tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58354829077299637742024-03-15T13:41:26.472-07:00Hit Me With Your Nature StickNature Upside Yo HaidZantiMissKnithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039047551905267768noreply@blogger.comBlogger903125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-79657376914191738632024-03-15T13:40:00.000-07:002024-03-15T13:40:42.864-07:00Things Are Waking Up. March 2nd, 8th and 10th.Seeing some frogs and salamanders at the end of February did my heart a lot of good. We heard that it was going to be pouring on Saturday, March 2nd during the evening hours and, even though we'd just returned from Worcester around dinner time, we headed back out for some road cruising. Our destination was a State Forest in Plymouth.<br /><br />It really was pouring and the drive there was pretty scary. When we got to the park, we observed the 20 MPH limit and started scouring the asphalt for things crossing. I stopped at what I thought was something squished and was overjoyed to see a very much un-squished Spotted Salamander!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxYD0ZVKOzw3lm2YvKGr86ibJ1GfegLiRNyic2-6Av1_1E_QK-CTg8jcc0EkWlVeA3A1HbTU4nWLqAbznp9G99XXNvqJZt2MuVlQKyvcOtpZYdrMCdD91lRXqzkQaLPwZ7WvDgl7Va-yvXELFcRPXjI44Oqdvw8LuXvwpoa52QW4Ve4I526W6pSsL_YTr/s3901/DSCN1829.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxYD0ZVKOzw3lm2YvKGr86ibJ1GfegLiRNyic2-6Av1_1E_QK-CTg8jcc0EkWlVeA3A1HbTU4nWLqAbznp9G99XXNvqJZt2MuVlQKyvcOtpZYdrMCdD91lRXqzkQaLPwZ7WvDgl7Va-yvXELFcRPXjI44Oqdvw8LuXvwpoa52QW4Ve4I526W6pSsL_YTr/s320/DSCN1829.JPG" /></a><br /><br />While I was shooting that, our First of Year Peeper was hopping across the road.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT4YjlSf1peYdnjdNo_RC7n4xbcXAnIRHNXfUe5TC2qCWi6xB1eVqM2wxlLZo0qu_UEsaHe9jiq2HSMxHFSexU5oGtVKwfYggu2eEGLlBB23lrJheO9r1kM33Pk-BlKRC1UIGQ4GgrI7fWrq1lwHlH2WOsMpb_2GX3281apP0aEp-PqPYURA_2v1wzK-G/s2695/DSCN1830.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT4YjlSf1peYdnjdNo_RC7n4xbcXAnIRHNXfUe5TC2qCWi6xB1eVqM2wxlLZo0qu_UEsaHe9jiq2HSMxHFSexU5oGtVKwfYggu2eEGLlBB23lrJheO9r1kM33Pk-BlKRC1UIGQ4GgrI7fWrq1lwHlH2WOsMpb_2GX3281apP0aEp-PqPYURA_2v1wzK-G/s320/DSCN1830.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The rain was coming down in sheets and though it was in the mid-40s, it's possible that the force of the drenching was keeping some animals hidden. That's fine. We didn't see a lot of road-kill. Niot to many other cars out there, either. Peepers and Spotted Salamanders were braver than most of the other potential species.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0W9NRwgrWu5ftenFpP8mOWqnhuLaYIqyB0L1BoLcZSnNsKqnTge3lsp10yJmTzXUEZawgfK45U49kOeEK5_3V9shcZnAbLhv5yL7IMa19nOG8hIYOLtsqw7-HpLlq7KRkPGB81RV5myWz8qXRZGfst3RkV6M6XXIjLq94Zsx6xrYH-TtB-GxHExsEa-1K/s3148/DSCN1832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2361" data-original-width="3148" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0W9NRwgrWu5ftenFpP8mOWqnhuLaYIqyB0L1BoLcZSnNsKqnTge3lsp10yJmTzXUEZawgfK45U49kOeEK5_3V9shcZnAbLhv5yL7IMa19nOG8hIYOLtsqw7-HpLlq7KRkPGB81RV5myWz8qXRZGfst3RkV6M6XXIjLq94Zsx6xrYH-TtB-GxHExsEa-1K/s320/DSCN1832.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOanhvk82mWffTBob6bPrPHAaqnhAwwo8yH0cza2MI-n1XC_X8Q6VpeVchaxvsmy4onIjzUpb5r2WzIehBtIB6iiUfuGX1lkKcSDLo3RAZt4vhGvdR_Uclov0JkRoylLfa8ce2sKZBdIuk1ibMRWoGQFy2IDglqJFKxtmGKsgcR376V_btHC4zHSoPqTQ/s2433/DSCN1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2433" data-original-width="1825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOanhvk82mWffTBob6bPrPHAaqnhAwwo8yH0cza2MI-n1XC_X8Q6VpeVchaxvsmy4onIjzUpb5r2WzIehBtIB6iiUfuGX1lkKcSDLo3RAZt4vhGvdR_Uclov0JkRoylLfa8ce2sKZBdIuk1ibMRWoGQFy2IDglqJFKxtmGKsgcR376V_btHC4zHSoPqTQ/s320/DSCN1833.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9lGTpL8kqzBz7Vnnu2muL4xSOptKp4AXafXdYEKjbOPhcwkcWMfpy6mzp0HxUkI-FaGtOHzMXgjmVCN_ttrV5vR5omV4O6Wn1H-Ar_znASm1CKRLOI3SZoxPQra-xOKZWaLePtAeJJFAA1PrTsGLCf10u3nqTGs6B2Pnyt8NbBHlNzY8QZiAnbuOIGNQ/s2317/DSCN1834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1738" data-original-width="2317" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9lGTpL8kqzBz7Vnnu2muL4xSOptKp4AXafXdYEKjbOPhcwkcWMfpy6mzp0HxUkI-FaGtOHzMXgjmVCN_ttrV5vR5omV4O6Wn1H-Ar_znASm1CKRLOI3SZoxPQra-xOKZWaLePtAeJJFAA1PrTsGLCf10u3nqTGs6B2Pnyt8NbBHlNzY8QZiAnbuOIGNQ/s320/DSCN1834.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4uGKwV0KMW6LHo1Ara5Lxruz_IPI2KZMllWSgBv7nDwVtchJ2gyJ4A5qGdLcfwUyx34ccbny1aKYbU8mtkgP63fJenhj45DAvrlIL3u3RTI2kJpQ6VjC6pHz3HUf_9rzTQTV_dGxBImbmUC3bFVvnSnu_gZ8-eHvWGWCI-kcVhDI1LX7TrSgu_v_14GY/s3298/DSCN1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="3298" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4uGKwV0KMW6LHo1Ara5Lxruz_IPI2KZMllWSgBv7nDwVtchJ2gyJ4A5qGdLcfwUyx34ccbny1aKYbU8mtkgP63fJenhj45DAvrlIL3u3RTI2kJpQ6VjC6pHz3HUf_9rzTQTV_dGxBImbmUC3bFVvnSnu_gZ8-eHvWGWCI-kcVhDI1LX7TrSgu_v_14GY/s320/DSCN1835.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We broke things up with this confused little Bullfrog, our first on the year.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_TNrh2S8BpEjF8HCVQtvZMLZoncZJfTKpLtSBGHTI3FlTHZskKaNeLbbHPa6Zf1TFOaUQ2cqrRU2i4RmeXNL_XEJwaKP-ipCReyWFDPeITDnzz-qnqEUJZ0XOeGj7cb5V5WuoQmxRa7G_QtgAlNclg3shAjFOgw-T9388Cletu57JAZBvcqN_s-MMV2q/s3324/DSCN1836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2493" data-original-width="3324" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_TNrh2S8BpEjF8HCVQtvZMLZoncZJfTKpLtSBGHTI3FlTHZskKaNeLbbHPa6Zf1TFOaUQ2cqrRU2i4RmeXNL_XEJwaKP-ipCReyWFDPeITDnzz-qnqEUJZ0XOeGj7cb5V5WuoQmxRa7G_QtgAlNclg3shAjFOgw-T9388Cletu57JAZBvcqN_s-MMV2q/s320/DSCN1836.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>But the night was really all about Peepers. I moved dozens out of the road.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmHsvVFO57y-NtgM7MCwWHhrQgjriQz82dSaA_4PINjOJjEsQHN6UCKPvp_zFuuM4NMxqut_3qSwekpBnXzDi5QTyNX-W2Ed2Elv8JEaA3L9yNR4VUfBa7cv3xJ2beHyFJVLuKHf5HELfuMAPdvpV77y3moQ9_MDhwSWRT8V358y2QZ5DVzV_02id8qxH/s2605/DSCN1837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1953" data-original-width="2605" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmHsvVFO57y-NtgM7MCwWHhrQgjriQz82dSaA_4PINjOJjEsQHN6UCKPvp_zFuuM4NMxqut_3qSwekpBnXzDi5QTyNX-W2Ed2Elv8JEaA3L9yNR4VUfBa7cv3xJ2beHyFJVLuKHf5HELfuMAPdvpV77y3moQ9_MDhwSWRT8V358y2QZ5DVzV_02id8qxH/s320/DSCN1837.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It was a hair-raising ride home but, since I am bald, it didn't matter. We were toast after a full day and hours in the car but we regretted nothing.</div><div><br /></div><div>We didn't get out again until the following Friday. It was sunny and about 44° and Andrea had taken the day off. With the tons of rain we'd been having, we headed over to our close, local spot to see if there were many salamanders up. Might as well check the dens, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yep- a few Redbacks were seen first.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJlWdXePKlx3LWgUNw9lh1iHGmmmRVzVA9KzP0RoEs4-28sxo6PnZIIxKTXS30dR8x3_722AFkSBB5DevEkClVT4CkUlkxAFWwy8Z85AcTd3cHVvWxhJiXAjm8zTjBgwExsUgNx8SiBExsKVrLqpg1WcFi-A7g6M_OeLYkSFqQY2J_oop_YvN2hARLUS8/s3336/DSCN1838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2502" data-original-width="3336" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJlWdXePKlx3LWgUNw9lh1iHGmmmRVzVA9KzP0RoEs4-28sxo6PnZIIxKTXS30dR8x3_722AFkSBB5DevEkClVT4CkUlkxAFWwy8Z85AcTd3cHVvWxhJiXAjm8zTjBgwExsUgNx8SiBExsKVrLqpg1WcFi-A7g6M_OeLYkSFqQY2J_oop_YvN2hARLUS8/s320/DSCN1838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>This next guy was only 3/4 sized!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-PQB1mO1B1mjoESApsegCLWUOj8cxOaEAg_HUybJa0wAMs5LzUvOZRyVNcJXBCSSG-f4idpPNuKbfAG2pgRKqhThtyImlZrJOHw4EhoeujtQxYFX1-aUqwoZ3zp-CeOEp4zGbtU61ihowOuuaDUiIigrgh203XK41RMfKNzRAAmMSUkvNVmVtjZAicVc/s2817/DSCN1839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2817" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-PQB1mO1B1mjoESApsegCLWUOj8cxOaEAg_HUybJa0wAMs5LzUvOZRyVNcJXBCSSG-f4idpPNuKbfAG2pgRKqhThtyImlZrJOHw4EhoeujtQxYFX1-aUqwoZ3zp-CeOEp4zGbtU61ihowOuuaDUiIigrgh203XK41RMfKNzRAAmMSUkvNVmVtjZAicVc/s320/DSCN1839.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Cottonwood Dens weren't getting much of the cold wind that we were suffering through. Lo and behold, our first reptile on the year, our FOY Garter!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUzbNGwObcWPYWRPtWXwZcP_QlQlBh-E5Uv2sGrNG0_vppziMGbXxZubs5sYyXBkXXiYF7a-MZq-HwLvAG03iB5c3gc2a2A12_L9jNhxzOHTurP3bA48mb8TOlWndUpkfx-4ZPHCjDL7fBds82lbvO6unSLmsshvNCx6VRtdvQ_rbf2NVXOXLEfdsqKEF/s3014/DSCN1843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3014" data-original-width="2261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUzbNGwObcWPYWRPtWXwZcP_QlQlBh-E5Uv2sGrNG0_vppziMGbXxZubs5sYyXBkXXiYF7a-MZq-HwLvAG03iB5c3gc2a2A12_L9jNhxzOHTurP3bA48mb8TOlWndUpkfx-4ZPHCjDL7fBds82lbvO6unSLmsshvNCx6VRtdvQ_rbf2NVXOXLEfdsqKEF/s320/DSCN1843.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div>After striking out a Robles' Den and the Valley, we figured it was too cold, but no... two more frost-loving Garters were present there, as well.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWUbrOZcLD4n2S_3mmVIjGZklHIvUh9w-RUxRR8xH572oC_fjyfiNj8E6tSkhjRaIbrFmY4nS_Irs12NNAGdsKHSPd3tuHkW-CwH3t6A6wh5Q_BPLiVWC7IhvA8hbfGfFiRjamTz1ZcRokEqgymWWFcrkopBIGotc2TbZvWP2J5aIjxVsp_Q3VrAmuz_D/s3816/DSCN1845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2862" data-original-width="3816" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWUbrOZcLD4n2S_3mmVIjGZklHIvUh9w-RUxRR8xH572oC_fjyfiNj8E6tSkhjRaIbrFmY4nS_Irs12NNAGdsKHSPd3tuHkW-CwH3t6A6wh5Q_BPLiVWC7IhvA8hbfGfFiRjamTz1ZcRokEqgymWWFcrkopBIGotc2TbZvWP2J5aIjxVsp_Q3VrAmuz_D/s320/DSCN1845.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-zO-xgelaCYcq1Ih_Zd8NdBjn3xhsUtFzjhFnznzit7krB9DZKhqCZSl0eej01oys-bpkrLT3nph4IYL9iiqo0xKnacLVrBJJa2RuGvW496Yg60NVmZi-4Jec-NhqrrW7nCbtINX-QZNIpXRAfGFKRJqgDUDHjYuX8RDMp2PFWVaiit4O9M5NEpdKeyt/s2207/DSCN1847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2207" data-original-width="1655" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-zO-xgelaCYcq1Ih_Zd8NdBjn3xhsUtFzjhFnznzit7krB9DZKhqCZSl0eej01oys-bpkrLT3nph4IYL9iiqo0xKnacLVrBJJa2RuGvW496Yg60NVmZi-4Jec-NhqrrW7nCbtINX-QZNIpXRAfGFKRJqgDUDHjYuX8RDMp2PFWVaiit4O9M5NEpdKeyt/s320/DSCN1847.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I can't remember Andrea's logic but on the way back, she wanted to hit a hill where we rarely see stuff but have heard stories of "snakes spilling out" from some dogs walkers. It's next to water so we thought an Ambystoma or two were possible. I was up on a ridge and Andrea pointed to a spot I'd just walked past...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQjLLpzAHYkVviQ9H6L9ESmJ3bbAEf7eCkT1aLyDVptytlXykVXBAjHRcFz0dVzGH-OlMtz2lMLu7L1gFe_I92S0uMZWLmwEjl9bXZvGOcnU3F7w77M0pJYBGnV6zkD7CJiQ7YT3P3GNV5BiGpPcrqiK9CO4-PpovoZPyVg8fjGje3fP16D65B-xf3iur/s3456/DSCN1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQjLLpzAHYkVviQ9H6L9ESmJ3bbAEf7eCkT1aLyDVptytlXykVXBAjHRcFz0dVzGH-OlMtz2lMLu7L1gFe_I92S0uMZWLmwEjl9bXZvGOcnU3F7w77M0pJYBGnV6zkD7CJiQ7YT3P3GNV5BiGpPcrqiK9CO4-PpovoZPyVg8fjGje3fP16D65B-xf3iur/s320/DSCN1850.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div>I think we just found ourselves another potential densite.</div><div><br /></div><div>We ended the day with a nice Redback.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmk60dfwEtCRiYhmZvHEw-6RcAMrxLXSU_ThkHyCSyexvknF9oSufEjRm6m5qI3TQXkNUHQiyUbar5GJvCqmiaib4k3DWtrwWfmSJnnpHYnCCepa6cYGJrGwPsT0_a0pLquhJwrvJIp5XknJ3SJZAfIjypn_YkiVto607DfpmIIy-DB2tn0fXW3k8f0B_/s4608/DSCN1851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmk60dfwEtCRiYhmZvHEw-6RcAMrxLXSU_ThkHyCSyexvknF9oSufEjRm6m5qI3TQXkNUHQiyUbar5GJvCqmiaib4k3DWtrwWfmSJnnpHYnCCepa6cYGJrGwPsT0_a0pLquhJwrvJIp5XknJ3SJZAfIjypn_YkiVto607DfpmIIy-DB2tn0fXW3k8f0B_/s320/DSCN1851.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>The following day, it was cold and rainy. We stayed in. Sunday was unexpectedly sunny and about 50° so we went back. The sun wasn't staying out long, clouds kept moving in, but we stuck to it. We hit Robles' Den first. A dusty Garter!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykS97LEMGdP0mH2EvGg1G-raGOsEjm3Nrwbeah1opnxWzo_zPAt5IiZLeQGh3ilk74a5Dus_Hyb-jr7Vg1ip0Q46QIk4igPER99LLv47ed9K2OPE4RpaE6S1osp8CshuFmPbX-X-TbgkAOAeg419BcSa6dabKQziaXw-7hNQMNKkrxVag7blHGDcvsv3E/s4213/DSCN1853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3160" data-original-width="4213" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykS97LEMGdP0mH2EvGg1G-raGOsEjm3Nrwbeah1opnxWzo_zPAt5IiZLeQGh3ilk74a5Dus_Hyb-jr7Vg1ip0Q46QIk4igPER99LLv47ed9K2OPE4RpaE6S1osp8CshuFmPbX-X-TbgkAOAeg419BcSa6dabKQziaXw-7hNQMNKkrxVag7blHGDcvsv3E/s320/DSCN1853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>And right below him, a last-year's-model Water Snake, just as dusty. Our First of Year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl31A5F4U6dWgGJlxIyO2Iwq4KQfcj-uD6nGJLlpq2xhfXbAKUdbuS7x1lNLX-LXwE7mjz6xj8yzycK4MvUuwaLIZUMesCzQ6r_NNviU26oyQjvuybrH909-wTs8eHgkY_hc98xYRWVCTL17ffrGiX2M3ZCoe2nWnn5-H5YJZKu1UPhLdtq9qOMZObZHE/s3786/DSCN1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2839" data-original-width="3786" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl31A5F4U6dWgGJlxIyO2Iwq4KQfcj-uD6nGJLlpq2xhfXbAKUdbuS7x1lNLX-LXwE7mjz6xj8yzycK4MvUuwaLIZUMesCzQ6r_NNviU26oyQjvuybrH909-wTs8eHgkY_hc98xYRWVCTL17ffrGiX2M3ZCoe2nWnn5-H5YJZKu1UPhLdtq9qOMZObZHE/s320/DSCN1854.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Already worth the visit.<div><br /></div><div>A Redback that was under a log that has been beddy beddy good to us in recent times.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFxGQ5-AhKU9Uh7OQoVqeAoIxYCP8o3fqixohGYNiV82yaixQQkSQ9dDsAO7g9sPTQpSZ3fRf8231bQEILha6_gM55HoKIcvr2ZuQVdVXRArwAkBxWwH8Ev5bT6rjSntoeGCIX25IiwJWJVNjPozwe7Y7SVLQ8MnPoGy4x72d582nwfo4xIpy05e_DML6/s3217/DSCN1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2413" data-original-width="3217" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFxGQ5-AhKU9Uh7OQoVqeAoIxYCP8o3fqixohGYNiV82yaixQQkSQ9dDsAO7g9sPTQpSZ3fRf8231bQEILha6_gM55HoKIcvr2ZuQVdVXRArwAkBxWwH8Ev5bT6rjSntoeGCIX25IiwJWJVNjPozwe7Y7SVLQ8MnPoGy4x72d582nwfo4xIpy05e_DML6/s320/DSCN1855.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>In the two days since our last visit here, there was a lot of accumulated standing water. We figured we'd see more salamanders but this guy was our only one on the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Valley was more serpentine this day, too! Two more Garters.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishn_pIGWJavBmubLVSsqxTYtlHqfqtKo8cxpbVWqrcrsvCY069yz28tklMvna5kbdEantrol6laCyLWfAVYIWddTWX3CwFYFleJo6zs2L8HPPgYv7_oNFF4wlYHTz6RA5y89gCCejdhKrt9xXnCXSweWkl2qvBtGXFamtQZc0atVkCPsO13K63EVOCXCM/s4151/DSCN1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3113" data-original-width="4151" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishn_pIGWJavBmubLVSsqxTYtlHqfqtKo8cxpbVWqrcrsvCY069yz28tklMvna5kbdEantrol6laCyLWfAVYIWddTWX3CwFYFleJo6zs2L8HPPgYv7_oNFF4wlYHTz6RA5y89gCCejdhKrt9xXnCXSweWkl2qvBtGXFamtQZc0atVkCPsO13K63EVOCXCM/s320/DSCN1856.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTuqxOH_PRit54YxuAa7zOexZj2RtieLJGTzzzxZE9UKE9YzUiN3gkUILUc6DJfTckFNN_48nbjqXsS5kZ-Q2npG0h6Q9KfTDzQwVwS3TZDtWfPhNt6EtpST38EdOy1-B0jrn4RWclX7JXdwpAEV9K9UjZfKiN-6GiuTF56PdUYXFCiVvTfgDfVoGV8Ur/s3705/DSCN1858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2779" data-original-width="3705" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTuqxOH_PRit54YxuAa7zOexZj2RtieLJGTzzzxZE9UKE9YzUiN3gkUILUc6DJfTckFNN_48nbjqXsS5kZ-Q2npG0h6Q9KfTDzQwVwS3TZDtWfPhNt6EtpST38EdOy1-B0jrn4RWclX7JXdwpAEV9K9UjZfKiN-6GiuTF56PdUYXFCiVvTfgDfVoGV8Ur/s320/DSCN1858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div>We moved on to the Cottonwoods, expecting big things. Nothing. But our first visit to the Rock Wall Dens had our first Garters there in a couple of years. Andrea spied this one I'd walked right past... a very clean specimen.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQu8fcSrGuOQ7bn-vCAzfzX5YBdn7NOiICIuofQB0jAkYXwTq1sI-aN4vy_RMx3uxyLc4pKmgIPA34DwYG_oVwSdghDHLJvIsWQ-x0RWhGVGsr-Tx1XiwsIg2Q_peX7EpTVPJketrYHOKdN1Oyv8mJS-eR6RiVZVFAQn5iIX4h2d3KkHYZ3IFSXpv8LyF/s4119/DSCN1859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3089" data-original-width="4119" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQu8fcSrGuOQ7bn-vCAzfzX5YBdn7NOiICIuofQB0jAkYXwTq1sI-aN4vy_RMx3uxyLc4pKmgIPA34DwYG_oVwSdghDHLJvIsWQ-x0RWhGVGsr-Tx1XiwsIg2Q_peX7EpTVPJketrYHOKdN1Oyv8mJS-eR6RiVZVFAQn5iIX4h2d3KkHYZ3IFSXpv8LyF/s320/DSCN1859.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I chipped in with this stubby guy who <i>really</i> needed the Vitamin C to heal up that tail tip.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCquQQrWyMnwkfpVDrDsqW4o-2ceRC60OJugqwdSaX90zXbnUhw8gJpxL70twFhf6Aw8ulQuOi4uy4ISaY6Ek8xndwstHquqP3jQ9nyZyY6THVuR-722EY4R86T3MCBTTAXjK0FuaWtgvko12Nxv-w2FAdCxM4nTcZ0DQlAIzUWnaiGF1FvtAQu5JnhqeG/s3010/DSCN1862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3010" data-original-width="2258" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCquQQrWyMnwkfpVDrDsqW4o-2ceRC60OJugqwdSaX90zXbnUhw8gJpxL70twFhf6Aw8ulQuOi4uy4ISaY6Ek8xndwstHquqP3jQ9nyZyY6THVuR-722EY4R86T3MCBTTAXjK0FuaWtgvko12Nxv-w2FAdCxM4nTcZ0DQlAIzUWnaiGF1FvtAQu5JnhqeG/s320/DSCN1862.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><div>We heard some happy Wood Frogs, but that was it for the day. So, in three days, we'd seen snakes at five different hibernaculum areas here. This place is like having a nature show that you can visit. We've decided that we can't go back again any time soon. It might be cheating. But that's nine species of reptile or amphibian for the winter, and that's pretty good. Our friend Mike has about 19 now! The rules have all changed. Big Night doesn't really exist anymore. Things come out when the feel like it.<br /><br />If we can get out this weekend, we may see more Winter critters. The year is young and I am not, but I hope to have a fun 2024 in the field.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-39739400901273468142024-02-29T14:21:00.000-08:002024-03-01T12:46:01.218-08:00The February Post<p>It shore been a cold, cold wintah. (Mick Jagger- "Winter")</p>Mick ain't lying. We didn't get out too much. We snuck out on Sunday the 11th to go to Castle Island to look at sea ducks but it was really far too cold to stay long. I've decided freezing wasn't worth a larger bird count. There were a few resilient avians out, though, like a Red-breasted Merganser. (#10)<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwAdWEnFhm08vhMyWKBSoMrqYFqp9KdhBPUZBu0sNP1XhINc030NjcX3Vk_TxYsjpzf9_9Pna4jyXcyhdqH1_t52MKBxahvMrzVrU86XTVLWM6Oo3PVXLApseBTRjcX2pbFiSBcNVGZIpN8dRHu5HWm4GuPMLFFgNMtInWuc5ZCu_KX1EONqlM2fk8hw9/s2735/DSCN1773.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwAdWEnFhm08vhMyWKBSoMrqYFqp9KdhBPUZBu0sNP1XhINc030NjcX3Vk_TxYsjpzf9_9Pna4jyXcyhdqH1_t52MKBxahvMrzVrU86XTVLWM6Oo3PVXLApseBTRjcX2pbFiSBcNVGZIpN8dRHu5HWm4GuPMLFFgNMtInWuc5ZCu_KX1EONqlM2fk8hw9/s320/DSCN1773.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Purple Sandpipers are always a delight. (#11)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb13CUpCKjGFkUFEsmku4KwRtUlEw68t46MzpmXFQDvgzVm_qo_4ouVAjvlr22JUCQGj-Fi7Apk1qwogUSwVfX1Q7Hrh304VrIq54sAoMLhrVp1tgnprQwRb2aebFaO2Cwhv_KcGL_IS8BjkKzxbQk4uEe5WIIbpaaBp0jYCzUsO-rR0wDj8TJ0AvTffu/s3061/DSCN1774.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb13CUpCKjGFkUFEsmku4KwRtUlEw68t46MzpmXFQDvgzVm_qo_4ouVAjvlr22JUCQGj-Fi7Apk1qwogUSwVfX1Q7Hrh304VrIq54sAoMLhrVp1tgnprQwRb2aebFaO2Cwhv_KcGL_IS8BjkKzxbQk4uEe5WIIbpaaBp0jYCzUsO-rR0wDj8TJ0AvTffu/s320/DSCN1774.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>A male and female Common Eider. (#12)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F77GiNJ6tA3E2lRJDDsP-bRRETVH7kd4DIYMEqt363B5QS5GI2yWh9IiKNdnMOTkGP5IMnemUgqrXSi2EQQuTQwkEBvt8FOumNOULvjM64hTRrlOLQrxnqmzIM1Jxkkp1W8TQVQspfWNSZ2ZHzcU3o_U6JEBiAW3RL36HpYdEaS-brGEB1gP-wY_ub-K/s2734/DSCN1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2734" data-original-width="2051" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F77GiNJ6tA3E2lRJDDsP-bRRETVH7kd4DIYMEqt363B5QS5GI2yWh9IiKNdnMOTkGP5IMnemUgqrXSi2EQQuTQwkEBvt8FOumNOULvjM64hTRrlOLQrxnqmzIM1Jxkkp1W8TQVQspfWNSZ2ZHzcU3o_U6JEBiAW3RL36HpYdEaS-brGEB1gP-wY_ub-K/s320/DSCN1775.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>That was about it until the last week of the month when it got pretty warm and sunny. While we were stuck at work, some local friends were finding critters during daylight. Unfortunately, things cooled off as the sun went down. But rain moved in on a few warmer evenings and on Wednesday, Feb. 28th, some friends said they were going to visit the Haunted Swamp and we decided to join them. The temps were going to drop during the night but at 7:30 PM when we got there, it was still balmy. We headed across the earthworm studded soccer field and into the swamp.</div><div><br /></div><div>We heard no Peepers or Wood Frogs but I felt really certain that we'd see at least the latter. Other local friends had been lucky the night before. Our luck soon struck when we saw our first Reptile or Amphibian of 2024, a pretty Redback who was swimming in a puddle. I love to see them swim! Nice cirrus, man!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmDCL2rWKriw-iGDpZ4wYJ2Bkp0b7ZAl5_HsyQk0zUgLKQb8aHTehXXSF1uLFHIpb7mT1pA_Pflgt9Q4wFMeDCXfbwfuFFKbkniPkhT0gUimHNxvgEkNOq0rfTynOkMmYaLXblkI61CS9xCiX7pSbVdUxITErzmlD33nJrUVpYuVegaip9ihX8FWJcLp9/s2477/DSCN1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2477" data-original-width="1858" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmDCL2rWKriw-iGDpZ4wYJ2Bkp0b7ZAl5_HsyQk0zUgLKQb8aHTehXXSF1uLFHIpb7mT1pA_Pflgt9Q4wFMeDCXfbwfuFFKbkniPkhT0gUimHNxvgEkNOq0rfTynOkMmYaLXblkI61CS9xCiX7pSbVdUxITErzmlD33nJrUVpYuVegaip9ihX8FWJcLp9/s320/DSCN1797.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>An upcoming puddle had exactly what we had driven 24 miles for... our First of Year Wood Frog. He saw our lights and hid under a leaf but I scooted him out to the side for a photo. He sat there like a hockey puck. "You don't see me!"</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy53XeaRiFeNM9p5whm7SKXQzaKF5ANLZacF1RqrFA_belPF6ltdvYtWEPpH7mtiZxSLB599TR96jlLGn16cVRx68Qpr2Gpdxdwh5Y5L-6LQr13bG6jC9tivOzRCHMzO81iLOHh9RGhCz5U2kSe-NsArPEKZIGzwkN_Tx4y5sDI_XqyZm_jxvOdFKteUAp/s2545/DSCN1799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="2545" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy53XeaRiFeNM9p5whm7SKXQzaKF5ANLZacF1RqrFA_belPF6ltdvYtWEPpH7mtiZxSLB599TR96jlLGn16cVRx68Qpr2Gpdxdwh5Y5L-6LQr13bG6jC9tivOzRCHMzO81iLOHh9RGhCz5U2kSe-NsArPEKZIGzwkN_Tx4y5sDI_XqyZm_jxvOdFKteUAp/s320/DSCN1799.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It wasn't just amphibians out. This Spotted Fishing Spider was skimming along on a mudpuddle.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV4jWRxo4vAn72xAEAsrZ34wqXXvD_G4aov7n7ZqTTRjtfT9tnct-jeAB95ZmvXmgoFUtsjWg4pDcpcEfTtyc91CDdjEbq6ovNk-xEU8YvgnqYe4n-3NmIChlfDCKpDqHBXrLfQh5RJ_0SP-L21_XbbcVKzGR8T9QwoQGNfTv8USENQv3ZW3y0LFfJ-_f/s2252/DSCN1802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1689" data-original-width="2252" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV4jWRxo4vAn72xAEAsrZ34wqXXvD_G4aov7n7ZqTTRjtfT9tnct-jeAB95ZmvXmgoFUtsjWg4pDcpcEfTtyc91CDdjEbq6ovNk-xEU8YvgnqYe4n-3NmIChlfDCKpDqHBXrLfQh5RJ_0SP-L21_XbbcVKzGR8T9QwoQGNfTv8USENQv3ZW3y0LFfJ-_f/s320/DSCN1802.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We saw ghost lights off in the distance in the Haunted Swamp and before too long a friend of one of our crew met up with us. He had seen a Blue-spotted Salamander about a mile up the trail. That perked us up even more. In a vernal pool where we often see a lot of Wood Frogs, it was quiet. But upon close inspection, we found a Spotted Newt there, the first we've ever encountered at this spot. Look at that belly! Gravid or fat?</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7BtuxONnZdJyX27DXV9RinpZKkHySX1mkCb_y9aBLOhuD-B574jqr9aibaQdiprD5foi1CG9tf4Hy6u71VQFWfUvn3O3oH1UVJoD8XIcTezkHl1mRDBDh6b4JV5b_Yy6U5Ewi0cfCoN1IYSW8C1EAGj8jC7ja-qwYk_NuhBcC9_kcsXf_wodFd4dYzXr/s3189/DSCN1803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2392" data-original-width="3189" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7BtuxONnZdJyX27DXV9RinpZKkHySX1mkCb_y9aBLOhuD-B574jqr9aibaQdiprD5foi1CG9tf4Hy6u71VQFWfUvn3O3oH1UVJoD8XIcTezkHl1mRDBDh6b4JV5b_Yy6U5Ewi0cfCoN1IYSW8C1EAGj8jC7ja-qwYk_NuhBcC9_kcsXf_wodFd4dYzXr/s320/DSCN1803.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It wasn't long before we saw our first Blue-spotted on the year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqbbs72tXGh7lL-rTIs-Cls1RSc4z5s3W3wtcv_wo0-25EW7JlGmKtW68VcTQQ4inOel4qLkhP1sVQsbhsf2rFd90xG0UF-7deKb2Z5h92i_K7_AyAMFS3tZNjcMMs3ESyU0lDquMcp_ZbddEMLgkgqiN9nJghmTNRtM4GbqI6PY4J-FAnAS6N7ZMT_9i/s3588/DSCN1807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2691" data-original-width="3588" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqbbs72tXGh7lL-rTIs-Cls1RSc4z5s3W3wtcv_wo0-25EW7JlGmKtW68VcTQQ4inOel4qLkhP1sVQsbhsf2rFd90xG0UF-7deKb2Z5h92i_K7_AyAMFS3tZNjcMMs3ESyU0lDquMcp_ZbddEMLgkgqiN9nJghmTNRtM4GbqI6PY4J-FAnAS6N7ZMT_9i/s320/DSCN1807.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I saw one Puckwudgie. Not as scary as the stories say they are.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9k3kWxHvN7pqKXWV_lh4mYVz_aRX0z1yEb-BqVMXYZrQM0-Ypm9UYbOuxE6vKf5W-_IDKydy5EbVQJoCJnpO4ZgI-50IlLFdc6ig3eNnLPO8gsmoSqACrhpbetalUgQSongJlHL938eq81JgfY3g2xCaTSGGw17CDxE12x9cqWbxMTtd5wPOMHHVbvEDo/s2915/DSCN1808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="2915" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9k3kWxHvN7pqKXWV_lh4mYVz_aRX0z1yEb-BqVMXYZrQM0-Ypm9UYbOuxE6vKf5W-_IDKydy5EbVQJoCJnpO4ZgI-50IlLFdc6ig3eNnLPO8gsmoSqACrhpbetalUgQSongJlHL938eq81JgfY3g2xCaTSGGw17CDxE12x9cqWbxMTtd5wPOMHHVbvEDo/s320/DSCN1808.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It was our night for Blue Spots! Here are three more!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoupKs8W54WGgmnr7kuT1vzB-66l0-d4M0ZtWiZHbwO4mJyPLhkdY3yzyW4TbVnJ0hL3qFA4mZf5HirnSxC91MkvF-AKaP0jWKN82Jbqk1DWAjorxJ3TspnM2MgRryD0P89dYwatUaCkWaRdtKgcDB6zMsLs3PPzuA9xplID5-gqttoeCkUjTDylKapuY/s3836/DSCN1810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2877" data-original-width="3836" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoupKs8W54WGgmnr7kuT1vzB-66l0-d4M0ZtWiZHbwO4mJyPLhkdY3yzyW4TbVnJ0hL3qFA4mZf5HirnSxC91MkvF-AKaP0jWKN82Jbqk1DWAjorxJ3TspnM2MgRryD0P89dYwatUaCkWaRdtKgcDB6zMsLs3PPzuA9xplID5-gqttoeCkUjTDylKapuY/s320/DSCN1810.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhLzRqBxo9HkL0L69WagN3w3383Uij9MlxMXirGijXqQcBHR8zM7mgrC9zatAKo8P1TzdejipSECXiIrQH2qpbiAjuEcdf0_scfrdCx-tFdi3hfxu25PBazbQmYLxXVFJHWHKJgY_ZEvKx-ozgnnhrNn4LjUmfKJzQcKFtbx38Ls1KReJMKjmkayMIq80/s3769/DSCN1813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2827" data-original-width="3769" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhLzRqBxo9HkL0L69WagN3w3383Uij9MlxMXirGijXqQcBHR8zM7mgrC9zatAKo8P1TzdejipSECXiIrQH2qpbiAjuEcdf0_scfrdCx-tFdi3hfxu25PBazbQmYLxXVFJHWHKJgY_ZEvKx-ozgnnhrNn4LjUmfKJzQcKFtbx38Ls1KReJMKjmkayMIq80/s320/DSCN1813.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC7E38EENCO7bzvrd7sVjKcDfHkIM4-aAmwDnf9nTg8XWdyIOjqdVch-g_Fp9zALXuZ0GhNV0rNrM_vJfOYCcSHwajeVqbUOq8g3sblwQi8C2uLr69JL9jxyrVUbVq3M8Le-D9hBrgkqxq8Dr8sWC3h4SmswUO6cEqiGDDhZ9aDVfbWIVw-jEJKz4CEx1/s3084/DSCN1815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2313" data-original-width="3084" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC7E38EENCO7bzvrd7sVjKcDfHkIM4-aAmwDnf9nTg8XWdyIOjqdVch-g_Fp9zALXuZ0GhNV0rNrM_vJfOYCcSHwajeVqbUOq8g3sblwQi8C2uLr69JL9jxyrVUbVq3M8Le-D9hBrgkqxq8Dr8sWC3h4SmswUO6cEqiGDDhZ9aDVfbWIVw-jEJKz4CEx1/s320/DSCN1815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We turned back after going a mile and a half in. Pretty darn good Wednesday night in February! A pond that we'd missed on the way in was calling to me as we passed it. It's a good thing I heard it because there, we saw three Spotted Salamanders! Here are (dicey) pictures of two of them. They were pretty quick to get away from out flashlights.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfzspRunEHnhSbxY6Vd6Vh3BISlBBjsFTYFXST1OAHIkH9ZydvtYHUMtbJZSvE8Dry3vRti5ovlRszhn3s5VpjvXKrrLSiMBpHVqYKJmcMTtU62hBY3Qxa6LFEJBxL6ZtOOlApnMGECvl5nE_hdh19g0s82dLAr3pZjOixNQJ79GXzXf-ViOWudHWKxJK/s2935/DSCN1817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2201" data-original-width="2935" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfzspRunEHnhSbxY6Vd6Vh3BISlBBjsFTYFXST1OAHIkH9ZydvtYHUMtbJZSvE8Dry3vRti5ovlRszhn3s5VpjvXKrrLSiMBpHVqYKJmcMTtU62hBY3Qxa6LFEJBxL6ZtOOlApnMGECvl5nE_hdh19g0s82dLAr3pZjOixNQJ79GXzXf-ViOWudHWKxJK/s320/DSCN1817.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrHKzyRiFZu_caaNle4kfrRtz-wMZvhLS9C1GfurgTI0Vg0Xd3kqBC4JFUBAlVrZA61ecW-mBG0PB35q0SW7weDxlNMDc61fSP5TTCSOEFJB90BwAe9wnsU46MYgW7fHwLPF7nzhe9llcWHYEpOxCdKprAF1C9oLDNhKcgNYDxXl7CfS7KB25aSh-KHjg/s2406/DSCN1821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2406" data-original-width="1805" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrHKzyRiFZu_caaNle4kfrRtz-wMZvhLS9C1GfurgTI0Vg0Xd3kqBC4JFUBAlVrZA61ecW-mBG0PB35q0SW7weDxlNMDc61fSP5TTCSOEFJB90BwAe9wnsU46MYgW7fHwLPF7nzhe9llcWHYEpOxCdKprAF1C9oLDNhKcgNYDxXl7CfS7KB25aSh-KHjg/s320/DSCN1821.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>That spot was also teeming with Fairy Shrimp, so here is my annual photo of one!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fYrFzM00WtypLCYFwPp2TDxhrG_uakX2imarzrUZ1jwBphohlcwvYqurwIkyIkgRvJWsUdD3BGCKA9LdL568zy-39VtjFxo6rZKZfguQwvZJqIjG5jro-_R2tm5AkgAjihdRZqlf2q0m1FiRn8cwVFjSSGtNo-R7NjTL90rIRu7Whuna_GSiWuuEMMZV/s2430/DSCN1820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1822" data-original-width="2430" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fYrFzM00WtypLCYFwPp2TDxhrG_uakX2imarzrUZ1jwBphohlcwvYqurwIkyIkgRvJWsUdD3BGCKA9LdL568zy-39VtjFxo6rZKZfguQwvZJqIjG5jro-_R2tm5AkgAjihdRZqlf2q0m1FiRn8cwVFjSSGtNo-R7NjTL90rIRu7Whuna_GSiWuuEMMZV/s320/DSCN1820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Our last sight was another small Wood Frog, nearly where the hockey puck one was.