programs compliment our existing contests exceptionally well.

Green Man will be along to determine what will be awarded as prizes for these photo contests.

[bubbleoffplumb]

L. O. L.
(right back atcha staff and fearless weeder)

I am gathering some information as we speak.
my camera battery is charging, too - so I can start off with a pic or two.

I will gladly accept that which you have bestowed upon me -

~ harbinger of habitat ~

I'm really more of an infomaniac than a grub.

p.s. i'll be sure to specify wood pile. the jokers here might have a hey day otherwise.
(I can hear them now snickering to themselves.)

[Hedgerowe]

bubbleoffplumb, I am charging my camera too. Will contribute to your PAP when it's up and running.

[Green Man]

THIS IS GREAT STUFF!!!!!

I would like to announce that


The winners of the contests will receive NWF's 'The Best of Backyard Habitat' Volume 1 DVD, it's personally signed by the David Mizejewski.

COOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!

[havalotta]

So it can be a tree either in an upright position or or down. Correct?

[Fearless Weeder]

Hedgerowe will need to answer that question.