Patriot's Day Herping! 4-21-2014

We skipped herping on Sunday, because it was Easter and it was cool outside. I'm not sure it ever hit 50°. It did get sunny, but hey... we herped at home with Lilah!


But the next day, Monday, we both had off for Patriot's Day and we were in for some sunny and warm weather. We decided to go to another turtle-centric place, this time in Middlesex/ Worcester County. We ran into some Marathon traffic (which is why we usually herp to the south on this day) but still managed to get there at about 11:30 AM... just as the weather was getting good n' hot and things were starting to hop!

Right off the bat, we had a Ribbon Snake slide out of the path and into the water, out of camera sight. Not again!! But Painted Turtles were all over the place!



Right off the path, Andrea spotted this Garter Snake who was weighed down with a nice big meal!


Aaaand... turtles.





Heading down to the water to look for frogs, we instead found a Ribbon Snake, making up for the one we missed earlier.



Further up the trail, we flipped a pair of Redbacks.


Then our first Four-Toed Salamander of the year, who was but a shadow of his former self. The break looked somewhat new, maybe from earlier this year.


It's about time for some Painted Turtles, wot?!




While I was photographing a leaf that I was so sure was a turtle, Andrea spied our first (and only) Nerodia of the day! This place is usually filled with Water Snakes, but not yet this year. This familiar gal was catching some rays.


^The genius at work...

I need more turtles... it's just how I am! Deal with it!



This one sat tight while I got in really close for a front shot!


Then we met what we consider to be the most accommodating Garter Snake we have ever met. It started out tough, as I had to catch him for a photo. He went all flat and even bit me once.

Then he calmed down.

And we found we could put him in different poses!


We took about 40 pictures of him and then he slithered off.

We kept going on and eventually saw a Green Frog!


Then Andrea spied this Garter...


Then I saw a small Garter dart into some leaves. I was rooting around, looking for him and Andrea pointed to a small Garter about 3 feet away. Was it the same guy? Damned if I know, but this one was a beautiful young snake!


Another Green, this time photographed badly.


Then, Andrea almost stepped on this guy!


This was turning into a very Garteriffic day! And we had missed getting shots of a few fast ones that we saw too!

This wee Painted was just as charming as he could be.


We had started back around the trail again and got to our pre-planned turn-around point. Then Andrea said- "Look who's coming our way".

This Garter had a meal on his mind and was on a mission. He paid absolutely no attention to us as he scoured the area.

We watched him for a bout 20 feet, poking around the edges of the water, turning back and moving on. He made such a pleasant, whispering sound as his belly moved through the leaves. That's what it's all about.

Somehow, Andrea saw this teeny Ribbon Snake! Squeeeeee!



A couple of Painteds gave us the side-eye, in honor of our friend Terri!


We have finally reached the Big Year's half-way point with this, #50, a Tree Swallow!


Then we added herp species #8 for the day... Bullfrogs!




Almost to the car, it happened again... in almost the same spot! A Ribbon slid into the water! Was this the same guy as before? Maybe, but he stopped long enough for us to get pictures this time!


So, shee-it! 8 species, about 10 snakes photographed (3 species)... this is the best Monday in a long while!!! And this treasure was all in roughly four hours!! What a wonderful day!