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzaz1HlOBGvhIElP4U3lLDu95fs_ETXvnceerhBUO1iKwJkslwHzMxIF7xcJ9RV3iUUWxm688wwB_4VyU0iuvhQghnWsQbJgJaYuCGURfeHKc8R_opg6zNsOKMK3z1ORAfSiiNXSDRTfGijI8Xne1KDAuNoj0gDa_qQ6in-hgjxxN2eabCPxnBMOYs7Ae/s2390/DSCN1822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1793" data-original-width="2390" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzaz1HlOBGvhIElP4U3lLDu95fs_ETXvnceerhBUO1iKwJkslwHzMxIF7xcJ9RV3iUUWxm688wwB_4VyU0iuvhQghnWsQbJgJaYuCGURfeHKc8R_opg6zNsOKMK3z1ORAfSiiNXSDRTfGijI8Xne1KDAuNoj0gDa_qQ6in-hgjxxN2eabCPxnBMOYs7Ae/s320/DSCN1822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I call that a worthwhile trip! Five species on a cool, rainy February evening. On the way home, the heavens opened and I had a white-knuckle drive, but it's all worth it. The storm brought in a cold front and the following day was below freezing, but most of the animals we saw were in good position to shelter in deep pools for the next few days.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yay amphibians!</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-48437426013038205382024-01-28T08:21:00.000-08:002024-01-28T08:21:29.235-08:00The January Post<p>Yeah, the winter doldrums suck. We've barely made it out. One time we did, I accidentally erased the photos. So here I sit at the end of January with 8 birds photographed and no amphibians or reptiles. It has been an awful month. But I shant whine anymore... we're planning on having a bang-up year. It's just... who knows when it will start? </p>The #1 bird on the year was a good find. We were driving towards our usual January 1st pond when we noticed a hole in a tree looked occupied. We pulled over and went to take a look. A #1 Screech Owl? Yes, please! We saw none last year!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EUBqu4QXGpWbZjy9itaeDbQ-eFDz0XbPiNkw3AG5nfiax_41Fcp1YoJr6rK6Mgw_XrmbwOqFB6fXOU4yQcGPOlv-iQgB5-oaGpV-UVEED-iF7MGK7TzKty34Rq3YE-50s_TJia-BIrpbXS7Z-9OnbY66bf942TytDdgygXvfYLqA5TmFlvI-MhrExHc-/s3054/DSCN1697.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EUBqu4QXGpWbZjy9itaeDbQ-eFDz0XbPiNkw3AG5nfiax_41Fcp1YoJr6rK6Mgw_XrmbwOqFB6fXOU4yQcGPOlv-iQgB5-oaGpV-UVEED-iF7MGK7TzKty34Rq3YE-50s_TJia-BIrpbXS7Z-9OnbY66bf942TytDdgygXvfYLqA5TmFlvI-MhrExHc-/s320/DSCN1697.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The rest of the eight were mostly usual suspects... Robins, geese, Mallards. Here are some of the shots.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo9XBC1YWcWiMf2tFnDpw0tQdLNY_wcTPwPURYfqsrUMoVArN2D4BkGAhYJ3sK9jugdI1Ua5OYJZIo15dwSf4Ba8giGO_vtT5xV0pbDjlst_h5gAE352dWzbzwawlHNlPO_fIf3Qrj16Zh53qC3huYrW-Gfr298h0GUhR9qrSDQqKja6FDrdxeBTbwjbJ/s2095/DSCN1699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2095" data-original-width="1571" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo9XBC1YWcWiMf2tFnDpw0tQdLNY_wcTPwPURYfqsrUMoVArN2D4BkGAhYJ3sK9jugdI1Ua5OYJZIo15dwSf4Ba8giGO_vtT5xV0pbDjlst_h5gAE352dWzbzwawlHNlPO_fIf3Qrj16Zh53qC3huYrW-Gfr298h0GUhR9qrSDQqKja6FDrdxeBTbwjbJ/s320/DSCN1699.JPG" width="240" /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9lT0VugkQCku7csA1bqfwUXWRX29wJzDL7xxoCk-oiiv-Ybdes6umpgCCXhbU8I2m0gxc3ZQ3tuM8Ornv3pmqpYPLw8xf3aIObtjrr1A4Yud0c6-_2Oa5CheIeTRhttixK-WkKlfhTEcjiEzaau-BNUG-AZMfjv8KKTXxVCKffyTkRF5AdUjbeA4MX8K/s3593/DSCN1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2695" data-original-width="3593" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9lT0VugkQCku7csA1bqfwUXWRX29wJzDL7xxoCk-oiiv-Ybdes6umpgCCXhbU8I2m0gxc3ZQ3tuM8Ornv3pmqpYPLw8xf3aIObtjrr1A4Yud0c6-_2Oa5CheIeTRhttixK-WkKlfhTEcjiEzaau-BNUG-AZMfjv8KKTXxVCKffyTkRF5AdUjbeA4MX8K/s320/DSCN1701.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQbEOs-5McUWBa9VkoCoTZiS_8Epl5ipSD3TdopSfhIHobsYW-1_NDXDvtDxW80NL0yEAKLnmIh9pYZsWxhwm0IWDygRrPllcRRpade_Sa9RYUM6lrYAQJ_mAybFA_6E4FlrhUGJuWpodPA2gM0QKZj4i9SyQ5rE79PJIbrlbEaHmYQSDDuEY6micnBmM/s3229/DSCN1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2422" data-original-width="3229" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQbEOs-5McUWBa9VkoCoTZiS_8Epl5ipSD3TdopSfhIHobsYW-1_NDXDvtDxW80NL0yEAKLnmIh9pYZsWxhwm0IWDygRrPllcRRpade_Sa9RYUM6lrYAQJ_mAybFA_6E4FlrhUGJuWpodPA2gM0QKZj4i9SyQ5rE79PJIbrlbEaHmYQSDDuEY6micnBmM/s320/DSCN1711.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtWn6_hXIW_tGs5oYU6yqtNy-fdZtG22ZcSMD7z2S65jQ-321jyZixD7dZeYuOwv2_NnnnyM-CTzVNIO77F1EUi90sJ66bvgVlxdO18AHIlYOTKmfXiqtaczozLZM1azcgAK7vAjE-rPl5bOFbC5bLuNj6v5eIr7R1byRpSAmUOTr4awukPycUYb0fsOC/s3291/DSCN1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2468" data-original-width="3291" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtWn6_hXIW_tGs5oYU6yqtNy-fdZtG22ZcSMD7z2S65jQ-321jyZixD7dZeYuOwv2_NnnnyM-CTzVNIO77F1EUi90sJ66bvgVlxdO18AHIlYOTKmfXiqtaczozLZM1azcgAK7vAjE-rPl5bOFbC5bLuNj6v5eIr7R1byRpSAmUOTr4awukPycUYb0fsOC/s320/DSCN1706.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOxh2aw0HTpY298IUc0m5tFVpMf7wRuGp3I0b8a_nHVJoW_q21TBItmdePfG-B-J_dIhh-MFUvNYm8A_OZ6UjOvuvCkmvV7zy8tf_hzi71sEK6DG0NGEG_7W2ONq51C54_PLI5ciq8DMe99vUHfhf1Hc_0VegHOC_wCQ3mVzdj1ajPY0B4BHvLbcn-4rG/s4608/DSCN1703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOxh2aw0HTpY298IUc0m5tFVpMf7wRuGp3I0b8a_nHVJoW_q21TBItmdePfG-B-J_dIhh-MFUvNYm8A_OZ6UjOvuvCkmvV7zy8tf_hzi71sEK6DG0NGEG_7W2ONq51C54_PLI5ciq8DMe99vUHfhf1Hc_0VegHOC_wCQ3mVzdj1ajPY0B4BHvLbcn-4rG/s320/DSCN1703.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANKQQRGrWHQcBJkdI1NCZ_RF8pAS-gtzK818D0MaE8T8T4_8ssdnihoq6jJFlMVcdgKCFHu4RXw_Ygy24BlV0zX32th4Per8uKEdjfNY-r7te_zI187ZrqnHjsVC2WxN-HtDveCGGfc6zMbOhqO4jCMtOAW75SmwUdEmqaUhZhZXnxFZn4EX4lQijsG3S/s3207/DSCN1709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2405" data-original-width="3207" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANKQQRGrWHQcBJkdI1NCZ_RF8pAS-gtzK818D0MaE8T8T4_8ssdnihoq6jJFlMVcdgKCFHu4RXw_Ygy24BlV0zX32th4Per8uKEdjfNY-r7te_zI187ZrqnHjsVC2WxN-HtDveCGGfc6zMbOhqO4jCMtOAW75SmwUdEmqaUhZhZXnxFZn4EX4lQijsG3S/s320/DSCN1709.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5bE8Sr4L1ODIaLOnskOlrZVrtiGsFEGABxKk1f2TpJAoBa0-SStwnQPL2mSjNuMmOEG1GAVDZdtWNmwOLQ7nZiKaHdDSJQkSs_k1ekLuls7Kb0-V6vykvm2mBphgdfZ4f7mfoqIm46-S9QXX9lHfPqJTSlvCDl0f1c-5AbEl4nnmoCG7OE9Kym7L3MHJ/s3138/DSCN1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2354" data-original-width="3138" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5bE8Sr4L1ODIaLOnskOlrZVrtiGsFEGABxKk1f2TpJAoBa0-SStwnQPL2mSjNuMmOEG1GAVDZdtWNmwOLQ7nZiKaHdDSJQkSs_k1ekLuls7Kb0-V6vykvm2mBphgdfZ4f7mfoqIm46-S9QXX9lHfPqJTSlvCDl0f1c-5AbEl4nnmoCG7OE9Kym7L3MHJ/s320/DSCN1714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>That's it. Ta.</div></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-53469004385116991382023-12-30T10:47:00.000-08:002023-12-30T10:48:22.574-08:00The December Post<p>So, this is how it ends. 2023 has certainly been an unforgettable one but not always in the way we hope for. Andrea's broken ankle in April pretty much set the tone. We did get in an Everglades trip but it wasn't a huge one, other than the Manatee fun and a baby Croc sighting. We missed out on a lot of common species again as well. It wasn't for lack of trying after Andrea healed but, well... better luck next year.</p><p>What did we see in December? I've said it before and I'll say it again... Bless Redbacks! December 8th:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT7UrPVKzvlLeMGawAfMIJwlk1uVtY87qmBlL_hOSwSoz4gwky7XnjnfMnpFvKMilkiVHQFk6IH0qNTh4EmY_OpgAvAou6CrlYfGtVaplbY_jQQaRRI-k7OtjNtx4L0cI85EdbRagJnAzo3kgpou7WOyrA6AQRNepM5c3nq1-jF4-yUKFlY7fxCu78roj/s2965/2023-12-08%20Brook.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT7UrPVKzvlLeMGawAfMIJwlk1uVtY87qmBlL_hOSwSoz4gwky7XnjnfMnpFvKMilkiVHQFk6IH0qNTh4EmY_OpgAvAou6CrlYfGtVaplbY_jQQaRRI-k7OtjNtx4L0cI85EdbRagJnAzo3kgpou7WOyrA6AQRNepM5c3nq1-jF4-yUKFlY7fxCu78roj/s320/2023-12-08%20Brook.JPG" /></a></p>And December 16th:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT-oNUYRzXyUb9bG7Oh2GlBBEpam4CAJWbZGUwq4YLt21cNSk5KPw8UI4YaTDK3Nj_WH439xwWWRXsFh_UopV2ZU4Z8XR8tmCUWm-PMZ5G_gfexOwcNA8-ontFtTq0tfJUqE5mF3jzfd6PW1e_-_9Wfhyphenhyphens5X0eqvKvC0rkvsuOe5WL6ZtBOzBPnlVSIui/s3272/2023-12-16%20Brook%201.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT-oNUYRzXyUb9bG7Oh2GlBBEpam4CAJWbZGUwq4YLt21cNSk5KPw8UI4YaTDK3Nj_WH439xwWWRXsFh_UopV2ZU4Z8XR8tmCUWm-PMZ5G_gfexOwcNA8-ontFtTq0tfJUqE5mF3jzfd6PW1e_-_9Wfhyphenhyphens5X0eqvKvC0rkvsuOe5WL6ZtBOzBPnlVSIui/s320/2023-12-16%20Brook%201.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>We also enjoyed watching this Red-bellied Woodpecker flit around on the 16th.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJw_cqJDB8TzB14DJ0n2g5dlr9zgj8cLMxfr-ELf6j3eCqYRRoNsX2wlUAddykKKDjPlIEM4Mws42dsI3ia7VhRlp5TGfYJcDSdRU9chEmNQ4M2RpVVa87vAguT8KnhNhyphenhyphenIdWKccuSQDeV5Jlr0t5IrWxIEURBk4L_017-yEZyVWbFZFo5J_HKE2yPf5_/s3234/2023-12-16%20Brook%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2425" data-original-width="3234" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJw_cqJDB8TzB14DJ0n2g5dlr9zgj8cLMxfr-ELf6j3eCqYRRoNsX2wlUAddykKKDjPlIEM4Mws42dsI3ia7VhRlp5TGfYJcDSdRU9chEmNQ4M2RpVVa87vAguT8KnhNhyphenhyphenIdWKccuSQDeV5Jlr0t5IrWxIEURBk4L_017-yEZyVWbFZFo5J_HKE2yPf5_/s320/2023-12-16%20Brook%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>On the day after Christmas, it was supposed to be warm and sunny and it <i>was</i>... everywhere except around us. We were going to visit the dens again but decided to net in a nearby stream It was bursting with Two-lined Salamanders, which was a wonderful sight. We netted dozens in 5 minutes. First a larvae:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8IjwFnT-B_7RdpCV_Cn7S_JKGCiK2vo0W_isxIPoFCJCer6EFt2gqJlMLXEHD9z9f2-LI5JX-wBCJTn9Haal5OBLN10oJ63haa42k7oCvaY_DvF4tkbzChtb3AZMu4XJxRa69fc-AnrGSdMCyCIqA8azBRlYnfdVNgLZMzocEMsfYUT2zQp0VtQ-ig4f/s1526/2023-12-26%20Allendale%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1526" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8IjwFnT-B_7RdpCV_Cn7S_JKGCiK2vo0W_isxIPoFCJCer6EFt2gqJlMLXEHD9z9f2-LI5JX-wBCJTn9Haal5OBLN10oJ63haa42k7oCvaY_DvF4tkbzChtb3AZMu4XJxRa69fc-AnrGSdMCyCIqA8azBRlYnfdVNgLZMzocEMsfYUT2zQp0VtQ-ig4f/s320/2023-12-26%20Allendale%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Then some adults:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEy0hpfSngqJODLYvVfvXAVMWic733yyYVPRSnJHtmBGk4pLcjlSSB5GGCdZpaeATpOWtUYk6iFRnqFRlMRPIR8i4PbXf821Yb-0oS6NEcO8_lCyv4y3mOcN1JSL2oWYQ0FF1x9yZbPlBdE-TUE4nm13zbqtkZ-oQNn6bOxx4Yj4cy6u4gj7hXJbSJ76zi/s2958/2023-12-26%20Allendale%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2218" data-original-width="2958" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEy0hpfSngqJODLYvVfvXAVMWic733yyYVPRSnJHtmBGk4pLcjlSSB5GGCdZpaeATpOWtUYk6iFRnqFRlMRPIR8i4PbXf821Yb-0oS6NEcO8_lCyv4y3mOcN1JSL2oWYQ0FF1x9yZbPlBdE-TUE4nm13zbqtkZ-oQNn6bOxx4Yj4cy6u4gj7hXJbSJ76zi/s320/2023-12-26%20Allendale%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>And then a whole lot more of both.<br /><br />When the sun finally did reach us, it was too little too late. We checked the dens with no luck.</div><div><br /></div><div>On December 29th, we went into Worcester to try some net dipping. We'd not had a Dookie on the year. I worked hard for quite a while, gassed myself and hyperventilated but came up empty. Not even a Two-lined larvae. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkpX7W9nud3FJkOhvhhRSbwY_D-jPJ0_n4ypjMhaNSjMcQF4r5iCyLlMzrZN_i5hWBj9vW_Q7Ixt9oP5k1V89QyZ7rP-kgSUxGlPAqvA6P6PTbbZNJ6eAF5GWCpQSXERlC0GTf3VGXSvm4nFVh7RDFZGMnFpXamUzKV1Hae8RHl-mA98xFCUnJkKZ61SI/s4608/DSCN1692.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkpX7W9nud3FJkOhvhhRSbwY_D-jPJ0_n4ypjMhaNSjMcQF4r5iCyLlMzrZN_i5hWBj9vW_Q7Ixt9oP5k1V89QyZ7rP-kgSUxGlPAqvA6P6PTbbZNJ6eAF5GWCpQSXERlC0GTf3VGXSvm4nFVh7RDFZGMnFpXamUzKV1Hae8RHl-mA98xFCUnJkKZ61SI/s320/DSCN1692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Oh well, at least I got dirty and wet which proves to me that I tried hard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pretty setting, anyway.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpf8wx2eMA4EiqPyfYN0JaXRDEkNJ-XZeI2gsubwe7CS-tVnKQKh_uRGbSAobe9CdFdLQID5RRtqXUgTiHrVP9D54qyuP2zsnhaWzIuo0IVMgvgX8DrZN_rjaTBBJ3GYVK-TotiqagG0eIlAgkxBELanbdRKkH_rYsDw_A23Oe91EzU8PpwS1F8XEj1vx/s4608/DSCN1693.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpf8wx2eMA4EiqPyfYN0JaXRDEkNJ-XZeI2gsubwe7CS-tVnKQKh_uRGbSAobe9CdFdLQID5RRtqXUgTiHrVP9D54qyuP2zsnhaWzIuo0IVMgvgX8DrZN_rjaTBBJ3GYVK-TotiqagG0eIlAgkxBELanbdRKkH_rYsDw_A23Oe91EzU8PpwS1F8XEj1vx/s320/DSCN1693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>So ends our year. 83 bird species photographed which is OK, except we did hit Florida. No Dooks. No Hogs. We missed out on a lot of things but as ever, we look forward to next year and the challenges it will give us. What could possibly go wrong?</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-59340387553461065632023-11-26T09:15:00.000-08:002023-11-26T09:15:35.069-08:00The November Post<p> Not my favorite time of year. But we won't stop, even in the dead of winter. As long as we don't imperil the animals or their habitat, taking a peek around at this time of year can still be rewarding.</p>On Saturday, the 4th, we took a quick stroll over to the Valley in our local spot. It was in the Forties and a bit overcast and we knew that snakes would be very improbable. Still, even before we hit the Valley, we flipped a large Blue-spotted under a trash can. This one may be a bit Jeffy, too, as it was fairly large and not as spotty as some.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJizPJ8KAU9wCsE9x55rET7KGPuJrQWYt1gLISfPkylcPXKA3z2JBmLQvqiiKBEq3J2wSDlA9pDs49ZGlCwQEl8urapR9uR7LOqvbV52_iKwxGusWixcwTKsljwzHK6uXn_hWbZtxHipzoaAk4PIBIR2KqFXKFQJ-cKjGqenwLpejBh3PazPItS3eR7pe/s2797/DSCN1622.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJizPJ8KAU9wCsE9x55rET7KGPuJrQWYt1gLISfPkylcPXKA3z2JBmLQvqiiKBEq3J2wSDlA9pDs49ZGlCwQEl8urapR9uR7LOqvbV52_iKwxGusWixcwTKsljwzHK6uXn_hWbZtxHipzoaAk4PIBIR2KqFXKFQJ-cKjGqenwLpejBh3PazPItS3eR7pe/s320/DSCN1622.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>A nice Redback was flipped in the Valley.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1-UaOXYizqY6M-cKa3zxrciSgXRFqd3YKjx87mnfeiuneUspLTkaunsTWPGPAJ4axjsonWrEvlaxR4kiPY7volPhMs1h-u0luJeedKNTUfck8JUFLATpJVlvNtn2LEx_jazHrH5Cn3HoKSzYUVIQDLu7U3erJaR6aS9RHOActSnTUCg7K49ILABj_DN1/s3733/DSCN1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2800" data-original-width="3733" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1-UaOXYizqY6M-cKa3zxrciSgXRFqd3YKjx87mnfeiuneUspLTkaunsTWPGPAJ4axjsonWrEvlaxR4kiPY7volPhMs1h-u0luJeedKNTUfck8JUFLATpJVlvNtn2LEx_jazHrH5Cn3HoKSzYUVIQDLu7U3erJaR6aS9RHOActSnTUCg7K49ILABj_DN1/s320/DSCN1625.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These two Redbacks formed a lovely figure 8 that took me some time to figure out whose body is whose.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtFxlZlgFxJORO7KRv8hQwVU4byurPZ1qg4y_pOA8dyFmkOn5bgUzUXYHIT0Hmh0xftqN2Ibd7nvRe0nMoTlXZuoejjxcaf44KtHxKRPuymIHrFkc0gJ6PTrRzuZ4-8KBydoJPWh4NW5IlGKanpyhN_Syw3bDF6J9Jkm0gwoxSSEQ0qqNpenhcdnvdlLj/s3655/DSCN1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3655" data-original-width="2741" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtFxlZlgFxJORO7KRv8hQwVU4byurPZ1qg4y_pOA8dyFmkOn5bgUzUXYHIT0Hmh0xftqN2Ibd7nvRe0nMoTlXZuoejjxcaf44KtHxKRPuymIHrFkc0gJ6PTrRzuZ4-8KBydoJPWh4NW5IlGKanpyhN_Syw3bDF6J9Jkm0gwoxSSEQ0qqNpenhcdnvdlLj/s320/DSCN1627.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>That was it for the day. It was very chilly and we headed off to a Punk Rock Flea Market. While we were still out near Weymouth or wherever we were, I realised I didn't have a Ring-billed Gull on the year yet so I snapped off #83 in a dirty parking lot.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF19JEW59KgJ9pxexmb4ruUUJK2mm2I3jT-ms1eSvMdivtsXjH7Z0SaEAGHwipO4Rak1ClFFp4FMjiIvZPsD7opLfk1ZFs58CT4yv7tlgUxc_Qvpm-dDq6tF7tFjnLsv5meZALRnw7K6eGwTtVsVl2Zh6NyMdg77pPNW0BcJlUiqvXxzS0ETNDcpSZ_kn/s2952/DSCN1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2214" data-original-width="2952" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF19JEW59KgJ9pxexmb4ruUUJK2mm2I3jT-ms1eSvMdivtsXjH7Z0SaEAGHwipO4Rak1ClFFp4FMjiIvZPsD7opLfk1ZFs58CT4yv7tlgUxc_Qvpm-dDq6tF7tFjnLsv5meZALRnw7K6eGwTtVsVl2Zh6NyMdg77pPNW0BcJlUiqvXxzS0ETNDcpSZ_kn/s320/DSCN1628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We didn't get out again until Friday the 17th on Andrea's lunch break. We hit the dens again because it was very nice out. The log near Sly's den has held many treats for us over the years. This was another... a triple species flip. I had to move the Blue-spotted over a bit but the Spotted and the Redback were nose to nose when I flipped the log.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Nif1Uc-ObxjxmrXxwLFoC3Ja23J6hrvyR7KUR32uW2IuyHqmZvSUVBIXmGordmX7sRrt9ygOy5CSdyANeKKEBMBOhRiGRfrgN9G5UYSGkXIp-2a8ZunRoOJLnXt5oy-2n1nJqY4Xwur1jFQSQYDzl3-Wi43Opqgmxll4mtbWtCBN_uWO7D7cXz4bN77-/s3789/DSCN1651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2842" data-original-width="3789" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Nif1Uc-ObxjxmrXxwLFoC3Ja23J6hrvyR7KUR32uW2IuyHqmZvSUVBIXmGordmX7sRrt9ygOy5CSdyANeKKEBMBOhRiGRfrgN9G5UYSGkXIp-2a8ZunRoOJLnXt5oy-2n1nJqY4Xwur1jFQSQYDzl3-Wi43Opqgmxll4mtbWtCBN_uWO7D7cXz4bN77-/s320/DSCN1651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The Valley didn't have any snakes about but since it was so nice, we headed in to the Cottonwood Dens. They were much more to our liking, giving us a Garter right away.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8C6rCnRh8qInbF4Qk1P5cArOdxD3z0t5qpPHziJV52D2EIFNOq7W5cg4d0e2ZCDtR32E-4gPFEskR5RU5srQQTqSPYlyNctJp8Z2CayzJIj5QtGkuRjfAUUV_g2QB1FzEFjrxw3IZHdFhqmz9T4nXRD2VOYlHq7DWyE5akeLv4VTh4J-CTUCS-tVh1Uy/s4608/DSCN1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8C6rCnRh8qInbF4Qk1P5cArOdxD3z0t5qpPHziJV52D2EIFNOq7W5cg4d0e2ZCDtR32E-4gPFEskR5RU5srQQTqSPYlyNctJp8Z2CayzJIj5QtGkuRjfAUUV_g2QB1FzEFjrxw3IZHdFhqmz9T4nXRD2VOYlHq7DWyE5akeLv4VTh4J-CTUCS-tVh1Uy/s320/DSCN1652.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>This is the best shot I could get of his head...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnnJfiy318QGgw6rlXfEv4Y17PepQE1Lzaq0ZpR-2hu_77WPmDFnOs8FqkxITCxp2eVETx_kZimBoMx6CQPl3p78IUFOVvTenNCwlriAGU-PqkwK6wGPDEXLDJ_jBa4GKyvje7Up6piABUqZ9fP_wCi_CiKccIB3So6pSpfhyphenhyphen3-orIjQWZv5EAcwso0AV/s1974/DSCN1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="1481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnnJfiy318QGgw6rlXfEv4Y17PepQE1Lzaq0ZpR-2hu_77WPmDFnOs8FqkxITCxp2eVETx_kZimBoMx6CQPl3p78IUFOVvTenNCwlriAGU-PqkwK6wGPDEXLDJ_jBa4GKyvje7Up6piABUqZ9fP_wCi_CiKccIB3So6pSpfhyphenhyphen3-orIjQWZv5EAcwso0AV/s320/DSCN1653.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>About 10 feet away, this coil of perfection was grabbing some sun.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CW0FSfKsFaolNLXh0MjVmWEpUbwOozj7xWXyMWG-XjhuKNyiRiBv6bMOOx6S8daBo69yI7f0QDXNBviRqHf6le5SifdROYLzkLRcQBmgDnB-2SkZqg5NomSsxQY4Gr1IYUDiAJm4jLFjPPYRevaKhYiJRW3MJfqLUw3BoPE_yRfnVuGR6xaxHWsttilU/s2620/DSCN1654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="2620" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CW0FSfKsFaolNLXh0MjVmWEpUbwOozj7xWXyMWG-XjhuKNyiRiBv6bMOOx6S8daBo69yI7f0QDXNBviRqHf6le5SifdROYLzkLRcQBmgDnB-2SkZqg5NomSsxQY4Gr1IYUDiAJm4jLFjPPYRevaKhYiJRW3MJfqLUw3BoPE_yRfnVuGR6xaxHWsttilU/s320/DSCN1654.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Looking down on me from above that coil was this haughty little periscope!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZobCaHuS6v2eDVr6UviY68gxOCnTdmEa1UfHg2LGDafevkkdT3YrapNF8PKrz_m5mA7tIX7UposRXmeOQDP2Mb98xPQMbs8BKSyJPlzkEIIpjIKf1X_lcG7tLb7BTS5CXgsPNK3ZNizaS-PAgFbmfbbZOZ8TTSLLLy6QL0HI52YTcbq3uPu4Ht50qGSRb/s2417/DSCN1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2417" data-original-width="1813" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZobCaHuS6v2eDVr6UviY68gxOCnTdmEa1UfHg2LGDafevkkdT3YrapNF8PKrz_m5mA7tIX7UposRXmeOQDP2Mb98xPQMbs8BKSyJPlzkEIIpjIKf1X_lcG7tLb7BTS5CXgsPNK3ZNizaS-PAgFbmfbbZOZ8TTSLLLy6QL0HI52YTcbq3uPu4Ht50qGSRb/s320/DSCN1655.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Quite the curl!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-fVAcmHUwCPeYbUWH8NcPxUVzVNqhqjtieTxxn3f7VgX9h_026sub1L080nyuXlddC6PtVhen5hhTde0Co7y1I0WfKFcZ0Ekb7cuKT8au3VFlzAcTKdgRZdmQQY3UlRh-cyL8RehmOB1FcB2K5PLcCOF3kh0lYTnVbXC1UAFgWvH7W1G8oYUoV6hoewp/s3358/DSCN1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2519" data-original-width="3358" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-fVAcmHUwCPeYbUWH8NcPxUVzVNqhqjtieTxxn3f7VgX9h_026sub1L080nyuXlddC6PtVhen5hhTde0Co7y1I0WfKFcZ0Ekb7cuKT8au3VFlzAcTKdgRZdmQQY3UlRh-cyL8RehmOB1FcB2K5PLcCOF3kh0lYTnVbXC1UAFgWvH7W1G8oYUoV6hoewp/s320/DSCN1657.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><div>On the way out, we flipped a lovely Goldtop Redback, ending the short hike with style.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO8F0qHqi3_7fcB5Y97GutZmzJEZ7qoi-W42ocpxDFSuLlDJzuVUOXQBYTgZXioo9qA1XhU7sotwLWBN-0pPdefd7qOOSkPzKwZ0RgSPIWK9cKkPexoxAjhpLDbo6nMR9GG2gS20mAva72eo_o0qBqlOp-2Igd13OCMrgvRx7-RZL6ygpGOoLyh15B4I7/s3104/DSCN1658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2328" data-original-width="3104" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO8F0qHqi3_7fcB5Y97GutZmzJEZ7qoi-W42ocpxDFSuLlDJzuVUOXQBYTgZXioo9qA1XhU7sotwLWBN-0pPdefd7qOOSkPzKwZ0RgSPIWK9cKkPexoxAjhpLDbo6nMR9GG2gS20mAva72eo_o0qBqlOp-2Igd13OCMrgvRx7-RZL6ygpGOoLyh15B4I7/s320/DSCN1658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><div>That's going to be it for November but beggars can't be choosers. Two days out is better than no days out. We'll not be beach walking for stranded turtles this year (though we're signed up to drive) due to Andrea's continuing ankle recovery and the plantar fasciitis that has been plaguing me this year. We're sad about that but we have to be sensible. 2023 has been another off year in so many ways, we want to be sure to be in top form for the 2024 season.</div></div></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-72018212308656287002023-10-31T14:59:00.002-07:002023-10-31T14:59:57.185-07:00Ending October (And More or Less 2023) Oct. 27 and 28th<p>Warm, sunny days were forecast for Friday and Saturday so Andrea took Friday off. We planned on two days of getting in our last real nature walks. It was overcast but mild on Friday and I wanted to visit a reservoir in Norfolk County that we hadn't been to in a couple of years. Seemed like a good time to do it.</p><p>We were dawdling and didn't get there until noonish. But that's fine, I doubt we missed much. Our first sights were a couple of Redbacks under a garbage bag. Keep it classy, <i>cinerus</i>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL291YgVcA7zWcU0WMbBGLzOhXb7MV1n0G5IrJa3kur8NJPyvV6I9-GDCblcmZOQR9Cf_SjtCbk3Uz1plAHnvqATELTiegq597Y8JkTJfgpMYp-L1Z5_HccAtkKzocuXL5wc0u9PD-PA9rWmg62DQ147Qn57oERI538Wenzm128l35wtw4bjF_8LT0YXtL/s3719/DSCN1574.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3719" data-original-width="2789" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL291YgVcA7zWcU0WMbBGLzOhXb7MV1n0G5IrJa3kur8NJPyvV6I9-GDCblcmZOQR9Cf_SjtCbk3Uz1plAHnvqATELTiegq597Y8JkTJfgpMYp-L1Z5_HccAtkKzocuXL5wc0u9PD-PA9rWmg62DQ147Qn57oERI538Wenzm128l35wtw4bjF_8LT0YXtL/s320/DSCN1574.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xEPrEl9RuF6uY7SHMmLhH3Bg45arqd1O5HjaE7ehuxkzjNWGWB8cfKSF7xjEkEfdjtpXym_KB4pgw80Qz1wH3MQr3oa_H6jNx9nnCF7DfpzaOpek9s5g7wnGMmY5xkNruPdi0U1r8fDr7VfFp5JXCmtINJnJRTgfOdofFgq07RXeDxYXhf83hrsu2Oq6/s3524/DSCN1575.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3524" data-original-width="2643" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xEPrEl9RuF6uY7SHMmLhH3Bg45arqd1O5HjaE7ehuxkzjNWGWB8cfKSF7xjEkEfdjtpXym_KB4pgw80Qz1wH3MQr3oa_H6jNx9nnCF7DfpzaOpek9s5g7wnGMmY5xkNruPdi0U1r8fDr7VfFp5JXCmtINJnJRTgfOdofFgq07RXeDxYXhf83hrsu2Oq6/s320/DSCN1575.JPG" width="240" /></a></p><p>There were a few Painted Turtles up basking in the distance. Just what we wanted!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkE9NDUhcaZAxeMtkU_1ncGsv2AUEZCxrhfzjIkFzwi2JTX1fP0x6Hx7j49cR_jsFe7NYRDpvLfJpGwXl5_BvqQCFow9rvDhx2WYauxg1LlAyRiJuIwRFysRBRQI7g2jn1DViDlOC15plrj3VZKN5X0Vv6Yg6dzh41ZSILsC2ZqHCYn0x5ly867thvEcL/s3530/DSCN1576.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2648" data-original-width="3530" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkE9NDUhcaZAxeMtkU_1ncGsv2AUEZCxrhfzjIkFzwi2JTX1fP0x6Hx7j49cR_jsFe7NYRDpvLfJpGwXl5_BvqQCFow9rvDhx2WYauxg1LlAyRiJuIwRFysRBRQI7g2jn1DViDlOC15plrj3VZKN5X0Vv6Yg6dzh41ZSILsC2ZqHCYn0x5ly867thvEcL/s320/DSCN1576.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>It's beautiful there, see?<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYXx3vjkKvcfse2K9wZMd1-d2kt-pr96AEPl0VMXC5VwJvBFMRtjsDHS1a685yo49oGEY0aY2VPrSKk-F3-goTrSI0AMvIR-yH95VhCHI23AdpMusQFE8BNxQaa0FAE1oa8BnvdenXPPpHng2QVg6Co7oqvMR3PjqdNVgWk_WfwLQvalxQp6BpEbdnFtr/s4608/DSCN1578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYXx3vjkKvcfse2K9wZMd1-d2kt-pr96AEPl0VMXC5VwJvBFMRtjsDHS1a685yo49oGEY0aY2VPrSKk-F3-goTrSI0AMvIR-yH95VhCHI23AdpMusQFE8BNxQaa0FAE1oa8BnvdenXPPpHng2QVg6Co7oqvMR3PjqdNVgWk_WfwLQvalxQp6BpEbdnFtr/s320/DSCN1578.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><div>There were plenty of birds out in the drink. These American Coots (#83) were staying close to this iceberg or whatever it is.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXu_EUnPFcmaMiQSIo2sn4nqP23hz0rZjjBna0xEo1qeNnK4wSdS3TKecYRRS2EhPJGLDggh0wlU1INYg2Sw8F3HgJyzzBJk76uijnmQ7PsP7_c3NugQL2SB3nKA48NSy6dDoxTDHq2V_-1SLejl6aifYd1XVX5Ro8lIIq3nOkIxPeG7U8rnycX7psHp_a/s2101/DSCN1581.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="2101" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXu_EUnPFcmaMiQSIo2sn4nqP23hz0rZjjBna0xEo1qeNnK4wSdS3TKecYRRS2EhPJGLDggh0wlU1INYg2Sw8F3HgJyzzBJk76uijnmQ7PsP7_c3NugQL2SB3nKA48NSy6dDoxTDHq2V_-1SLejl6aifYd1XVX5Ro8lIIq3nOkIxPeG7U8rnycX7psHp_a/s320/DSCN1581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A line of Cormorants. Hilarious.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4JS3IDdvfP73HLz8Hnw6JtoKkDVYjt_y0CUvKjkBx7y0e3P9UlqfST91MMBxe8aC1Ll64VE3R8nSQQbJboIEctblSRefQcLC_jc38CyRRVKB_gYfhVOzBJ0wy7uJfLhO-7MxhRFfOeaI90-L1ESD1YGwAX6ZBXCdpUClcvfXK70CMD3exFBteRdKxryA/s4608/DSCN1583.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4JS3IDdvfP73HLz8Hnw6JtoKkDVYjt_y0CUvKjkBx7y0e3P9UlqfST91MMBxe8aC1Ll64VE3R8nSQQbJboIEctblSRefQcLC_jc38CyRRVKB_gYfhVOzBJ0wy7uJfLhO-7MxhRFfOeaI90-L1ESD1YGwAX6ZBXCdpUClcvfXK70CMD3exFBteRdKxryA/s320/DSCN1583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div>Another basking Painter.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-bqklmMY1hc8N5mpTIEiDdaWlzugiD2nQAEpcEv4W1iwgpk1ynxmA9TbZpPFGZzuSybCn_WGXHgoMFk8XV0Fq_cTGakm7JtjgCeZlE3EzYsHqu7nSnhZFWrFzBcgtC7mQ2YCM8eUfGBtCXK4DmWEqkk0B1F5mePYGd58scdLMBOxRD8IOlQJq63quBtL/s4608/DSCN1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-bqklmMY1hc8N5mpTIEiDdaWlzugiD2nQAEpcEv4W1iwgpk1ynxmA9TbZpPFGZzuSybCn_WGXHgoMFk8XV0Fq_cTGakm7JtjgCeZlE3EzYsHqu7nSnhZFWrFzBcgtC7mQ2YCM8eUfGBtCXK4DmWEqkk0B1F5mePYGd58scdLMBOxRD8IOlQJq63quBtL/s320/DSCN1584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We walked around for a while, looking off trail and taking the smaller lakeside path but the no-see-ums were so thick that not only could you see um, you could taste um. They were being inhaled and swallowed. We turned back. We weren't seeing anything out that way anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div>This big Red-ear was up getting some sun on the way back.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtwXlPhaZUZF6HOM2YBTsEXA2QaWAJdtUr7fWB59Nhd36WM2BTKo4rVnVe5QzF4pzoTjKSHzKKkHIN05e79aLpcH5Ka95rocLJ9Ijomq_DEiOC1p-ErCtZoFxOtdMcIQm6NDfQA-WU1xcC_tHKi3PYkw6wdya-d5AGsnnJizKxe8UI2uK9a5xdUMvHjOT/s3054/DSCN1588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2290" data-original-width="3054" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtwXlPhaZUZF6HOM2YBTsEXA2QaWAJdtUr7fWB59Nhd36WM2BTKo4rVnVe5QzF4pzoTjKSHzKKkHIN05e79aLpcH5Ka95rocLJ9Ijomq_DEiOC1p-ErCtZoFxOtdMcIQm6NDfQA-WU1xcC_tHKi3PYkw6wdya-d5AGsnnJizKxe8UI2uK9a5xdUMvHjOT/s320/DSCN1588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Hooded Mergansers are always a treat, even when you don't need them for your year count.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dFyzKdY3WPDWZWpx7KBXqeDwTiJcw1GysE1ywowFRKvG7S4TwHMYYEmBfkLnLHkdzrtcfFyQzUcKEI1ziW1cqT_IKJCwmZ63D6RBI3AdreuYn0Ar96LZACyJxTVYLTwapHG3oN2ruT0sFdyG3cmfMy7eNvQ4r2fHG1tgtMTX75cVZBJJnxiDIvGH0Uuj/s2961/DSCN1592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2221" data-original-width="2961" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dFyzKdY3WPDWZWpx7KBXqeDwTiJcw1GysE1ywowFRKvG7S4TwHMYYEmBfkLnLHkdzrtcfFyQzUcKEI1ziW1cqT_IKJCwmZ63D6RBI3AdreuYn0Ar96LZACyJxTVYLTwapHG3oN2ruT0sFdyG3cmfMy7eNvQ4r2fHG1tgtMTX75cVZBJJnxiDIvGH0Uuj/s320/DSCN1592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Our last sight for the day in Norfolk County was a Painted guy up on the path. Must have been crossing to the other pond.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKS1lXaa7iECiIHlR2SdrO4cUy4s704qmRuLaAQFXF_MWWEy6LTCS_wIwbA8Vo6QQkksMTuQ0tTtaJoh45QlWcgzbMyNt8ascsF0GHMXJMLslOPXzRFrORzFQYPYE9sgDN-LCrpXNw_gggZgDXrAkLu7JIby4TRYZHJkuxhG5qyyY9lynLk74oaphGXMGK/s3055/DSCN1594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2291" data-original-width="3055" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKS1lXaa7iECiIHlR2SdrO4cUy4s704qmRuLaAQFXF_MWWEy6LTCS_wIwbA8Vo6QQkksMTuQ0tTtaJoh45QlWcgzbMyNt8ascsF0GHMXJMLslOPXzRFrORzFQYPYE9sgDN-LCrpXNw_gggZgDXrAkLu7JIby4TRYZHJkuxhG5qyyY9lynLk74oaphGXMGK/s320/DSCN1594.