We headed toward the abandoned house and I started to flip some cover. Andrea pointed something out to me... 5 feet from where I was flipping a board, a Common Snapping Turtle was doing her thing! Laying eggs, to be exact!
She was relatively small, about 12" from tip to tip of her carapice. I got a short film of her rocking... enjoy!
She gave us the stink eye, so we left her to her business.
There are three things that would turn out to be plentiful on this day. The first... Eastern Tent Caterpillars. (Thanks for the ID, E.S.C.A.P.E.!) This will be the only shot we'll share of one... (I'll tell you the other two as we get there...)
Flowers were popping up a bit too! Here are some Dianthus (Sweet William)
(Thanks for the ID Kirsten!)
We saw two Tiger Beetles doing it!
Next up, we found a young Eastern Milk Snake, always a pleasure! This guy had some shed retained under his chin...
I tried to help him get some of it off.
But he still had a dirty blotch.
He looks like Abe Lincoln in this shot!
The second thing that we saw tons of was... toads! We saw dozens of American Toads (no Fowler's at all!)
More toads coming soon!
The bunk-beds had a nice surprise for us... two Garter Snakes! They were both in different stages of shedding, but it might be that they were looking to mate(?). Either way, they were both very nice and charmed a small girl whose family was hiking by.
The smaller one has a nasty black scar on its cheek... missing scales and everything.
We released them and they didn't go far. The larger one even posed for some nice nature shots!
Need more toads in your life? Of course you do!!
Look at this little stubby-armed guy!
The third thing we saw (and heard) a ton of... Green Frogs! We approached a pond that was singing with de-tuned banjo strings... Green Frogs were getting frisky!
What's that you say? No Redbacks? Of course there were!! Well... one!
We put this picture on Facebook to see if anyone knew what it was...
It's about 4" across. It doesn't look canine to us, but who knows. We've gotten Bear, displaced Mountain Lion, Yeti, and other suggestions. We're still not sure.
Wildflowers continued to dazzle us...
We'd been told by a talkative runner that a Painted Turtle was laying in an upcoming path on our way. We were too slow to see her, but there was much evidence of newly dug turtle holes. This is the only Painted we saw, having a nice bask.
Hey- Crayfish are a Boyden first!
Sharing the pool were more Green Frogs!
Andrea's attempt to catch one of the frogs almost landed her in the pool...
How about a few more toads?
Heading back, we double-teamed and caught a quick little, skinny Garter Snake.
He calmed right down and seemed to enjoy his close-ups.
Need more toads?
Let me leave you with a shot of a spider web. This lil spinner incorporated a piece of screen that was on the bush to make the web. Or at least it looks like it.
5 hours well spent!
¡Hago de cuenta que voy con ustedes,Mike y Andrea de excursión,ja ja!!!!!Besos Martha
ReplyDeleteNos encantaría que nos acompañe en un paseo! (No la caminata de hoy ... las fuertes lluvias y el frío ...)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, but in the future I wish you would incorporate more toads! :). Actually your 'wildflower' shots interest me very much- so you said there is an abandoned house there? That makes sense because the flowers are not really wildflowers but in all likelihood planted by the former homeowner. I see Dianthus (sweet William) and phlox- they are gorgeous and two of my favorites. I have some of both varieties in my perennial beds. But as far as I know, they aren't native to Mass. Next time you go, dig me up a couple- they are gorgeous and obviously hardy transplants!
ReplyDeleteCool! The second batch are growing along the river, so who knows how they got there. The first shot is from the "fragrance garden" which is probably cared for from time to time. We'll be happy to grab some of the ones along the river for you if they are still there next time!
ReplyDeleteHi! Been reading your blog for a year or so..don't think I've ever commented. Just wanted to let you know that the caterpillar is an Eastern Tent Caterpillar (native), not Gyspy Month Caterpillar. Have you guys ever caught a Northern Redbelly Cooter (aka Plymouth Redbelly Turtle)? Thanks for sharing your adventures!
ReplyDeleteHi ESCAPE!! Thanks for the ID! That's how I learn!
DeleteSo far, we've not seen a Redbelly Cooter! We haven't spent much time in their area yet this year, but plan on some Plymouth County excursions soon. We still need plenty of herps found there... Box Turtles, Hognose Snakes...
Your kind words are much appreciated!! Thank you! (I'll also correct the post!)