Heatwave. July 22nd, 24th and 31st.

 We're going through a rough patch these days. Our cat Luciano is sick and we don't know how much longer we have. Plus, I switched medications and I don't know if the new ones are working. Add to all of that, we've been in a heatwave for most of July. We're not alone. The whole country seems to be broiling.

On Friday the 22nd, we got out early to go to Plymouth. We actually got to the park at 7:30 AM but it was already over 80° and the chances of seeing any animals was slim. We checked out a new spot, called it recon then spent the rest of the time picking blueberries. The only animal we saw in Myles Standish State Forest during over 5 miles of hiking was... this Fowler's Toad.

Luckily he's beautiful.

So, we stayed inside that Saturday. By Sunday, things in my head were very very low. I was no fun to be around, all filled with worry and anxiety. But I pulled up my britches and said to Andrea, "Let's walk around the pond at the cemetery." So, that's what we did.

Yes, it was in the 90s but we took a slow walk and were instantly rewarded with a Red-ear standing proudly in the sun!

A Painted Turtle was more sensible, staying in the water.

A true Sun Turtle, this Painter was going for broke.

One thing that was a big surprise... small Bullfrogs were all over, even hanging out in the sun on the hot rocks, unphased by anything... even us.

We went over to a spot where we could sit next to the water. That is when something extraordinary happened.

We saw something coming at us from about 40 feet away...

As it got closer, we realized it was our old friend Whitey.

Now, we know he was just looking for a handout but it really was like seeing an old friend.

Then we looked to our left and saw this Yellow-bellied Slider coming up to greet us.

Then, as if we didn't have enough attention, a massive Red-ear that we have seen before swam up and started demanding our attention.

The three of them begged for food and ate leaves that they must have thought we put in there. It really was a miraculous thing and exactly what our souls needed.

From where we sat, we could see another Snapper face but he never came over to say hi.

We realized that we 'd been in the sun that whole time so we got up to move to a shadier spot, grateful for the time we got to spend with some wild, pet turtles. From where we sat, we saw a squirrel foraging the area we'd just left. Then Whitey, then the Red-ear also looked to see if we'd dropped any food.

The only other sighting we had before leaving was a Red-0ear swimming toward us. Our begging friend? Hard to say. Maybe.

It is really amazing just how much of a salve it is having a little interaction with nature. While it didn't end our worry and anxiety, it gave us a much needed respite. Emotional support turtles.

Things got even worse over the next week. We took Luciano to the ER and he got put on some medicine. At least we know what is wrong. Hopefully, he'll improve. Still, I have been unable to shake the worry and anxiety. But by Sunday, the last day in July, I suggested we take a walk around our favorite pond in Norfolk County to just get some nature and fresh air.

The water level of the pond was dreadfully low. Streams along the path were dry. When we did finally find some water up close, we were rewarded with some beautiful Painted Turtles, one foraging and one basking fabulously.

It was 90° and we knew we wouldn't see much. And we didn't. But everything was still beautiful. We finally flipped a small American Toad.

In a dry stream-bed, I figured I stood a good shot at some Two-lines or something. Instead, I saw a couple of Pickerel Frogs. One, a big-headed This Year's Model gave me the slip, but his bigger pal got his picture taken.

Andrea wanted to swim, so we went to the dock where you can do that. Just before she jumped in, we flipped a pretty Garter.

We spent around an hour at that spot. I looked all around for critters but saw none. Too hot for the Water Snakes that are usually there. It wasn't until Andrea was out, drying off and getting ready to go that she spied this perfectly camouflaged Bullfrog resting in the shady bushes.

Hey, 5 species isn't so bad when it's too hot for most animals... us included. But it was a welcome distraction and any day in nature isn't a bad day.

Post Vacation Blues. July 10th and 16th.

 It's hard to get back to reality after a wonderful, relaxing vacation. We still had a couple of days before going back to work. We went out on Sunday to one of our favorite spots in Plymouth County. It was going to be warm and sunny and we knew we'd see turtles.

Of course, it was warmer than we'd expected and most of the turtles we saw right away, Spotteds and Painteds, slid into the water as we walked by. This big Bullfrog finally threw us a bone.

A Spotted that took a dive surfaced again and I got a shot.

A small Painter didn't seem to mind our presence.

You don't see many prettier Bulls than this green guy.

We weren't seeing tons of turtles. Mostly, they were in the distance and somewhat in the water. Here's a few Painters.

Andrea spied a Fowler's Toad.

The story of the day turned out not to be turtles but Blackberries. We ate tons of them. Delicious.

A stoned looking Green Frog.

This is what I saw behind me for much of the day... Andrea inspecting berry bushes.

We made it to the big pond and had a sit-down. Turtles were basking in the distance. A line of Painters...

A big Redbelly flanked by Painters.

More Painterly sights.

We got to a good fishing spot and there was a couple of young men fishing. They were cool and we talked about nature and stuff. They mentioned that the only snake they'd seen was a "big black one" who was under a particular rock. I looked at the rock. Nothing. Then a head popped out. Eventually all 3 1/2 feet of this beautiful mama Water Snake popped out.

One of them pulled in a gorgeous Yellow Perch and held it for me to photograph before throwing it back. I decided to delete the photo after all... I was uncomfortable seeing it hanging there. Instead, I offer a couple of Bluegills.

The rest of the day was Painters.

While this might not have been a killer day in the field, it was nice and we got to see a lot of turtles and meet some good folks. If I had known then that I wouldn't get out in earnest for a few weeks, I might have appreciated it more.

The next week, we had obligations and couldn't get out. One of them, however, was within a mile of a big Garter spot we know of up near New Hampshire. We had a chance to take a look after the party (my pal Ryan is getting hitched) and discovered something interesting...

Every time we had gone there, it was May and the field was open and had lots of nice flipping. In July, it is practically a forest. No Garters for me. A couple of distant basking Painters was all I could spot.

Further on, I got a noggin.

We enjoyed watching some Bumblebees packing their pockets with pollen.

That's it for the entire weekend. And since then, we have been in a heatwave. Even early morning hikes are too hot for the critters. I'm typing this on the following Sunday and have only one Fowler's Toad to report. I doubt we'll go out today at all... 96° and humid. Why bother?

2022 continues to vex me.