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>So, no snakes there. It's not a super-snakey place all the time anyway but if we knew where they spent the winter, we might have seen someone. That said, we decided to hit our local dens on the way home, just to see if the residents have returned.</div><div><br /></div><div>A couple of Redbacks, first. And a massive non-crazy worm.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHV7cLmJdzW18LqJ_0xBpPGZ8UE87zCgxN_Zb89cmf4JDJs5jayq_Qtxs7hCWn9qTfVwvR86HLGX9-sNOth29kL8E78iC800m4WS_VqO62u3YFAmzkstuTXHllYNTwPGxwQsbP48TEmvRvbkQOMmpBQ72z53ijfjDAHHCPEH7wAwsw0tI50JQRBbx3bVvB/s2520/DSCN1597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="1890" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHV7cLmJdzW18LqJ_0xBpPGZ8UE87zCgxN_Zb89cmf4JDJs5jayq_Qtxs7hCWn9qTfVwvR86HLGX9-sNOth29kL8E78iC800m4WS_VqO62u3YFAmzkstuTXHllYNTwPGxwQsbP48TEmvRvbkQOMmpBQ72z53ijfjDAHHCPEH7wAwsw0tI50JQRBbx3bVvB/s320/DSCN1597.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>We went to the Valley. Sure enough, answering our question in the cutest way, this Water Snake said "yes, we are back". This opening under the tree is a well known entrance to their Winter hideout.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_8MyjOKvWAtIkFGHkW8XzBp4Q7994eMPfm_nMmc4sru-salA6ScFrcci3Yk5E5NNiY_DaQfjH990yLMkAP8HZfQB4Jzh95OfCTWvom4N6gZyKi1IAmD6TeCpbx-JSOcmg9xgpx1Nj_fY7u-WrOR1kS8ZcsmhdsMWzRI_8Zgnq5O0dseu-hxE8TtSjtgm/s4608/DSCN1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_8MyjOKvWAtIkFGHkW8XzBp4Q7994eMPfm_nMmc4sru-salA6ScFrcci3Yk5E5NNiY_DaQfjH990yLMkAP8HZfQB4Jzh95OfCTWvom4N6gZyKi1IAmD6TeCpbx-JSOcmg9xgpx1Nj_fY7u-WrOR1kS8ZcsmhdsMWzRI_8Zgnq5O0dseu-hxE8TtSjtgm/s320/DSCN1599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It was shadowy and cooler in the back of the Valley but there was still one Water Snake crawling about on the hill.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fjzytd3MGmAVArAh53ccIEute-uHCfpt3XQw-MsDqrWLp5eZ5PRZzKbnLzVmTPCNpAaMUl4cgIk7Q6FZAiSSE7s97Ae9gvp3UaMhvWsf6TCODWgJxRtz8CRTezRCFM9F8Ba5B20DxLYrcWpbfp6UcDT7ch-arRjusi6VI4IiLwClmWCvwd1RgXwBr02L/s3268/DSCN1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2488" data-original-width="3268" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fjzytd3MGmAVArAh53ccIEute-uHCfpt3XQw-MsDqrWLp5eZ5PRZzKbnLzVmTPCNpAaMUl4cgIk7Q6FZAiSSE7s97Ae9gvp3UaMhvWsf6TCODWgJxRtz8CRTezRCFM9F8Ba5B20DxLYrcWpbfp6UcDT7ch-arRjusi6VI4IiLwClmWCvwd1RgXwBr02L/s320/DSCN1600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Same log as two weeks ago, but different Spotted Salamander!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMte61L27Rx2sDqn9uVsmn8gEDPDYlgIh2Np09mcym2ShkYLxFm0dLZy343qHIcAjYzIosi6Kv_cOPJAeh2ZdjFYTtkdscjGEq6u3o_vE9P-2AVKidGx8Gr5zNARpZmrqVyDu1xf4p35OPtqH1bIZIhr0f1-0KmyCUXl8psqs7NegKQtWlzVg4yLrZh7nl/s3152/DSCN1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2364" data-original-width="3152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMte61L27Rx2sDqn9uVsmn8gEDPDYlgIh2Np09mcym2ShkYLxFm0dLZy343qHIcAjYzIosi6Kv_cOPJAeh2ZdjFYTtkdscjGEq6u3o_vE9P-2AVKidGx8Gr5zNARpZmrqVyDu1xf4p35OPtqH1bIZIhr0f1-0KmyCUXl8psqs7NegKQtWlzVg4yLrZh7nl/s320/DSCN1602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>And then on the way out, after putting in a solid 10 minutes, we saw a slim Garter poking about above the Valley.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R8A_RAJ7KrdxNM5i1d7FeVf5fsScQjc7xGSEktCxNXM41Dvak74kkrm1wCItd1_T4_hj5-eRL84Xfc_YFUI1En3mIqr4dqCfjgBld9otxGyabdHhPuDyDp_FNJtzkASBTVUzJMA4CfauFYtIQpJLwfW5xJE3SQS3QQfLE-ouW2Dsr1gvoAEqDL7zCDQ3/s3758/DSCN1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="3758" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R8A_RAJ7KrdxNM5i1d7FeVf5fsScQjc7xGSEktCxNXM41Dvak74kkrm1wCItd1_T4_hj5-eRL84Xfc_YFUI1En3mIqr4dqCfjgBld9otxGyabdHhPuDyDp_FNJtzkASBTVUzJMA4CfauFYtIQpJLwfW5xJE3SQS3QQfLE-ouW2Dsr1gvoAEqDL7zCDQ3/s320/DSCN1604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>So, yes... snakes are back at their dens. Good. It's freezing right now, 4 days later.</div><div><br /></div><div>That Saturday was supposed to be gorgeous, in the 80s. We decided on a spot in Middlesex County where we had a 31 snake day in October a few years ago. It is often a good turtle and frog place as well. Andrea took me out for breakfast<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">❤ </span>and we got to our spot at around 10:30. Before too awfully long, we saw our first Garter.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYkzCihKY-kynvgne1hcz1Teb45c789DNilGasWuzxX1X8uuTG7GDdEJ046hFQKJtQ6ptV5cZkxiTSOu-i5Pmoo1vIgYTI1ftRzl40JNPy5F_i_UbY2IqR3ZaWxEBCmTt-HvgZALRlo_YERM7hMQ-aUw67WNCV77JikgNfcGEEQx3E5U08wxm2vThI7V7/s3005/DSCN1607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3005" data-original-width="2254" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYkzCihKY-kynvgne1hcz1Teb45c789DNilGasWuzxX1X8uuTG7GDdEJ046hFQKJtQ6ptV5cZkxiTSOu-i5Pmoo1vIgYTI1ftRzl40JNPy5F_i_UbY2IqR3ZaWxEBCmTt-HvgZALRlo_YERM7hMQ-aUw67WNCV77JikgNfcGEEQx3E5U08wxm2vThI7V7/s320/DSCN1607.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Oddly enough, there weren't <i>any</i> turtles up that we could see. But we came for the Garters and Garters we did see.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqFZtz4Nq0kwVQDR6AoKKdHpL36UmGD3eLCmusQJweC-gmnwsfChf6v-fgXQ-nyJsz1Wz7nKwksZb9_VK3yFjQq5K7t-tTU8eZG1Rh1EBhFad4POGEdsBnVUVFNLXGTgoa1e3LmFJY7uXqGJOK_mhh4OWwftLxickq5B5vsxDmi8hjDhP87ijaacybblo/s3871/DSCN1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2903" data-original-width="3871" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqFZtz4Nq0kwVQDR6AoKKdHpL36UmGD3eLCmusQJweC-gmnwsfChf6v-fgXQ-nyJsz1Wz7nKwksZb9_VK3yFjQq5K7t-tTU8eZG1Rh1EBhFad4POGEdsBnVUVFNLXGTgoa1e3LmFJY7uXqGJOK_mhh4OWwftLxickq5B5vsxDmi8hjDhP87ijaacybblo/s320/DSCN1608.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikdtV4MBguZHi_2p669k4SrC_HHWibD63a7Ufp59jPzTY7iFxVMt3MmHVnm5V4rn4Jl1gMrZ0sq7Ryivt-o_0sak_bZQjWoV0XEkdN23X1tSo93m8HuCIznGaOXR4OHbLsFCi7HcjUZmxeiefbfoCTyRewHhQ5rg3AcJ2gAUP92Gl3jor3hwSa2BKWgDU/s2914/DSCN1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2914" data-original-width="2186" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikdtV4MBguZHi_2p669k4SrC_HHWibD63a7Ufp59jPzTY7iFxVMt3MmHVnm5V4rn4Jl1gMrZ0sq7Ryivt-o_0sak_bZQjWoV0XEkdN23X1tSo93m8HuCIznGaOXR4OHbLsFCi7HcjUZmxeiefbfoCTyRewHhQ5rg3AcJ2gAUP92Gl3jor3hwSa2BKWgDU/s320/DSCN1610.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't need a Black-capped Chickadee for my count but I got such a nice picture, so why not?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWD6nKORgrHLGYuxixeiy8DyZp6wKzWM_Mc9B71TkxkiH3ClOB374Po6IuIRSNivv087TTfz5KLJHtCzCZ94JV7IvfoXV7mWuUN5Zkm0lqHtAy9kYyzk2HZoNQUg2LpPvQkoa1hj5LeQ2nWa-hmz1thEp_tTLLWTUOlXs0QG3yEYa1nwnahipluW6-w3a/s2499/DSCN1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2499" data-original-width="1874" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWD6nKORgrHLGYuxixeiy8DyZp6wKzWM_Mc9B71TkxkiH3ClOB374Po6IuIRSNivv087TTfz5KLJHtCzCZ94JV7IvfoXV7mWuUN5Zkm0lqHtAy9kYyzk2HZoNQUg2LpPvQkoa1hj5LeQ2nWa-hmz1thEp_tTLLWTUOlXs0QG3yEYa1nwnahipluW6-w3a/s320/DSCN1611.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Garter times two.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU9SyagZR1duxi7PadSmShkE_A4nQAdcuzBhBMXOJoLckTXhrJxffzeRSToNH-iINKeVqcSUnWmLayLQKS6o6H6dpQS484OJT6hQmhSCCcChXCxIFA5OIg8oQXNXlF0BR7dJtYp0FNfyJQFm7Hh1fe94vxPxR-vkf4mCsPAfPDbfJ8yXPry_hpbjCyk-m/s4002/DSCN1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4002" data-original-width="3002" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU9SyagZR1duxi7PadSmShkE_A4nQAdcuzBhBMXOJoLckTXhrJxffzeRSToNH-iINKeVqcSUnWmLayLQKS6o6H6dpQS484OJT6hQmhSCCcChXCxIFA5OIg8oQXNXlF0BR7dJtYp0FNfyJQFm7Hh1fe94vxPxR-vkf4mCsPAfPDbfJ8yXPry_hpbjCyk-m/s320/DSCN1612.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOoglcTMB9qBDhxMsWKm2e5odlltsy92vjwxrio73nRkiqnelmW9CXNEmhK_Wah3MwVwYv3TDChzexhxuWcjybUuxBWyF_uZgPSXzcKWt4nZgzMKsYBhmM_0YRZsO1sPtpywopxna6Znm6vTVP-oS02iHdG9WXbNYU3fPKUJM-Gv1Kk4BIjZZgn_veslz/s3081/DSCN1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2311" data-original-width="3081" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOoglcTMB9qBDhxMsWKm2e5odlltsy92vjwxrio73nRkiqnelmW9CXNEmhK_Wah3MwVwYv3TDChzexhxuWcjybUuxBWyF_uZgPSXzcKWt4nZgzMKsYBhmM_0YRZsO1sPtpywopxna6Znm6vTVP-oS02iHdG9WXbNYU3fPKUJM-Gv1Kk4BIjZZgn_veslz/s320/DSCN1614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This dark Green was the only frog we saw all weekend. I suspect that they have pretty much gone bye-bye for 2023. Lucky bastards!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6D2BN0ngjT2R4P9V2PAk3wEB5VgtHape0iLhAP_ISrz-dS8BZolQufYmQSHWHLR_ZfxR1EAQzOxtiCmlqOAWei2IpMNOevqWxs351nnMWDxfF_2ybz1pRCTNoOxtBhhwmKp-AHNQpR1jsJkj0SmHGa4qo-KzNzoYtq1SR6j11LIbXVod6R7Jji36hUwNN/s2594/DSCN1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1945" data-original-width="2594" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6D2BN0ngjT2R4P9V2PAk3wEB5VgtHape0iLhAP_ISrz-dS8BZolQufYmQSHWHLR_ZfxR1EAQzOxtiCmlqOAWei2IpMNOevqWxs351nnMWDxfF_2ybz1pRCTNoOxtBhhwmKp-AHNQpR1jsJkj0SmHGa4qo-KzNzoYtq1SR6j11LIbXVod6R7Jji36hUwNN/s320/DSCN1615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>One more Garter before we moved on. This guy was laying in the sun atop a dried out bush.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGB7Ie9TOmYZPPKYcY2pJ6OsKXLB0n0fhg42QCZgNlc_c76pw1Jo1ABpr6xXe7ilizJvboBGHUnr9askyP5jCjUQO2HTeFWhO4blcP5XrQXA4GE0zwfgFpkGTiCQBFgI0AqRw90tqtQNtGrEhdrSlpyhMye6C4Cw8Wht7UnbQiZZpoaQ15KdQK2dEwn-S/s4153/DSCN1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3115" data-original-width="4153" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGB7Ie9TOmYZPPKYcY2pJ6OsKXLB0n0fhg42QCZgNlc_c76pw1Jo1ABpr6xXe7ilizJvboBGHUnr9askyP5jCjUQO2HTeFWhO4blcP5XrQXA4GE0zwfgFpkGTiCQBFgI0AqRw90tqtQNtGrEhdrSlpyhMye6C4Cw8Wht7UnbQiZZpoaQ15KdQK2dEwn-S/s320/DSCN1618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Well, only six, not 31, but we can't complain. At least we know (more or less) where the snakes spend their Winters there. Since we'd be passing another refuge on the way home, we stopped by and saw one more Garter, making it a seven snake Saturday.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkFJbxS-_YhP9ebMBRNggerKwoEqcd4CiW78dr21gET_k9FvdMubi3r95Bk49K94YwxbT3-SqUnxd1Y3mLYW4VtGS-x-cXiqgFvKJlXpTMs8aK2BrFwuHder-TIbiENRQ9z2CBNJCbV5JRGv34U6NCZS2KuaFTzgAvDFbtPZ7hzYMUaNqctV5emQAOG8W/s3358/DSCN1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="3358" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkFJbxS-_YhP9ebMBRNggerKwoEqcd4CiW78dr21gET_k9FvdMubi3r95Bk49K94YwxbT3-SqUnxd1Y3mLYW4VtGS-x-cXiqgFvKJlXpTMs8aK2BrFwuHder-TIbiENRQ9z2CBNJCbV5JRGv34U6NCZS2KuaFTzgAvDFbtPZ7hzYMUaNqctV5emQAOG8W/s320/DSCN1621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>So, not gangbusters like we've had in the past but a great day to get some Vitamin D and see some nature. We were absolutely gassed by the end of it but knowing the next day, Sunday, was going to suck it, we're glad we stuck to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>There won't be too many more full-on hikes left this year. Any of these sightings could be the "last of 2023". I'm hoping for a couple more warm weekends to see a few more turtles and stuff but you never know... this could be it.</div><div><br /></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-68445299936222697732023-10-24T16:25:00.000-07:002023-10-24T16:25:07.178-07:00What Have You Done For Me Lately, 2023? Oct. 6th, 8th and 14th.<p>Man, am I behind! But then, it's not like we've been getting out a lot because the weather has been kinda shitty. Once Autumn hit, <i style="font-weight: bold;">WHAM</i>... it started to be cold. And the ever-present rain hasn't helped much.</p>One good day was Friday, October 6th. It was sunny and in the 60s, but Andrea was working. But since she was working at home, I made her take a lunchtime hike at our local spot. We didn't know if the snakes were starting to return to their hibernaculums yet or not. Well, to be honest, we still don't know but we had a pretty fine amphibian half-hour! In fact, we flipped our first Blue-Spotted Salamander on the year!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YhcRi_9OgoI3rgdB8sk8Ugk8Cts9WLjU9ITH8gtlz-pBbuPvzXuAj_B4f2xdVg9jkOT3PQi6qPFLEpF_oDrusvBuD1Fr_Bs0ZpZpzv9yZzyUj6ZMyHpJl3vPLoPNBJPFvBTTK5rb7ZEGIOh9-4wKUFGaHLQpULZhKc-0MhSMkt1xDdeJfI7CPN_V0Lfe/s3028/DSCN1526.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YhcRi_9OgoI3rgdB8sk8Ugk8Cts9WLjU9ITH8gtlz-pBbuPvzXuAj_B4f2xdVg9jkOT3PQi6qPFLEpF_oDrusvBuD1Fr_Bs0ZpZpzv9yZzyUj6ZMyHpJl3vPLoPNBJPFvBTTK5rb7ZEGIOh9-4wKUFGaHLQpULZhKc-0MhSMkt1xDdeJfI7CPN_V0Lfe/s320/DSCN1526.JPG" /></a><p>Next up was another Bluie, but this was a bigger one and might have more Jeff in it than most. I get really confused with the whole Blue-spotted/ Jefferson complex thing and we and our dear son Matt the Moist found what was likely a unisexual specimen that was large and extremely Jeff-like. This one was large and the background color greyer than usual. A unisexual one? I dunno.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELUbD6TuZ0KUKTcKSJV4WQJXUcO9tlktOu8pxGVQefSkqh-H644YthIcJOQZ1Lfe6uCKkQS-cMnzztSzGlzVeBDaDGhuodBrc34SXxZgptVig3GiRtToFYrmsA4Uy0BgNuhglkQFC_4gFxaKA9tDOFUJM1cjuvRp-lVOq3BFFN86c2fXSvxJxu8TgYpgC/s3484/DSCN1527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="3484" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELUbD6TuZ0KUKTcKSJV4WQJXUcO9tlktOu8pxGVQefSkqh-H644YthIcJOQZ1Lfe6uCKkQS-cMnzztSzGlzVeBDaDGhuodBrc34SXxZgptVig3GiRtToFYrmsA4Uy0BgNuhglkQFC_4gFxaKA9tDOFUJM1cjuvRp-lVOq3BFFN86c2fXSvxJxu8TgYpgC/s320/DSCN1527.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>We finally declared our Redback drought officially over. While some fine folks laugh at our love of these usually common salamanders, I still find them to be woodland jewels. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMazXQnw0l3zdxcdaC8oKeJWVR1BQI6DZlk_go-9W1oZanjqY-1MuwM9iyxej19z3lgDGVODS7OxWSQlVLuJ-GBbu9SwE-hHK5X50vCBAuN3N-rSfsd2H5LN2ZbOClCr7mkFDGQ_bPhTn5x0r-CMVrZtUQJYlH2lpR7kUI2XTjjJTXAksGnE2FF9-rjNju/s3050/DSCN1529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2287" data-original-width="3050" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMazXQnw0l3zdxcdaC8oKeJWVR1BQI6DZlk_go-9W1oZanjqY-1MuwM9iyxej19z3lgDGVODS7OxWSQlVLuJ-GBbu9SwE-hHK5X50vCBAuN3N-rSfsd2H5LN2ZbOClCr7mkFDGQ_bPhTn5x0r-CMVrZtUQJYlH2lpR7kUI2XTjjJTXAksGnE2FF9-rjNju/s320/DSCN1529.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYSH7RyTdG5J3cM5on6SCNtbb4Pkr_97bTaxBAsbdPB2e2x4qtNLQsTNnYGvlM73lWkv5CeJbjM6z13eCA5Xj5ye6k_pnPVgexSGd2D_VdBxHyf4ALPp5iKZw8i5qDCFxs9KbzXSd-9RTD61NvGnUn-IczmWxqJQ9qWIWJakMfJvhcMLDdg3hyphenhyphenbdSVvOz/s3181/DSCN1531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2599" data-original-width="3181" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYSH7RyTdG5J3cM5on6SCNtbb4Pkr_97bTaxBAsbdPB2e2x4qtNLQsTNnYGvlM73lWkv5CeJbjM6z13eCA5Xj5ye6k_pnPVgexSGd2D_VdBxHyf4ALPp5iKZw8i5qDCFxs9KbzXSd-9RTD61NvGnUn-IczmWxqJQ9qWIWJakMfJvhcMLDdg3hyphenhyphenbdSVvOz/s320/DSCN1531.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>How 'bout a Redback and and Blue-Spotted?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66oQ_MTDN5Lmsx-xjeUv5-pjPp1B08sVuv6cVppUdygUC0zkWRJv4mbEfLbfh4l872KgDFqUiwv4FrZaLGTEePTRGBEPXMUWSUluN5YMNP9dY7iwIRsXu1IgKBwH-lDXcEYWNdreY6nBO5O4hyxPA4RdORfsII6wMCfYH-vKhQ-Z2UhU5n7d4jU9Y4KE7/s2056/DSCN1532.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66oQ_MTDN5Lmsx-xjeUv5-pjPp1B08sVuv6cVppUdygUC0zkWRJv4mbEfLbfh4l872KgDFqUiwv4FrZaLGTEePTRGBEPXMUWSUluN5YMNP9dY7iwIRsXu1IgKBwH-lDXcEYWNdreY6nBO5O4hyxPA4RdORfsII6wMCfYH-vKhQ-Z2UhU5n7d4jU9Y4KE7/s320/DSCN1532.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>A Redback on the straight and narrow.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99lmfgQoJ1mpiPEZIld14XR5eaemKtLQxCBr6oiVFmgds2Wmk1xvwmvATjZqxJhVzSMqu7FBFGoYW8QPEZxspH8cJfYbjjReFf-HEYW7OKvovxP-GRYHc2xezWW8ZUxquR0NoH9cxXm-u_B4mbyuY_p0CStkW6MDpR90HEkh0UcA6TtxUYsKnmy30o1EV/s3738/DSCN1534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2804" data-original-width="3738" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99lmfgQoJ1mpiPEZIld14XR5eaemKtLQxCBr6oiVFmgds2Wmk1xvwmvATjZqxJhVzSMqu7FBFGoYW8QPEZxspH8cJfYbjjReFf-HEYW7OKvovxP-GRYHc2xezWW8ZUxquR0NoH9cxXm-u_B4mbyuY_p0CStkW6MDpR90HEkh0UcA6TtxUYsKnmy30o1EV/s320/DSCN1534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The first Leadback we'd seen in some time.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WAnZH1W9jNfUcSJVxb_PhtzkmyXdN5ozMnbobHyMy1pqsUigKtnkH_dWYJftIWRkNr9o0QoiWORfsUZnYr673nntxiJPCqjBTcvHnPD4VPuckhbopJIGzNHs3dFSxu-580G1DHjKKOWh7ms3nG3fQedLC7WmyGh5s-UJ9XhDwaxk6RBL2qmqyE_YqIFI/s3482/DSCN1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2612" data-original-width="3482" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WAnZH1W9jNfUcSJVxb_PhtzkmyXdN5ozMnbobHyMy1pqsUigKtnkH_dWYJftIWRkNr9o0QoiWORfsUZnYr673nntxiJPCqjBTcvHnPD4VPuckhbopJIGzNHs3dFSxu-580G1DHjKKOWh7ms3nG3fQedLC7WmyGh5s-UJ9XhDwaxk6RBL2qmqyE_YqIFI/s320/DSCN1535.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One last peek under a trashcan in the cemetery before heading home... BLOOOOOO!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_NK2RXMKukIvqWz851L7fZndKuzEYrxhJVsg1iZ8vq4YIfqvbMeVdJ35hRJb7Qdfiil6ym_xbeuUnwsh7-CfBMpL455Fsb4WWthzX-wTJBJ1WuBuFwyRnF_mvD9teLkKBAEv05lW6rnP3snh962i08FkZWaRKEdp9ReWex7tGRcmCp96sL4ZsF75dwb1/s2982/DSCN1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2236" data-original-width="2982" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_NK2RXMKukIvqWz851L7fZndKuzEYrxhJVsg1iZ8vq4YIfqvbMeVdJ35hRJb7Qdfiil6ym_xbeuUnwsh7-CfBMpL455Fsb4WWthzX-wTJBJ1WuBuFwyRnF_mvD9teLkKBAEv05lW6rnP3snh962i08FkZWaRKEdp9ReWex7tGRcmCp96sL4ZsF75dwb1/s320/DSCN1536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Not a bad half hour!</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day, Saturday was crappy or we had obligations or some such shit but that Sunday, we were invited to a friend's party on the Cape. I scoped out a bunch of spots to poke around in the area of his house but while driving down Route 3, we thought, "It's sunny. Maybe the Hogs are out today..." and we pulled off in Plymouth County to hike our damned spot. We knew we were tossing the dice and might come up super short like we'd been doing there much of the year, but so what?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, we didn't do the full multi-area hiking. We passed up the bogs (bye frogs!) and took the heartbreak trail of the year first. What could possibly go wrong? Well, plenty, but we did find a Ringneck shoestring sleeping under some bark, so that was cool.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNhRLNhR2C6wX-zcM3GgUcAe1djJxn91lPLKBODA_YLvFATOLu0n5fhoEL6AOsC3PGa8XpAiBU7RUxMswIjlTz4lQLnhsT21CfouoK4T1FgFpbUo9lqfS7CpW9J8OXKOBZXZsEP5nLs2oMMlHjWrmQdOSirepvHLzjPjvRwfUaNeA40PVY-MV1MI-ZPF8/s2216/DSCN1537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1662" data-original-width="2216" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNhRLNhR2C6wX-zcM3GgUcAe1djJxn91lPLKBODA_YLvFATOLu0n5fhoEL6AOsC3PGa8XpAiBU7RUxMswIjlTz4lQLnhsT21CfouoK4T1FgFpbUo9lqfS7CpW9J8OXKOBZXZsEP5nLs2oMMlHjWrmQdOSirepvHLzjPjvRwfUaNeA40PVY-MV1MI-ZPF8/s320/DSCN1537.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>He were teeny. Here he is with a penny. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM6IjxN5HYuNF-BU-pqYtwo3LLT_2yLZMQaKqZnilz2rRizr8kfa3g4DoJmntftvYaA84Po8_01bODSzgrMJuny5yTnjqSc9CAmS1qWwsPswLNumo4ueVl2NY946Srz3vBN_Srfye1ITQtgU-eZz4K4QEwPvq16Hm4XPB_wpVW6Np97pS2A_cVjL1I7N7/s3020/DSCN1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2265" data-original-width="3020" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM6IjxN5HYuNF-BU-pqYtwo3LLT_2yLZMQaKqZnilz2rRizr8kfa3g4DoJmntftvYaA84Po8_01bODSzgrMJuny5yTnjqSc9CAmS1qWwsPswLNumo4ueVl2NY946Srz3vBN_Srfye1ITQtgU-eZz4K4QEwPvq16Hm4XPB_wpVW6Np97pS2A_cVjL1I7N7/s320/DSCN1539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The hike didn't produce anything else until we were almost back to the car and we saw one Painted Turtle grasping at the few sunrays.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOms6OwhbAsh09Xqo7kohoc2qY6UQGf6fhttXpN0R8bciD7oLeHNLm6m7nq0t6XQrjB8kpY_ybGmTJzQcGxtnP1CMo-cuNO_PqlvdJgryGCWaSQqnM0uiSpUhGsUS4n1T8R7_BYWTGnF8UhjsjuH2st05fSpkFj-XCvQ6ZCTCie0sp_kYf79OkXDctze8/s2939/DSCN1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="2204" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOms6OwhbAsh09Xqo7kohoc2qY6UQGf6fhttXpN0R8bciD7oLeHNLm6m7nq0t6XQrjB8kpY_ybGmTJzQcGxtnP1CMo-cuNO_PqlvdJgryGCWaSQqnM0uiSpUhGsUS4n1T8R7_BYWTGnF8UhjsjuH2st05fSpkFj-XCvQ6ZCTCie0sp_kYf79OkXDctze8/s320/DSCN1540.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div>I should mention that it wasn't nearly as warm as it looked. There was a frigid wind keeping everything in the 50s.</div><br /><div>We only hit one more spot before giving up, the flipping spot. We did not go towards the vernal, we just flipped up top and got two Redbacks for our efforts.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0rCzRFrQv2feOGrVFNlHGk7Q797YBuxEHNf4Tkv3O3Ej196OGRfZa0eNXEmhG_D35BOp3VVSIm0TOxeyvsegGbnMq3gXifdInWrI-A3jAtC-tvU5EdUwPp7hgRLLdFQ4imXEQIS2LS4npHJB0h4_xLuKFPTymWzfiH9r-EOVwd60aM0peaD5ILAn0R-X/s2804/DSCN1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2103" data-original-width="2804" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0rCzRFrQv2feOGrVFNlHGk7Q797YBuxEHNf4Tkv3O3Ej196OGRfZa0eNXEmhG_D35BOp3VVSIm0TOxeyvsegGbnMq3gXifdInWrI-A3jAtC-tvU5EdUwPp7hgRLLdFQ4imXEQIS2LS4npHJB0h4_xLuKFPTymWzfiH9r-EOVwd60aM0peaD5ILAn0R-X/s320/DSCN1541.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfzGfrg_y-itp7oVAg9cBbwwYOh890MaYQ4BMhOI559p0eyv0WmfonxgyIJ3oZVyHcnGDwL6x-fTE5Tni7x2YRP8vVLEkLCED8jCjP7_OZ0tLafe73gpexIShFq3aS7FSvP2q9WTAHJw4u4DMRVYH23q2crUGaVkJk1dJ_eHrKG1gFyU7m8LuWnCKWkNx/s3243/DSCN1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3243" data-original-width="2432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfzGfrg_y-itp7oVAg9cBbwwYOh890MaYQ4BMhOI559p0eyv0WmfonxgyIJ3oZVyHcnGDwL6x-fTE5Tni7x2YRP8vVLEkLCED8jCjP7_OZ0tLafe73gpexIShFq3aS7FSvP2q9WTAHJw4u4DMRVYH23q2crUGaVkJk1dJ_eHrKG1gFyU7m8LuWnCKWkNx/s320/DSCN1542.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It could have been worse. Who knows if we'd have seen <i>anything</i> at my proposed Cape spots? At any rate, we went down and enjoyed some time with friends, but it was chilly, lemme tell ya!</div><br /><div>So, with the season definitely closing quickly, we know we're running out of chances. On Saturday the 14th, it wasn't <i>terrible</i> out... it was intermittently sunny but cool. There wasn't a lot of wind, though, so we figured we'd check on the local dens. I know, pretty soon that will be our only choice, but hey- it wasn't even 60° out, I didn't want to invest too much effort.</div><div><br /></div><div>We went up to Robles' den area and scored a Redback right away. Good sign.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IjK8S2bqqTBN1_zl74Bfa-ChyphenhyphengieOMdLvn6ukNeQ82E1BfV5HE_OSJXZtx0VJNj3Z4TojeglKUyU9pXTeDzdVYKVPTzh-JyWpYsKcFE4-iVV7gx4zOEVcn__Y5CwUYIoKlRdmndrfzAycv7e42ZMwx45WiTfXKk0Ujo97pWloL7lbJY6sbOCBgbEHXEF/s3156/DSCN1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2367" data-original-width="3156" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IjK8S2bqqTBN1_zl74Bfa-ChyphenhyphengieOMdLvn6ukNeQ82E1BfV5HE_OSJXZtx0VJNj3Z4TojeglKUyU9pXTeDzdVYKVPTzh-JyWpYsKcFE4-iVV7gx4zOEVcn__Y5CwUYIoKlRdmndrfzAycv7e42ZMwx45WiTfXKk0Ujo97pWloL7lbJY6sbOCBgbEHXEF/s320/DSCN1545.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Next up, we were <i>very</i> surprised... almost as surprised as him, to see an American Toad hopping up the densite hill. Usually, we consider toads to be the first to disappear in the fall but this large fella was still up. A very welcome sight. Beautiful animal!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4rTkQoo6JfnyTP_tnYGGYAzC0w1Nhb8iqRwMXLxXNApiZ-XHczaAP0Ut0sn7FULZwwLZHztzW7FKROLNo8-k_PNnY2wu0adufYI49YPStE2DeAEf-nkcr6QhRitiwupdZsL4dgTbKrW8AinPjbiwxkRVUvYeoOm52hqr-SabptB1cmCarCw3VdjlaKje/s3776/DSCN1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="3776" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4rTkQoo6JfnyTP_tnYGGYAzC0w1Nhb8iqRwMXLxXNApiZ-XHczaAP0Ut0sn7FULZwwLZHztzW7FKROLNo8-k_PNnY2wu0adufYI49YPStE2DeAEf-nkcr6QhRitiwupdZsL4dgTbKrW8AinPjbiwxkRVUvYeoOm52hqr-SabptB1cmCarCw3VdjlaKje/s320/DSCN1546.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We got to a log over near Sly's Den and I said, "Remember when we had a cool (temperature) Garter under this last year?" Well, I rolled it and had a kind of two-fer. There <i>was</i> a Garter, but he slid into a hole. There was also a nice Spotted Salamander, too! We hadn't seen one in a a while.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMWHoPkiTRfvLlMy8kUv-8kmyJgWQ60eC0x84sUZ6MsLTXUv7FldyQyN9fWiDymIihm7gy-56J0RW5iDd-8LD3K4sg548Mh_U6K9pkWAq69LoVUP7YE4UuOwO19VQD2oTGJeOa2o1Ri2QCcluo5QWcI8uKeIt0ms-sPTjZAgy04_o7ANcnIW79m4fQdzS/s2971/DSCN1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2229" data-original-width="2971" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMWHoPkiTRfvLlMy8kUv-8kmyJgWQ60eC0x84sUZ6MsLTXUv7FldyQyN9fWiDymIihm7gy-56J0RW5iDd-8LD3K4sg548Mh_U6K9pkWAq69LoVUP7YE4UuOwO19VQD2oTGJeOa2o1Ri2QCcluo5QWcI8uKeIt0ms-sPTjZAgy04_o7ANcnIW79m4fQdzS/s320/DSCN1547.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><div>The shoestring Garter hadn't disappeared completely, it turned out.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhI9cirzPqlzsXT-Hcu0WAeW-qVkKhgvuX8Gcg5UZZz4WYdqH3ibiCp9PLl365b6gEyAsbyy98bhvcVoqpnOYgR_djeJw9plZM6HNQ2lKSyoTI2CIfdEPvPZkXyurZj46GDrqP4xWz9_rDIpkx9BcgR_y4_x4SOEa7HiKf2p3B550qsyo6KtRL8I8Wef7/s2673/DSCN1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="2673" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhI9cirzPqlzsXT-Hcu0WAeW-qVkKhgvuX8Gcg5UZZz4WYdqH3ibiCp9PLl365b6gEyAsbyy98bhvcVoqpnOYgR_djeJw9plZM6HNQ2lKSyoTI2CIfdEPvPZkXyurZj46GDrqP4xWz9_rDIpkx9BcgR_y4_x4SOEa7HiKf2p3B550qsyo6KtRL8I8Wef7/s320/DSCN1548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>I didn't want to wreck his cavern so I dug into the mulchy soil about 6" away from him and eventually bothered him enough to come out. He musked me to show me the error of my ways.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZ_4JjsRLtKI1Rm1hW8jjeskQMK3ywZKdQMLIcQaX5uc8bCzXOXwqY8o0LD2H9efPQCxUVF1FQnXLrc1iryzGVg7DFP4ZGuubh6Yr4bqUXfYwp1J-_Ij0FLvAbG8snkBT4swR5fi2FQK5aP9_jGEN_sIwFkAw3iwtDDs5UODTnQ3FAts1KsIwsz7-Iwbx/s3539/DSCN1550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2654" data-original-width="3539" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZ_4JjsRLtKI1Rm1hW8jjeskQMK3ywZKdQMLIcQaX5uc8bCzXOXwqY8o0LD2H9efPQCxUVF1FQnXLrc1iryzGVg7DFP4ZGuubh6Yr4bqUXfYwp1J-_Ij0FLvAbG8snkBT4swR5fi2FQK5aP9_jGEN_sIwFkAw3iwtDDs5UODTnQ3FAts1KsIwsz7-Iwbx/s320/DSCN1550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The dens weren't hoppin'. Whether it was just too cold to see any animals or they weren't there yet is not known. I suspect the latter. We checked four different den-sites and only had that one shoestring present. We did see a few more Redbacks, though. (Cue the yawning for certain cool people.)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZvIdKKvMELxynpozCBFvVqeQ8mDC0dmkmUYM-2ByCbHBS8NqYdCCn40ZqaebLGHgTTklHNRCs_BTJmjOLJQi7-qIPCVch1V4JukHM-DihnHQ7eMIRAqLAF1-UhEbSW0VMgouqg7lXKGIJOKdddGRU79yH33qCVZAiD6FDAnEPUxeJMGj8DKj1X4iA9D6/s2717/DSCN1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2038" data-original-width="2717" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZvIdKKvMELxynpozCBFvVqeQ8mDC0dmkmUYM-2ByCbHBS8NqYdCCn40ZqaebLGHgTTklHNRCs_BTJmjOLJQi7-qIPCVch1V4JukHM-DihnHQ7eMIRAqLAF1-UhEbSW0VMgouqg7lXKGIJOKdddGRU79yH33qCVZAiD6FDAnEPUxeJMGj8DKj1X4iA9D6/s320/DSCN1551.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDA9kPBpZKeeCpSR9eHaP-i8klXRbqRR7gSgsMprPFAUAXOMTIH3eLvKtm_TDl7ktVdrQqaCSqqO4Yg7b38PLOZtxFbXudtcynKNQ5fpLhyphenhyphen-kDtr-rt3KrIMQ_-1YpnfJ5BYrB-nF7HKWZgDgz-aJ_Avyic7jxbDhfnPqfcNrYH-l5qXk5nkTd9RLtc2gc/s3262/DSCN1552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="3262" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDA9kPBpZKeeCpSR9eHaP-i8klXRbqRR7gSgsMprPFAUAXOMTIH3eLvKtm_TDl7ktVdrQqaCSqqO4Yg7b38PLOZtxFbXudtcynKNQ5fpLhyphenhyphen-kDtr-rt3KrIMQ_-1YpnfJ5BYrB-nF7HKWZgDgz-aJ_Avyic7jxbDhfnPqfcNrYH-l5qXk5nkTd9RLtc2gc/s320/DSCN1552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We decided to walk to the adjoining park and maybe hit the river to see if any foolish Painted Turtles were trying to bask on this shady day. (Turns out there was an annular solar eclipse that day which might account for some of the overcastedness...) This (I think) Green Frog was buried in the muck of the low water under a bridge. Beavers had stopped the flow pretty well.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuUon92F31kSrCalsrH97yzQkCwhgH_Ppx2P7sDG0dLq5RK_0UopdD_1i2ZJfVgXjI6OFffByxBQkcumtmYjQ_VkSCyRmExxK0UoXSEpSGxJK8UTGzmABBEAQX9nbzAJpMHS3mqlDcMlm4GcPXn9KvdlqRhyqMJEVwCay4YbDsZo8aJdvFOIM1PfRrb9A/s3561/DSCN1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2671" data-original-width="3561" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuUon92F31kSrCalsrH97yzQkCwhgH_Ppx2P7sDG0dLq5RK_0UopdD_1i2ZJfVgXjI6OFffByxBQkcumtmYjQ_VkSCyRmExxK0UoXSEpSGxJK8UTGzmABBEAQX9nbzAJpMHS3mqlDcMlm4GcPXn9KvdlqRhyqMJEVwCay4YbDsZo8aJdvFOIM1PfRrb9A/s320/DSCN1554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Well, we got to the river and yes, Virginia, there was one Painted Turtle trying to get some eclipse rays.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzCgmSi71ye45h7FcGpjptEuO1ZB6RnMzvwKxSptLD4bzY2sjsk2MaQeSLUCatoIY4YNnJi3imapbXM8kpktq_cYShxU4E8iDdMTsLWojrIturzg3s-SpS6ni2BnmBsHSfqaORRTZ3Ce9DchwwRTTV5bTioArTPrU5D3VsvFERfy9n2AgMma2xi7WMq_e/s3686/DSCN1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="3686" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzCgmSi71ye45h7FcGpjptEuO1ZB6RnMzvwKxSptLD4bzY2sjsk2MaQeSLUCatoIY4YNnJi3imapbXM8kpktq_cYShxU4E8iDdMTsLWojrIturzg3s-SpS6ni2BnmBsHSfqaORRTZ3Ce9DchwwRTTV5bTioArTPrU5D3VsvFERfy9n2AgMma2xi7WMq_e/s320/DSCN1556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He looks pretty pleased with himself, too.