Fairly quickly, a flip revealed a pair of Redbacks, one of them a Leadback! But look at that... so much going on under that brick. Woodlice, grubs... lots of cool things. There was actually a gold-top Redback that I didn't even see before it scooted off.
We didn't see much after that, but we enjoyed the walk. And then Andrea struck. I have no idea how she does it but she found an overwintered hatchling Painted Turtle on the grassy path along the train-tracks. (Formerly Racer Alley)
And then another...
She put it near the water after making sure no Bullfrogs were about.
And then another! Damn, she's good!
I finally contributed with a small Water Snake.
That was a decent 3-mile walk. We made it to Andrea's mum in time to make a good lunch and eat some chow. Well done us!
The next day was Patriot's Day in Massachusetts. They run the Boston Marathon that day and Andrea took it off. We were unsure if we had the stamina to go out again but we eventually decided what the hey... let's go out to Middlesex County and see if we can spy a Blandings. We'd not seen one on our last time out there and knew they were up by now... a friend had seen some.
We got out there by 10:30 and it was cloudy but in the low 60s. It seemed like it would be OK. We were greeted by some Bullfrogs, something we'd been hoping for all weekend.
An intrepid Painter was basking. The sun looked as though it was making an effort to come out despite the forecast. Maybe this turtle knew something we didn't.
I flipped a log that split on me, upsetting a Redback. My only course of action was to pose him on the split and apologise.
Our first Red Squirrel on the year.
I wasn't sure if any Blandings would still be left in their overwintering spot but I walked the hill next to it anyway. I was rewarded with our first glimpse of one this year on the top of the incline. It was already in its shell (probably heard my "stealthy" approach) and pulled in ever further when I reached her. So, this is all I could get, despite waiting nearby for 10 minutes.
Still, target achieved! Now to look for more critters!
This double Redback photo is as-flipped. They were yinging and yanging!
The sun was indeed coming out and Painted Turtles were stacking up on many (distant) basking spots.
I think there are 21 here. ^
I see this next shot as the ultimate "You don't KNOW me!"
Here's a Painter who has no interest in chorus lines.
A couple more Bullfrogs!
Our first and only Garter Snake of the weekend. Scared the shit out of me when he took off, he'd been unseen next to my foot.
Andrea pointed out the massively plump Bullfrog on shore and right under it, our First of Year Green Frog! Finally!
This is a perfect photo of a young Painted Turtle. Except for the stink-eye he's giving me.
Andrea took a rest while I cut through some woods to try to spy on a pond that we could see through the trees. Luckily, leaves haven't started to come in yet so I could proceed slowly and keep an eye out. About 50 yards from the water, I saw some shell-shine and shot my lens way out, searching. There was a bunch of Painters and a bigger shell out there which turned out to be a Blandings. This is the best I could do from that distance, through the trees.
Ah, well. At least I can tell what it is. All turtles were long gone by the time I got any closer. I never even heard a splash.
My last sighting is my favorite... a wife in her favorite habitat.
Not a bad weekend. We added 4 more First-of-Years and got plenty of exercise and fresh air. Knowing we wouldn't be able to get out the following weekend (prior commitment), we're glad we put the effort in. But maybe a few lunchtimes will happen during the week. Who knows? (I do. We did get out twice and saw stuff. The post will be forthcoming.)
Gorgeous nature captures.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
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