April 15th- Day 3 at Ponk!

Despite having gone out the night before, we were up and ready to herp and pulled in to the Ponkapoag parking lot by 11 AM. Later than planned but still not bad.

We started off with a Redback, which is often the case... This one is a sexy redhead!


Then a Pickerel Frog.


On the way to the dam, a Garter Snake streaked away from me. Oh no! Not again! I couldn't find him anywhere. No photo...

Our favorite vernal pond was still viable, despite the dryness of the season. Some Wood Frogs were enjoying themselves in it.



The eggs weren't there anymore... as we were wondering what happened to them, we noticed tiny movements. There were bunches of tiny tadpoles, Green Frogs? Wood Frogs?


Walking out from the vernal pond, another Garter streaked past. No photo...

I took my usual side along the dam, but there were many hornets about, so I couldn't get TOO into it. Andrea, on the pond side, was having great luck with turtles! Like this Spotted Turtle!


and these two Painteds (one in mid-hoist!)


A wee micro-Painted!


Meanwhile, I had seen a very small Ribbon Snake, much like the one from Cutler the day before, disappear into a clump of grass. Of course, I got no photo. This was shaping up to be another humiliating day!! At least the snakes were up and about, even if I couldn't get any shots!

Andrea had found a Bullfrog...


and possibly the most beautiful Spotted Turtle I've ever seen!


I did manage to film my finger while recording some Spring Peepers who were calling in the pond!


Another hiker told us that up ahead there was a huge Bullfrog. He was right!


This wee Painted (about 3" long) was cowering nearby. He would have been but an appetizer for that frog!


I finally redeemed myself while flipping for Redbacks... a lovely (almost reddish?) Garter Snake was coiled under a log. He put on quite a display!

(This is his impression of a bookmark!)


He calmed right down and was another candidate to handle without actually holding...



A couple walked by and a woman (whose accent I couldn't identify) was charmed and fascinated by the lil fella and held him... her first snake ever! I mean, who COULDN'T be charmed by this face?!


Green Frog!


At a spot that always SEEMS like a great spot, but hasn't really produced much over the years, I found our first Ringneck of the year!

Beautiful bright orange belly and gun-metal blue-slate on top!



Andrea followed up with the next one! A more yellowy belly, to match her kit!

A lighter back as well...


Guess what our next snake was? A Ringneck!! Andrea also got this one for closer inspection...

This one was nearly black on the back!


As we made our way down the trail, feeling better about our over .500 average, and wondering why we use so many baseball analogies, I pointed to Andrea's feet and said "photo"...

This guy was in cobra pose, doing his yoga for us...



After taking pics, we tried to catch him for close-ups. Andrea made a valiant effort, just missing while I got him by the tail. I got a musking for my efforts but he, again, calmed down and behaved nicely for the camera.



We released him and he went on his merry way.

On the way out, we noticed that while water has been scarce in Massachusetts this spring, where it WAS flowing, things were very beautiful!



This Bull Frog bid us adieu as we headed to the car.


Three days straight! Awesome weekend! With Monday off, could we... dare we... go for 4 herp trips straight? (We did. Sorry to spoil the next post.)