<div><br /></div><div>Walking back, we stayed up on the paved path where it was a bit warmer. There are loads of rocks there but many are very heavy and I'm not half the flipper I used to be. I tried some low-hanging fruit but there weren't any snakes out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until there was.</div><div><br /></div><div>One flip got me a handful of squamate cuteness. A yearling Garter, a this year's model and a much appreciated DeKay's! A beautiful Autumn bouquet!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyuLg1OYG-T7rGg5eyWCmaZQlW-qbQaWkqDANUucDIPJi1CJA7yGXXjF6_dgnystIXnnu29d_ANnA9Oovy_R-pje4vlJa7u-gbpnlsUU2_SRaJhV40e5Ig28S_cJNZO_3TRJSOYaYNKXX5Azu2hrKGp45Xu6YQhMH1CKlBXHkjpoRlbJulAMkxQac2HEO/s2615/DSCN1560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2615" data-original-width="1961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyuLg1OYG-T7rGg5eyWCmaZQlW-qbQaWkqDANUucDIPJi1CJA7yGXXjF6_dgnystIXnnu29d_ANnA9Oovy_R-pje4vlJa7u-gbpnlsUU2_SRaJhV40e5Ig28S_cJNZO_3TRJSOYaYNKXX5Azu2hrKGp45Xu6YQhMH1CKlBXHkjpoRlbJulAMkxQac2HEO/s320/DSCN1560.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div>Since we didn't see many others this year, here's a Deke solo shot. Gorgeous.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIZGPryfmC9sVWKShTVHvFJrTP9OvRzYFXc8BNctMeUwOl9feO7VpdVsSbbJAER7dGs7AgjF5Ktm-URcmP1b2tZiQEvQ_eNY_lwkvS4DAMFFtM2iWOBs6MTys44nDrMmT3LnnbgYpP3pw9uVSRud0UhaCmb4Ew0iuAWJx1LF-3bB04kAR8cozTKHYUDHL/s4084/DSCN1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3063" data-original-width="4084" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIZGPryfmC9sVWKShTVHvFJrTP9OvRzYFXc8BNctMeUwOl9feO7VpdVsSbbJAER7dGs7AgjF5Ktm-URcmP1b2tZiQEvQ_eNY_lwkvS4DAMFFtM2iWOBs6MTys44nDrMmT3LnnbgYpP3pw9uVSRud0UhaCmb4Ew0iuAWJx1LF-3bB04kAR8cozTKHYUDHL/s320/DSCN1557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Heading back, we sat on a bench near the bridge. Andrea had to take a Mom-Call so I went over to the water. The big Green was gone but this skinny, dark Green was there wishing there was more water! Damn, beavers! (Hah!)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y5G4rALV03V2n_2p_fXHQ0AYap_nYsDJdobGQ0Yca6rBoEUZGGlHc48qXHDCDjo8jslJZKasF-dBZWgeyf5mI_4v5m4EdEU4JVRWxphrwl1qjsSYnkiN687hwCosmaKMLx6Q8tZjjYUKveEnVzHe-ZI2uTF6XdVdujDWkXeHyjft3ko-s7HYzAcmS97r/s3389/DSCN1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2542" data-original-width="3389" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y5G4rALV03V2n_2p_fXHQ0AYap_nYsDJdobGQ0Yca6rBoEUZGGlHc48qXHDCDjo8jslJZKasF-dBZWgeyf5mI_4v5m4EdEU4JVRWxphrwl1qjsSYnkiN687hwCosmaKMLx6Q8tZjjYUKveEnVzHe-ZI2uTF6XdVdujDWkXeHyjft3ko-s7HYzAcmS97r/s320/DSCN1564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Heading back, we decided to check the Valley again. This Blue was under the same log that the Redback and Blue-spotted were under in the picture above. I'm pretty sure it's the same <i>laterale</i>. Must be his crib.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQNl8v4Jk5-6E2-lLY6bONPqMEsuFmxDSjLq_uiicnKgxCi0oKr11_ZbSyPQnDW-cXOva6TKgm3_DcnEs9XhQQIwaAjwC-T7IUvJGyfaCT7pYhCoiQ4ERYxN5pd3GugqoFj1kHSFM7gb4QWP8tCLo-5PDj3uyWe7ejsceTuapZp83-BRchawCo7q-bw_A/s3357/DSCN1566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="3357" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQNl8v4Jk5-6E2-lLY6bONPqMEsuFmxDSjLq_uiicnKgxCi0oKr11_ZbSyPQnDW-cXOva6TKgm3_DcnEs9XhQQIwaAjwC-T7IUvJGyfaCT7pYhCoiQ4ERYxN5pd3GugqoFj1kHSFM7gb4QWP8tCLo-5PDj3uyWe7ejsceTuapZp83-BRchawCo7q-bw_A/s320/DSCN1566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Our last sight on this unexpectedly good day was another Spotted Salamander... definitely this year's metamorph.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUptXyRXh7T_bZdFfXpyzpUbkft1yN_GqxOVn-zpeL98Rb0tiLL-AhKOc33SkOGVhhzbtF04Jdwd_qvWCnUUEQkOKQKxN-Ad6tFuSKxDkn_MfmdmgnzMhF477pCHZvYjz8ILubYedQKp4Xe3AW-2UIwc8w33YvhqIYL3hf7J06PZsKCHIJPWPDHZZdk0J_/s2736/DSCN1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2052" data-original-width="2736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUptXyRXh7T_bZdFfXpyzpUbkft1yN_GqxOVn-zpeL98Rb0tiLL-AhKOc33SkOGVhhzbtF04Jdwd_qvWCnUUEQkOKQKxN-Ad6tFuSKxDkn_MfmdmgnzMhF477pCHZvYjz8ILubYedQKp4Xe3AW-2UIwc8w33YvhqIYL3hf7J06PZsKCHIJPWPDHZZdk0J_/s320/DSCN1567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>So, not a bad day for one that we didn't even plan on walking. Eight species in our home county on a cool October day. I'll take it. That makes 16 October species of reptile and amphibian in Massachusetts. This upcoming weekend has been forecast to be warm and sunny... maybe even in he 70s. We'd love to have one (or two) more big days to hold us over the winter.<br /><br />Who knows. 2023 has been crap but maybe we can still make up for it.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-74405392030882362562023-10-08T06:39:00.000-07:002023-10-08T06:39:03.869-07:00Eleven Species on an October Day. 10-1-2023<p> Up and out early, we were. It was going to scrape 70° this day, with sun even, so we headed to a favorite spot in Plymouth County. The place where Andrea broke her ankle in April. All "looking for Wood Frogs" would be done with severe caution. We got there and decided to hit those very same woods first. Near my "Wood Frog" spot, I found some Redbacks under a tire. Off to an excellent start<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8WgsHrpyJyz9UrmeeuXqXyMq2fFN4G4pNDJt1masX8Dyii-Qsp0LyqmJEe565WhIeg_0mw_eDvKbEo8yYa-FQuXLM39UIO5WL5qBzfahWekTflOkEp-JxC_o2L7Knwbs6jD3icGHViMImcgyKEAEulxqygkqMsHqgUZKkCalOrDsl9eyQA9wIodHqOcg/s3342/DSCN1446.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8WgsHrpyJyz9UrmeeuXqXyMq2fFN4G4pNDJt1masX8Dyii-Qsp0LyqmJEe565WhIeg_0mw_eDvKbEo8yYa-FQuXLM39UIO5WL5qBzfahWekTflOkEp-JxC_o2L7Knwbs6jD3icGHViMImcgyKEAEulxqygkqMsHqgUZKkCalOrDsl9eyQA9wIodHqOcg/s320/DSCN1446.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Andrea found a few as well.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1RYvPlPBXdvArA3NMZ5WItvLsN_nKz5d4LLvUyleYtsD5VBr5z-8px8PQSQWf1obusj_PN8PlOcmJVybhwrPknMZO3gSTWhi2-MGOoHITTl79stSKFIVKYN9qSnsHYYQh_pRZbnZioI5w_epggH9LwG5FYhOpNdHByIaMNFZUZ2Ue-DFd8w0Ejcv7UiT/s3662/DSCN1447.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1RYvPlPBXdvArA3NMZ5WItvLsN_nKz5d4LLvUyleYtsD5VBr5z-8px8PQSQWf1obusj_PN8PlOcmJVybhwrPknMZO3gSTWhi2-MGOoHITTl79stSKFIVKYN9qSnsHYYQh_pRZbnZioI5w_epggH9LwG5FYhOpNdHByIaMNFZUZ2Ue-DFd8w0Ejcv7UiT/s320/DSCN1447.JPG" /></a><br />We're still not sure why we haven't been seeing so many lately, but it should be noted that these woods were full of them and we saw no Crazy Worms.</p>Of course, we always do a quick sweep for Box Turtles since we saw one here in 2020. Well, tenacity paid off with this, our first Box in two years.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OmCBRA7zIP8zsDf-fIdIIBvIJRVufxI32Unjx1JWWoDhVMWLq98mriAcYe-u_Ot3TaLcexJI7MN9xX_UvhxgLI0B8k3mdhtw8JJPBYwjSV3V7z0RmnyJPb_pqp9qc-K9ZjbTwsNdBDkuVeM7jq3jX6ihkZ8rUJMtY59PBL2zC5H9wnCeaoNqHknR4nmm/s4010/DSCN1451.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OmCBRA7zIP8zsDf-fIdIIBvIJRVufxI32Unjx1JWWoDhVMWLq98mriAcYe-u_Ot3TaLcexJI7MN9xX_UvhxgLI0B8k3mdhtw8JJPBYwjSV3V7z0RmnyJPb_pqp9qc-K9ZjbTwsNdBDkuVeM7jq3jX6ihkZ8rUJMtY59PBL2zC5H9wnCeaoNqHknR4nmm/s320/DSCN1451.JPG" /></a><div>After comparing shell-markings, we have determined that this is the same specimen that we saw 3 years ago. So, is there a population here or is this the Lonesome George of Plymouth County? We shall continue to search the area.</div><div><br /></div><div>Up on the sunny trails, we walked along the bogs but saw nothing except one Painter diving into the drink and a huge Bullfrog that startled us in the grass, but no pictures were acquired. Then Andrea saw this Pickerel in the sandy path.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlQOId4BQxDYmIzTl3RoUwox7zSl937WFQwBxZ3XVhv8XhEGL0HbUp92qAFNzzyVAaesKBCSHeze1GzMhSn-Bynj-FddwwDiJWzOwTdcrnNGTrHgsWjqWFD-8SLyqywvOMMT5bcuyAePKzhBI2ybd0E7pOI28VjpWXd9Tp8XE2JYbJFshyphenhyphenitLFXBIMhcm/s2897/DSCN1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2173" data-original-width="2897" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlQOId4BQxDYmIzTl3RoUwox7zSl937WFQwBxZ3XVhv8XhEGL0HbUp92qAFNzzyVAaesKBCSHeze1GzMhSn-Bynj-FddwwDiJWzOwTdcrnNGTrHgsWjqWFD-8SLyqywvOMMT5bcuyAePKzhBI2ybd0E7pOI28VjpWXd9Tp8XE2JYbJFshyphenhyphenitLFXBIMhcm/s320/DSCN1452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The sun was warming the path so small black squiggles started inching on to it from the grass. Three dark, young Water Snakes in a row.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRfUMHklRcBHZ8IKTiYvR7fR_ba-yNk3cU5qm30oZuLuBVUI7TSsRmQlxVJJnwr31_VGX4J8H-mbZspJflvebprRfu6mSZCUvj34OyALIPk31rnogZpYd88lSYu8gUj1L4SP39n2D5tZgiVzC_KKreH3E6JS1eWB0URifjSWoZybAHnM2nlpeleXaKSFE/s3291/DSCN1454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3291" data-original-width="2468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRfUMHklRcBHZ8IKTiYvR7fR_ba-yNk3cU5qm30oZuLuBVUI7TSsRmQlxVJJnwr31_VGX4J8H-mbZspJflvebprRfu6mSZCUvj34OyALIPk31rnogZpYd88lSYu8gUj1L4SP39n2D5tZgiVzC_KKreH3E6JS1eWB0URifjSWoZybAHnM2nlpeleXaKSFE/s320/DSCN1454.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgP7c8qIEWgEGLiXl_VOc7ZGuP1TVzl_l6WGWP6gLqIIPBvjHn9LFyR5LHj_62YHXAPfEMkAe4JeZJonCGbANyElRNkCAQTc4CWrBFG4YuiGjhMmAkomhFZoCukusMrWi5KVucySvijjH5MgShrm4If5F271Kbfkjki9YeWnSmPk_GlcvnHvwCHb06t2d/s2233/DSCN1455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2233" data-original-width="1675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgP7c8qIEWgEGLiXl_VOc7ZGuP1TVzl_l6WGWP6gLqIIPBvjHn9LFyR5LHj_62YHXAPfEMkAe4JeZJonCGbANyElRNkCAQTc4CWrBFG4YuiGjhMmAkomhFZoCukusMrWi5KVucySvijjH5MgShrm4If5F271Kbfkjki9YeWnSmPk_GlcvnHvwCHb06t2d/s320/DSCN1455.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5ZuojT9H0qPxp0zDwhprLcFuqUeLhl7eJvtRq-FW2QKSBW7tFKX32itpsGvFeQGhHqpQhObqTDJAIB_WhyphenhyphenBoKY4Mp9um0wXXUeN8hVnEvfzmhLHdSArecBDZBF3JvoeNY6hc2RgxAz-4PypI_-Kn0ZrNnPyVP46GaLsUXG-qFo6PanEDS-h9eqzR59ZW/s3023/DSCN1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3023" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5ZuojT9H0qPxp0zDwhprLcFuqUeLhl7eJvtRq-FW2QKSBW7tFKX32itpsGvFeQGhHqpQhObqTDJAIB_WhyphenhyphenBoKY4Mp9um0wXXUeN8hVnEvfzmhLHdSArecBDZBF3JvoeNY6hc2RgxAz-4PypI_-Kn0ZrNnPyVP46GaLsUXG-qFo6PanEDS-h9eqzR59ZW/s320/DSCN1456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This Spotted Turtle was doing his best Water Snake impression.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtrot-bBdm4FXV1EOXBzkg-Qm-b_631id1ws_QrgLt2gpmIrWUFTNNvEOPJm7CN1InqoqjbgJdwurKt1Rrt5GjXQPTsFIuIqMgF0IKsfdLreaU8JkzV51upQE6UiADIyfvppm1ATQxndbgol0P3NITHIJezGwEJ5vcjKhbOWs3E4hMOx-ngYR7DLJ6P1-/s3682/DSCN1457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="3682" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtrot-bBdm4FXV1EOXBzkg-Qm-b_631id1ws_QrgLt2gpmIrWUFTNNvEOPJm7CN1InqoqjbgJdwurKt1Rrt5GjXQPTsFIuIqMgF0IKsfdLreaU8JkzV51upQE6UiADIyfvppm1ATQxndbgol0P3NITHIJezGwEJ5vcjKhbOWs3E4hMOx-ngYR7DLJ6P1-/s320/DSCN1457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A cluster of baby Bullheads.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepNPdrwDXlBMSj1_C-gdRwmm8eA9Z-XfQCM5HWDTV-ZF-KhJYvYYcOFoT-nuM4U-Vvn9Odc70zCfxryXPCro46BzGDVzd3U7UMpFNqEhkbJDgSQEKl4_VRdVGF3A05k3r2CzGHzx4fQmYxhpCmr4U4a-bjn69eqJjbntGP6fPdBjZJqs6aM1tJH0LAIWF/s2788/DSCN1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="2788" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepNPdrwDXlBMSj1_C-gdRwmm8eA9Z-XfQCM5HWDTV-ZF-KhJYvYYcOFoT-nuM4U-Vvn9Odc70zCfxryXPCro46BzGDVzd3U7UMpFNqEhkbJDgSQEKl4_VRdVGF3A05k3r2CzGHzx4fQmYxhpCmr4U4a-bjn69eqJjbntGP6fPdBjZJqs6aM1tJH0LAIWF/s320/DSCN1459.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A Water Snake periscoping.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJOb-8Ft1bM9uMiUKWRKEgWgAgYXNYg8naLO-kTGV8V3IbtlWDT_uiF2Jtgf2OACnsikPRl20KZJwQw4fAS41f7EDqxi4NyPnXGAl9b-Xz8TjXiwV6TT3f-5SII5oihSmx5Dhbt9gk1wXrp-fqXMEE9xE1Xtvda9BMPBcUxGPvCqPmQPQiVfbD7yoiWr-/s3764/DSCN1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2823" data-original-width="3764" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJOb-8Ft1bM9uMiUKWRKEgWgAgYXNYg8naLO-kTGV8V3IbtlWDT_uiF2Jtgf2OACnsikPRl20KZJwQw4fAS41f7EDqxi4NyPnXGAl9b-Xz8TjXiwV6TT3f-5SII5oihSmx5Dhbt9gk1wXrp-fqXMEE9xE1Xtvda9BMPBcUxGPvCqPmQPQiVfbD7yoiWr-/s320/DSCN1460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Finally got the camera on a Painted Turtle.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGzNjKG2rASKcHRJqF6MbN6Pv5qz_mx2b-4uCSsKUSSqm06TCB_RdkVhE2wQpFTKQ4CSM6kV0qLzuoeO31wvc2RegteW5BtmAQGCPLOciyKSpyC2D0Xkp4RwEbPWKtS-qEyKtUI7i8dgfA-crw2522KMnTorsFmf7r_FdgrHAxNug7I6WQoMkPdda7YdK/s2599/DSCN1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1949" data-original-width="2599" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGzNjKG2rASKcHRJqF6MbN6Pv5qz_mx2b-4uCSsKUSSqm06TCB_RdkVhE2wQpFTKQ4CSM6kV0qLzuoeO31wvc2RegteW5BtmAQGCPLOciyKSpyC2D0Xkp4RwEbPWKtS-qEyKtUI7i8dgfA-crw2522KMnTorsFmf7r_FdgrHAxNug7I6WQoMkPdda7YdK/s320/DSCN1461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Classic Bullfrog face.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j5iCBIp-Ml31VwB4w7QcAArJaO6wwxnoEFvU2x0KEo-POTrOqgKqLKC4qlu8sMUBXpkNT_2EvIIzvqc6QfVrzKbkm71D6LvDeEdtT359H4J5nSZE5I6BLYI2-iYauTVGfg6S5Lrok-JdPygbjnrAjAm-W6iE7n6U9zmH7315r542bbechue69lfpBk8a/s2499/DSCN1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1874" data-original-width="2499" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j5iCBIp-Ml31VwB4w7QcAArJaO6wwxnoEFvU2x0KEo-POTrOqgKqLKC4qlu8sMUBXpkNT_2EvIIzvqc6QfVrzKbkm71D6LvDeEdtT359H4J5nSZE5I6BLYI2-iYauTVGfg6S5Lrok-JdPygbjnrAjAm-W6iE7n6U9zmH7315r542bbechue69lfpBk8a/s320/DSCN1464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Painted glory.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZTHZz3MDOM4sGOh-lM61z5TpM9N0RubOU7v8jTGjjinGDkOoZXTi1tm99U2-2R4-OSBV8TmLuern8EUxhnDPx_68Wp-vNohnnd_eVE_OS2mRx-sUf5mvx9MpF-OPqtMVSBdEkFnQ5t3BYAWN79sQFovBVyD_kTTbXwg2OC7GZAEIvnfPG0GhmDM1DYTA/s3153/DSCN1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2365" data-original-width="3153" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZTHZz3MDOM4sGOh-lM61z5TpM9N0RubOU7v8jTGjjinGDkOoZXTi1tm99U2-2R4-OSBV8TmLuern8EUxhnDPx_68Wp-vNohnnd_eVE_OS2mRx-sUf5mvx9MpF-OPqtMVSBdEkFnQ5t3BYAWN79sQFovBVyD_kTTbXwg2OC7GZAEIvnfPG0GhmDM1DYTA/s320/DSCN1469.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Another Pickerel, trying to hide.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdcu6xN2YI0xMMagkRg-qVsf_Y-k7n6kndE5n2UhEsPqUgWU8hpff6NziWwB8F3o9eqFrQQ7rleUOIqOHTQMuc-175u-TKCgAFj95Yxgqhde0QlZXTpUSnV73hyKLRC5Zc3iUxsHd6L5QwsQAZqquW7Hb213miy6RK7_waFLzr1Fll5ZB7bu7wn0S9QUf/s2861/DSCN1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2146" data-original-width="2861" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdcu6xN2YI0xMMagkRg-qVsf_Y-k7n6kndE5n2UhEsPqUgWU8hpff6NziWwB8F3o9eqFrQQ7rleUOIqOHTQMuc-175u-TKCgAFj95Yxgqhde0QlZXTpUSnV73hyKLRC5Zc3iUxsHd6L5QwsQAZqquW7Hb213miy6RK7_waFLzr1Fll5ZB7bu7wn0S9QUf/s320/DSCN1470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It's always a treat to see a Snapper on land. This guy was small-dinner-plate sized and took umbrage with our walking near him.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAeuRWDOf1OPxLvCK6SLIgnK_RS6FIVRH3bi07C7yRRsaG9hzYp7Lp0779VcIJ9Oqq_bEUU6Z_YxhuxajOl988EmoZEVn3qSkaSyhdPyETuvt-nETbn7tpnyxrQloKOaekOAq6mNiagV50wcBIpsw2TohNch_ri5qPtlTrZorvhnpkdA2ECR3vFuw3PmU/s3420/DSCN1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2565" data-original-width="3420" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAeuRWDOf1OPxLvCK6SLIgnK_RS6FIVRH3bi07C7yRRsaG9hzYp7Lp0779VcIJ9Oqq_bEUU6Z_YxhuxajOl988EmoZEVn3qSkaSyhdPyETuvt-nETbn7tpnyxrQloKOaekOAq6mNiagV50wcBIpsw2TohNch_ri5qPtlTrZorvhnpkdA2ECR3vFuw3PmU/s320/DSCN1471.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5MHhCnkkJz5qhD0cFeXcnFKX_6CF7psSHovOc5qMbCQyrvz5nCKDWPmAZad87DLOtluZ6BYVsK57cpLY_fyzfjHB_Z5vN5p5QpHLyUmkdPNwCoyRyER1FvIwg2OLsot5DlJJ34YH8UAwgdBg3L9Rylnf9Vy4QQLnQSk5A3HRHUpxyp5TuoD5QRoJ_Z5a/s4608/DSCN1472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5MHhCnkkJz5qhD0cFeXcnFKX_6CF7psSHovOc5qMbCQyrvz5nCKDWPmAZad87DLOtluZ6BYVsK57cpLY_fyzfjHB_Z5vN5p5QpHLyUmkdPNwCoyRyER1FvIwg2OLsot5DlJJ34YH8UAwgdBg3L9Rylnf9Vy4QQLnQSk5A3HRHUpxyp5TuoD5QRoJ_Z5a/s320/DSCN1472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Another nice Pickerel, this time with some gorgeous copper colors.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjmvj_Kp028MHZp3r5JEQMT8gXJPDbQOqp7WGxUXh8sWIqGNTa-BkHEag2UL3Be4caZ0TqqAYS-pH00fefgRXybFtyZwhhXoAzYJ0ACXA8k5ZPMHWh-W3NKTmHSVkVjbKtCBLZjXLefanwcUpEvukdVRDXFl_K1zUhvf8peP6IjK9_euryrzZ9rH6ZPeH/s2383/DSCN1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1787" data-original-width="2383" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjmvj_Kp028MHZp3r5JEQMT8gXJPDbQOqp7WGxUXh8sWIqGNTa-BkHEag2UL3Be4caZ0TqqAYS-pH00fefgRXybFtyZwhhXoAzYJ0ACXA8k5ZPMHWh-W3NKTmHSVkVjbKtCBLZjXLefanwcUpEvukdVRDXFl_K1zUhvf8peP6IjK9_euryrzZ9rH6ZPeH/s320/DSCN1473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Down on Painter Island.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxNO7WPMunxVvOoQ8wxmb_1X8F8TPRivWC_SGBBTN1dC1D4o6TI-iXb17Bi2mHUzqIAXVtPcJLzxhiOjAnE_OhduxseODWVQLBgsNL6ZnyTn5UdBQgph9YRyJumAwp_zjkRpHopTZPlhVHZWRfGJb_AzeU6n7NsYCCsDG5Zd39UJO18YXotAU7Iv3scHQ/s4608/DSCN1474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxNO7WPMunxVvOoQ8wxmb_1X8F8TPRivWC_SGBBTN1dC1D4o6TI-iXb17Bi2mHUzqIAXVtPcJLzxhiOjAnE_OhduxseODWVQLBgsNL6ZnyTn5UdBQgph9YRyJumAwp_zjkRpHopTZPlhVHZWRfGJb_AzeU6n7NsYCCsDG5Zd39UJO18YXotAU7Iv3scHQ/s320/DSCN1474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Another Bull doin' its thing.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXCAlBwEaR82QSMXnO6JS0xEbjQVODDYBGB8Xp-nta9mLq4py7vBMCjCmjxKh_5r7t-y6ODOX2vWTjnEdPlRhtw99tgHBlVJ1MqLju2J77iJRbIDuELBB7XKVtyH2mRiw3JDeNqE93siIv6KP6wQIh-k509tngQSNIC5u4Ht0NSAKhdFzF9V62gXHlIJd/s3129/DSCN1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2347" data-original-width="3129" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXCAlBwEaR82QSMXnO6JS0xEbjQVODDYBGB8Xp-nta9mLq4py7vBMCjCmjxKh_5r7t-y6ODOX2vWTjnEdPlRhtw99tgHBlVJ1MqLju2J77iJRbIDuELBB7XKVtyH2mRiw3JDeNqE93siIv6KP6wQIh-k509tngQSNIC5u4Ht0NSAKhdFzF9V62gXHlIJd/s320/DSCN1475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously, Pickerels were plentiful. This chubby guy was the biggest on the day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhounsl-BTpRhJ4w4y6uQTmOCCCWKm9hzPh6T0P81LrrTYuOQCVQkbSyXYmF2ICCTB61rQrxUorEpF5Yf4Nu8_JRKzPhzHv4r9_wKnVuUPsMoakBvEZlseZGSXcUumxq32D2qLRU7Y4MfEirCggbkqQG1zhEyJMu6E33Xr61gVX1zPuVp-c6N3jyYNvk1nW/s3210/DSCN1476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="3210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhounsl-BTpRhJ4w4y6uQTmOCCCWKm9hzPh6T0P81LrrTYuOQCVQkbSyXYmF2ICCTB61rQrxUorEpF5Yf4Nu8_JRKzPhzHv4r9_wKnVuUPsMoakBvEZlseZGSXcUumxq32D2qLRU7Y4MfEirCggbkqQG1zhEyJMu6E33Xr61gVX1zPuVp-c6N3jyYNvk1nW/s320/DSCN1476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A short stack of Painted Turtles.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFoxv0MbwRLhzpNFy9lidL0oT_61-a1PaVrlNm_OTkWTz_l1rAbN8KvRUOuNsktpp8P0lCgzXa3WUxGS8ZNSUBWYuI6Kp378s2wMZqHFXv45NopdvEZuL6XYOMtvedm4PNIm_NzxvTv-7YwBcKTd_9Wt6SZI-WCXEWaEVgJQi_CmmS3vXgesZ7J5JTWYZ/s2980/DSCN1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="2235" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFoxv0MbwRLhzpNFy9lidL0oT_61-a1PaVrlNm_OTkWTz_l1rAbN8KvRUOuNsktpp8P0lCgzXa3WUxGS8ZNSUBWYuI6Kp378s2wMZqHFXv45NopdvEZuL6XYOMtvedm4PNIm_NzxvTv-7YwBcKTd_9Wt6SZI-WCXEWaEVgJQi_CmmS3vXgesZ7J5JTWYZ/s320/DSCN1478.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Nerodia face. This guy was toughing out a windy patch.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVhmnNKMXvfreFK5diklH34y4ufBsufJS3c_4tZF-uVQn-eY2WAYI7qQilJkyM6y_KlxC28CMMbaxsqCg8tH4XGMp6mA331U-pyopX3MQqkQPGyfC7_4ZUPpKObyi1CqrzLiiom6ImmgNmHXVzVnaa28J9Jnk6qIkIk_xwp8Hss-fRKI40TN3BA1d5E_z/s2694/DSCN1482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2694" data-original-width="2020" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVhmnNKMXvfreFK5diklH34y4ufBsufJS3c_4tZF-uVQn-eY2WAYI7qQilJkyM6y_KlxC28CMMbaxsqCg8tH4XGMp6mA331U-pyopX3MQqkQPGyfC7_4ZUPpKObyi1CqrzLiiom6ImmgNmHXVzVnaa28J9Jnk6qIkIk_xwp8Hss-fRKI40TN3BA1d5E_z/s320/DSCN1482.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>The main pond was an October vision of beauty. I love late in the season when every Painted Turtle on the planet knows what is coming and grab as much autumn sun as possible!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs5VFNrCSQP4zArvh3SrpBSdL899yGH5N_Cwf9w9IVtrqmqLnlKHfCH8r0Sqkmnj2-ylrRQKPaYflJLY1SwgSTRuHnAa3QDb1U0pjweR3VmGmxrQ1KvDs8BTt-0kfFnJveYg9leWmo8iNaCVgQnZ9FRr4CbbL2wcWs8aYpno0QxxNnSoo7Ks7iJJroFMf/s3200/DSCN1483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs5VFNrCSQP4zArvh3SrpBSdL899yGH5N_Cwf9w9IVtrqmqLnlKHfCH8r0Sqkmnj2-ylrRQKPaYflJLY1SwgSTRuHnAa3QDb1U0pjweR3VmGmxrQ1KvDs8BTt-0kfFnJveYg9leWmo8iNaCVgQnZ9FRr4CbbL2wcWs8aYpno0QxxNnSoo7Ks7iJJroFMf/s320/DSCN1483.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iaQWR7ry6gAW5PjiLzq5B7TJq6_E4r59RFyaF50xW-AMiFjmg7bM5dLtC0ET4GBvxUZwogCMQi_BvHwM_blbKc5cavQh38Dh6TLJCCN5sGmSwdFfjNb4FeBvOtbaL6tO17ooX9VdwpjeEg5t76n__hVjDcHCEGCZ2-sPffL-kuycBuZoGL30wEcaUmr-/s3461/DSCN1485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2596" data-original-width="3461" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iaQWR7ry6gAW5PjiLzq5B7TJq6_E4r59RFyaF50xW-AMiFjmg7bM5dLtC0ET4GBvxUZwogCMQi_BvHwM_blbKc5cavQh38Dh6TLJCCN5sGmSwdFfjNb4FeBvOtbaL6tO17ooX9VdwpjeEg5t76n__hVjDcHCEGCZ2-sPffL-kuycBuZoGL30wEcaUmr-/s320/DSCN1485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>^^^ Just what the hell is going on on the far left there?!</div><div><br /></div><div>We watched this Blinded Sphinx caterpillar hustle across the sand as we sat and rested.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc10flzTCQ8XEwUT7ke6zZYN0tMh0auCJ4tK1X49VU4X6RGVFOhluatMWf3uVcPQJe2OCp91UKcxTQL2gs55c3aNZkkSe5fDBlYvDqGi7dCXoo28nazC3U8bbaCvwNTDb4ci7y11Lq4HRxNjykOk0k7kL3Ki3qrtcV7Lrszp884V72GQ-ShSHwF45RDSYr/s2500/DSCN1489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="2500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc10flzTCQ8XEwUT7ke6zZYN0tMh0auCJ4tK1X49VU4X6RGVFOhluatMWf3uVcPQJe2OCp91UKcxTQL2gs55c3aNZkkSe5fDBlYvDqGi7dCXoo28nazC3U8bbaCvwNTDb4ci7y11Lq4HRxNjykOk0k7kL3Ki3qrtcV7Lrszp884V72GQ-ShSHwF45RDSYr/s320/DSCN1489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We had to get back up and move before we started to look like this sleepy Painter.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CulQXNR4Tm3reoGQGpZcGRGY9ep15Spn8-2f5z6ip3jDKLlje11clk0QJCyGgxZlSuQzr_MHGyYI9ozXMtQOttei48D8P-bbiyUVJZ69yZ_bZ4lhVtMeEEZ9aixpZjfrdPtRzSDvalfhAr-wwoI1-MekJ3AO2M1c4FwnV9rPLXZE9Vkt2U0QsvRJdUPG/s2515/DSCN1491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="1886" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CulQXNR4Tm3reoGQGpZcGRGY9ep15Spn8-2f5z6ip3jDKLlje11clk0QJCyGgxZlSuQzr_MHGyYI9ozXMtQOttei48D8P-bbiyUVJZ69yZ_bZ4lhVtMeEEZ9aixpZjfrdPtRzSDvalfhAr-wwoI1-MekJ3AO2M1c4FwnV9rPLXZE9Vkt2U0QsvRJdUPG/s320/DSCN1491.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Some more Painters catching some rays.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkiAPvaQ-bPklQ6XBITamWWVmVsbUSGCdAVSpTSCLD9Y5hJ8bJ87nKq-44ixE2g1ql_lSg_SIP_OdWHNixlgythV8bGVFFobdWyyBnrWscPMg9gjGIAHAodDv4m8y9muSHrK76FDlpmM4uDzTw1Z8ArOCOPU7j0bhcugYbLMeMF2gblkrTWIi3ao7FFpp/s3308/DSCN1492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2481" data-original-width="3308" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkiAPvaQ-bPklQ6XBITamWWVmVsbUSGCdAVSpTSCLD9Y5hJ8bJ87nKq-44ixE2g1ql_lSg_SIP_OdWHNixlgythV8bGVFFobdWyyBnrWscPMg9gjGIAHAodDv4m8y9muSHrK76FDlpmM4uDzTw1Z8ArOCOPU7j0bhcugYbLMeMF2gblkrTWIi3ao7FFpp/s320/DSCN1492.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Bpz4DoEOfCFFoEac4khGX92KS1n79DRzGLvCmv9HS2TjggL9m9FH78-Hjm9bV_3_rZOsFf1m_OhZueCc4I3viwx20Xy3w7PgVnCRE4U0eG1ZuNm8ljCJ408lBlF4vvPr-mzKmyxCwAAl5ZbmfGDCeWSLyVoy3aCjVcoPqugo6S7NUzouEgMv8zS37BOC/s2824/DSCN1494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2118" data-original-width="2824" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Bpz4DoEOfCFFoEac4khGX92KS1n79DRzGLvCmv9HS2TjggL9m9FH78-Hjm9bV_3_rZOsFf1m_OhZueCc4I3viwx20Xy3w7PgVnCRE4U0eG1ZuNm8ljCJ408lBlF4vvPr-mzKmyxCwAAl5ZbmfGDCeWSLyVoy3aCjVcoPqugo6S7NUzouEgMv8zS37BOC/s320/DSCN1494.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Didn't realize it in the field but that guy on the left is a Red-belly.<div><br /></div><div>We hadn't done a turtle run in a long time but a black rock in the distance was crossing the trail, so we both did our best and got to this smallish Snapper before he got to the grass.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULOafK4XetWhBlANQ3MhYbg8tnKi2vilKRSpDvg3peZAhDFE6dTbHAhatMODItoBYIsnjnivXsLRH0pSuFLvSASXyfpYJiIGmR8r5UuOAZs-4ftyAKTR5F7xNkx1qYTlGsldopCYG-YZIi9qrPqOZpXsNaPU5gRyH3v2o4bRzrdkowl4NohBsj62qC7Xe/s2498/DSCN1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="2498" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULOafK4XetWhBlANQ3MhYbg8tnKi2vilKRSpDvg3peZAhDFE6dTbHAhatMODItoBYIsnjnivXsLRH0pSuFLvSASXyfpYJiIGmR8r5UuOAZs-4ftyAKTR5F7xNkx1qYTlGsldopCYG-YZIi9qrPqOZpXsNaPU5gRyH3v2o4bRzrdkowl4NohBsj62qC7Xe/s320/DSCN1496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Andrea was in heaven.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLRxMZi8ju6WFFKFxSMLFsdgxRcssv4ahrgnLaqArphyphenhyphendGA0smoal1Xf0tH1TNuThLcMi6RFTC3NbojulAhDreMMtHNSMrGtegVJwjabh2L6rRYXre008PIF6V2LBMIKxfBjRr8hMvX0yIWqE1AYC_YRR9QWd8MBwfAmGosmbUg1oHccjF3VXLZeWneZq/s3201/DSCN1497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3201" data-original-width="2401" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLRxMZi8ju6WFFKFxSMLFsdgxRcssv4ahrgnLaqArphyphenhyphendGA0smoal1Xf0tH1TNuThLcMi6RFTC3NbojulAhDreMMtHNSMrGtegVJwjabh2L6rRYXre008PIF6V2LBMIKxfBjRr8hMvX0yIWqE1AYC_YRR9QWd8MBwfAmGosmbUg1oHccjF3VXLZeWneZq/s320/DSCN1497.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><div>This was a distant Painter in the field. Again, it's a Red-belly. Shitty shot, but a cool turtle, so there you go.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQErxdZj8ms4POHayWFdicx5vxrs9viAql2befT3qxIBN4HP41My8Jb9qnWeeU4bByYKe8nHMWZEh002a0DstFiLAriwAXn2LPH_sLXB4qOR26-IYjDaYodIPkh1QN2OQR53sZRNktNfK9FrFTjH8i5r4EodhoQhuLnMFAYonTSAp9l6Ih1bogFklspWhc/s2174/DSCN1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2174" data-original-width="1631" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQErxdZj8ms4POHayWFdicx5vxrs9viAql2befT3qxIBN4HP41My8Jb9qnWeeU4bByYKe8nHMWZEh002a0DstFiLAriwAXn2LPH_sLXB4qOR26-IYjDaYodIPkh1QN2OQR53sZRNktNfK9FrFTjH8i5r4EodhoQhuLnMFAYonTSAp9l6Ih1bogFklspWhc/s320/DSCN1501.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>An American Copper gave us a colorful thrill.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCtUxR_kTDA0DAWAtL_OSqPAo3a8Caw6nAYJUOIpS_Cnz4xl-EukOFrO2GVLsjANOXMD2lDnO2A1XoZw53pM-mvjPiVVGCortMvW4mnMC3WX7wPnccUJshSPjZJC-IOah2Xkkd8oVCwKyeh5mL7w8olRwL42Ok0TE5uqffcvrRU3RPBRS0D6fb_B85JMv/s2363/DSCN1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2363" data-original-width="1702" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCtUxR_kTDA0DAWAtL_OSqPAo3a8Caw6nAYJUOIpS_Cnz4xl-EukOFrO2GVLsjANOXMD2lDnO2A1XoZw53pM-mvjPiVVGCortMvW4mnMC3WX7wPnccUJshSPjZJC-IOah2Xkkd8oVCwKyeh5mL7w8olRwL42Ok0TE5uqffcvrRU3RPBRS0D6fb_B85JMv/s320/DSCN1503.JPG" width="230" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This Water Snake almost got away with no photo but I grabbed him. I haven't handled too many snakes in a while so it felt good in my hands, even though I got a bite on the knuckle and a mild musking.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_f_GH4Ta8pNqvxLywA9JDDwP2dHK9m3hUKRxjvBzodtj8QSyJYBN1YCW3UB5c6OycQqruLvm3NPyTui-t7BfSUmzBtdbBeh690MmA3AlyQvSCIiLbIgwA-1fHi-FRzdwbx6qhLPAUIyRpIshEDuFU6UsRCjDc2BjSktphT0As_R9UaDq98iQS3oj_hOW/s828/DSCN1509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="828" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_f_GH4Ta8pNqvxLywA9JDDwP2dHK9m3hUKRxjvBzodtj8QSyJYBN1YCW3UB5c6OycQqruLvm3NPyTui-t7BfSUmzBtdbBeh690MmA3AlyQvSCIiLbIgwA-1fHi-FRzdwbx6qhLPAUIyRpIshEDuFU6UsRCjDc2BjSktphT0As_R9UaDq98iQS3oj_hOW/s320/DSCN1509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Having seen me handle another, this Nerodia sat still for a photo. It didn't want any filthy human hands on its beautiful body.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnS3pIrn4IzchbYVihMud9wi2DqYAtshSNhskQ_EZF5XFXW1ACO8rF_vjFpXOX-OVdwBZZwsveW9wpyPFcfZBy_asXT6VWM9horS6dB1tDGJx0n0TF7IJXD0bN77K1nLm_IPqt6mfXxjcdjdjPUlBjqnWFbOpAFpQtSEqs6oHZ8OT0_7XHmtyOr7NjA8S/s3994/DSCN1510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2995" data-original-width="3994" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnS3pIrn4IzchbYVihMud9wi2DqYAtshSNhskQ_EZF5XFXW1ACO8rF_vjFpXOX-OVdwBZZwsveW9wpyPFcfZBy_asXT6VWM9horS6dB1tDGJx0n0TF7IJXD0bN77K1nLm_IPqt6mfXxjcdjdjPUlBjqnWFbOpAFpQtSEqs6oHZ8OT0_7XHmtyOr7NjA8S/s320/DSCN1510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>An even copperier Pickerel!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZ9SemyWlNOMISy6vROGlwmCihFh4Z6SEaEzBzUvb-tzHCPThN-ZkB-tH5MjgzIPbmMFivI1WQm6lU12Sgop9h45eMrJLUtdUjgjYKn72j9WVG14UvHZ-QJ4sYXXXSx3O2g9wWddCO1q0i3OIROddmL1QlmhDddtLxpx0TYM7h03T5dG52TB9a0H5W6uo/s2212/DSCN1511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1659" data-original-width="2212" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZ9SemyWlNOMISy6vROGlwmCihFh4Z6SEaEzBzUvb-tzHCPThN-ZkB-tH5MjgzIPbmMFivI1WQm6lU12Sgop9h45eMrJLUtdUjgjYKn72j9WVG14UvHZ-QJ4sYXXXSx3O2g9wWddCO1q0i3OIROddmL1QlmhDddtLxpx0TYM7h03T5dG52TB9a0H5W6uo/s320/DSCN1511.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A pointy headed Water Snake.