Bet I Can Fit 3 Days Into One post. Sept. 7th, 8th and 9th, 2018

Mostly because the weather turned shitty and we didn't see a ton. But we were treated to some nice sights due to our perseverance and stupidity.

Friday, September 7th.

Andrea took the day off to attend my work party which was to be held at my boss's house in Stowe, MA. He lives right on the Assabet River in a gorgeous setting. She suffered through a half day of work with me, then we drove out to the house. On the way, we pulled over for a moment and saw a smug Painted Turtle up basking.


At the house, we were alerted by some co-workers that there is a resident Green Frog in one of his planters. There had been a few years ago, too. Prime anuran real estate.


I work with Ryan, a name familiar to the many many many many readers of this blog. He, Andrea and I went out to look out over the river. Ryan found this small Garter in the grass.

It calmed down and Andrea took it up to show the folks who wanted to see (and hold) it. She's a good teacher.

Painter noggins were poking up on the river's edge.



Our last sighting was a Green Frog near the edge. This might be my favorite frog picture of the year.


Saturday, September 8th.

We wanted to go to Brimfield, the major Massachusetts antique event that happens a couple of times a year. We also wanted to see animals. So, we headed out extremely early to take the turnpike west and get some hiking in at the Rat Snake place before going to shop. The morning was cool and it wasn't going to get very high into the 70s all day. It sounded perfect. We had high hopes.

After getting off the highway and on to the access road to the state park, we slowed down because I was seeing things in the road. We did a little morning cruising and saw this Eft standing tall on the morning asphalt.

Off to a good start.

Black Rat Snakes are endangered in Massachusetts. This place is a known stronghold for them. It is no secret. Maybe it should be. The main point of interest is this tree, and you can see why.

We saw no Rat Snakes but seeing the skins was very cool. We went to a nearby area to look under some boards and logs.

Now, I get it, kids. It's very exciting to flip a log and see a snake. I do it all the time. But you must replace everything to exactly how you found it!!! Some trophy herping asshat(s) had torn through this spot, obviously looking for a Rat to get lots of Facebook likes and a feather in his cap. But in the process, homes were battered. A large piece of plywood under which we have observed Ringnecks and Garters ("trash snakes" to these scumbags) had been thrown aside. Mercifully, between two planks, five new Garters (far from trash in my eyes) were coiled up.



The scene kept playing out... picnic tables, logs, boards... all flung aside in the mad search for, presumably, a Rat Snake. These kids obviously watched Steve Irwin, understood his love of snakes but totally missed his conservation and preservation points. They "herp" (a term I'm really not too fond of using any more thanks to these people) for kicks, for Facebook likes, to show off... not for any true love of the animals. These people make me sick and, in my opinion, are far worse for wildlife than the destructive "progress" that we're seeing elsewhere in our travels. These shit stains should know better but they're selfish assholes. Period.

So, yeah... I was getting a little angry. Andrea managed to find a couple of in-the-blue "trash snakes" trying to survive in a world gone stupid.



Our next two sightings show just how different Pickerel Frogs can look. Yes, kids... frogs are great to see, too. But you wouldn't know that.



This American Toad, flipped under a rock that was put back perfectly in place, was jet black.


The sun had been struggling to pop out but never really made it. Turtles were going to be tough, but we went down to a pond to take a look anyway. This happy Bullfrog greeted us.


Andrea spied this small Painter braving the cloudy day.


I spotted this guy before he dropped into the drink.


We explored a new (to us) path and I found an actual unflipped log! Between that and the cooler weather, this Redback was easy to find.

Ryan once told me that some "herpers" he met referred to me as "the guy who likes Redbacks more than anyone else". If that means I think they're wonderful animals that I appreciate seeing instead of thinking of them as trash, then yes... it's a title I wear proudly. I love 'em.

Andrea saw this Lady Beetle that looks a bit different than most. I'd gladly accept any ID help.


Our last sight was the same as our first... a beautiful Eft.

We went on and had fun in Brimfield (after sitting in traffic for a while... we'll definitely reverse it next time... shop first, hike later) but I remained a little pissed off about the wanton flipping of things by punk-ass little shits who should know better. As much as I loved him, yes... I blame Steve Irwin for this current crop of asswipes who just don't get it. I hope they get new hobbies soon... like sky diving without parachutes.

Sunday, September 9th.

The weather had gotten ridiculous. It wasn't supposed to get above 63° (and it didn't) and the sun never really made it through the clouds. With the cold wind, it felt raw and autumnal. September is usually the best month for critters other than May. This day was not great. Not that we didn't work hard and have a few bright spots.

We went to Plymouth County... you know where, to look for some First-of-Years that have stupidly eluded us thus far. Well, it was so damn cold that we soon knew we'd find nothing out and about and flipping wasn't going to produce much, either. Luckily, a massive piece of slate had two Ringnecks under it. Before replacing the heavy slab, we each grabbed one to move it. Here's mine.


Andrea's was a bit more feisty.


We finally got them together for a shot.


We visited an almost completely dried-up vernal, the location that inspired my first bit of fiction writing, coming soon in Midnight Tales #1. There wasn't mush moisture left in it but there was enough for this small Green Frog to hop out of it.


We walked around the bogs next. There were no turtles up because it was so damn cold. Frogs were fewer than usual but they're such hardy souls, those that were up were posing. The second guy took a step as I snapped the pic, making it much better!



This Pickerel made for an interesting photo. Since we never saw another this day, a butt shot will have to do.


A Green and a Bull posing the same... who wore my beloved 3/4 shot the best?


The frog-bog was far and away my favorite part of the day. You know... actually seeing animals.

We went to a turtle-centric spot in hopes of seeing hatchlings or a basking imbecile but we had no such luck. Andrea did, however, find two empty, successful hatched-out Snapper nests. Some good news for a change.



We took one more hike even though we were pretty tired and a little pissy because it was fucking Fall out. As we started our last walk, I said, "If we don't see a toad here, I quit." Not sure what I was going to quit... life, maybe? At any rate, Andrea saw this Fowler's Toad hopping on the edge of a field, hoping for some sun. Hopping and hoping.


And that was it, except for my 90th bird on the year, a Great Crested Flycatcher.


All in all, a bittersweet post from a bitter old man with a sweet wife. Friday was good... we saw a few animals instead of working. Saturday, we were treated to some wonderful animals but were reminded that our "peers" in hobbyland are a selfish gaggle of careless twats. And Sunday was a day of hard fought sightings in weather that reminded me that soon I will be miserable.

Oh well... second season Turtle Rescue starts up before too long.