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nhvF9RynpqzY20Nbf4NaLDLs3U7Tav0ws2shPwTvBB3w_5rj5JH3DLyg6Hz6dqYOwaiBeqxFdER-_D9I4l7UUcC3PHV6KFzJHz8xgYmNEdnjEM4CsRTKupLeFxe_zTWq2VQtYPjrfrBIc6PUGwq02ISkotGWUuCaINWDQfZ8FwjsmdrqRhLW470L2eop/s4608/DSCN1513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nhvF9RynpqzY20Nbf4NaLDLs3U7Tav0ws2shPwTvBB3w_5rj5JH3DLyg6Hz6dqYOwaiBeqxFdER-_D9I4l7UUcC3PHV6KFzJHz8xgYmNEdnjEM4CsRTKupLeFxe_zTWq2VQtYPjrfrBIc6PUGwq02ISkotGWUuCaINWDQfZ8FwjsmdrqRhLW470L2eop/s320/DSCN1513.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A Snapper in the water. What a concept!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvu7VXvjpPe5W-XuF-HoSfMBGDqpkBwGKe0yyf2EHnLMeiTQAK22ZgM7UDDXcwsVH0hxkZAXLawOWcLz3ZWOpYU4nN_AFPbFSh64QoIVz1Pz1kxf7OTyAk9NRn0zKkIA2c0y9wc7n8Mxo5N9AkMhGCjQWFGVekyQxbPgiJdQM-AErFbyfNONUd3X_FUYZ/s3433/DSCN1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2574" data-original-width="3433" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvu7VXvjpPe5W-XuF-HoSfMBGDqpkBwGKe0yyf2EHnLMeiTQAK22ZgM7UDDXcwsVH0hxkZAXLawOWcLz3ZWOpYU4nN_AFPbFSh64QoIVz1Pz1kxf7OTyAk9NRn0zKkIA2c0y9wc7n8Mxo5N9AkMhGCjQWFGVekyQxbPgiJdQM-AErFbyfNONUd3X_FUYZ/s320/DSCN1514.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Submitted for your approval... some more Painted Turtles.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVJgeQ_6OAI2P_rF3h3RYXNwrU8-1DYftUHCYf8RR0WSsaMeprVGw2Wp5fEf3GtIhd_LR0XBVcW6ebcGU8DmLda7MkcNg_Y8kOwV7SjDlGvSkDa8t82DLjZLL525I6lY8RHkV3X1zG8hLWP2UIh0BEn5w8B0X3yK0jmZGztx8NESV1meoE3sHa6mQ3HDg/s4084/DSCN1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3063" data-original-width="4084" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVJgeQ_6OAI2P_rF3h3RYXNwrU8-1DYftUHCYf8RR0WSsaMeprVGw2Wp5fEf3GtIhd_LR0XBVcW6ebcGU8DmLda7MkcNg_Y8kOwV7SjDlGvSkDa8t82DLjZLL525I6lY8RHkV3X1zG8hLWP2UIh0BEn5w8B0X3yK0jmZGztx8NESV1meoE3sHa6mQ3HDg/w320-h240/DSCN1515.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeOzM0tHb2SDYJzQqAYlrCkK4hezwSWM1ivKDxBXgBabVFnffgtB4bgSwL8V138Cqir0aLc0ZwvkE2ABnR_1Z4c8tpeF2ynRaPmwxA07QVqHhrWGemEXa16adHwM-pZyros8NahZJTSYbvX9-pNIk9C8bcwmIJis-hZ1CIS39ASSKp9CTrjzAF7y9SdwP/s3065/DSCN1517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2299" data-original-width="3065" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeOzM0tHb2SDYJzQqAYlrCkK4hezwSWM1ivKDxBXgBabVFnffgtB4bgSwL8V138Cqir0aLc0ZwvkE2ABnR_1Z4c8tpeF2ynRaPmwxA07QVqHhrWGemEXa16adHwM-pZyros8NahZJTSYbvX9-pNIk9C8bcwmIJis-hZ1CIS39ASSKp9CTrjzAF7y9SdwP/s320/DSCN1517.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Another species! A Green Frog. It was actually the 10th, but we thought it was #9 at the time.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOq4y_CLoYqXzn0vAwiV1jJ5qUSZi_GQXwSgcWEOcgXsVBntNHhBtUGd9ogoUFjdFPGPPaT5jN0_yOxovFizZQPtBtM_lzSw-EA3W4JO-JLjCE5gCFGygPdHAdEENUvGThtSTDn4n2eBsWh7kYPkYRtQ00glTE-_yCzHpJ32deBjXSmhMbsCRRDUnMxOA2/s2771/DSCN1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2079" data-original-width="2771" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOq4y_CLoYqXzn0vAwiV1jJ5qUSZi_GQXwSgcWEOcgXsVBntNHhBtUGd9ogoUFjdFPGPPaT5jN0_yOxovFizZQPtBtM_lzSw-EA3W4JO-JLjCE5gCFGygPdHAdEENUvGThtSTDn4n2eBsWh7kYPkYRtQ00glTE-_yCzHpJ32deBjXSmhMbsCRRDUnMxOA2/s320/DSCN1519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>One more small Painter for the road.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7CWrX8e8YqIgQtDQ3EF4thcu6fPRh9AX6o2aoZilYeweo0K23jWEq-uCnodQw6ndFdBUaSOBNGDyfgduwkvoRPVLWUnc8-5puyujDizlCRUhb5fDUo3EIZeszAnYQtZwRzp-ZsoupgRkzDrqSRn5JmvUCIO2NuH8AQJXv39PgEDJlEMAD8rT9bCvXLBx/s3745/DSCN1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2809" data-original-width="3745" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7CWrX8e8YqIgQtDQ3EF4thcu6fPRh9AX6o2aoZilYeweo0K23jWEq-uCnodQw6ndFdBUaSOBNGDyfgduwkvoRPVLWUnc8-5puyujDizlCRUhb5fDUo3EIZeszAnYQtZwRzp-ZsoupgRkzDrqSRn5JmvUCIO2NuH8AQJXv39PgEDJlEMAD8rT9bCvXLBx/s320/DSCN1521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Last, but no way near least, a chubby American Toad under a rock. He might be dug in for the year's end already.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM40TbX2sEausD0ZvKYnu9AT7QbZHoC6irXZ9QY65rEh1ZdERU0uT9SQnxLYc9om16UyrV_XMHRBHimuH4AZgnwPy13wpplmRIQ8Z9ZTpy0xwPtbZUccQEaSX-JrcbDx4udKQiRZRNLXecp2X3fuOlDYvSikAgy7Y0A4W3XjioUvBcD7J7C2-JeaixgBUS/s3606/DSCN1525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2704" data-original-width="3606" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM40TbX2sEausD0ZvKYnu9AT7QbZHoC6irXZ9QY65rEh1ZdERU0uT9SQnxLYc9om16UyrV_XMHRBHimuH4AZgnwPy13wpplmRIQ8Z9ZTpy0xwPtbZUccQEaSX-JrcbDx4udKQiRZRNLXecp2X3fuOlDYvSikAgy7Y0A4W3XjioUvBcD7J7C2-JeaixgBUS/s320/DSCN1525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So, we thought we'd had 10 species, but it was really 11! Double digits at any time in Massachusetts is a <i>very</i> good day. This was perhaps our best day on the year, alongside our Ponk trip with our friend Justin.<br /><br />Not many days left. And we likely will not be doing second season sea turtle walks this year with the trouble our feet and ankles have been giving us.</div></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-52920142518164720982023-09-22T16:48:00.000-07:002023-09-22T16:48:58.637-07:00Ending the Summer that Never Was. Sept. 15th and 17th<p>I thought Andrea was still on half-day Fridays. Nope. So my plans of an after work hike vanished into thin air. But she said "why not go visit the turtles on my lunch break?" So that's what we did. We were warned of a massive storm coming Saturday (the next day) and figured we'd be inside then.</p>It seems the turtles were wise to the upcoming turmoil because we didn't see any basking and only a few noggins were popping up at all. We did see a Snapper... Whitey?... but he blew us off. This Painted Turtle was the first one I got my camera on.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbPqXDdgsvyUlv1o3iL5lssgPKnj81RhdVGGGTf3BMJhcnTq_hlWMHXf8TCYPJVIOivRWNidgz_9uVI8ASSDxBzv2fOle3AeLdohQ7NMP8GAS0DdCud2O0Dp6DvWyAu84JwARrQZZQr8MoFYr-GFiGLb8EtS3wrp4pZ9yvO9Df8bsp6DrmKfSdH5tHqtR/s3550/DSCN1404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2662" data-original-width="3550" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbPqXDdgsvyUlv1o3iL5lssgPKnj81RhdVGGGTf3BMJhcnTq_hlWMHXf8TCYPJVIOivRWNidgz_9uVI8ASSDxBzv2fOle3AeLdohQ7NMP8GAS0DdCud2O0Dp6DvWyAu84JwARrQZZQr8MoFYr-GFiGLb8EtS3wrp4pZ9yvO9Df8bsp6DrmKfSdH5tHqtR/s320/DSCN1404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This GBH looks like I usually feel.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XqBA-h3l5x2Pe_ytpvHgeXHq-ThKQtWZv2aDAkgLXJ1V1IR6JZWn9dx8pLFzoo9EreGPgFqsjt9N7Yvx3qA4ISUCOPFUSUZ6RBzEWZfy1STvktU7Wrg6wMGngVxvzL5pA8J7H8-J7hKd6XVTUh276xCMf1ZImCEHRBEWBNFEwat9xvE38b0LLUNgmR4t/s2797/DSCN1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2797" data-original-width="2098" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XqBA-h3l5x2Pe_ytpvHgeXHq-ThKQtWZv2aDAkgLXJ1V1IR6JZWn9dx8pLFzoo9EreGPgFqsjt9N7Yvx3qA4ISUCOPFUSUZ6RBzEWZfy1STvktU7Wrg6wMGngVxvzL5pA8J7H8-J7hKd6XVTUh276xCMf1ZImCEHRBEWBNFEwat9xvE38b0LLUNgmR4t/s320/DSCN1402.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the far side of the pond, we finally saw a couple of basking Painters. No Red-ears... weird.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RpuFwwzhWsZIOZQG-bV8HcyPOf9o_6exoZbKTAujErNorTpqWqsrEaBXIuns9RC9VkeVIpsYM1UoPAQx2M2pOM1eTVm6qzPpFrpdoSEgnYsBWtJgLYscXspbyi6ZxnS_lg2_8K7SkQM4L4ByhpiCtxeaVA0NndPwFf_vE3tpBY2UHOWz0ByN68IooiIx/s3266/DSCN1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2450" data-original-width="3266" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RpuFwwzhWsZIOZQG-bV8HcyPOf9o_6exoZbKTAujErNorTpqWqsrEaBXIuns9RC9VkeVIpsYM1UoPAQx2M2pOM1eTVm6qzPpFrpdoSEgnYsBWtJgLYscXspbyi6ZxnS_lg2_8K7SkQM4L4ByhpiCtxeaVA0NndPwFf_vE3tpBY2UHOWz0ByN68IooiIx/s320/DSCN1405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The uncooperative Snappers remained uncooperative. Got this one eventually...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53EjPex3qpvFuTxd4U_9rS5Jqj4sQ3gqXQA6hyqS8gBM5UQ7qGPoUURFkba6BFL97TWNtAM2wUEeQ0NQzLNKbW7zG_oLJSWtrW_bmm04yh315sel45caGkRjpdIdd5JntZpaZ4h8Yyi4KQjIZNCk-T_HcI6JfVOpvzMfLtC95Yg8KfMVFHNqWMM-UAWf6/s2518/DSCN1406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1889" data-original-width="2518" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53EjPex3qpvFuTxd4U_9rS5Jqj4sQ3gqXQA6hyqS8gBM5UQ7qGPoUURFkba6BFL97TWNtAM2wUEeQ0NQzLNKbW7zG_oLJSWtrW_bmm04yh315sel45caGkRjpdIdd5JntZpaZ4h8Yyi4KQjIZNCk-T_HcI6JfVOpvzMfLtC95Yg8KfMVFHNqWMM-UAWf6/s320/DSCN1406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The next day, it did storm a little but it was much less that predicted. But with the rain and cooler temps, we decided to take a quick local hike on Sunday in Norfolk County. We chose a trail that had potential for four First-of-Years... Coppers, Racers, Marbleds and one other that we'd forgotten about until we saw it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Spotted Salamander metamorphs were the <i>Salamander du jour</i>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxEeVfT-l8U7VHlKU5zOHgm-RSfkpHThN9uq5M9kz0vVptUjqjU4X4pWlKRggECA6QcdWuxkMCq17FTr5p8lmWmGsc32I1AQN5t3Y9Djq_mZjkSVXhDajZL-bys7RkAZFhVnQx_wxMKJ5OeUFoF-fwBPfCEh-VH15YvHe-CuQhoM2avOWnehEIPZ5yBzO/s2607/DSCN1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1955" data-original-width="2607" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxEeVfT-l8U7VHlKU5zOHgm-RSfkpHThN9uq5M9kz0vVptUjqjU4X4pWlKRggECA6QcdWuxkMCq17FTr5p8lmWmGsc32I1AQN5t3Y9Djq_mZjkSVXhDajZL-bys7RkAZFhVnQx_wxMKJ5OeUFoF-fwBPfCEh-VH15YvHe-CuQhoM2avOWnehEIPZ5yBzO/s320/DSCN1408.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXHJv2Toeaoq7__mXM-b4_Yjjswds_tVT91bye_pb2XKl5aGs6Gw5Bywn1DDuB92GzpY2LJyDWqwOgqsHtLzgCyZgFcapZg43vHQd6I7W3lxzb9e87TQ4LNrEc0AWHrVwohrZ9EzDk-ta0IDbxOChtuxC-8eKf7ytqKuypi-CxdRCLOuwRH_ithiBsg7F/s3038/DSCN1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2279" data-original-width="3038" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXHJv2Toeaoq7__mXM-b4_Yjjswds_tVT91bye_pb2XKl5aGs6Gw5Bywn1DDuB92GzpY2LJyDWqwOgqsHtLzgCyZgFcapZg43vHQd6I7W3lxzb9e87TQ4LNrEc0AWHrVwohrZ9EzDk-ta0IDbxOChtuxC-8eKf7ytqKuypi-CxdRCLOuwRH_ithiBsg7F/s320/DSCN1409.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1SUVK27c5gmjLWDspzc1ade535wjLSLoOiL1_5NCNpQEYPBi2WL1Pxq1K3cxMefdxr3ZYCOaIIDNWOu6PIrzvxjA4oLMFOo1PtfPfIFsiYHT_7KP2XeicTJiaiHZ5MPEWVG3BXYlhznaXM45KBfnRmBAFWGb_i3R-rI6rbDnd44IKpUAAPZ6ane_XDrI/s2729/DSCN1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2729" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1SUVK27c5gmjLWDspzc1ade535wjLSLoOiL1_5NCNpQEYPBi2WL1Pxq1K3cxMefdxr3ZYCOaIIDNWOu6PIrzvxjA4oLMFOo1PtfPfIFsiYHT_7KP2XeicTJiaiHZ5MPEWVG3BXYlhznaXM45KBfnRmBAFWGb_i3R-rI6rbDnd44IKpUAAPZ6ane_XDrI/s320/DSCN1410.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0JI0PGFapFuyhA6zirzb-8_e6wWSTnFltAg5eD4JLnGltORT23-47R_PgD7hta8XzpfIfbALmyLEJ6UewPQEXaX3pJ8t5z_VGQXwFPuNvnyvLc3SbVhrx4K2ErZHXF28VS0__o-j72fH3pS1ll8KzeOfyoNfWAABVf88KsrrSALQnTH8IXyDwF8PqNzU/s3116/DSCN1411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2337" data-original-width="3116" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0JI0PGFapFuyhA6zirzb-8_e6wWSTnFltAg5eD4JLnGltORT23-47R_PgD7hta8XzpfIfbALmyLEJ6UewPQEXaX3pJ8t5z_VGQXwFPuNvnyvLc3SbVhrx4K2ErZHXF28VS0__o-j72fH3pS1ll8KzeOfyoNfWAABVf88KsrrSALQnTH8IXyDwF8PqNzU/s320/DSCN1411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It was then that we flipped a First-of-Year... hard to believe that it took until September but that is indicative of 2023 for us. This is the FOY Red-spotted Newt of any phase... a Red Eft.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NE6brCarDIE5uGv1uvKsdkcA9Qs9JQqA4xClzGNFF8yK4jCOdQnPrODd0AzU1HNw4nZSME6kbBPwMLBybwURxswaZCD04o4W376zzmrpiKvpLVuMIXJbEH5cfO05u8THPE3oio--nSCEKR1SZ-mnnqi5Pm2yNhLSUPwiM48JMUghn6blY4LuA-e61KAE/s2664/DSCN1412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="2664" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NE6brCarDIE5uGv1uvKsdkcA9Qs9JQqA4xClzGNFF8yK4jCOdQnPrODd0AzU1HNw4nZSME6kbBPwMLBybwURxswaZCD04o4W376zzmrpiKvpLVuMIXJbEH5cfO05u8THPE3oio--nSCEKR1SZ-mnnqi5Pm2yNhLSUPwiM48JMUghn6blY4LuA-e61KAE/s320/DSCN1412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Handsome fella, too.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdh8kLeHFO-uCtYiFuw28ndRjRHTHjDbvU-cX07adFAW1OGUyTRRcHFkxvNcH8PyGDAkrylhwa8An5un-VFjFcP3-9nxi9lYwICWCoB8J8BwMnjidrtzl3UcUPdayMS2n8eDoPZyLbjCtjtH2436SZY5Ygj8d-E4DiSw8rw8lsSuwxEDN6ALevj8qcXPx2/s3001/DSCN1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2251" data-original-width="3001" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdh8kLeHFO-uCtYiFuw28ndRjRHTHjDbvU-cX07adFAW1OGUyTRRcHFkxvNcH8PyGDAkrylhwa8An5un-VFjFcP3-9nxi9lYwICWCoB8J8BwMnjidrtzl3UcUPdayMS2n8eDoPZyLbjCtjtH2436SZY5Ygj8d-E4DiSw8rw8lsSuwxEDN6ALevj8qcXPx2/s320/DSCN1413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The log next to the Eft, the very next flip, was our FOY Marbled.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOZlmyTW3GZPhZPTHFEvErL6CKX2_Z3gQeEruWH6m9jzYHSuReVMoCKZ2SVNaKNx3-IxMze3SmygtklvCSEosQ53p6bIB4yKe2SXIiQ8AoWMmxrvJ54p15KnCeThRq4ZCm47QNRozU3RBXL66t7NbaSx8iXzXUG3aS_ViGDdzPW4qbNpLhjR3QLYkdtov/s2639/DSCN1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="2639" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOZlmyTW3GZPhZPTHFEvErL6CKX2_Z3gQeEruWH6m9jzYHSuReVMoCKZ2SVNaKNx3-IxMze3SmygtklvCSEosQ53p6bIB4yKe2SXIiQ8AoWMmxrvJ54p15KnCeThRq4ZCm47QNRozU3RBXL66t7NbaSx8iXzXUG3aS_ViGDdzPW4qbNpLhjR3QLYkdtov/s320/DSCN1417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>They were definitely a target so we were pretty happy.</div><div><br /></div><div>This Green Frog made his presence known by hopping into the drink in front of me.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTCR13b_4zDyHcFH0tdzQLqeuZ7OxdVedpqOOsRN3jN_aNKtXBxFIsbkOjW5kkKbvJfZ3gxVgRgLahO-0baA3aI6Rb2urTPUzjdstVNnji2t4OdeFp2h9fPNK8raHierSfmM1alusvyhlSRcnwLOUSVKC2hLe0E8xrULyS33rbOmXu-0UDgND2IVrFFBQ/s4608/DSCN1421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTCR13b_4zDyHcFH0tdzQLqeuZ7OxdVedpqOOsRN3jN_aNKtXBxFIsbkOjW5kkKbvJfZ3gxVgRgLahO-0baA3aI6Rb2urTPUzjdstVNnji2t4OdeFp2h9fPNK8raHierSfmM1alusvyhlSRcnwLOUSVKC2hLe0E8xrULyS33rbOmXu-0UDgND2IVrFFBQ/s320/DSCN1421.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Another new Spotted!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLyW04Ze8UTca3ASe9BTRKAnkbHQ1bDPxYhhfkeIMnfCx4-RuQBO7T3JgN8gclmlltk-kfe27ijLU2M8N23jv_CtU4lFNcrX35q2atFn6iTOgQrxjV7eLryFeV7e50C7ZTQkFJp2Yt6YcEA9ftD9a-zR4BVUYVQ6niua-EQjYbpLF0STHBlKDSjS7_F4w/s2915/DSCN1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="2915" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLyW04Ze8UTca3ASe9BTRKAnkbHQ1bDPxYhhfkeIMnfCx4-RuQBO7T3JgN8gclmlltk-kfe27ijLU2M8N23jv_CtU4lFNcrX35q2atFn6iTOgQrxjV7eLryFeV7e50C7ZTQkFJp2Yt6YcEA9ftD9a-zR4BVUYVQ6niua-EQjYbpLF0STHBlKDSjS7_F4w/s320/DSCN1422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is NOT a new Spotted Sal!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMFp9O_2o2_-GNku16kvrNgjIiNpakiKGVsyUk-mVA_A9RselosLk-oT1sPHznTe-mc_-NG7ohe0QD8Q0U-_dQRSCuSy06lX-REP2LiacRPgAxSzr-rWHmP9xXjDqGxYP9wyIWHI7Ivgwx7iXG0x2lxTFc0hUqkRJYH380RKr-LSxFi3cfwEcRbEUbPA8/s3597/DSCN1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3597" data-original-width="2697" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMFp9O_2o2_-GNku16kvrNgjIiNpakiKGVsyUk-mVA_A9RselosLk-oT1sPHznTe-mc_-NG7ohe0QD8Q0U-_dQRSCuSy06lX-REP2LiacRPgAxSzr-rWHmP9xXjDqGxYP9wyIWHI7Ivgwx7iXG0x2lxTFc0hUqkRJYH380RKr-LSxFi3cfwEcRbEUbPA8/s320/DSCN1425.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>We hunted around the rocks and lower area around the Coppertop spot but respected the rule (that we've heard tell about) about not going near the densite. We did a pretty thorough search at low and medium points, but came up empty for all snakes. But we can't feel bad... we gave it our best effort and we had seen a lot of nice salamanders.</div><div><br /></div><div>This scary bat-monster face in a log mirrors how our feet/ankles were feeling after a while.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbest2y5NSMsMzZrvK3wjrhHCT2mIM29tNBOw101xbIgCGqW4uWWpkEHn7m4HVCzTspLPPT5HYI2eBYlcsmb5hl35Y8GEfBDGiV69eZ_92mjIVU6_9N6zqKK8rg4e7msPt1arWwaC8XXPMD78Gq_0YZzp-uEKAShQ7QfxtkO6Y2no3T1L-mnjsF4sI8Nng/s4202/DSCN1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3152" data-original-width="4202" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbest2y5NSMsMzZrvK3wjrhHCT2mIM29tNBOw101xbIgCGqW4uWWpkEHn7m4HVCzTspLPPT5HYI2eBYlcsmb5hl35Y8GEfBDGiV69eZ_92mjIVU6_9N6zqKK8rg4e7msPt1arWwaC8XXPMD78Gq_0YZzp-uEKAShQ7QfxtkO6Y2no3T1L-mnjsF4sI8Nng/s320/DSCN1426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>One complaint... we saw no Redbacks. What I used to call the most common land vertebrae in the area has become very tough to see with any regularity. This is my worry for 2023. Last year it was the absence of Fowler's Toads at Myles Standish. They are plentiful this year. Hopefully, our beloved <i>Plethodon</i>s will be abundant again soon.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-39592836724509043052023-09-20T15:16:00.002-07:002023-09-20T15:18:22.089-07:00Pre-Brimfield Wanderings. 9-9-2023We headed back to Brimfield for the September antique show. We always enjoy hunting for crap and eating poorly. But it wouldn't be a Brimfield show if we didn't go to visit the Magic Tree in Sturbridge. We left super early and got to the tree by 8:30 AM. No Rats, in fact that tree might not be suitable at all anymore for Rat Snake needs. So, we're still ZERO on the year for Rats. I doubt we'll try again.<div><br />To be fair, this is what Walker Pond looked like.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKU8cHfgL9UPdJb27WdNQdo1pbrrYQA-Nsddz3lb7cGjlBchfCm0aYDJhD8hwEcuwmqwqhpeSvU_2QGpKZ3jShTlDLx07LBVU3BQ0goECB3AkSqJnnrU9iDZPgBb75uqD1jWJ2ecrExAW5mzTL0GqMforl-HvXi2tzqmKwNK8GUHQGq2hWQxN6RFXXgFH3/s4608/DSCN1388.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKU8cHfgL9UPdJb27WdNQdo1pbrrYQA-Nsddz3lb7cGjlBchfCm0aYDJhD8hwEcuwmqwqhpeSvU_2QGpKZ3jShTlDLx07LBVU3BQ0goECB3AkSqJnnrU9iDZPgBb75uqD1jWJ2ecrExAW5mzTL0GqMforl-HvXi2tzqmKwNK8GUHQGq2hWQxN6RFXXgFH3/s320/DSCN1388.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Cool, overcast and the day after a rainy day. What could we possibly see? AMPHIBIANS!! First up was a Bullfrog hopping through the grass.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNZ4ve1txftK3WeaGNIx6T8331zyFWBF6cinZzYv9LxpgZxxDTbhOcbphKRaoMO-ayPJApeWrvJez6TFUrrJb0G6Hby0OyUUVeNHWxXf0w_I2P48FVmCodPDAokAIUvdd_jN9Gqt46HxG-kp0EXsT9YbqLc18md0yuE0IacrLG4eqFecU6ukCZ8zDxspJ/s3464/DSCN1387.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2598" data-original-width="3464" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNZ4ve1txftK3WeaGNIx6T8331zyFWBF6cinZzYv9LxpgZxxDTbhOcbphKRaoMO-ayPJApeWrvJez6TFUrrJb0G6Hby0OyUUVeNHWxXf0w_I2P48FVmCodPDAokAIUvdd_jN9Gqt46HxG-kp0EXsT9YbqLc18md0yuE0IacrLG4eqFecU6ukCZ8zDxspJ/s320/DSCN1387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next, a Green Frog.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokklipnyxTUTq4JcWUgTg3thwG2vjEtiHCUDoED0zBZdpsSOjm04BlvVCzCmmxTofliYR-HYwH68txlkCmuh5V3-bKiAvdqZwET4vlqZ9WONrhziwuqwzFUG1EslFFtgoHvwy8UJEIb0czrWG8yw2AuyaVW09COF-gDvNhMxOLg0GHqDFVnXVFFTPOyss/s2597/DSCN1390.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1948" data-original-width="2597" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokklipnyxTUTq4JcWUgTg3thwG2vjEtiHCUDoED0zBZdpsSOjm04BlvVCzCmmxTofliYR-HYwH68txlkCmuh5V3-bKiAvdqZwET4vlqZ9WONrhziwuqwzFUG1EslFFtgoHvwy8UJEIb0czrWG8yw2AuyaVW09COF-gDvNhMxOLg0GHqDFVnXVFFTPOyss/s320/DSCN1390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Our snake flipping spots were coming up empty but we felt very fortunate to see a Redback. They have been tough since the Spring.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t2zexE--yk0-738ZE3UP93vKc0YVgXqFQLx_lMrBRsuJMWEaduoXLkJDu0uN0rVgE4WijcnYhlydR6kBGpATbjcevOTSvnG-KuA7LGZTrkWqLfQtx18MkjW8cXMWXlPH-FILHvda9q6PWIqzZ0aNPYg9ExYDr_H6rWbjd2YCfidtz04pPMMceJdMtNZO/s2708/DSCN1391.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2031" data-original-width="2708" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t2zexE--yk0-738ZE3UP93vKc0YVgXqFQLx_lMrBRsuJMWEaduoXLkJDu0uN0rVgE4WijcnYhlydR6kBGpATbjcevOTSvnG-KuA7LGZTrkWqLfQtx18MkjW8cXMWXlPH-FILHvda9q6PWIqzZ0aNPYg9ExYDr_H6rWbjd2YCfidtz04pPMMceJdMtNZO/s320/DSCN1391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We saw a Peeper hop... I got this shot.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9fNgu8GOunqsqnIsR02KIz5r7PYb4jhBVQlb-2Y09MIZzCmzJHtUlkfaGO9HYTxoD8V3jmAP4Vwnq2iaz1Td2xde77hjHEjE17qW68RhpA60syJnm9DP4hph1mLi5QbeVg5M8GY2qLaFfPR2aLiogE5dnEhMXN_gidTFsJGI8Vx6yNm76EJzsBl0X63Z/s2419/DSCN1392.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2419" data-original-width="1814" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9fNgu8GOunqsqnIsR02KIz5r7PYb4jhBVQlb-2Y09MIZzCmzJHtUlkfaGO9HYTxoD8V3jmAP4Vwnq2iaz1Td2xde77hjHEjE17qW68RhpA60syJnm9DP4hph1mLi5QbeVg5M8GY2qLaFfPR2aLiogE5dnEhMXN_gidTFsJGI8Vx6yNm76EJzsBl0X63Z/s320/DSCN1392.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div>He hopped up to some star moss and I figured I could get a better shot.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdGSpiqLYOBo28rG7qkMceLNyx7_VPBuFfb3AQ3qWUOwO6REXSBIohRUZ28uwSUUwieUgfSiuTJscIaLK4jQmqh-Jr11mrJ3PKUo4oV5YsXB2biwzueT9sQBhJjMGcGsMZ-MzaqFNhSYzCseNK7kAX0qZrpZW6PwGYwbq-ypFSbvzt6xcjVG7wtb6oxs8/s2769/DSCN1393.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2769" data-original-width="2077" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdGSpiqLYOBo28rG7qkMceLNyx7_VPBuFfb3AQ3qWUOwO6REXSBIohRUZ28uwSUUwieUgfSiuTJscIaLK4jQmqh-Jr11mrJ3PKUo4oV5YsXB2biwzueT9sQBhJjMGcGsMZ-MzaqFNhSYzCseNK7kAX0qZrpZW6PwGYwbq-ypFSbvzt6xcjVG7wtb6oxs8/s320/DSCN1393.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div>Presto-changeo... this is a different Peeper!</div><div><br /></div><div>We checked the tree some more. Next to it, this Wood Frog hopped conspicuously...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADUEtAZ0nmQmSX28Ft9FSzoOlC-ATLMc-EiWHSntFH5_F5s1C6mAXpeU2aq4OxFUBwMYlTcXtHbGXIT_FTdUIPuCCwca1lAN-to44PhTNjQ_ttn2CbSoPG31_lKFdXtdy_Oi9DDBWn8VZcKykePZZOhTeBBFqZDRO57YobdvyDPHcs3qGDj4VRhm1nvy-/s2667/DSCN1394.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2667" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADUEtAZ0nmQmSX28Ft9FSzoOlC-ATLMc-EiWHSntFH5_F5s1C6mAXpeU2aq4OxFUBwMYlTcXtHbGXIT_FTdUIPuCCwca1lAN-to44PhTNjQ_ttn2CbSoPG31_lKFdXtdy_Oi9DDBWn8VZcKykePZZOhTeBBFqZDRO57YobdvyDPHcs3qGDj4VRhm1nvy-/s320/DSCN1394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Then, another Peeper. Good Peeper day... it has been a while since we'd been able to say that.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8E1wFyr_NVWvPpd1uKjIKiY77LZnzYjryhAU3RH06N1_Is1P8yuLpFo9NDvjtMQ0KUtUMDqxsQ2HzsluHSSMU0aD66Jc2xXRvWGq_-T8QK29Q55lq_WB36wkh1jcdYXyhpMQeDYQIFn7ws1rBGn0yBbPumeHl-PHDHrIY9xe3uLHOS1TMTyLman_ojib/s2505/DSCN1396.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1878" data-original-width="2505" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8E1wFyr_NVWvPpd1uKjIKiY77LZnzYjryhAU3RH06N1_Is1P8yuLpFo9NDvjtMQ0KUtUMDqxsQ2HzsluHSSMU0aD66Jc2xXRvWGq_-T8QK29Q55lq_WB36wkh1jcdYXyhpMQeDYQIFn7ws1rBGn0yBbPumeHl-PHDHrIY9xe3uLHOS1TMTyLman_ojib/s320/DSCN1396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Driving out, we finally added a reptile. This tenacious Painted Turtle was determined to sun himself, even without sun.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVkkRtIoGzwWrNWYG_oDIIm_JMVVyeFsmu6ICh8VB2U1mBElpe890yQXUbDTILr3hgyGBO_bhQo-TlXTl6dQ27AYFLBfsEu3orgNfuZtWzeRMn_bs97Df_rRyCdVB0aOr2Zm9LPfmFHL3dy_Tvp7BP3p1NA5BcnDMy7OlJQl6A8fTVOgaBOnpmncobzhv/s3395/DSCN1398.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2546" data-original-width="3395" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVkkRtIoGzwWrNWYG_oDIIm_JMVVyeFsmu6ICh8VB2U1mBElpe890yQXUbDTILr3hgyGBO_bhQo-TlXTl6dQ27AYFLBfsEu3orgNfuZtWzeRMn_bs97Df_rRyCdVB0aOr2Zm9LPfmFHL3dy_Tvp7BP3p1NA5BcnDMy7OlJQl6A8fTVOgaBOnpmncobzhv/s320/DSCN1398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>And that was that. We enjoyed seeing these guys and then we enjoyed our walk (limp) around Brimfield.</div></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-22645167248320688482023-09-13T16:25:00.004-07:002023-09-13T16:27:04.333-07:00S is for September, Salamanders and Shoestrings Part Two. 9-2-2023<p>Two days in a row with decent weather? Heck, yeah! We planned the second day in a row and decided to go to Plymouth County to look for Hogs. There, if we fail, we have lots of other stuff we can see. We headed out super-early and got there by 8:30 AM, traffic and all.</p>Our first sighting was a Broad-winged Hawk, #81 on the year and Lifer #204. Not too shabby! (Of course, I thought it was a Coopers at first.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c6SX-m5DllTffP7-JuPItiIwFrCviqAVI209X4rrQx2b61q0UcOLa8NLZT6BVdqvZ2TFFSrcSY4i0ItFG4gGfrlOlk7wuWPnALQunBAVFzxTLnX2TerVHS4fNgwrlUex3F_EU1KE04ZdKN_M5vrmRo__pDScr6T6MfgHYun8CNFdMCliVzzS4PKGldL-/s2725/DSCN1340.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c6SX-m5DllTffP7-JuPItiIwFrCviqAVI209X4rrQx2b61q0UcOLa8NLZT6BVdqvZ2TFFSrcSY4i0ItFG4gGfrlOlk7wuWPnALQunBAVFzxTLnX2TerVHS4fNgwrlUex3F_EU1KE04ZdKN_M5vrmRo__pDScr6T6MfgHYun8CNFdMCliVzzS4PKGldL-/s320/DSCN1340.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Luck was certainly on our side because the first thing we saw was a Redbelly that Andrea flipped! It was snoozing under some wood.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GIGKfSPMdh8fB7-N0Sd8Wkfjs5yc5ZpJTPGwODKKVw7aHE1ZpsbFKSAtZcTHCmvEWNv2QS8nzQJUjm9y9VCcZueRm8J5WYiGY4-nssxY_3bSRj99MtJEjxX4gNOjEFr-JHJny4cxewBykEdNseyc3F3EC8aDYmuoOj0IAmueaVHkoOW6f6a6bcRMkiCt/s2646/DSCN1343.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="2646" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GIGKfSPMdh8fB7-N0Sd8Wkfjs5yc5ZpJTPGwODKKVw7aHE1ZpsbFKSAtZcTHCmvEWNv2QS8nzQJUjm9y9VCcZueRm8J5WYiGY4-nssxY_3bSRj99MtJEjxX4gNOjEFr-JHJny4cxewBykEdNseyc3F3EC8aDYmuoOj0IAmueaVHkoOW6f6a6bcRMkiCt/s320/DSCN1343.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcnYCYjU5BsiolaiNjJtx7ksVWD-ZSFzDzJd3M1BfXBMq-p0_V-LABA7Rhb-Thvns2zbpu5ELmjtHQzXPqZUd3BEDPgPLTGIyD6RtF00au_TtmAVGl2yiW45QGbdvIw6kqNJZC7ZTykS43CtY0e5kR65JscKGXTs97TO73RaYS84xCBMiFrAvSowobcP_/s2708/DSCN1344.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2708" data-original-width="2031" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcnYCYjU5BsiolaiNjJtx7ksVWD-ZSFzDzJd3M1BfXBMq-p0_V-LABA7Rhb-Thvns2zbpu5ELmjtHQzXPqZUd3BEDPgPLTGIyD6RtF00au_TtmAVGl2yiW45QGbdvIw6kqNJZC7ZTykS43CtY0e5kR65JscKGXTs97TO73RaYS84xCBMiFrAvSowobcP_/s320/DSCN1344.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>To give you an idea of where the sun was, check out the shadow cast by this Fowler's.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DlZIOz5TqH33C_ysnt1J0Rn6b60wZ3uCvEVZ_uX004HbDNyFcGbcATT7tTpdqyOxI73Udn54C851ptSAa6Sg-K9difPkO1s0LdSqnAu1BP-loxwoXi4odeC-83xLHixNEBU0qBpLEeSpQJKdSNf63TAJe5ZMKoZx0IRtMWwE1nMQTfWlGXlpKDn5uIf_/s2893/DSCN1345.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2170" data-original-width="2893" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DlZIOz5TqH33C_ysnt1J0Rn6b60wZ3uCvEVZ_uX004HbDNyFcGbcATT7tTpdqyOxI73Udn54C851ptSAa6Sg-K9difPkO1s0LdSqnAu1BP-loxwoXi4odeC-83xLHixNEBU0qBpLEeSpQJKdSNf63TAJe5ZMKoZx0IRtMWwE1nMQTfWlGXlpKDn5uIf_/s320/DSCN1345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This one was all tucked in... no chance for a shadow.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu8Qq76aUmwlr47OF3UP8bw1m9NXiCUy6WMMRVe46vxHddH9Z-AfLWVbmdrWE9MNA-yfq3mxDbq8pVduFCSjyoMl-rKP6oqQcIaplUYTP2XxlSN--kRWzGRdDzHYXVgZVD_KpaNkfwv32izfvOim0OuO5FTn7B6sV-4WMAf8gn3epMDoguuMvXYvjmNCK/s2561/DSCN1347.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="2561" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu8Qq76aUmwlr47OF3UP8bw1m9NXiCUy6WMMRVe46vxHddH9Z-AfLWVbmdrWE9MNA-yfq3mxDbq8pVduFCSjyoMl-rKP6oqQcIaplUYTP2XxlSN--kRWzGRdDzHYXVgZVD_KpaNkfwv32izfvOim0OuO5FTn7B6sV-4WMAf8gn3epMDoguuMvXYvjmNCK/s320/DSCN1347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We made our way down to "our" vernal. A turtle plopped in long before we reached it, along with dozens of frantic frogs. By the time we got there it was quiet but I rolled a log next to the pool and saw two brand-spankin' new Spotted Salamanders.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ6Q_GrLYpXeSAyTraGPduQ1QA2kD7AaPZV0rSwAI4-kL0bArnUqk18GEgnjNf2szLs32DwaYwm6qkl440kIxidg_tSb6TN5f58xBFNf0TPaBrDUGoIEpobkBm7WrU8nKspdPyv0g-tq8hSMqsG_CzNFC1rMNewMxPDQWSsDRtgz_d_M9MK98y_nlJybk/s2394/DSCN1349.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="2394" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ6Q_GrLYpXeSAyTraGPduQ1QA2kD7AaPZV0rSwAI4-kL0bArnUqk18GEgnjNf2szLs32DwaYwm6qkl440kIxidg_tSb6TN5f58xBFNf0TPaBrDUGoIEpobkBm7WrU8nKspdPyv0g-tq8hSMqsG_CzNFC1rMNewMxPDQWSsDRtgz_d_M9MK98y_nlJybk/s320/DSCN1349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Here they are next to a penny.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy675ph_0flhr-sHeaKHXDbSamTn5mYXlgq2AV-4wh8eypSa3gJ7YezpOLrjrffpPTzNSrIkdk1L8_FTO6cdJajmrQlvqWl2JQmh_Pv2PByedNlfDY0j5vFfCw6gdBr_ZYvpepEuKo23MKAFgHUPU5UxfzZ-6UwZPvP1HcMLWEZxJR4nEpZuu1AsVIDUK/s3187/DSCN1352.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3187" data-original-width="2391" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy675ph_0flhr-sHeaKHXDbSamTn5mYXlgq2AV-4wh8eypSa3gJ7YezpOLrjrffpPTzNSrIkdk1L8_FTO6cdJajmrQlvqWl2JQmh_Pv2PByedNlfDY0j5vFfCw6gdBr_ZYvpepEuKo23MKAFgHUPU5UxfzZ-6UwZPvP1HcMLWEZxJR4nEpZuu1AsVIDUK/s320/DSCN1352.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Not a bad first stop.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up, the bogs. A little Pickerel tried to give me the slip but I got him!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh924nPM4SIFhQafIIFSPp_wwinS7-d3IYaGqOEubBz5msZlV9v2H5G6_wVQuoDqdJv5wX9bYKhhgFNnx-bgZavD1xkipJNCsxi-2g7fL3ukUkKFwWgSRGUBYhU_DVOVMqh0ycZtgUDWP_kdpFRHGta6hvB-oX4oena_MOzMyeEwb1gQbzcxIaUB2661Cql/s2604/DSCN1355.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1953" data-original-width="2604" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh924nPM4SIFhQafIIFSPp_wwinS7-d3IYaGqOEubBz5msZlV9v2H5G6_wVQuoDqdJv5wX9bYKhhgFNnx-bgZavD1xkipJNCsxi-2g7fL3ukUkKFwWgSRGUBYhU_DVOVMqh0ycZtgUDWP_kdpFRHGta6hvB-oX4oena_MOzMyeEwb1gQbzcxIaUB2661Cql/s320/DSCN1355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A Bull in the bog.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI-ENcdV-0AZiFGuUHfI6ceNSpEbMhKlWrpTN_V9ebAhSdyEd71GkZbfB0646TLPSpJz-j4uKaV9X7L9d1o85wOyXYdZYGduIBgtAvT2AIopuhNCMy11YASyRGVoqwTncad3Q-jCqFuKN8-dqDkW5OPVpngfo09yQuSt2sJohUuZErQLCF1tcZORxZKkF/s3178/DSCN1356.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2384" data-original-width="3178" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI-ENcdV-0AZiFGuUHfI6ceNSpEbMhKlWrpTN_V9ebAhSdyEd71GkZbfB0646TLPSpJz-j4uKaV9X7L9d1o85wOyXYdZYGduIBgtAvT2AIopuhNCMy11YASyRGVoqwTncad3Q-jCqFuKN8-dqDkW5OPVpngfo09yQuSt2sJohUuZErQLCF1tcZORxZKkF/s320/DSCN1356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This Pickerel was one of the biggest we've seen this year. He made no attempt to hide.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoNf0H1fRKQRHREwaYlJYC4zrzulG9qso2KIysUB02UIWsGxFvI-qWe_aXGXVNK_6_5UyM9rXIXJ3LYi5zACfWRPNExLo5lIo7Bu9SLim1qivcNOGuokPTC3VcrIVPyaw8nylWjQ2oZGrZAaGBddsL9PkIJ-LrgjtIFp8K-JDwVaWBkQi4vlx-qERYSLm/s2923/DSCN1357.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2192" data-original-width="2923" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoNf0H1fRKQRHREwaYlJYC4zrzulG9qso2KIysUB02UIWsGxFvI-qWe_aXGXVNK_6_5UyM9rXIXJ3LYi5zACfWRPNExLo5lIo7Bu9SLim1qivcNOGuokPTC3VcrIVPyaw8nylWjQ2oZGrZAaGBddsL9PkIJ-LrgjtIFp8K-JDwVaWBkQi4vlx-qERYSLm/s320/DSCN1357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Some more Bullfrogs...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xOBFCpVDCQ-rdYGQ2_wKDYIdu5AB7L8jfCBxltbeVZoXrQQ0DK41zdO5rfQpSYKXaURgJaVx0IbK25SQtz-pQc9ZHwiZsfizGvgGCobofEPM29yjsXZBx09DAYxzGZMca2a675tfWl4J_-PrnH9BDY-FluY1dNcdv229juNyHco6T_5fPjXV28iCnYUC/s3090/DSCN1358.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2318" data-original-width="3090" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xOBFCpVDCQ-rdYGQ2_wKDYIdu5AB7L8jfCBxltbeVZoXrQQ0DK41zdO5rfQpSYKXaURgJaVx0IbK25SQtz-pQc9ZHwiZsfizGvgGCobofEPM29yjsXZBx09DAYxzGZMca2a675tfWl4J_-PrnH9BDY-FluY1dNcdv229juNyHco6T_5fPjXV28iCnYUC/s320/DSCN1358.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6vzTbCStZOKe8MUHiy2PV5IrNG4lYqSrHuFDV-RivaLTwDRoh2E2h24ymSM_KEOV2ZGlwjUStJrzlE70YjwqNSMgv5oBpLYHK9A3OpRJKbDvELZPJPmKU1fVMGHZmBAr7by5LuO205hWxUTwG8wRZ2Ts0mKmxRINQR9hvhLeoA9bOpzgzxHAvRo5ZlJL/s2884/DSCN1360.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2163" data-original-width="2884" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6vzTbCStZOKe8MUHiy2PV5IrNG4lYqSrHuFDV-RivaLTwDRoh2E2h24ymSM_KEOV2ZGlwjUStJrzlE70YjwqNSMgv5oBpLYHK9A3OpRJKbDvELZPJPmKU1fVMGHZmBAr7by5LuO205hWxUTwG8wRZ2Ts0mKmxRINQR9hvhLeoA9bOpzgzxHAvRo5ZlJL/s320/DSCN1360.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4p4ln7brVGXGvJa6OPMX0VIHJyoEJPnXSc8GbJlTxjt22vDIf0XxSIaiEeyMJ9Y85pIWxE8lJQ8eDIgt3JNw3sbGMC9XoHiWICtcUF7GTJGk1geUKuE9R41htYxFQ6d-Ym6M8_bZQH6BvKOX5vIzBOVNkqTlhMlUuGRR4yYKt_pTxViQNpYs0WvVyoap/s2982/DSCN1362.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2237" data-original-width="2982" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4p4ln7brVGXGvJa6OPMX0VIHJyoEJPnXSc8GbJlTxjt22vDIf0XxSIaiEeyMJ9Y85pIWxE8lJQ8eDIgt3JNw3sbGMC9XoHiWICtcUF7GTJGk1geUKuE9R41htYxFQ6d-Ym6M8_bZQH6BvKOX5vIzBOVNkqTlhMlUuGRR4yYKt_pTxViQNpYs0WvVyoap/s320/DSCN1362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Andrea deftly got past a fallen tree.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerpX375nNtV2By7WSPrp56TM7Yt7dQ3si5ySdNj2gDFfeZvPVzBnAdge5NKRK8fJKObIo1-xrJDUy2wPsxVcoSFTTHvioSbJoRp7q4sHNJqZ59pNiJugSVzgtD13Rh198gmDREmhbPEXwtjS8Dl46AsrHEqg6B-ykKZ_Nv2b7NVrBr0PRsECk2a2FN2G2/s4608/DSCN1364.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerpX375nNtV2By7WSPrp56TM7Yt7dQ3si5ySdNj2gDFfeZvPVzBnAdge5NKRK8fJKObIo1-xrJDUy2wPsxVcoSFTTHvioSbJoRp7q4sHNJqZ59pNiJugSVzgtD13Rh198gmDREmhbPEXwtjS8Dl46AsrHEqg6B-ykKZ_Nv2b7NVrBr0PRsECk2a2FN2G2/s320/DSCN1364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We went to our regular sit-down spot for a rest, overlooking a beautiful pond. This Pickerel was right at our feet the entire time we sat there.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOwQCRjQaoT-QmyU2BM8V9BoZY72hCTWeQOperq_Xemd1p1qkBkR_1Gx2MQKcVJfYyogsDKEolO8r0WFC-mQfGqzEWV0qxxt5y5uWbgPkFtygIbrjRFlpWrFmJHd6LwvoxI4GVKF_Zb3pIUOiJJgPI4R2k05qKtweD2jpocsjhZkAgUUWK4JhYwiv9HLm/s3182/DSCN1365.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2387" data-original-width="3182" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOwQCRjQaoT-QmyU2BM8V9BoZY72hCTWeQOperq_Xemd1p1qkBkR_1Gx2MQKcVJfYyogsDKEolO8r0WFC-mQfGqzEWV0qxxt5y5uWbgPkFtygIbrjRFlpWrFmJHd6LwvoxI4GVKF_Zb3pIUOiJJgPI4R2k05qKtweD2jpocsjhZkAgUUWK4JhYwiv9HLm/s320/DSCN1365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We watched sunfish and this Largemouth Bass who was bullying them.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2y3EwyThmds6wlNW3-QqXNFACu1bs8l5XWO4_uUemnpgRJmzV0cY9Qh00MzBNDqD3XZjPsxu5j_RT5e4RahUzk1RS7xlcV9ATL6Yvl_CY-5UmfFpyLQmOzhOGfG5JuBZL7WGqbEfAeiOpjDLPQeeJFpJ9Gemm1Iz1erXd7va4rWuXW5dOVaJUjqUeiGv/s3309/DSCN1367.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2482" data-original-width="3309" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2y3EwyThmds6wlNW3-QqXNFACu1bs8l5XWO4_uUemnpgRJmzV0cY9Qh00MzBNDqD3XZjPsxu5j_RT5e4RahUzk1RS7xlcV9ATL6Yvl_CY-5UmfFpyLQmOzhOGfG5JuBZL7WGqbEfAeiOpjDLPQeeJFpJ9Gemm1Iz1erXd7va4rWuXW5dOVaJUjqUeiGv/s320/DSCN1367.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>After the nice rest, we got back on the bog trail and almost immediately, I saw a tiny squiggle. I got my hand out in front of it before it hit the grass and corralled it into my hand. Shoestring Ribbon. I can't think of a more fragile snake!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL6RWVfYYraOeJBrEATydUK_XinDnOUl0Z0sGA5sJyDmwnGdxhD1LaSpS4TIMtZcVw0zAKVmhcW_UYmdB2oMLmDx7cCBaT2e1rGgN7tnU6swPoJN1QjoO-Y6g6l9-52P3ZmHRoI231AKfthXbc04ytIwpd_ihk-soQHd_fgDQy_i2_tX7RopWqXz2XnC4/s2700/DSCN1372.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="2025" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL6RWVfYYraOeJBrEATydUK_XinDnOUl0Z0sGA5sJyDmwnGdxhD1LaSpS4TIMtZcVw0zAKVmhcW_UYmdB2oMLmDx7cCBaT2e1rGgN7tnU6swPoJN1QjoO-Y6g6l9-52P3ZmHRoI231AKfthXbc04ytIwpd_ihk-soQHd_fgDQy_i2_tX7RopWqXz2XnC4/s320/DSCN1372.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the way back to the car, we saw a Green Frog.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiX8qMRcKqlsBQ5g7MUWV7CDXsL4hfHskS_xfOVxN8zLdDyXOi6-vowmGcMNuJvw8eitfxZ_kCUbjLXhtbI1V1dNbZqGkD3frQMt294iEHPc3GqmxeRzkznPPhLI0Koxa_zQGbnPkY6v_Q2XOjw2RjffeTKP5GbZB6jjxar0wxIzu-5mEEQ7fPKXAmZsG/s2288/DSCN1373.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1716" data-original-width="2288" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiX8qMRcKqlsBQ5g7MUWV7CDXsL4hfHskS_xfOVxN8zLdDyXOi6-vowmGcMNuJvw8eitfxZ_kCUbjLXhtbI1V1dNbZqGkD3frQMt294iEHPc3GqmxeRzkznPPhLI0Koxa_zQGbnPkY6v_Q2XOjw2RjffeTKP5GbZB6jjxar0wxIzu-5mEEQ7fPKXAmZsG/s320/DSCN1373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There was a golf ball with a face drawn on it that amused me. When this large (Tachnid?) Fly landed on it, I couldn't resist.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6zjWD025-YlSUlsnHptZgStG_gQGxPhKC6RdPs0cmzGQItx1rZ0_8WMzc7HcUIyw0gmfqSL8TSRitTdXXfscez2sUCNmVEsczTPOw4vWX0CcEcodnx7tWhJNGmcasiyWYoluOqvSMXIWWd7Br8RtqCalAf1z75aYIzm_ibbj4kJhYPxPbxsIraj_28y1/s2136/DSCN1375.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="2136" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6zjWD025-YlSUlsnHptZgStG_gQGxPhKC6RdPs0cmzGQItx1rZ0_8WMzc7HcUIyw0gmfqSL8TSRitTdXXfscez2sUCNmVEsczTPOw4vWX0CcEcodnx7tWhJNGmcasiyWYoluOqvSMXIWWd7Br8RtqCalAf1z75aYIzm_ibbj4kJhYPxPbxsIraj_28y1/s320/DSCN1375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>So, we'd been having a pretty good day. What could possibly go wrong? We headed over to what has historically been our most fruitful Hog paths.This is when reality hit. There were loads of toads hopping about. Dozens and dozens. But no Hogs or Garters or any snakes. I did find this large Dark Fishing Spider under some bark.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMT4a46OP3F4-mHZrzCLyec_bmNwVB1-B7XyidqYZvJLtaXeLxdoc4a9zS7xZOVjtjVKWqgY2ZMdBsugTx5OrewdN4qEw6c_yLSU4tvtXHuA1PmJx9WEodCLpOeLGws3Lwaxwb8flDSehD8CdDDfD5hrl76QHZQ5j-b6OH3UFQiAaUf1Icjkss0_EJDI6/s4608/DSCN1378.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMT4a46OP3F4-mHZrzCLyec_bmNwVB1-B7XyidqYZvJLtaXeLxdoc4a9zS7xZOVjtjVKWqgY2ZMdBsugTx5OrewdN4qEw6c_yLSU4tvtXHuA1PmJx9WEodCLpOeLGws3Lwaxwb8flDSehD8CdDDfD5hrl76QHZQ5j-b6OH3UFQiAaUf1Icjkss0_EJDI6/s320/DSCN1378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Fowler's Toads were the <i>herp du jour</i>. Small ones, fat ones... they were very conspicuous.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPOchGhUcYJxVrCs2YQu8RXmAAw_LsBB-BoJG_7JUBieLszir8-Le_nTtycZqOV_SuNaMGkIk4jYwY3YW8uF7uL5VHQyQ7q3rFgZCprZ8l-uHiwnBusEoWIx2jQ8_w_XzZEy34Rwq4ytEHbUCTDXazei7b9qsCah6lonaGHms_885-asWX4AJOz6N6Wt6/s2527/DSCN1379.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1896" data-original-width="2527" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPOchGhUcYJxVrCs2YQu8RXmAAw_LsBB-BoJG_7JUBieLszir8-Le_nTtycZqOV_SuNaMGkIk4jYwY3YW8uF7uL5VHQyQ7q3rFgZCprZ8l-uHiwnBusEoWIx2jQ8_w_XzZEy34Rwq4ytEHbUCTDXazei7b9qsCah6lonaGHms_885-asWX4AJOz6N6Wt6/s320/DSCN1379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Puffed up or just super-fat?</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsKWQTSgRdaARtvaSxXL86bMjsRjGnWMHPVtIqnS8gI3Iezm2AvyOUjOFB92DqO5lEHlC7xSqkG82gr08l75aoKM9lliHbOHTAyb2BUaDCOBou8u207yVV-VYERp3QoiMR8rzUppQOIa9K4AGYr6cCcPoyHF0fXsUZIsSIpAKGStMs1NuWgqV4m3QfWGI/s2623/DSCN1381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2623" data-original-width="1967" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsKWQTSgRdaARtvaSxXL86bMjsRjGnWMHPVtIqnS8gI3Iezm2AvyOUjOFB92DqO5lEHlC7xSqkG82gr08l75aoKM9lliHbOHTAyb2BUaDCOBou8u207yVV-VYERp3QoiMR8rzUppQOIa9K4AGYr6cCcPoyHF0fXsUZIsSIpAKGStMs1NuWgqV4m3QfWGI/s320/DSCN1381.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>We were pretty toasted by this point. We wanted to hit the visitor's center before leaving because every Painted Turtle we'd seen thus far had slipped into the drink unphotographed and it's a good spot for them. Sure enough, a distant Painter was getting some sun.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDz9PQ1gEiHQelszWT07Nq8aMpWf1NLNEjmoASFg8-E2YYWfOUBEMOL6mAeDk3WbbxKxTfIA-8jClBa3k2v6yNx16HdOe3a_L2RkJJaEc5Dn1LqOgWIp--r6IqCSl-oUFPeFoM8iPnSUoEL5xb-z9DNTKRs0vcw4VybqEiOGh9bj8cvOJCrdxu-0YmJNi/s2271/DSCN1382.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1703" data-original-width="2271" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDz9PQ1gEiHQelszWT07Nq8aMpWf1NLNEjmoASFg8-E2YYWfOUBEMOL6mAeDk3WbbxKxTfIA-8jClBa3k2v6yNx16HdOe3a_L2RkJJaEc5Dn1LqOgWIp--r6IqCSl-oUFPeFoM8iPnSUoEL5xb-z9DNTKRs0vcw4VybqEiOGh9bj8cvOJCrdxu-0YmJNi/s320/DSCN1382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then, right in front of us, a large Redbelly hoisted itself up, giving us an extra special treat.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrw0NfgBvZVLFnXRGBRo7A0sIzJH5i1izb3yPU4FoBHj3_ya9Buv5wvqFRS93MxMqnWaKrVR7KBxTSvU45J4gIdX4mubGVaQTph3KRdTX_KzRWdfV86bPv9GUTn-n8ewNyQ0fWnQnZO7Pz1yDBiluCOV5mlbZYDKhtSvLTOpB45H8hZsqTOePhif23Tj5/s3247/DSCN1383.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2435" data-original-width="3247" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrw0NfgBvZVLFnXRGBRo7A0sIzJH5i1izb3yPU4FoBHj3_ya9Buv5wvqFRS93MxMqnWaKrVR7KBxTSvU45J4gIdX4mubGVaQTph3KRdTX_KzRWdfV86bPv9GUTn-n8ewNyQ0fWnQnZO7Pz1yDBiluCOV5mlbZYDKhtSvLTOpB45H8hZsqTOePhif23Tj5/s320/DSCN1383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We limped over to a bench to sit and watch the water ripple for a while. Her ankle was bothering her and evidently, I have Plantar fasciitis and it has been killing me of late. We have come to the conclusion that we can't push ourselves quite as hard as we're used to. Getting old, I guess. But even as we sat, cooling off and resting our aches and pains, we saw some more distant Painters sunning themselves.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTbsIf618exJGE_zDW5g9Pe8U3RbJ1pTbnDbaxDp9VKZfgweKKjd-33FG0c-cBR5lvQnYu8i7mUuCENfr2pHkOvzaMKc5l43ySPPp60DLgvbPF7Err2O54JoPBdNTdr-bFGjsWxZs1VYpsgVOcqWPmH-_IhbntpHuQZCPCAKGAM3GdThznsS07SRf2eal/s2653/DSCN1384.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2653" data-original-width="1990" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTbsIf618exJGE_zDW5g9Pe8U3RbJ1pTbnDbaxDp9VKZfgweKKjd-33FG0c-cBR5lvQnYu8i7mUuCENfr2pHkOvzaMKc5l43ySPPp60DLgvbPF7Err2O54JoPBdNTdr-bFGjsWxZs1VYpsgVOcqWPmH-_IhbntpHuQZCPCAKGAM3GdThznsS07SRf2eal/s320/DSCN1384.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>And that makes it all worthwhile. We missed the target but had nine well-earned species. A good day, I say.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-36943557837042558372023-09-11T15:29:00.002-07:002023-09-11T15:29:18.091-07:00S is for September, Salamanders and Shoestrings Part One. 9-1-2023<p>We hadn't yet been to a certain spot in Middlesex County where we sometimes have seen hatchling turtles and shoestring snakes at this time of year and, since it was going to be pretty nice out, we decided to make it our Saturday walk. We sprayed down really well because this is the gnatiest place on Earth. Luckily, we got there pretty early and the gnats weren't out in force yet.</p>Remember last week, when we saw a couple of Redbacks but couldn't procure a picture? I realized that we hadn't actually photographed a Redback since the week before Andrea broke her ankle back in April. April 16th was my last <i>Plethodon cinerus</i> photo. It was with great pleasure that I finally got this guy.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9H6mFyOmjjXNFXkEI5ZS-KJESdxzEV0GONhRUeMs7mY6TzYTfe15SDECItht7Vw6zCG0WB1VsJ32N4y8MeBZuE20L0v9scpqJaiv51ykglKKA1AUHwRC3cs7agePJ00U3hjfs9SeeBdjx7XRXdqT-lVXqrAMrS79fzwc4leznjy96e0ZSpnEj4G9bbMR/s2377/DSCN1292.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9H6mFyOmjjXNFXkEI5ZS-KJESdxzEV0GONhRUeMs7mY6TzYTfe15SDECItht7Vw6zCG0WB1VsJ32N4y8MeBZuE20L0v9scpqJaiv51ykglKKA1AUHwRC3cs7agePJ00U3hjfs9SeeBdjx7XRXdqT-lVXqrAMrS79fzwc4leznjy96e0ZSpnEj4G9bbMR/s320/DSCN1292.JPG" /></a><br />It's ridiculous how difficult it has been to see such a common animal. I blame crazy worms, and heat.<div><br /></div><div>Bull? Green? Are those dorsolateral ridges or a series of bumps. I don't get stumped often but this guy has my head spinning. We're going Green based on the pointier face, but is it the angle?</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVLF7tL1iiDPo-v_TL_Hj1t5akns2b01ZknzV9qkeMLcaH98RKo4Yoa52E9ugw5Y157R2HX_yPdoLzq3JZDMy6uulTNjNFQi_sczag9r0hCRL0tzqADXcqPQbTD45gbu3wo9y93AIbhk7AHJovsbrmafqVBes9Otorn0LczU0kfTLdNGidBmK50wmMm4C/s4608/DSCN1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVLF7tL1iiDPo-v_TL_Hj1t5akns2b01ZknzV9qkeMLcaH98RKo4Yoa52E9ugw5Y157R2HX_yPdoLzq3JZDMy6uulTNjNFQi_sczag9r0hCRL0tzqADXcqPQbTD45gbu3wo9y93AIbhk7AHJovsbrmafqVBes9Otorn0LczU0kfTLdNGidBmK50wmMm4C/s320/DSCN1293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A few Painted Turtles were seen before we hit the big turtle spots.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpbzpBEmX9GbUMP-EBDWGbchKPwQJm09XiInm6Nz3S9Jc9bKBkXXMZEHDVFF3kU6O8W9dVH6rCx2v72Mft9J-k20FXG7Ua_vqoOalQiIE4eHNcT0OQNzo_7cIiySl6qqtYjaOk8xaJSAZ_MeV2WFC2hWV_uBSjWRApKNsvKkfz9Kflm2slodvJASWy8O8/s3291/DSCN1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2469" data-original-width="3291" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpbzpBEmX9GbUMP-EBDWGbchKPwQJm09XiInm6Nz3S9Jc9bKBkXXMZEHDVFF3kU6O8W9dVH6rCx2v72Mft9J-k20FXG7Ua_vqoOalQiIE4eHNcT0OQNzo_7cIiySl6qqtYjaOk8xaJSAZ_MeV2WFC2hWV_uBSjWRApKNsvKkfz9Kflm2slodvJASWy8O8/s320/DSCN1294.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXVaIW5w-ZGbhNiIgXe9qggJmEQ9f6wy8MGQSXmHd4qeHJ4zOy5DrGBFS6ngQcz1OkvBSaOOcrb55aRDC4_zi9jNxBm1DtxgaZqnmlrIuFTjBJ6QJvxXuQ6WeKNKSn54wp3j4MvFMImxLqWE6am2_Gh5td1MaVbLR1IwDpa4UuLJTChG-t_UZXTWl1jjI/s3456/DSCN1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXVaIW5w-ZGbhNiIgXe9qggJmEQ9f6wy8MGQSXmHd4qeHJ4zOy5DrGBFS6ngQcz1OkvBSaOOcrb55aRDC4_zi9jNxBm1DtxgaZqnmlrIuFTjBJ6QJvxXuQ6WeKNKSn54wp3j4MvFMImxLqWE6am2_Gh5td1MaVbLR1IwDpa4UuLJTChG-t_UZXTWl1jjI/s320/DSCN1295.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This place can flood, even on normal years. We knew we'd be faced with a challenge at a certain spot. Sure enough, the path was super-flooded. Hell, we've done <a href="https://hitmewithyournaturestick.blogspot.com/2013/06/herpers-gotta-herp-ultimate-edition.html">worse</a>. So as other hikers were turning back, we headed in.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtYJXmxnhfBMfPbTFZhtpaYOZeR5dJ03QUl1hjstXkAZeQpqEyb2sw32uQr5fBMSLZsmqVnjnZvF8gaq34DCAPSdeI3j_nEdIvduWRKY8NyDMFCW3JFg5dCUy8CcaJ9EDvGPvgPWXs_S-PG5Ttddq0jsoM9ZW7q8z2wuAYWkiT-RTMe9SkIkXwspwkChf/s4608/DSCN1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtYJXmxnhfBMfPbTFZhtpaYOZeR5dJ03QUl1hjstXkAZeQpqEyb2sw32uQr5fBMSLZsmqVnjnZvF8gaq34DCAPSdeI3j_nEdIvduWRKY8NyDMFCW3JFg5dCUy8CcaJ9EDvGPvgPWXs_S-PG5Ttddq0jsoM9ZW7q8z2wuAYWkiT-RTMe9SkIkXwspwkChf/s320/DSCN1297.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The excessive rain was the cause, yes... but the beavers had a lot to say about it, too.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5lKJ_OJQdm6mAkkn7IseE3jzQrRJrLKxMInpZUHFbl9soU_KTbFuRfgl__x5yvX08jlZ1O463I2BBrd07htiRHPM2iOyGIyZ3eAKtmkHVwz3SgsI4x55dHR2SM11yrMwh_bla57qOTa0u0K-jtuitejaqUV7OJ2hyUonJB1LQgNeE0yCbI3pHIKKJeCf/s4608/DSCN1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5lKJ_OJQdm6mAkkn7IseE3jzQrRJrLKxMInpZUHFbl9soU_KTbFuRfgl__x5yvX08jlZ1O463I2BBrd07htiRHPM2iOyGIyZ3eAKtmkHVwz3SgsI4x55dHR2SM11yrMwh_bla57qOTa0u0K-jtuitejaqUV7OJ2hyUonJB1LQgNeE0yCbI3pHIKKJeCf/s320/DSCN1298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This in-the-blue-Garter sat atop one of the piles, grabbing some morning rays.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7dU9TCCbnIiHKqobjromAvV4RTNiANDoaxznCOaQyLqMjTrQL992--b_nmL3vGZ9nJJp7qi3aREwKtxseRVrb8b6WLJK5WM6gI-ESsnH7ePrE7PIQK7dQwGoAEVb-wPyJn1uvd1P9TIW7Inu7_mnvgyrhXcN1b8VQulD4TucFrhnU2cyVJAfHhaxVX3E/s3374/DSCN1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2530" data-original-width="3374" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7dU9TCCbnIiHKqobjromAvV4RTNiANDoaxznCOaQyLqMjTrQL992--b_nmL3vGZ9nJJp7qi3aREwKtxseRVrb8b6WLJK5WM6gI-ESsnH7ePrE7PIQK7dQwGoAEVb-wPyJn1uvd1P9TIW7Inu7_mnvgyrhXcN1b8VQulD4TucFrhnU2cyVJAfHhaxVX3E/s320/DSCN1301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I photographed this Painter from the edge of the pond. I hadn't noticed the massive Bullfrog <i>right in front of him</i> until I uploaded the picture! A pleasant twofer surprise.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbEfBkxJiPqt_vNRHvaBPOcQ49fw7wdq5XR2Lk_x0hKhDjZ6DRT0i_Fz8ND6GtcBzRybrAHZR8X-wF9shbmKl1CQmV4_BxMqjy0bJJqGliWAYRZGxLI47jN0MvB7FJAmUATKUNqUmW9IfBdYtBEZo906Un_VM-_nobEbk7F_TEB_vVTdxM_1-z_k6YBVz/s3358/DSCN1302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="3358" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbEfBkxJiPqt_vNRHvaBPOcQ49fw7wdq5XR2Lk_x0hKhDjZ6DRT0i_Fz8ND6GtcBzRybrAHZR8X-wF9shbmKl1CQmV4_BxMqjy0bJJqGliWAYRZGxLI47jN0MvB7FJAmUATKUNqUmW9IfBdYtBEZo906Un_VM-_nobEbk7F_TEB_vVTdxM_1-z_k6YBVz/s320/DSCN1302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A definite Green, found by Andrea.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zWjfsG-IyOGF9ZYh00yhPswqlWksaLagNiHns9x6D_o_9PWXAxEhlvJmtN6ejZ5_tHgVLA7ZUI2wiz8kV-W0EYJ_0HEJFxYO0mBeK5gd9D5r6EkV4bYEZNk58EqeN8hUPQm4P_LfeGnx3KdMkJQJDfKbU6TLquwrvE4AQU7gr9GS89HPcWnFHT3YBTrh/s3218/DSCN1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2414" data-original-width="3218" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zWjfsG-IyOGF9ZYh00yhPswqlWksaLagNiHns9x6D_o_9PWXAxEhlvJmtN6ejZ5_tHgVLA7ZUI2wiz8kV-W0EYJ_0HEJFxYO0mBeK5gd9D5r6EkV4bYEZNk58EqeN8hUPQm4P_LfeGnx3KdMkJQJDfKbU6TLquwrvE4AQU7gr9GS89HPcWnFHT3YBTrh/s320/DSCN1303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A Painted Turtle playing king of the hill.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oqyozIz2B8M0a9cEXQ0v7Gzyw3ejOgAqm_WAFEV-wftcKMFg5fJ_FNAuyfSIXDSShyTz5YTGW8995TogIGiX2VBF5uQAc1Y3gtmk4zJM1FoR6OHR4gvg5p50JdFPQ2gf_wxQrJGwxliR8gEgS0wzsNiVitwrSuChscHwADupjOcCqWiUfFwQhh8Klfpp/s2795/DSCN1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2096" data-original-width="2795" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oqyozIz2B8M0a9cEXQ0v7Gzyw3ejOgAqm_WAFEV-wftcKMFg5fJ_FNAuyfSIXDSShyTz5YTGW8995TogIGiX2VBF5uQAc1Y3gtmk4zJM1FoR6OHR4gvg5p50JdFPQ2gf_wxQrJGwxliR8gEgS0wzsNiVitwrSuChscHwADupjOcCqWiUfFwQhh8Klfpp/s320/DSCN1304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This big Garter gal was lounging in the brush.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13FqtuVpRw6eqH0AZNTSeuwq3RM4URYUbM0UP7YVkIq6bccLs88I73ZD-XNj-T9FhyAsR8Mjd278VUJf0FfS_svXajjFm7yLNFZ5F6uVrx6WXlQSyZQISkJeDzCZ141bHxKDJ2BQZScruN2LTxPCglMItHuhtxCIa0iOSJqJ-001QP0H2ZzTX08uxeVdE/s3052/DSCN1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2289" data-original-width="3052" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13FqtuVpRw6eqH0AZNTSeuwq3RM4URYUbM0UP7YVkIq6bccLs88I73ZD-XNj-T9FhyAsR8Mjd278VUJf0FfS_svXajjFm7yLNFZ5F6uVrx6WXlQSyZQISkJeDzCZ141bHxKDJ2BQZScruN2LTxPCglMItHuhtxCIa0iOSJqJ-001QP0H2ZzTX08uxeVdE/s320/DSCN1305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Let's have a little talk about Painted Turtles. We saw a ton. They are all so beautiful. If they were rare, photographers would be falling all over themselves to try to see one. I rarely pass any Painters up. Plus, this place has Blanding's and sometimes, in a pile of Painters, you get a surprise. We didn't this time, however. But let's all wallow in the splendor that is <i>Chrysemys picta picta</i>, the Eastern Painted Turtle.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZ5kXLxkeMLliqsIu5mpFnryI8-oWEmbetsKeyfsT2iAIU4H-MTtgjmsicSz5gP50SrXPuCruraP33BpLKHD7Eg_ODLP5MJWStYiHwnlH6SzRt3kpcI3Jtiw-oAUCT3CYwy7aLX227U-qgzlCMJQHMxI9KwMvjH07V7kl1Al_wdSubibhlg0vDSYm-8o0/s3785/DSCN1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="3785" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZ5kXLxkeMLliqsIu5mpFnryI8-oWEmbetsKeyfsT2iAIU4H-MTtgjmsicSz5gP50SrXPuCruraP33BpLKHD7Eg_ODLP5MJWStYiHwnlH6SzRt3kpcI3Jtiw-oAUCT3CYwy7aLX227U-qgzlCMJQHMxI9KwMvjH07V7kl1Al_wdSubibhlg0vDSYm-8o0/s320/DSCN1310.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsqJxoT2gsvm2JOgJj-ym-tFKvcHkd3lgP5oI1xfTyFJVvgyfJp_EKFAVo5OtHmWn3IMAXXEK24-rV_YAblFjQ9GOPh7UoevF6yNaR8CBhjjN4uz7z6wVeElyfcMagTMYOvU7ACue4sO4OKw0909h2dlpvtdmX6vVMgj00aT_76OMrOEbRE0giVrPU1TT/s3059/DSCN1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="3059" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsqJxoT2gsvm2JOgJj-ym-tFKvcHkd3lgP5oI1xfTyFJVvgyfJp_EKFAVo5OtHmWn3IMAXXEK24-rV_YAblFjQ9GOPh7UoevF6yNaR8CBhjjN4uz7z6wVeElyfcMagTMYOvU7ACue4sO4OKw0909h2dlpvtdmX6vVMgj00aT_76OMrOEbRE0giVrPU1TT/s320/DSCN1311.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rJc0WAbHez50Ge8MJVh_Cf-bNNnqlnDDeEDfz5YkeIPO8LtgOf4RJGG2KevLcWJ7rptu3FFonlbRnE25_JTTXkHGPJCywpdhtjy_ixEJgpIhPWYj13R0zvBdKjrM5pscd1BpCtgcTYjWI-TTIqSFLSEnQSGul4BNLA294WBPjzLTdEcHo3atmx2PaQ2t/s4608/DSCN1315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rJc0WAbHez50Ge8MJVh_Cf-bNNnqlnDDeEDfz5YkeIPO8LtgOf4RJGG2KevLcWJ7rptu3FFonlbRnE25_JTTXkHGPJCywpdhtjy_ixEJgpIhPWYj13R0zvBdKjrM5pscd1BpCtgcTYjWI-TTIqSFLSEnQSGul4BNLA294WBPjzLTdEcHo3atmx2PaQ2t/s320/DSCN1315.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH83Olqu9EBHs-zlPYOms-CTYdFWaz0wUsiK5HG0Lp9y_rvPUIDgloywNs6QQRSFV9Cg03U_n8WlkZnD_AsyA9SdrVg9oSH4Hr4QGzkGH8kmSMFPvZFa5SkN3JSNSi5U4RQr5AygT0pDqo2k52r3EKhX2cgqiEFElvQXkRbmlGHfwcdWls2SkYg7BIc8AB/s3566/DSCN1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2674" data-original-width="3566" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH83Olqu9EBHs-zlPYOms-CTYdFWaz0wUsiK5HG0Lp9y_rvPUIDgloywNs6QQRSFV9Cg03U_n8WlkZnD_AsyA9SdrVg9oSH4Hr4QGzkGH8kmSMFPvZFa5SkN3JSNSi5U4RQr5AygT0pDqo2k52r3EKhX2cgqiEFElvQXkRbmlGHfwcdWls2SkYg7BIc8AB/s320/DSCN1317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I'm going to interrupt the Painted glory for a moment to show off a Green Frog, then a Bullfrog.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuuij0v-jhxhUO702YMhV3g0QYVT-M4GaR2aSMZw9OAq6-sMOY0y1zYFlTd9P8uaE0CgU_zivHD4QoVAVMSZ4hABD0q1p5mPX7tW9TsPjshZs14XyDPQDWO-OdKSg5NdBkAgkU5d94iGD_EV6k54tLWNZW6yvs1VDFKsAAWx7CkKnO5LtUlVzKwymWSnG/s2596/DSCN1316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1947" data-original-width="2596" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuuij0v-jhxhUO702YMhV3g0QYVT-M4GaR2aSMZw9OAq6-sMOY0y1zYFlTd9P8uaE0CgU_zivHD4QoVAVMSZ4hABD0q1p5mPX7tW9TsPjshZs14XyDPQDWO-OdKSg5NdBkAgkU5d94iGD_EV6k54tLWNZW6yvs1VDFKsAAWx7CkKnO5LtUlVzKwymWSnG/s320/DSCN1316.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMZmayUyuEsB_cQmZCqPT_f1A0MLE9mmbOniHd7Il3twXG4ybG3rX-lg_CXXIDufwYPVU7aTYwOV9wsTeno-GLx3HnJrk146YqHJ6gg3ennkRH2dHN8-xEpdeL_viMU3mW0CLoCv9uEEuhqRsUl73L--rjme64hIzQOg65i4OZx7vyAN_0vJJzPuI-i6p/s2818/DSCN1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2114" data-original-width="2818" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMZmayUyuEsB_cQmZCqPT_f1A0MLE9mmbOniHd7Il3twXG4ybG3rX-lg_CXXIDufwYPVU7aTYwOV9wsTeno-GLx3HnJrk146YqHJ6gg3ennkRH2dHN8-xEpdeL_viMU3mW0CLoCv9uEEuhqRsUl73L--rjme64hIzQOg65i4OZx7vyAN_0vJJzPuI-i6p/s320/DSCN1318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>OK, back to the beauty of Painters. As you see, I rarely pass one by without trying to get a shot.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74oIlYyi4hM5ZbiSA79ADOybrRJV93_UWC5nuS2CKRXI8SMDTiBGva2OIF--cvRfm2npbBC_01wlHgMYk756JJiFGBv0IMblmTOAGiNqhSu0UlvslbLxPMwSMZbkVgf7ohatb6p1Tv7FRtsroXT7iOB_5aruI0ChymU448n8cl9cw4qXrdZ2BdsaX6_2g/s3415/DSCN1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="3415" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74oIlYyi4hM5ZbiSA79ADOybrRJV93_UWC5nuS2CKRXI8SMDTiBGva2OIF--cvRfm2npbBC_01wlHgMYk756JJiFGBv0IMblmTOAGiNqhSu0UlvslbLxPMwSMZbkVgf7ohatb6p1Tv7FRtsroXT7iOB_5aruI0ChymU448n8cl9cw4qXrdZ2BdsaX6_2g/s320/DSCN1319.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83Qdir8rjlbgwrhB3C3Z4P2ttuXnyos-wFQWFM3zTbAjq9qt2T4iRVX8FNsuWf8hZkWmU46Qij8pSWIY9VPrP2jCGy_3966XMD5nIY8NdVe9rOb7zfDn3DFdDyKb4eAlwCtERZy7JuLLtJSEM3ZV-O_V1W2NdMw3cJnD74VAecLS_W2xL_yMC0U2ANDC8/s2623/DSCN1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="2623" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83Qdir8rjlbgwrhB3C3Z4P2ttuXnyos-wFQWFM3zTbAjq9qt2T4iRVX8FNsuWf8hZkWmU46Qij8pSWIY9VPrP2jCGy_3966XMD5nIY8NdVe9rOb7zfDn3DFdDyKb4eAlwCtERZy7JuLLtJSEM3ZV-O_V1W2NdMw3cJnD74VAecLS_W2xL_yMC0U2ANDC8/s320/DSCN1320.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkSRIsPrQoYc7gS8jFrDQwEC00yz8xjaJFor_CE7FG7wg-P-VCxZaQx6RY4ZO7YlLpdpZaApTfGD11z-j-YKP6DUgZ6ude6KmEbbjRpLa0ua7zPSHL0LODm0OUuatC3ZzQVTIfxyuaXgQmmaPDvxzshVVPIwZbz8AjfOkwR92WwqQyt7ylTQjHTqTz5Ls/s2801/DSCN1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2101" data-original-width="2801" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkSRIsPrQoYc7gS8jFrDQwEC00yz8xjaJFor_CE7FG7wg-P-VCxZaQx6RY4ZO7YlLpdpZaApTfGD11z-j-YKP6DUgZ6ude6KmEbbjRpLa0ua7zPSHL0LODm0OUuatC3ZzQVTIfxyuaXgQmmaPDvxzshVVPIwZbz8AjfOkwR92WwqQyt7ylTQjHTqTz5Ls/s320/DSCN1321.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjDo1RkBb1vpje93QLrE7A8zMXOaUOioXvv0U51M-5CHKlNe-U_CaGcAxRf8N3hmpsEXu8Hvr8BR6VsqYUa-Gba9MqSjvr0gQa8RHTxGqMlPnnTSCVE7e-EBD308HghP-XF63i8dkcNBIoexWGtbxHUsOYi-OLlWQhLvL9KUUUOlmyskdNSX0Hsqzos5h/s2952/DSCN1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2214" data-original-width="2952" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjDo1RkBb1vpje93QLrE7A8zMXOaUOioXvv0U51M-5CHKlNe-U_CaGcAxRf8N3hmpsEXu8Hvr8BR6VsqYUa-Gba9MqSjvr0gQa8RHTxGqMlPnnTSCVE7e-EBD308HghP-XF63i8dkcNBIoexWGtbxHUsOYi-OLlWQhLvL9KUUUOlmyskdNSX0Hsqzos5h/s320/DSCN1322.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRx81aYsBp0qNcBr9Sg_VhNkM_0QvhoYfA2YYtTVVpKThn1pm6Dkrq2pEapC_yVdZvYUryy4aScJdUQm5Xxryusof5MyX_QLnLIiznckssgDYBP2Q-vWPQ51TOhrRqO5i8w5oZmt78q9hW8ot8rvdvA1aPEeTEpR8BmQAgBe2969Xp2q8VnNn-7Lqe-9fq/s2812/DSCN1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2109" data-original-width="2812" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRx81aYsBp0qNcBr9Sg_VhNkM_0QvhoYfA2YYtTVVpKThn1pm6Dkrq2pEapC_yVdZvYUryy4aScJdUQm5Xxryusof5MyX_QLnLIiznckssgDYBP2Q-vWPQ51TOhrRqO5i8w5oZmt78q9hW8ot8rvdvA1aPEeTEpR8BmQAgBe2969Xp2q8VnNn-7Lqe-9fq/s320/DSCN1323.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BHRs6okSivie4Q1jCAKBdIE1DTjHmaD2HUAHuUBoKGGpZ-paZXe7IyeQYwsUOM_5_7meHFoUQxtB27k2S-8GH9AIKXBBiK77JaXKZlIoSyPgAWfnt_Exixeqely_HTbIC9PO0_puA_a7EY45JnlmFbCggGWW2cwGat0JiMViYw8kqu6KEifvrWrZTiZ7/s3444/DSCN1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2583" data-original-width="3444" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BHRs6okSivie4Q1jCAKBdIE1DTjHmaD2HUAHuUBoKGGpZ-paZXe7IyeQYwsUOM_5_7meHFoUQxtB27k2S-8GH9AIKXBBiK77JaXKZlIoSyPgAWfnt_Exixeqely_HTbIC9PO0_puA_a7EY45JnlmFbCggGWW2cwGat0JiMViYw8kqu6KEifvrWrZTiZ7/s320/DSCN1327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We'd walked about as far as we could with sore ankles and heels these days, we've <i>got</i> to cut things off sometimes. Earlier, Andrea had seen one wee shoestring Garter but it quickly got to an untouchable spot. Luckily, on the way back, we saw another. He went under a log. I felt around under it... there was space. So, I looked on the other side of the log and there he was, as cute as a newborn Garter. Which is exactly what he was.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcS0Gd1elWTK0NXaMhbqMioIDfbkFNvUlnDhxZAzZVzANWEzWUPM4lhsReB8WLNNdq_zbz2f1Y-GBjMfEMaVn4EHNP_gTP0YSnxnfZPJTHG8irzbbFbK2KGn-G-OJwAxten0iFb-RLwxraejsmdfto5lMhaXsdb-oUZnPSqo0MaS8uUwNWs6aJkhc2ouI/s2369/DSCN1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1777" data-original-width="2369" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcS0Gd1elWTK0NXaMhbqMioIDfbkFNvUlnDhxZAzZVzANWEzWUPM4lhsReB8WLNNdq_zbz2f1Y-GBjMfEMaVn4EHNP_gTP0YSnxnfZPJTHG8irzbbFbK2KGn-G-OJwAxten0iFb-RLwxraejsmdfto5lMhaXsdb-oUZnPSqo0MaS8uUwNWs6aJkhc2ouI/s320/DSCN1336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Nice! First shoestring photo of the year!</div><div><br /></div><div>Even better, that very same log had this Peeper on it that Andrea spotted.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEC_7moCwgcZuLX8W4QTuIN3CyvEVeoToCHMgiSBeK7IcK1bXFqJfnBXXGGOW_jnTA8cPNkvLX0NBW0YMQXcsFFx_E-EGhPS5Sn8cjHB5hqbSrptrNhDXPGSdGf4oVsJcf1C2aNTVvi7nVQRhz-aqXLF0BvzkYQzOt-mbwK7GKchkigpewbMDghm5fDWb/s2614/DSCN1339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="2614" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEC_7moCwgcZuLX8W4QTuIN3CyvEVeoToCHMgiSBeK7IcK1bXFqJfnBXXGGOW_jnTA8cPNkvLX0NBW0YMQXcsFFx_E-EGhPS5Sn8cjHB5hqbSrptrNhDXPGSdGf4oVsJcf1C2aNTVvi7nVQRhz-aqXLF0BvzkYQzOt-mbwK7GKchkigpewbMDghm5fDWb/s320/DSCN1339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Not a bad day in the field. We got two things that we'd been hoping for... a salamander and a shoestring. Only six species but a good, honest day in the woods. And all of that Painted magnificence. </div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-32033405574937640062023-08-31T14:23:00.005-07:002023-09-01T06:53:30.704-07:00What? August is Over?? 8-26-2023<p>With August coming to a rapid close, we had to get out at least once on this perfect weekend. We headed over to a spot deep into Norfolk County where we've seen baby snakes and turtles during the proper season... and that time is NOW! We got there at about 9:30 and the parking lot was <i>packed</i>! But it was mostly yoga folks who'd just finished up an outdoor workout. *Phew*</p>We started in and our first sighting was a good sized Water Snake who was skinny. A female who had just popped out babies? They had cleared some brush from the area making it easier to look around.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqqk2PK3ydB9jX3SSlbQIxhkaRoBRLl3beSWx-qnfxP9QANOU1K1BVqP8OidQTWyXPdNNjlZ8oZ9ZyulHSfrxoS4buva4_4xHwH4RDouicvgxdtoTQQS0ghFVsJxUBRrw8zG7hEm9k4TWrMg5vymw9x7pDwEaE6CNWbnTQgvkVZYrnUlu-NggsjuGWTCm/s3522/DSCN1242.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqqk2PK3ydB9jX3SSlbQIxhkaRoBRLl3beSWx-qnfxP9QANOU1K1BVqP8OidQTWyXPdNNjlZ8oZ9ZyulHSfrxoS4buva4_4xHwH4RDouicvgxdtoTQQS0ghFVsJxUBRrw8zG7hEm9k4TWrMg5vymw9x7pDwEaE6CNWbnTQgvkVZYrnUlu-NggsjuGWTCm/s320/DSCN1242.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Next up was a neatly folded, in the blue Garter.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6u-3iFmofnEUED-hf46eAOt2u7qDbXKuSLqysBFMbKFhRxO5PZeymE0BUoXnpoaQ_eFbYE93Vue89zqCRmI6RQCxN_J1p-OTupDhyOUBxVOXo0g54yxLyMBIwbbtuzAIr3sVsz0PSpg4UVFOk798D-tKgi8o6gMqIUEDS1M6Z9yQ5IfYGl89DXLDlPxc/s3373/DSCN1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2529" data-original-width="3373" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6u-3iFmofnEUED-hf46eAOt2u7qDbXKuSLqysBFMbKFhRxO5PZeymE0BUoXnpoaQ_eFbYE93Vue89zqCRmI6RQCxN_J1p-OTupDhyOUBxVOXo0g54yxLyMBIwbbtuzAIr3sVsz0PSpg4UVFOk798D-tKgi8o6gMqIUEDS1M6Z9yQ5IfYGl89DXLDlPxc/s320/DSCN1244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Looking around a loggy area, we saw a large Pickerel and a small American Toad who posed nicely.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVDEh-P5Bcuz7PTg4wF263EbcHz3hudcyZY0sSRvszawqFxwU2EYtdjJrtsQ4p4B2CclcUTQozEZQF74PgKHIuXgbJ05advkwNGWBqQwnGFL_cZpqFCFGxhLosbI16zlgPrThCIuCcZNrNYorhobs2yR5YQJs4MQfY4Zd-xsM1ZkVdWG_4ce-fUapgSRb/s3030/DSCN1245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2272" data-original-width="3030" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVDEh-P5Bcuz7PTg4wF263EbcHz3hudcyZY0sSRvszawqFxwU2EYtdjJrtsQ4p4B2CclcUTQozEZQF74PgKHIuXgbJ05advkwNGWBqQwnGFL_cZpqFCFGxhLosbI16zlgPrThCIuCcZNrNYorhobs2yR5YQJs4MQfY4Zd-xsM1ZkVdWG_4ce-fUapgSRb/s320/DSCN1245.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpRG_2r58MROMgvTYq5VH4IwTLyExU_Ge5MokkvCB-OGKwOCy-j0bDme5eAxKlS93ltNTKSXaYtUZP-eKKAHNQVhLP2eKJt4oDytETGcp97G9Z-Y8t2E9M2P2xS1LaKcoIDNndFeoRblymt2fUqENHQUnX_2FNH9K7UOhuR5l55B5Ddm6vLdKN7pJgU1_/s2809/DSCN1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2107" data-original-width="2809" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpRG_2r58MROMgvTYq5VH4IwTLyExU_Ge5MokkvCB-OGKwOCy-j0bDme5eAxKlS93ltNTKSXaYtUZP-eKKAHNQVhLP2eKJt4oDytETGcp97G9Z-Y8t2E9M2P2xS1LaKcoIDNndFeoRblymt2fUqENHQUnX_2FNH9K7UOhuR5l55B5Ddm6vLdKN7pJgU1_/s320/DSCN1246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>At a little inlet at the pond, where we'd startled a huge Water Snake in the past, we <i>didn't</i> startle what was probably the very same snake. This big, fat, moo-moo, mama cow obviously <i>hasn't</i> yet dumped her kids yet. Absolutely massive gal.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczzgqfuE8UAhJqL7W-5Ff94iCGCg4p8tTEWGxxvKHV7Uqni1YH4_TI5qf5QhOKFhUXb1WVcIaCNbKXZHIW7dxmox-8OhtYCrfcg73Eom6GhPZ7bv1zpw7fhxp27bObrd_T3Lrmo6Z2mmo7bUNfAzJ-PZ4WU7xoL5oHB2uTdgi0w2acqcUH2wUhIFiJ3P0/s3751/DSCN1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2813" data-original-width="3751" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczzgqfuE8UAhJqL7W-5Ff94iCGCg4p8tTEWGxxvKHV7Uqni1YH4_TI5qf5QhOKFhUXb1WVcIaCNbKXZHIW7dxmox-8OhtYCrfcg73Eom6GhPZ7bv1zpw7fhxp27bObrd_T3Lrmo6Z2mmo7bUNfAzJ-PZ4WU7xoL5oHB2uTdgi0w2acqcUH2wUhIFiJ3P0/s320/DSCN1248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We continued down the trail, then found a nice bench overlooking the pond. Rest time #1. Distant Painters were visible from the bench.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgkdoW_a85qvaW-zdpthgPPAGlwhPkC0In3GPyN4r59nInbGE-Ls-OxbMWiXX0bOqgsiXLFGV67ZyLZsP5qlImfFECKreikf6I-uC68t0MJOrXw-VzmjYD_Jun5rNe9VQ4v0vWMQaIuQ8l99DVgcbrWZi6NWiECoBr5JJ3oIqt_goqKzDM0JXSDP9OtZp/s3643/DSCN1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2733" data-original-width="3643" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgkdoW_a85qvaW-zdpthgPPAGlwhPkC0In3GPyN4r59nInbGE-Ls-OxbMWiXX0bOqgsiXLFGV67ZyLZsP5qlImfFECKreikf6I-uC68t0MJOrXw-VzmjYD_Jun5rNe9VQ4v0vWMQaIuQ8l99DVgcbrWZi6NWiECoBr5JJ3oIqt_goqKzDM0JXSDP9OtZp/s320/DSCN1249.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_agwXpVMiEj8SJ9r7gQiFg7zJp9oUVzGO22Foc8D0WH8lULSWQNrD1vG0V5HWxceSmg961KBqdbBDKB5w9b_oZeuTtoQQlKm8N0iJYJ2IcdDqxPKnQJher-j2RWRxNGCiMvpUt0ei_qMVGBMeVjnhm-YWm-MObH-zKREwlOdSrUTnb-O4Uf1gg-4YSDJw/s3588/DSCN1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2691" data-original-width="3588" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_agwXpVMiEj8SJ9r7gQiFg7zJp9oUVzGO22Foc8D0WH8lULSWQNrD1vG0V5HWxceSmg961KBqdbBDKB5w9b_oZeuTtoQQlKm8N0iJYJ2IcdDqxPKnQJher-j2RWRxNGCiMvpUt0ei_qMVGBMeVjnhm-YWm-MObH-zKREwlOdSrUTnb-O4Uf1gg-4YSDJw/s320/DSCN1250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We looked in on a vernal pool that still had water. It's safe to say that, by now, everything has emerged. The water was quiet. This beautiful Green Frog was posing nicely next to the pool.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34n2XFmkkonb5OamcggEgk_iby5xjOhebjPiSTA2iCMudgffvQHyU0d291bF0psX-ASIGVeokG16J4d8XNIe8PZqOFSVVCkrMHbPzpFNZhupmdxjYNtDs7hBL9IjdFUobhdK6yupTjaWBS0rMtu1u73K5RrkFOjClqp_JCRLbHAuPF7ONUyQPKHanwfV3/s2352/DSCN1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1764" data-original-width="2352" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34n2XFmkkonb5OamcggEgk_iby5xjOhebjPiSTA2iCMudgffvQHyU0d291bF0psX-ASIGVeokG16J4d8XNIe8PZqOFSVVCkrMHbPzpFNZhupmdxjYNtDs7hBL9IjdFUobhdK6yupTjaWBS0rMtu1u73K5RrkFOjClqp_JCRLbHAuPF7ONUyQPKHanwfV3/s320/DSCN1251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Continuing up the path, we saw a commotion in the grass. This wee American Toad was noisily hopping along.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW5fhKSwj3NYDqWCGtwlG66yIkqlUuoFssoyMM4sHdNE-C7wklJKvVp2KzEoJBHoZt2_QT0l4j27WRtfP4yI7U2nsegPnZ9YOskXq8FDs1VH22C0NkBHqazoEB5OxuJvD1nvaaxw5V5wsLPYYzLXD8vKoWODIJ022sV7NSBXU3zkrVf_u9f43uwZHKJFI/s2847/DSCN1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2136" data-original-width="2847" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW5fhKSwj3NYDqWCGtwlG66yIkqlUuoFssoyMM4sHdNE-C7wklJKvVp2KzEoJBHoZt2_QT0l4j27WRtfP4yI7U2nsegPnZ9YOskXq8FDs1VH22C0NkBHqazoEB5OxuJvD1nvaaxw5V5wsLPYYzLXD8vKoWODIJ022sV7NSBXU3zkrVf_u9f43uwZHKJFI/s320/DSCN1252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Be careful, fella. This Garter wasn't far away from the Toad and he was all shakin' head and jutting tongue. This guy was definitely on the search for lunch.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh38kGC7P_8OUYq_kzUxHClGXTD5bkEyV5J5qoP92MY4WI6WBuP-l7_rTd9ZE1aipxGdXcCl11Zs4fFMo3T9fEXwupKL432HomXfxmK2LQVIWETODnyZXsq7c86cTI_kM5yCm9B3eTjFhDtTy6QNhcHe-kdieS0FXnzISUZ96_Nz-oD3KGbZWjuFywEro3/s3842/DSCN1256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="3842" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh38kGC7P_8OUYq_kzUxHClGXTD5bkEyV5J5qoP92MY4WI6WBuP-l7_rTd9ZE1aipxGdXcCl11Zs4fFMo3T9fEXwupKL432HomXfxmK2LQVIWETODnyZXsq7c86cTI_kM5yCm9B3eTjFhDtTy6QNhcHe-kdieS0FXnzISUZ96_Nz-oD3KGbZWjuFywEro3/s320/DSCN1256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We finally got to the waterfall. I peeked down in our secret spot and saw a small Greenie.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgV2GD6vqgDRNPvPb_rzrsrHR04eJbP3dl336NMU05Zict-e5IiedxdzVMc_NHGiUbFpfz3k67dNUEpEqMtYnk7sF_73XzLeFwz2yYdsmkISI2k3glG_Na4n9zEZina1m9NXC61Fn7-vwF4D-gEAmhZie3XzDNRCbl7O4m0wpG6GPyauFsL9730mpt8C8/s2999/DSCN1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="2999" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgV2GD6vqgDRNPvPb_rzrsrHR04eJbP3dl336NMU05Zict-e5IiedxdzVMc_NHGiUbFpfz3k67dNUEpEqMtYnk7sF_73XzLeFwz2yYdsmkISI2k3glG_Na4n9zEZina1m9NXC61Fn7-vwF4D-gEAmhZie3XzDNRCbl7O4m0wpG6GPyauFsL9730mpt8C8/s320/DSCN1257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We took rest stop #2 in the bird blind. We saw no birds but enjoyed watching this Eastern Chipmunk flit around through the bushes and branches.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYFBXmVvz3ej-9R1T5d4dYYgs4tsbaF5SL4gtkf3IqmEopp8E6U9PQi2GKPeMwHgy_VC59lnOCeD1EpYLfYYN8gmdsWjv0ztCNtT3fVWB4mvCGcXQCEfORpU40Pwv_9In8eim5aGHANvfIjGCnDwUXFcBXDUYkC5L-2WUodqq58DsXj1jjFq7SUGTcmdo/s3207/DSCN1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2405" data-original-width="3207" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYFBXmVvz3ej-9R1T5d4dYYgs4tsbaF5SL4gtkf3IqmEopp8E6U9PQi2GKPeMwHgy_VC59lnOCeD1EpYLfYYN8gmdsWjv0ztCNtT3fVWB4mvCGcXQCEfORpU40Pwv_9In8eim5aGHANvfIjGCnDwUXFcBXDUYkC5L-2WUodqq58DsXj1jjFq7SUGTcmdo/s320/DSCN1258.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This could have been a great shot but that one Painted Turtle decided to be difficult and hide. This was my only vantage point.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCrt30TQUYomESf1wE2K9KOn7exZPgx0bnE2MzM_yAU-ZvD9TFXi1KnvG9GjWjmnjoYHSa1EMNIgpjwpzOiW2B2FxSRPJMJY3YJcAM4UeDdA92fflXzwVqLgqGjIXbIwZUcSqlkC9eyizIfMWybWZ88hJySTqtuygJ_C4bvhXTes6uOGIuWqiBJBSXSib/s3866/DSCN1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2900" data-original-width="3866" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCrt30TQUYomESf1wE2K9KOn7exZPgx0bnE2MzM_yAU-ZvD9TFXi1KnvG9GjWjmnjoYHSa1EMNIgpjwpzOiW2B2FxSRPJMJY3YJcAM4UeDdA92fflXzwVqLgqGjIXbIwZUcSqlkC9eyizIfMWybWZ88hJySTqtuygJ_C4bvhXTes6uOGIuWqiBJBSXSib/s320/DSCN1259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This was going to be our first time going the long way this year. We made it out to a spot where we have often seen Snaplings and young snakes, as well as salamanders. Well, this magical spot had none of that, but we saw a Wood Frog, so that's cool.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUU8q2_Wxv3jODFIqnCEBDCXICgiC6lvnlAp3pK1tCySBst63X1SM9GK_ixreaOPfoRuiWECr-yijJz67NDZ2bqfaWN7VZhB5CufUgFgLikyJ9v6BuPiUb8G_QZeisiDcdVYlopsk6lQp8APels6ocfHXRU4fdP8kNl9_Hgm7MxL0fTHEY4LoTJS8QAeEj/s3269/DSCN1261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2452" data-original-width="3269" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUU8q2_Wxv3jODFIqnCEBDCXICgiC6lvnlAp3pK1tCySBst63X1SM9GK_ixreaOPfoRuiWECr-yijJz67NDZ2bqfaWN7VZhB5CufUgFgLikyJ9v6BuPiUb8G_QZeisiDcdVYlopsk6lQp8APels6ocfHXRU4fdP8kNl9_Hgm7MxL0fTHEY4LoTJS8QAeEj/s320/DSCN1261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Note to self... we'd never seen Crazy Worms here before, but encountered some this time out. And saw no salamanders. Yes, we are concerned.</div><div><br /></div><div>We saw a big clump of Chicken of the Woods growing at the bottom of a tree. I decided that if I saw any animal nearby, I'd pose it on the fungus. A small American Toad drew the short stick.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hHEsgMAuZp1_j5_j0UFjqO1DQ3SA0osLmYx2bNva-s_T6IjhmUqUiMkiYwHpUzHEPOejir1hBr243lC6dzHQoh4S6-ZqoggzPD-QfPXtufCf0KzJXnlB_fz2Jzwxw2xYu07j7ydcivmAAv-w8GSJUXBBTKep1icFWNn2HEHR1HHpy29n7jXnieFHb1qv/s3492/DSCN1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2619" data-original-width="3492" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hHEsgMAuZp1_j5_j0UFjqO1DQ3SA0osLmYx2bNva-s_T6IjhmUqUiMkiYwHpUzHEPOejir1hBr243lC6dzHQoh4S6-ZqoggzPD-QfPXtufCf0KzJXnlB_fz2Jzwxw2xYu07j7ydcivmAAv-w8GSJUXBBTKep1icFWNn2HEHR1HHpy29n7jXnieFHb1qv/s320/DSCN1262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Walking through a field, we saw Milkweed and looked closely at it for Monarch caterpillars. We saw a few Milkweed Tussocks and this mess... a slew of "invasive" Oleander aphids with another introduced species, the Asian Lady Beetle, sitting by waiting to indulge in a buffet.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoSOMO-jP2bERt0b2KFg_OjbdBv3ErWN5izq8o1CwFNlukX8P6tDS7_waH8FDf5FqpoMGlGlaFfg856TLFMmw8LlWF1wcpJcpCPVtW3AsmZ-on1SkBt7_E1uCVusHQQ1bpUSt9bQq-VYtMhXReKFPG9k_QD-F-xTSyqdgRuSi-cZAXvGOswbUWDTsGTnQ/s2569/DSCN1264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2569" data-original-width="1926" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoSOMO-jP2bERt0b2KFg_OjbdBv3ErWN5izq8o1CwFNlukX8P6tDS7_waH8FDf5FqpoMGlGlaFfg856TLFMmw8LlWF1wcpJcpCPVtW3AsmZ-on1SkBt7_E1uCVusHQQ1bpUSt9bQq-VYtMhXReKFPG9k_QD-F-xTSyqdgRuSi-cZAXvGOswbUWDTsGTnQ/s320/DSCN1264.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Also up in that Milkweed field, a small Green Frog. Weird... we thought it would have been a Pickerel!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9sVeMY3UAbyHZ-jeG7QEIHReLt1F0o1Jo2Sy-7XKDT5oqeV28qp4D23qVXsWZ9TV3m7-QiWkOyBnoR49_mjbKN4B4QZZtUiiRfAfLbrCsfJoelUeshXuf_kOmxDRkPiWOqIswrtFxpAxjjVAFHD0A4UFp8QsDhRFgsIOKp7yndRfWFPUw2kLi7CyYSCl/s3041/DSCN1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2280" data-original-width="3041" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9sVeMY3UAbyHZ-jeG7QEIHReLt1F0o1Jo2Sy-7XKDT5oqeV28qp4D23qVXsWZ9TV3m7-QiWkOyBnoR49_mjbKN4B4QZZtUiiRfAfLbrCsfJoelUeshXuf_kOmxDRkPiWOqIswrtFxpAxjjVAFHD0A4UFp8QsDhRFgsIOKp7yndRfWFPUw2kLi7CyYSCl/s320/DSCN1265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We walked along, took another rest, walked a bit more, and at Rest Stop #4, we sat and had Pinters basking within sight again.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEx8iO4U9Z0aYmgq6uz2UqN6yHOI1_Q9RMV1mRYOxNxpXpfKZdPsQJEyGQRuXTI7VpmhMbG9RLqx7KWJbLXNZszDlG3ladvN5wwP_Lowpuk7PAowUvhAywRUkqNiTVv7e3JbfTgAqGCid5Yi_-QsY7-QdCXH6V0qCHJVMntELKb7ZO_Md6cNmCQ8pBKV3/s2888/DSCN1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2166" data-original-width="2888" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEx8iO4U9Z0aYmgq6uz2UqN6yHOI1_Q9RMV1mRYOxNxpXpfKZdPsQJEyGQRuXTI7VpmhMbG9RLqx7KWJbLXNZszDlG3ladvN5wwP_Lowpuk7PAowUvhAywRUkqNiTVv7e3JbfTgAqGCid5Yi_-QsY7-QdCXH6V0qCHJVMntELKb7ZO_Md6cNmCQ8pBKV3/s320/DSCN1267.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjur0--PK8cniM_45UQf56YNeFf_bqr73H6607-PJA23yg35ZZLUYeyFvxS0Umdu3BC4I1WnKEXBVCp5hkWnxIqDdBS84WnZfftJy4hFZzn73ZQyIjTJS1rd3i5g4G7sx4RJpLe-mPst_PR_R57IlaxKrKA9MzjsJEW-yazL8lqnTXU6vdZhHsiP_ehPYJO/s3420/DSCN1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2565" data-original-width="3420" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjur0--PK8cniM_45UQf56YNeFf_bqr73H6607-PJA23yg35ZZLUYeyFvxS0Umdu3BC4I1WnKEXBVCp5hkWnxIqDdBS84WnZfftJy4hFZzn73ZQyIjTJS1rd3i5g4G7sx4RJpLe-mPst_PR_R57IlaxKrKA9MzjsJEW-yazL8lqnTXU6vdZhHsiP_ehPYJO/s320/DSCN1269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Resuming our hike, we were already well on the way back to the front. We saw this stunning Green Frog sitting on a log that I was going to roll.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4znTJItsJT55odddxAoTANoCvLoqLZNKyJX8eY7UtBlTTyzTT8DtfPWkoanMv3ZKiX8nY3ygVDs-kVl3grkP8jsDGZqXMaRmrSK0bAH8croIA6GnMBD_7HItYDaFPpB7qj4S9liMDESWD4_1zbiop0xSWyeRC06x5Ku-hjTNj8YI3KQJoEhPXsttslOGo/s2989/DSCN1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2242" data-original-width="2989" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4znTJItsJT55odddxAoTANoCvLoqLZNKyJX8eY7UtBlTTyzTT8DtfPWkoanMv3ZKiX8nY3ygVDs-kVl3grkP8jsDGZqXMaRmrSK0bAH8croIA6GnMBD_7HItYDaFPpB7qj4S9liMDESWD4_1zbiop0xSWyeRC06x5Ku-hjTNj8YI3KQJoEhPXsttslOGo/s320/DSCN1270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If he looks disturbed, it might be because right across the path, <i>this</i> was going on. <b><i><u>SKIP THE NEXT TWO PICTURES IF YOU'D LIKE... ANIMAL EATING ANOTHER ANIMAL!!!!!</u></i></b></div><br /><div>This Garter had caught a Green by the back leg and was struggling to get it down.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37-ubR9IyNl4cD1b343S6iJgxGCOgmXE8qHb0MayUsd3ukSIVaxGy2wHRADLD4vokqpI7O9BmAHMJHqusTgUyF3wsj2Psx5aAUa_ROWqu_PYhFREJout1imr2jZADu1-0B1uL1XAZj9IKVcLdzmMlXAZVw1uU-larctF1I4QNci_s27lI_MSOlh-KO08y/s4608/DSCN1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37-ubR9IyNl4cD1b343S6iJgxGCOgmXE8qHb0MayUsd3ukSIVaxGy2wHRADLD4vokqpI7O9BmAHMJHqusTgUyF3wsj2Psx5aAUa_ROWqu_PYhFREJout1imr2jZADu1-0B1uL1XAZj9IKVcLdzmMlXAZVw1uU-larctF1I4QNci_s27lI_MSOlh-KO08y/s320/DSCN1271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Looks like an Egg-eating Snake!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLSU-HHCQBVsBys3_LvVwhVRLU7hX7UIhitkvKqWjovqPtRT4PEqjLFmeHsI23LpQrSuLZc6KDrraN1-HmoQJfiQwmTZFSlnc-fp1VlVG_LE2niNGl64KKEiYjlL96bBPsMxnF_qJXVKJ26m4RIARQrgM4sTLCTvM7TUyYgwKPc022ANZHnqDLzn-_6-F/s3516/DSCN1273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2637" data-original-width="3516" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLSU-HHCQBVsBys3_LvVwhVRLU7hX7UIhitkvKqWjovqPtRT4PEqjLFmeHsI23LpQrSuLZc6KDrraN1-HmoQJfiQwmTZFSlnc-fp1VlVG_LE2niNGl64KKEiYjlL96bBPsMxnF_qJXVKJ26m4RIARQrgM4sTLCTvM7TUyYgwKPc022ANZHnqDLzn-_6-F/s320/DSCN1273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>We let it be. Once he gets past that one armpit, he's home free.</div><div><br /></div><div>We'd gotten back to the waterfall (coming from the other direction, obviously) and saw a Water Snake basking on the peninsula, a rare sight these past few years due to dogs and brats.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPItiyBKmGT_kQQXL0a-P7ZuzZ1WqQB77ETPJVuFnukRZjdtx9lhD-zU4FGhT3PUPzOt-9WamyMcHHvZfLxfFDo_URxnIp6BbS1LgFyS6EdxItsLQR4fz8aXUQqRovFwwMFmByzP3TFE11pvkbbZR0z_OExr_OtAYiUYYw7wXYUHJ1gxsk5ULnlQNW2aBg/s3400/DSCN1274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="3400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPItiyBKmGT_kQQXL0a-P7ZuzZ1WqQB77ETPJVuFnukRZjdtx9lhD-zU4FGhT3PUPzOt-9WamyMcHHvZfLxfFDo_URxnIp6BbS1LgFyS6EdxItsLQR4fz8aXUQqRovFwwMFmByzP3TFE11pvkbbZR0z_OExr_OtAYiUYYw7wXYUHJ1gxsk5ULnlQNW2aBg/s320/DSCN1274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Back towards the front, where the neatly folded Garter was in the morning, there was a new, stub-tailed Garter, also in the blue, resting in a pretzel-shape.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_oovI64lToieIA7zzjFw2jxLY2FjZhEsqm-mzWZ0yMuCFzc6xr6-ptdO0M3YeqH9vYokZVsd42dfJP-zYonl7a8vol9KrqjYddapl1POjGr2bg7-3ELNQE340wnQzcWvwahBHmxixhgaPB6NPebgSF-kSO60tzSO1LEPyyA72bwCBq7LJzfxEIl_twI_/s3749/DSCN1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2812" data-original-width="3749" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_oovI64lToieIA7zzjFw2jxLY2FjZhEsqm-mzWZ0yMuCFzc6xr6-ptdO0M3YeqH9vYokZVsd42dfJP-zYonl7a8vol9KrqjYddapl1POjGr2bg7-3ELNQE340wnQzcWvwahBHmxixhgaPB6NPebgSF-kSO60tzSO1LEPyyA72bwCBq7LJzfxEIl_twI_/s320/DSCN1275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We were almost done, but decided to go peek at the man-made pool. No frogs at this time but we flipped an in-the-blue Ringneck. Despite getting prepared to shed, it is still very iridescent.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pPsl_i9iMkNDnt_RukKo4wZKDoxvyF63s8uNDeYH6cwRLKIfabMoAioh2gMansCBY0wezVXrUERy1csYv9MFi2KD-qOY6Gk-e2FfTfmDYYb60rgmmeVSNFWa3mRShluEW4zc9_dWj0OnGGuN1DPf2aV9A10XHzRkTBJH27qKVTMKsCJxNymUX1RpaQKI/s3017/DSCN1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2263" data-original-width="3017" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pPsl_i9iMkNDnt_RukKo4wZKDoxvyF63s8uNDeYH6cwRLKIfabMoAioh2gMansCBY0wezVXrUERy1csYv9MFi2KD-qOY6Gk-e2FfTfmDYYb60rgmmeVSNFWa3mRShluEW4zc9_dWj0OnGGuN1DPf2aV9A10XHzRkTBJH27qKVTMKsCJxNymUX1RpaQKI/s320/DSCN1277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Walking back to the car, a Fish Crow was making us chuckle with its ridiculous sounding call. I got a shot of it and it is #80 on the year.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vFYR2r93Ctbb-UAe4emYQhuc-oTdXk-RB73x5qhx0peHZ801yOWYffEjoeCMOoNx6uoKHiN5YBFSwO_Yl-7E4eJKChlZl0VT9eNLioZiJ-MAlgwDdQ84FqQZBaaAvNw1Q-AXaWY5P8HfTDcfXZl54N58r4KZ4kWbXk2SthsZhGFdyKtVRz6yWxOn3-v2/s3456/DSCN1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vFYR2r93Ctbb-UAe4emYQhuc-oTdXk-RB73x5qhx0peHZ801yOWYffEjoeCMOoNx6uoKHiN5YBFSwO_Yl-7E4eJKChlZl0VT9eNLioZiJ-MAlgwDdQ84FqQZBaaAvNw1Q-AXaWY5P8HfTDcfXZl54N58r4KZ4kWbXk2SthsZhGFdyKtVRz6yWxOn3-v2/s320/DSCN1280.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So, that was a pretty good day, though the lack of salamanders concerns me. It was pretty cool in the morning and never got super hot. And we've had a lot of rain. I just don't know what to think.<br /><br />The next day was gorgeous but we had to stay home and get things done. Bummer.</div><br /><div><br /></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-9486410433561731682023-08-27T14:06:00.002-07:002023-08-28T04:23:40.867-07:00A Memorable Day with Friends, Old and New. August 20th, 2023<p> Our friend Justin, who lives in Georgia, contacted us earlier in the year and said that he would be at a conference in Boston, our home town, in August. He wanted to meet up and bring along some other avid fans of nature and asked where would be a good place. We decided way back then (it was late May) that the best place would be our favorite pond in Norfolk County! Luckily, nothing came up that would cancel our plans and Sunday, August 20th rolled around and we headed for the meet-up, happy that we'd saved this spot for this day. We'd last seen Justin in person 8 years ago, in Arizona.</p><p>Twenty people showed up in the parking lot at 7:30 AM. We all got our bearings, Andrea and I said what we <i>could</i> see at this place and we all got on our way. Being such a large group, and some folks weren't going to do the whole hike, we started on the "dam side", going in the opposite direction that Andrea and I usually go. As soon as we hit the water, everybody was in awe of the beautiful habitat. My first picture was of a Bullfrog way out in the lily pads. Oddly enough, it was the only Bull on the day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXgBgD_AMvX-Z_fe6p8ymhD9MYwfFQa2JCrzjB0pUkrq5JM99ayhXgRSktG7sL0ljkFHaBsrsu4h3IDxFAzklC90Kc39A1GfYuNJQj-7gaFpyLDzfTQ9iF27O5pv6Xf0seD56nL1HMdx2LJq-7irvZFu7Qxw-rO_Bdnx50mNoN4gVpNRJaV6X7IMGM2e4/s3167/DSCN1184.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="3167" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXgBgD_AMvX-Z_fe6p8ymhD9MYwfFQa2JCrzjB0pUkrq5JM99ayhXgRSktG7sL0ljkFHaBsrsu4h3IDxFAzklC90Kc39A1GfYuNJQj-7gaFpyLDzfTQ9iF27O5pv6Xf0seD56nL1HMdx2LJq-7irvZFu7Qxw-rO_Bdnx50mNoN4gVpNRJaV6X7IMGM2e4/s320/DSCN1184.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>Justin had personally scoped out the place the day before and knew what to expect. Being so early, no turtles were seen on the way through but Justin led everyone to some early morning Northern Water Snakes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8CpJvELcb4uQQPI3gcz5QpXBNiXgnM5rDDIIXEJckQVKlNnUUfNCVHiZJ33qWtZYfM-zreicJZikllELnlSHJT_RCYXWLj_m-hbMf4xxUNlNxiH9tjdpc8OlFdy0xmWpLtD-hEfbGgYRKMZ2S5Rs-jGPcQdVjF-1DLRw449zj5WVQrk-VEtiZ0hjfPAv/s3922/DSCN1185.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8CpJvELcb4uQQPI3gcz5QpXBNiXgnM5rDDIIXEJckQVKlNnUUfNCVHiZJ33qWtZYfM-zreicJZikllELnlSHJT_RCYXWLj_m-hbMf4xxUNlNxiH9tjdpc8OlFdy0xmWpLtD-hEfbGgYRKMZ2S5Rs-jGPcQdVjF-1DLRw449zj5WVQrk-VEtiZ0hjfPAv/s320/DSCN1185.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENGcOIWgy0yG8vP8gGfMZbjd6BTgqrO3nal3n6n3814PbE0OZ10R12RtnZ_mCI5BxZXtmt_1kbuZMeKTTXoTyOxMT4jnRsWBCwY3E0QSLEGeKxC3gR1s-r5H_giD_cQZq81ccwKmE3FyNKXZ3qWL4dbP14y9jfeCScTr2rT7IvaoI-AkuzIhSHrUAFV5j/s2602/DSCN1190.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1952" data-original-width="2602" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENGcOIWgy0yG8vP8gGfMZbjd6BTgqrO3nal3n6n3814PbE0OZ10R12RtnZ_mCI5BxZXtmt_1kbuZMeKTTXoTyOxMT4jnRsWBCwY3E0QSLEGeKxC3gR1s-r5H_giD_cQZq81ccwKmE3FyNKXZ3qWL4dbP14y9jfeCScTr2rT7IvaoI-AkuzIhSHrUAFV5j/s320/DSCN1190.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>This is a trio of Nerodia, basking in the morning sun.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6UXd6Z_0NyoRGDyDiplDfFivtRcXYbPPh27yHm88kHt-m6WEV2KQaftUfW356dTKQI5W5O8lPV2yjLG1ARCTH2hZ07HPTdaTdJOKjgMj_Q9GvnCHvKFeZYoZIxFXkb7Ujis4SFS9kgGspSWdz05hv0cY477D4rslcYkWoddznVoGLZbFT3TAtX-0TuRV/s3397/DSCN1187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2548" data-original-width="3397" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6UXd6Z_0NyoRGDyDiplDfFivtRcXYbPPh27yHm88kHt-m6WEV2KQaftUfW356dTKQI5W5O8lPV2yjLG1ARCTH2hZ07HPTdaTdJOKjgMj_Q9GvnCHvKFeZYoZIxFXkb7Ujis4SFS9kgGspSWdz05hv0cY477D4rslcYkWoddznVoGLZbFT3TAtX-0TuRV/s320/DSCN1187.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>Now, before you start thinking that we're just seeing common stuff, dear treasure herper, many of the people on the hike were from other areas, even Australia and Germany, and these would be lifers.</p>A chubby American Toad was the next sight.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJ31gF28Jgbt1CRDh1el3deAgG4ZGMoce8gIsmYjOJslx1s6ukgtKf1OYFuAhJN4YOm4-snD9afaPzU8a2TkBe3TVgib6Rpah7NfXF1xx80w6aGBXAR1iUJc9ebeb5IOd8C013zsPQb2c49VhUwq3bqO9aDnVjfc0UJVM6d3-S8G4RnpKcVdL2qzycHss/s3613/DSCN1191.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJ31gF28Jgbt1CRDh1el3deAgG4ZGMoce8gIsmYjOJslx1s6ukgtKf1OYFuAhJN4YOm4-snD9afaPzU8a2TkBe3TVgib6Rpah7NfXF1xx80w6aGBXAR1iUJc9ebeb5IOd8C013zsPQb2c49VhUwq3bqO9aDnVjfc0UJVM6d3-S8G4RnpKcVdL2qzycHss/s320/DSCN1191.JPG" /></a><br /><p>Andrea somehow spied this big and beautiful Katydid.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AFV2x3PsOOSWgG7ep4TVzL_TXNYqZzHoC8hOdwk02viE0ryh6JQbGYI8jAngiNeWYABdS6pKqILgoURQZ9UtEfm9dXCFIx3ROmOMCVSW3f5NnBTefbNvHUBhQmawFTooer5lkUCDpEKe-ZEZvE9BYih8--PCG3yyQH9ey7a1jeTKO4cZ77JCfs_JIeLF/s2867/DSCN1194.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="2867" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AFV2x3PsOOSWgG7ep4TVzL_TXNYqZzHoC8hOdwk02viE0ryh6JQbGYI8jAngiNeWYABdS6pKqILgoURQZ9UtEfm9dXCFIx3ROmOMCVSW3f5NnBTefbNvHUBhQmawFTooer5lkUCDpEKe-ZEZvE9BYih8--PCG3yyQH9ey7a1jeTKO4cZ77JCfs_JIeLF/s320/DSCN1194.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>The recent rain worked to our advantage. A puddle at the bottom of an uprooted tree had a few Green Frogs in it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiASDrbGAc0fwgV03RVdPv6Q3N15FQeegc5rgtpoSVWlSJFg4dGSegJhHrz726SaDwH_p_FZyT8v5TY5-Kcy1qK9rCfrTM0f9oHi-1B5CQ4ssczgFJj3LYwkNXwUSplohA15wIxOEZdbBDsB8ZyiIEvwJRTfkxmdLXUnGZROMEHhE-ym6kSfdvk7D1uWcY/s2919/DSCN1195.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiASDrbGAc0fwgV03RVdPv6Q3N15FQeegc5rgtpoSVWlSJFg4dGSegJhHrz726SaDwH_p_FZyT8v5TY5-Kcy1qK9rCfrTM0f9oHi-1B5CQ4ssczgFJj3LYwkNXwUSplohA15wIxOEZdbBDsB8ZyiIEvwJRTfkxmdLXUnGZROMEHhE-ym6kSfdvk7D1uWcY/s320/DSCN1195.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-zhmQtqg8szmBspUxqHlBmedF3d9NI23Cp3rTk97sSH9OOoPlW3nIKy8L6YZj8YXVz6WkEB5Z5w_bMdRso_gzxRQU1E6Ae8NHtx7vMSjvuiyM11FAsFFJ3TBgXOwBeL_KQYD0hmL9wj-pSZob1SUwqd1-V1B3s2hzBodzjHgx4BB4yWOYTuY0p6PuMIx/s2581/DSCN1197.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="2581" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-zhmQtqg8szmBspUxqHlBmedF3d9NI23Cp3rTk97sSH9OOoPlW3nIKy8L6YZj8YXVz6WkEB5Z5w_bMdRso_gzxRQU1E6Ae8NHtx7vMSjvuiyM11FAsFFJ3TBgXOwBeL_KQYD0hmL9wj-pSZob1SUwqd1-V1B3s2hzBodzjHgx4BB4yWOYTuY0p6PuMIx/s320/DSCN1197.JPG" width="320" /></a><div><br /></div><div>We all saw a Pickerel Frog that was bounding from the path. One gent from Oregon, Paul, had photographed one earlier, too.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDusEhC2wdGDgi31JLq2CeRvhrNvlv1WTSAL3PHmTkb9JukGQ_-t6xVdyWhJ8EyPHmySWZCoU35MVJko7tc3n220J9OvvRZZUj-FF10H7--cwucQex506rGLzH30D1S-cb76uk0z7ydfCFLwqpkAC8xgw-6_7WDrTcvIRu2o9uav0JCxWvxracNgf1cIN/s2591/DSCN1198.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1943" data-original-width="2591" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDusEhC2wdGDgi31JLq2CeRvhrNvlv1WTSAL3PHmTkb9JukGQ_-t6xVdyWhJ8EyPHmySWZCoU35MVJko7tc3n220J9OvvRZZUj-FF10H7--cwucQex506rGLzH30D1S-cb76uk0z7ydfCFLwqpkAC8xgw-6_7WDrTcvIRu2o9uav0JCxWvxracNgf1cIN/s320/DSCN1198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We hadn't gotten too far but since we were being so thorough, we'd only made it to the spot where Andrea and I usually <i>begin</i>. We lost more than half of our crew at this point as the time constraint made them unable to continue on. We lost a lot of very nice people, and the rest of us continued on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, we'd lost our companion from Australia. Justin had tried very hard to get a salamander for her as no cuadates are found in Australia. Justin and I had earlier flipped a Redback but, just like the day before for Andrea and me, it disappeared unphotographed. Not long after the crew turned back, we uncovered a Northern Two-lined Salamander.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJb3KRK8Qjud_AjCdrtWutY1DK6n8HkUl1FRV6oWW8Mb1gPvW2VNdRXLIPt7-2S-S23HMpzDc1cuMQvmCTKmHTgBn4dvoTUpMdgtR1rEGCGAdo9HDtlBoAVG2QC-fZevSb4TBKNF01e31wixC6zhtJh9FiWnukQRXlExz3cmptfk2p0jy_TQv12VbTZAm/s3417/DSCN1201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2563" data-original-width="3417" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJb3KRK8Qjud_AjCdrtWutY1DK6n8HkUl1FRV6oWW8Mb1gPvW2VNdRXLIPt7-2S-S23HMpzDc1cuMQvmCTKmHTgBn4dvoTUpMdgtR1rEGCGAdo9HDtlBoAVG2QC-fZevSb4TBKNF01e31wixC6zhtJh9FiWnukQRXlExz3cmptfk2p0jy_TQv12VbTZAm/s320/DSCN1201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>The Crazy Worm next to it was one of <i>hundreds</i> seen on the day. I'm hoping their abundance is not related to the rarity of salamanders seen recently. More data needs to be collected.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another little pool gave us another brilliantly posing Green Frog.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5D5h8WKYj6iRTQ65mCYTzzlv2xVEYylrNETR88bG6MwVDyb-msqIOImCaP8kUyjt7mH3fUEmYgRAMw28O6bqAUJ8MqKgQVxP-15VkRviYT3bdoiUktLaXmEw8-Me1QIbvYk9LHjBMeufaWxxSxYFjBFl-F7-ZL8DEIVn2YXzJUxfSKgHo1k9P2RvgKZ4/s3417/DSCN1202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2563" data-original-width="3417" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5D5h8WKYj6iRTQ65mCYTzzlv2xVEYylrNETR88bG6MwVDyb-msqIOImCaP8kUyjt7mH3fUEmYgRAMw28O6bqAUJ8MqKgQVxP-15VkRviYT3bdoiUktLaXmEw8-Me1QIbvYk9LHjBMeufaWxxSxYFjBFl-F7-ZL8DEIVn2YXzJUxfSKgHo1k9P2RvgKZ4/s320/DSCN1202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We'd hit a bit of a dry spell. Unfortunately, a DOR Ringneck was seen. Since the group had thinned out, Andrea and I decided to swing by "the dock" area that I would have been uncomfortable taking <i>too</i> many people through. This got us our first Garter Snake of the day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tGsgwNZ05jE4mJ_BHNSn-H6Dy_1xQv82i8tou1AEvV6w32sbw7GheGj8CjSxy3ZgFQNI8UvO76ogGdZvq24j0tphwCTsxoPHp5RhCmf6l6_8hI5UhPUZ524hv-QA-FehGeH7Pozv87vBtTmyc6JsHr3Cl330S8EhzFp5DdJ9IbSzLXlGI153GJ-xtbme/s2732/DSCN1204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="2732" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tGsgwNZ05jE4mJ_BHNSn-H6Dy_1xQv82i8tou1AEvV6w32sbw7GheGj8CjSxy3ZgFQNI8UvO76ogGdZvq24j0tphwCTsxoPHp5RhCmf6l6_8hI5UhPUZ524hv-QA-FehGeH7Pozv87vBtTmyc6JsHr3Cl330S8EhzFp5DdJ9IbSzLXlGI153GJ-xtbme/s320/DSCN1204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Back on the trail, this little Pickerel was hiding, but not <i>too</i> well.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFzanvOs5OU6xHSLyoBuUMUg2GmrHD2sYQy7BKYVSL3YFbXhIPl8-h6ZivT4rrM-lVM_sLKl6DjIR5UFU8m59Ud7bO1si2krUQAuj4NwvjTUxm4VQ96hGr_RqFCq0yg-d-liiefnDK4tXWRQIhVkB34mqbFwd9VU0S1gWce_B0Mxr0HF5Jly4JgSguH7B/s2600/DSCN1206.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="1950" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFzanvOs5OU6xHSLyoBuUMUg2GmrHD2sYQy7BKYVSL3YFbXhIPl8-h6ZivT4rrM-lVM_sLKl6DjIR5UFU8m59Ud7bO1si2krUQAuj4NwvjTUxm4VQ96hGr_RqFCq0yg-d-liiefnDK4tXWRQIhVkB34mqbFwd9VU0S1gWce_B0Mxr0HF5Jly4JgSguH7B/s320/DSCN1206.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>We decided again that the "hobo camp" would be OK with the lesser amount of hikers. We went up but struck out. On the way down, however, Paul had spied a Wood Frog, not exactly the kind of frog we'd expected to see on such a hot day in the woods.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaB6_YXB9SxYny1I4g7tnFhuREZfqvRXUyGv1OsWqSxFChAPxKGUXjnfjKDH7akA43FDL3O2ALchITvMRybRYPovQSJ4mIAfTzR4lYk-vgcT6rjH9rh5qooIKjZK_OhbwmwLNId4Su7cms_rqtAWt68R3Wac_SfUptHD1oqzXQamewKR4HpQojxcKzoq5/s2260/DSCN1207.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1695" data-original-width="2260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaB6_YXB9SxYny1I4g7tnFhuREZfqvRXUyGv1OsWqSxFChAPxKGUXjnfjKDH7akA43FDL3O2ALchITvMRybRYPovQSJ4mIAfTzR4lYk-vgcT6rjH9rh5qooIKjZK_OhbwmwLNId4Su7cms_rqtAWt68R3Wac_SfUptHD1oqzXQamewKR4HpQojxcKzoq5/s320/DSCN1207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is Justin getting RIGHT DOWN IN THE ACTION with the Wood Frog! I love this shot!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl1x6cRFAqsjHTnle9M62jd5YCuHQSOZD5bF8tzmhBsBLz-n0t6gQ1-ptJvlQneZbMGdjTmCsEGeIqwCrU8CptLg1fv7fkfCfqNv3uYqjYE45IfTum4LNPvcUThikMTn3h_7dpNjOg7Le1R4uNoLdCXaBQ3xXmu3OPWSeX02MFAa36-8bP2VJdvpdLbXW/s4608/DSCN1208.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl1x6cRFAqsjHTnle9M62jd5YCuHQSOZD5bF8tzmhBsBLz-n0t6gQ1-ptJvlQneZbMGdjTmCsEGeIqwCrU8CptLg1fv7fkfCfqNv3uYqjYE45IfTum4LNPvcUThikMTn3h_7dpNjOg7Le1R4uNoLdCXaBQ3xXmu3OPWSeX02MFAa36-8bP2VJdvpdLbXW/s320/DSCN1208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Right around here, Justin and Paul took a hike up a hill that looked promising for all kinds of things, including Milks. They found a metamorph Spotted Salamander! I didn't go up so I missed out on that one. We lost another hiker or two in their absence. It was getting pretty hot by then. <div><br /><div>One more big, beautiful American Toad.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFshObHKamwI2RAmbeLpyJjBj6jiqkFBDXmzgxKEhITER9ZbNBiam4MEnprqnR7dgaabZ4ZLab275TUOY7k10nwp4Jo5wifWilSL1oG5NLgxqfM7u5MmEwEsfN3vqFcNVaVcPCJRdrf26-__hAyuCgB7EvsbrBTrXa4kzoZaZqiHJ4thJPRh5nl9sQOAHM/s3294/DSCN1210.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2470" data-original-width="3294" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFshObHKamwI2RAmbeLpyJjBj6jiqkFBDXmzgxKEhITER9ZbNBiam4MEnprqnR7dgaabZ4ZLab275TUOY7k10nwp4Jo5wifWilSL1oG5NLgxqfM7u5MmEwEsfN3vqFcNVaVcPCJRdrf26-__hAyuCgB7EvsbrBTrXa4kzoZaZqiHJ4thJPRh5nl9sQOAHM/s320/DSCN1210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We had soon gone the entire loop and more hikers called it a day. The few, the proud, the heat-stroked... we decided to check back on the dam to see if any turtles had come up in the intervening hours since we'd last looked. Indeed, if you looked close enough, you'd see some small Painted Turtles were catching some sun.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksxwk839fd_gAbpDH2o0w3XJI-YvEqi4Fp4K9ItUrEfbRe8ouBnJobXvPYUEvxHU9v1pAuhHH5mJPkQIyqClH4IGqTC2xL3rQ1CXteE3IvmriAUjCK9y9Z72CiVl9DEP_ChbxOwMQW97uQnalnAd8Kn-3of54GwU_mmSFCO4bkllTwiG9E3WFBSvsOFdf/s2920/DSCN1212.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2190" data-original-width="2920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksxwk839fd_gAbpDH2o0w3XJI-YvEqi4Fp4K9ItUrEfbRe8ouBnJobXvPYUEvxHU9v1pAuhHH5mJPkQIyqClH4IGqTC2xL3rQ1CXteE3IvmriAUjCK9y9Z72CiVl9DEP_ChbxOwMQW97uQnalnAd8Kn-3of54GwU_mmSFCO4bkllTwiG9E3WFBSvsOFdf/s320/DSCN1212.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwU89Ruiw7XNE6Skzv9eP86jeOZQnORwTkwIfUfiRoAif0bTyFl2YuCRxnIGLz9Vz3Cxh4Jj3TJlCv_l4ikIppOeclQqL4lKynas7OJO7v6zLFDvrO7Lgotm5fWHwuxPoNvM5np73WVpWiueTpfzXb9ReK2QGjadJKpLRdih4ytNxFoBrH-1qQps2FTHP/s3199/DSCN1219.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3199" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwU89Ruiw7XNE6Skzv9eP86jeOZQnORwTkwIfUfiRoAif0bTyFl2YuCRxnIGLz9Vz3Cxh4Jj3TJlCv_l4ikIppOeclQqL4lKynas7OJO7v6zLFDvrO7Lgotm5fWHwuxPoNvM5np73WVpWiueTpfzXb9ReK2QGjadJKpLRdih4ytNxFoBrH-1qQps2FTHP/s320/DSCN1219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Paul, who had spotted (heh heh) most of the turtles pointed out another, and it was our target for the day... Spotted Turtle!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J05Wxy1MaOCNxfJ_u_FEogpTo-5Ruriy7HR6QEGKuJEiqk5kG9ms572My1ysilYVZIwCDC9LLhfrYyS-yXT30UqXIxjVTjecUjuSFF9P8wxIt0c06AE3KN5JT35P1RIJXW6e9OGACYon7f4Hk3a9eJwtDgc0wVsIHoFg7VgsbOJoaJ-p-Y1KGHzfG7u4/s3107/DSCN1224.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2331" data-original-width="3107" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J05Wxy1MaOCNxfJ_u_FEogpTo-5Ruriy7HR6QEGKuJEiqk5kG9ms572My1ysilYVZIwCDC9LLhfrYyS-yXT30UqXIxjVTjecUjuSFF9P8wxIt0c06AE3KN5JT35P1RIJXW6e9OGACYon7f4Hk3a9eJwtDgc0wVsIHoFg7VgsbOJoaJ-p-Y1KGHzfG7u4/s320/DSCN1224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>He was pretty far out there and I was struggling to get a clear shot. As I did so, most of the rest of the group returned to their cars. I stayed there with Karina, who is from Germany and really wanted to get a shot of a turtle, but this one was too far out for her phone.</div><div><br /></div><div>The two of us walked on to meet up with Justin and Andrea, who had gone ahead. Walking along, her arm went out to stop me and she made an exclamation sound! The international sign for "DON'T MOVE!" A beautiful Spotted Turtle had just crawled up on a rock right next to us to pose for a photo.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDuI1dGbPS7p_s8kmGDweWgx0GQT2UhpJcpoXhPANoP2NIved8wQsj36z_MPxrXVujNpl3suAC86qB7_NdOCT0g2TY-aTY2gsEo1aaxN9IX0F5TKsw6SeASliR-8pCToNUGECn46O6z7-g2uulUIg3u6ZoyCzzZX062Z946QcpfYxYpYVaAzgK4lHv9jg/s3575/DSCN1225.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2681" data-original-width="3575" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDuI1dGbPS7p_s8kmGDweWgx0GQT2UhpJcpoXhPANoP2NIved8wQsj36z_MPxrXVujNpl3suAC86qB7_NdOCT0g2TY-aTY2gsEo1aaxN9IX0F5TKsw6SeASliR-8pCToNUGECn46O6z7-g2uulUIg3u6ZoyCzzZX062Z946QcpfYxYpYVaAzgK4lHv9jg/s320/DSCN1225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>What a treat that was. It then slipped back into the water, leaving us with a treasured moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>A few more Spotted Turtles were seen along the edges, too.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAEfwEQND4Oluqh2Amv8IBKsG1i6y2jV1ZrlygmqIQ0t-UJxHj_2QWOafNodnrJ-aWCmHp9x3gL-tE1u1HW19OaCAcdoXwACbfGoGxntRMwqr40ZTlraXeCTVLxRF2AVWxz6gG5EWYpJKzpQ_5DBszSoYOXPBlTefn5lBIYL01dq4yLoMCX-auxIdPoaE/s3681/DSCN1227.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2760" data-original-width="3681" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAEfwEQND4Oluqh2Amv8IBKsG1i6y2jV1ZrlygmqIQ0t-UJxHj_2QWOafNodnrJ-aWCmHp9x3gL-tE1u1HW19OaCAcdoXwACbfGoGxntRMwqr40ZTlraXeCTVLxRF2AVWxz6gG5EWYpJKzpQ_5DBszSoYOXPBlTefn5lBIYL01dq4yLoMCX-auxIdPoaE/s320/DSCN1227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We caught up to Justin and Andrea and Paul. Andrea pointed out a few Water Snakes. Here is one deep in the bushes. She was massive, still holding on to her babies in her belly.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexJuurdro1qGyuy0iaN3YWBREyjaQl48qxyChiiH85AiHn5-VE9_8_v5HeT9fc03S9szc5GYZmX-HPr_bi-Jsz5BlIDD-Tjoq5InFbWg7gIUB3GNc9aXQtTzKrDT2_2_sk5mGoJmzcwla7ZnVaSn9tlKxiHqWW4CFxmf5hhSIX36nKgq8cg1Rg0M2bEmO/s2121/DSCN1228.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="1591" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexJuurdro1qGyuy0iaN3YWBREyjaQl48qxyChiiH85AiHn5-VE9_8_v5HeT9fc03S9szc5GYZmX-HPr_bi-Jsz5BlIDD-Tjoq5InFbWg7gIUB3GNc9aXQtTzKrDT2_2_sk5mGoJmzcwla7ZnVaSn9tlKxiHqWW4CFxmf5hhSIX36nKgq8cg1Rg0M2bEmO/s320/DSCN1228.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /><div>Andrea and I were walking along and had the privilege of watching a Water Snake just being a Water Snake... swimming along, poking around for a snack.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8u1CqWtxbrlG7z_qLqjrgl6LbpRaB1NXykuhraGmYuTGMusjoWZqQ2tAwenpH4vHayu8MgZBCGmTBuGy-ig-ftOKOtp15BgIzxv7pZamXPN0qXhyHXX2gKHtwHMla5jnjuqjcr_drY3oVfVxX4Ifggkk-jG0L5Mbq324nRSUAh3DDGcVmadsQ2LjLusq/s3038/DSCN1231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2278" data-original-width="3038" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8u1CqWtxbrlG7z_qLqjrgl6LbpRaB1NXykuhraGmYuTGMusjoWZqQ2tAwenpH4vHayu8MgZBCGmTBuGy-ig-ftOKOtp15BgIzxv7pZamXPN0qXhyHXX2gKHtwHMla5jnjuqjcr_drY3oVfVxX4Ifggkk-jG0L5Mbq324nRSUAh3DDGcVmadsQ2LjLusq/s320/DSCN1231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One more Painter for the road...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroCxVhEwEeElivH1xdyifHfYRmsPjJi23EoiTdAzt8RcrTSkPNwhPruW884ViMrfGU1I9kPmWH6qXPpuwlEmPR4ZvjOK-ggvemd3L3mhRAgT8J_4YiUDfJjxskoyms9HQMu8X_DXbUVytvgGg4Z0qXH5qu9dSvey59YXDNuLGleaoly9GXOoIjUHqHLwQ/s2978/DSCN1236.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2234" data-original-width="2978" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroCxVhEwEeElivH1xdyifHfYRmsPjJi23EoiTdAzt8RcrTSkPNwhPruW884ViMrfGU1I9kPmWH6qXPpuwlEmPR4ZvjOK-ggvemd3L3mhRAgT8J_4YiUDfJjxskoyms9HQMu8X_DXbUVytvgGg4Z0qXH5qu9dSvey59YXDNuLGleaoly9GXOoIjUHqHLwQ/s320/DSCN1236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Only five of us remained. Justin, Paul, Karina, Andrea and me. Before heading to the car, we saw one last Garter foraging near the end of the dam. Just as I clicked the photo, the sun shone on it and made this last picture a great one.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSFzyC2P_XFJpo6dha4IoI9E31Tg7sdSunJZF_cuck38XWTEEADmVDkHYpjuB7jcqwPOeCcwxh9v-1P_s5y4R0067BrlQT002N5afwF4aGsaEVpREDjfGNubjwYaHvUdDX2f27LyNTKgPicmUI7vBk6F9s71Fg1-DuOwenzXJsX6ewvRaPWIyCp2uT75a/s2760/DSCN1239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2070" data-original-width="2760" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSFzyC2P_XFJpo6dha4IoI9E31Tg7sdSunJZF_cuck38XWTEEADmVDkHYpjuB7jcqwPOeCcwxh9v-1P_s5y4R0067BrlQT002N5afwF4aGsaEVpREDjfGNubjwYaHvUdDX2f27LyNTKgPicmUI7vBk6F9s71Fg1-DuOwenzXJsX6ewvRaPWIyCp2uT75a/s320/DSCN1239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The five of us went out and had some food and thought back on what a great day it was. Eleven overall species (12 if you count the flattened Ringer), a lot of hard work and truly wonderful people to spend some time with. We're in the beginning stages of planning a trip down to meet up with Justin on his home turf. Andrea and I have never gone on nature walks in Georgia... it will be thrilling and oh, so <i>very</i> different!<br /><br />Thank you, Justin, for including us and showing everyone a great time!</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-15869845919279543612023-08-25T06:20:00.002-07:002023-08-25T06:32:47.718-07:00So Many Miles Put Between Us! August 12th and 19th<p> We had only seen ONE snake in all of August. yes, it was a tough-to-see Green, but where have all of the Garters and Water Snakes been? We headed out on Saturday, August 12th to a nearby spot in Norfolk County. We hadn't yet been because of Andrea's ankle; the place is super rooty on the trails. We got there early and had an enjoyable hike. We saw a Green Frog out in the sun on the first boardwalk.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEido4TQwzrjweEQfq1duMK37kmJHnJn8xIJwR34tlF3I7RHqoKUfyc0A9xAmTdxPuXax03VFTEhMsQjcDpa5ruLoJ8GvokHGMAtDcL1n4nltwPyXB6N1CIPl3LBqulpv3sw9bzQx6Dgcl2BHlgicdltf4sRHFije697dadRWn9FwPw3SXkocDVmKgWHYEof/s3661/DSCN1154.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2745" data-original-width="3661" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEido4TQwzrjweEQfq1duMK37kmJHnJn8xIJwR34tlF3I7RHqoKUfyc0A9xAmTdxPuXax03VFTEhMsQjcDpa5ruLoJ8GvokHGMAtDcL1n4nltwPyXB6N1CIPl3LBqulpv3sw9bzQx6Dgcl2BHlgicdltf4sRHFije697dadRWn9FwPw3SXkocDVmKgWHYEof/s320/DSCN1154.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>Believe it or not, that was our one reptile/ amphibian for the entire 5 mile-plus hike. The weather was fine, our eyes were working fine, but we just didn't score. A few other observations, however...<div><br /></div><div>A Red-spotted Purple Butterfly posed nicely.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXa_X80XViYjM-fxpxIo2Awa-5OCct1vZ8THbXppizbSKtpeSMwQrFpwGtGKDfh8NrvYMH9CcAH1kB4HdQmnNQt8Wzg-PTa4VOXXjYs93NZT4CchimPV4EGksAwrDkQSwagM_gIXrb5wvBPMMuCBblgUnURqLB66DlWMadXYAf7KeTvstvi7gEXenRv6P/s3091/DSCN1156.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2319" data-original-width="3091" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXa_X80XViYjM-fxpxIo2Awa-5OCct1vZ8THbXppizbSKtpeSMwQrFpwGtGKDfh8NrvYMH9CcAH1kB4HdQmnNQt8Wzg-PTa4VOXXjYs93NZT4CchimPV4EGksAwrDkQSwagM_gIXrb5wvBPMMuCBblgUnURqLB66DlWMadXYAf7KeTvstvi7gEXenRv6P/s320/DSCN1156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Many puddles were seen on the main trail on the alley. Most of them had Mosquito larvae in them. This one was absolutely <i>full</i> of them. Yeah, I know... mosquitoes aren't my favorite things either but you have to admire the success they're having in a mudpuddle.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kaLMOkXpIFLNyBUXIOyW1Us5x839ookCoasyhYdvhSUGGCB2BTtzvbDThdSXfbjrEIc7GakI1tZPWwlSOwCmf8gZOK0hmOOe-OkPww9yuMqvw0WZUkw4om1Af8BxSJQHjZjRisJWi45D3mfIEqXBp_Rv4Xwxk_qIZByCE_G-h0mQHgjtlBiN3Qk311Wh/s3866/DSCN1157.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="3866" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kaLMOkXpIFLNyBUXIOyW1Us5x839ookCoasyhYdvhSUGGCB2BTtzvbDThdSXfbjrEIc7GakI1tZPWwlSOwCmf8gZOK0hmOOe-OkPww9yuMqvw0WZUkw4om1Af8BxSJQHjZjRisJWi45D3mfIEqXBp_Rv4Xwxk_qIZByCE_G-h0mQHgjtlBiN3Qk311Wh/s320/DSCN1157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The last sight was an interesting one. This Song Sparrow was all puffed out in the direct sun, oblivious to us and really concentrating. He was "sunning", a way to get sunlight onto the skin under the feathers to keep parasites under control. Very cool.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8navCXWwoDW5O2Ug2Ys9bXDvDTuslQn56bY8B5v22uclPunxallm3Vke7QLq16C9h1_aw18EckIVF66tppilktdm6TpPfMEzJwbMTWe4LrGTOh_29MuqojgN08ov7qYCiWXS_r90nIwDiIYtrcAAPzFeWgNam7znoYSz2CPO9Ta_dp-qT-g7U-Xzz8qa/s3857/DSCN1158.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="3857" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8navCXWwoDW5O2Ug2Ys9bXDvDTuslQn56bY8B5v22uclPunxallm3Vke7QLq16C9h1_aw18EckIVF66tppilktdm6TpPfMEzJwbMTWe4LrGTOh_29MuqojgN08ov7qYCiWXS_r90nIwDiIYtrcAAPzFeWgNam7znoYSz2CPO9Ta_dp-qT-g7U-Xzz8qa/s320/DSCN1158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>5+ miles for a Green Frog. We say it was worth it.</div><div><br /></div><div>My band played that night and we were just too knackered the next morning to get out and about. Oops. Our next nature walk was in Bristol County the following Saturday, the 19th. We wanted to hit an easy Garter spot. No Garter August had to stop!</div><div><br /></div><div>Our first stop, the Fragrance Garden is a sure-fire Garteriffic place! Other than being dive-bombed from above by a mysterious Pickerel Frog (which I missed a photo of), we struck out. In fact, we were two miles in before we finally saw our first cold-blooded critter, a very small American Toad.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8Pv31vECGVPyP1yELgefACWjudtBNAedOP6sxk7oRHWxCNDfxUlVmnAPPkos9gdSTZ3QOD4JX2GVr4lJAqMRVtzvfHTrDpbvwb8HaE-wig4JhiEqy6W3AaazOR6iUQ4N_11pbRv-F9eDmYckphB2CUOVo-zstExkBWjaAu3u6BFs4mcdqj9bkrRkOrU_/s2527/DSCN1161.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1895" data-original-width="2527" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8Pv31vECGVPyP1yELgefACWjudtBNAedOP6sxk7oRHWxCNDfxUlVmnAPPkos9gdSTZ3QOD4JX2GVr4lJAqMRVtzvfHTrDpbvwb8HaE-wig4JhiEqy6W3AaazOR6iUQ4N_11pbRv-F9eDmYckphB2CUOVo-zstExkBWjaAu3u6BFs4mcdqj9bkrRkOrU_/s320/DSCN1161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Distant Painters were seen out on the river.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-a-X9pn66wdcMLfSUFGUA408dm9Uxndx8mNkJhpvUqP34KM7dGj1DbHeezMvCDA7AYPx_o4ZUt3mOPicdWwN1KlVpjaK6rXGM1TbsqCZU7eEV3ov4ZjUz_0-IE8R3EiK2insnxJRYqERPmnN-LUhRJB08ZMoZMgl3NZ-aAZf-dndp2h9UX7eQicLWETlQ/s2658/DSCN1163.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="2658" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-a-X9pn66wdcMLfSUFGUA408dm9Uxndx8mNkJhpvUqP34KM7dGj1DbHeezMvCDA7AYPx_o4ZUt3mOPicdWwN1KlVpjaK6rXGM1TbsqCZU7eEV3ov4ZjUz_0-IE8R3EiK2insnxJRYqERPmnN-LUhRJB08ZMoZMgl3NZ-aAZf-dndp2h9UX7eQicLWETlQ/s320/DSCN1163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the Waterfall, Swans had most of the best perching spots but these two Painters had a decent place.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd_CSdOyvqUxgRlPat2T3vP0BEwRgs3qpZIsDJkWuiUD38HZXaPm8s3pFuUUoAkFvzhgReA1WvpllIk8lEU1iEK4qofN19jQq7pljpxfoHaGrQDdHY4S--tI73iWY1C33qKuT64y8xTG7HidB6Zw5CxMwv8a1P0uTPk34uk70xhXx9Nzl7y3DNlzGUpbw/s2355/DSCN1167.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1766" data-original-width="2355" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd_CSdOyvqUxgRlPat2T3vP0BEwRgs3qpZIsDJkWuiUD38HZXaPm8s3pFuUUoAkFvzhgReA1WvpllIk8lEU1iEK4qofN19jQq7pljpxfoHaGrQDdHY4S--tI73iWY1C33qKuT64y8xTG7HidB6Zw5CxMwv8a1P0uTPk34uk70xhXx9Nzl7y3DNlzGUpbw/s320/DSCN1167.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><div>It should be noted here that Andrea and I had by this time <i>both</i> flipped Redbacks, a species we haven't photographed since April. Well, we still haven't. They Reef-geckoed right into oblivion.<br /><div><br /></div>We did finally get a Pickerel on the camera.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u07S71RxPh8wTjbXXK4nkMuquLM7Ju-CjNPTCXAH1JL5NMCqVvznYEYD2seKqsOYR1BR0MW8z0KBfRjS4OqTzYYdZancprfqBtkBAX_NKAEjRLsz0RzVU21hIS2vWeUfqzNj71kbXGUeCDwOiZEmML4EyQgTx2ptf81mrj1-RzALJu9_Q7FEMu_7MSWU/s2539/DSCN1178.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="2539" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u07S71RxPh8wTjbXXK4nkMuquLM7Ju-CjNPTCXAH1JL5NMCqVvznYEYD2seKqsOYR1BR0MW8z0KBfRjS4OqTzYYdZancprfqBtkBAX_NKAEjRLsz0RzVU21hIS2vWeUfqzNj71kbXGUeCDwOiZEmML4EyQgTx2ptf81mrj1-RzALJu9_Q7FEMu_7MSWU/s320/DSCN1178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We flipped a chubby, dark American Toad on the way back.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOcJcxRtC-BwKBei8R-D-C6whPBLnJvLcc48j91Jb9U4x4rWO51ozc0RFyIgtQiKmiK6vovLOT0NHg7qvxa8yD92bc8noX1p9NWYRb4CrB8uBxrcwWIhPJRd1L7tCZl-1x0G22BuKY__Iq3QTJ-bUYZjajYiTKjsD1qwPCv3O1E4wTNNr0Vi_5HAGxTBz/s3341/DSCN1172.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2506" data-original-width="3341" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOcJcxRtC-BwKBei8R-D-C6whPBLnJvLcc48j91Jb9U4x4rWO51ozc0RFyIgtQiKmiK6vovLOT0NHg7qvxa8yD92bc8noX1p9NWYRb4CrB8uBxrcwWIhPJRd1L7tCZl-1x0G22BuKY__Iq3QTJ-bUYZjajYiTKjsD1qwPCv3O1E4wTNNr0Vi_5HAGxTBz/s320/DSCN1172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Going back to the car, we hit the Fragrance Garden one more time. Lo and behold, an August Garter!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJo4Yv8uPaMspHN6te5TF59a5tKgsniEKYQQxRFajpt0PuKhE52mjmkzRKhFjx3OIYp_swvlbE5nUWcSpQqwpYZTyosfdob0I1x_DT7QjrQ8VHxgYpZqLXu9tFwqk6BfyrC66a2omV5Lx9BeJmXCt4r_lx2Q8096l-kKO5RCQJbJZGgamXraOumRrywgf/s4608/DSCN1173.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJo4Yv8uPaMspHN6te5TF59a5tKgsniEKYQQxRFajpt0PuKhE52mjmkzRKhFjx3OIYp_swvlbE5nUWcSpQqwpYZTyosfdob0I1x_DT7QjrQ8VHxgYpZqLXu9tFwqk6BfyrC66a2omV5Lx9BeJmXCt4r_lx2Q8096l-kKO5RCQJbJZGgamXraOumRrywgf/s320/DSCN1173.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7TiSpEdydN7G7th5b97m700doWUltG8K9XJTQetQGXwgC5cLO9kmtlfr93dNvmXwN5kQVIM7WaJlIsFt5XaZZ7IclOtSS4ysqvk4i0AGueoH0i1E2gNJNTpfy4WDVcQ4rQ1rTxEmAl7U2UkYBxKkP8d6_gKZ57v0CbqFufQrsGEUOEhl_gE19iwWJm_v/s4167/DSCN1175.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3125" data-original-width="4167" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7TiSpEdydN7G7th5b97m700doWUltG8K9XJTQetQGXwgC5cLO9kmtlfr93dNvmXwN5kQVIM7WaJlIsFt5XaZZ7IclOtSS4ysqvk4i0AGueoH0i1E2gNJNTpfy4WDVcQ4rQ1rTxEmAl7U2UkYBxKkP8d6_gKZ57v0CbqFufQrsGEUOEhl_gE19iwWJm_v/s320/DSCN1175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>*whew* Nice to know they still exist!</div><div><br /></div><div>From there, we went across town to another park, if only to look at a discarded picnic-table area where we've seen a lot of snakes in the past. On the way to that area, we saw another new Pickerel at the pond's edge.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideNP9jVzO9mQxFPw9-iTqz7lU5Pv6XLTjiCTMr2xjcGNX18joTMEVx1SZPrl0NvbOVaDJqAzRqd_dSL2oC_3W4BlOpbzd27BXti2KEXfvoHdQnGh5mAQ5D7uKfd5Uxhc-FVhyomcYvu9_Ea4u0Hhdh8avB4vCtjsnGmnjKqGnd0ls5RqAjiYZmSebmhiP/s2539/DSCN1178.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="2539" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideNP9jVzO9mQxFPw9-iTqz7lU5Pv6XLTjiCTMr2xjcGNX18joTMEVx1SZPrl0NvbOVaDJqAzRqd_dSL2oC_3W4BlOpbzd27BXti2KEXfvoHdQnGh5mAQ5D7uKfd5Uxhc-FVhyomcYvu9_Ea4u0Hhdh8avB4vCtjsnGmnjKqGnd0ls5RqAjiYZmSebmhiP/s320/DSCN1178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A small Fowler's Toad was on the path.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmUWsGkqqqMp3HHH0sBPZazz_MFJpufmk-tKjzoZQgRRNI2bNwg8QgjY5pTlPAz8hDPMytvSQ41RRmjgr5sfzpxYimGA5g2yOVE4kIGRVs4AnZL43eeaK0DpGrh8sVBxSk-LRUpHnoY52I6txFlR722MRETmBeC15bABuIDMt1YEuopuLRxK4lBDw3Nwb/s2516/DSCN1179.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1887" data-original-width="2516" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmUWsGkqqqMp3HHH0sBPZazz_MFJpufmk-tKjzoZQgRRNI2bNwg8QgjY5pTlPAz8hDPMytvSQ41RRmjgr5sfzpxYimGA5g2yOVE4kIGRVs4AnZL43eeaK0DpGrh8sVBxSk-LRUpHnoY52I6txFlR722MRETmBeC15bABuIDMt1YEuopuLRxK4lBDw3Nwb/s320/DSCN1179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Our snake spot was empty. It was pretty hot by that time so we weren't surprised. In the cool shade, this slug (Red Snail? Red Slug? Couldn't get a proper ID) had his eyes out, enjoying a damp crawl.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6mdAEkD2Cjn9R6czlB4vaQj1kiuAlyKBJFndbVvRPrlwSx_zHeir0qfcs2zyHYg9sMpznmZ7vcXj0DG3UIhBBkKzLv1htrEBn_-7wr1cwVCxZ7o7ZYBCiWYLich-r7Lon_fhYITEd_yJ4Q09mou5gs5NPpdlT306TqCaEULIgLStTy6tpGRBaLShT-R8/s2559/DSCN1180.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1919" data-original-width="2559" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6mdAEkD2Cjn9R6czlB4vaQj1kiuAlyKBJFndbVvRPrlwSx_zHeir0qfcs2zyHYg9sMpznmZ7vcXj0DG3UIhBBkKzLv1htrEBn_-7wr1cwVCxZ7o7ZYBCiWYLich-r7Lon_fhYITEd_yJ4Q09mou5gs5NPpdlT306TqCaEULIgLStTy6tpGRBaLShT-R8/s320/DSCN1180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>From there, we headed into Plymouth County to an old mill that is great for turtles and Water Snakes. We saw nothing. The water was rushing like mad because of all of the rain we've been having. So we headed over to Musk Turtle Spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>We looked around but found no turtles but there was a Water Snake nestled into the wall next to the reservoir.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnV-VccB3mUWHfMYURaY5eCdpOsFoHS_KDtC0SUScssh9VWP-HBLuQv21ZBYbP8k46RReedzpX97Ifi8KkGmBqZvvHKUCgi-cLDyNysJoTLQLDje0bQk-qjsmooBKYzhjSufN6jH4PX4xKpGX8xGPZ2wBsUFjSAdDWN36vMt5BvzJ84X8WzM_LOKIS3-g/s2661/DSCN1181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="2661" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnV-VccB3mUWHfMYURaY5eCdpOsFoHS_KDtC0SUScssh9VWP-HBLuQv21ZBYbP8k46RReedzpX97Ifi8KkGmBqZvvHKUCgi-cLDyNysJoTLQLDje0bQk-qjsmooBKYzhjSufN6jH4PX4xKpGX8xGPZ2wBsUFjSAdDWN36vMt5BvzJ84X8WzM_LOKIS3-g/s320/DSCN1181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Thus ended our Saturday World Tour of Norfolk and Bristol Counties. Not horrible. It was nice to finally see a couple of snakes, even though we had to work really hard for it. Eh, no pain no gain.</div></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-41874134348184424292023-08-11T07:07:00.000-07:002023-08-11T07:07:00.109-07:00Dawning of the Age of Chelonia. August 5th and 6th, 2023We made it up pretty early in order to go to a favorite spot in Plymouth County. We figured that if we got there as the sun was warming, our chances for snakes and turtles were pretty good. We were half right.<br /><br />We got there at about 9:30 and decided to skip the woods where Andrea broke her ankle. We walked along the bogs and before too long, we saw a couple of Spotted Turtles. Needless to say, they were difficult shots to get. I swear that second one had a head when I first saw it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN-1LeRMgIa8xwXZhAqTdM3u8xI8EMSRzyZLKMqjLqNfJmFPy96nlEE736eNoODMbSAvLsY3hOPQzejKdaTnmTR_ad7oFC7s-nXl52pdUIZ6BfMB4NSKAMo-lo8unidbaQnikKH8RcldsNO9MhW1HCe6EaqAVCC8sGwpvMEMyKNKHyG0m0YgPEZClqIUM/s4074/DSCN1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3055" data-original-width="4074" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN-1LeRMgIa8xwXZhAqTdM3u8xI8EMSRzyZLKMqjLqNfJmFPy96nlEE736eNoODMbSAvLsY3hOPQzejKdaTnmTR_ad7oFC7s-nXl52pdUIZ6BfMB4NSKAMo-lo8unidbaQnikKH8RcldsNO9MhW1HCe6EaqAVCC8sGwpvMEMyKNKHyG0m0YgPEZClqIUM/s320/DSCN1076.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN-1LeRMgIa8xwXZhAqTdM3u8xI8EMSRzyZLKMqjLqNfJmFPy96nlEE736eNoODMbSAvLsY3hOPQzejKdaTnmTR_ad7oFC7s-nXl52pdUIZ6BfMB4NSKAMo-lo8unidbaQnikKH8RcldsNO9MhW1HCe6EaqAVCC8sGwpvMEMyKNKHyG0m0YgPEZClqIUM/s4074/DSCN1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHHKUdTahkyGBfMN3d8BHCme5I6PnL0Qc3X-Bye2MSQm_oQ2rf_wSmCTJ1TbfovJTGh-XxZl1BDxj373GXVjC_usi3ukprl5vbwtz2NPvn07xHAsbmewpMdfNeAvn5BauLYIFFvy3TLwbbyaSe2-lpSz5-OhG0ORf_h8EAkIzyrC8ykMCHcKJou2gid1P/s4608/DSCN1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHHKUdTahkyGBfMN3d8BHCme5I6PnL0Qc3X-Bye2MSQm_oQ2rf_wSmCTJ1TbfovJTGh-XxZl1BDxj373GXVjC_usi3ukprl5vbwtz2NPvn07xHAsbmewpMdfNeAvn5BauLYIFFvy3TLwbbyaSe2-lpSz5-OhG0ORf_h8EAkIzyrC8ykMCHcKJou2gid1P/s320/DSCN1074.JPG" width="320" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div><div>Painted Turtles were, as always, easy to see. What a treasure it is that we have such beautiful turtles as our most common species?!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrF8Tv59tH1N2i40JRKySqPNrbmno05Sm_kYG7mg0PAf0RSYq9swFYwspS4V77AN2Sp8MMwD8gvwAvxSes1KeNEU7TfW7bPUiX98eXxBzBDH58KDW2AG9N1UJEZCFeWN2tjRA3MJN26dAaFEF0D0d5EEbMUsCCKpXKD5CXJE5Ipu23AjpftdOTH01J0tH/s3040/DSCN1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2280" data-original-width="3040" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrF8Tv59tH1N2i40JRKySqPNrbmno05Sm_kYG7mg0PAf0RSYq9swFYwspS4V77AN2Sp8MMwD8gvwAvxSes1KeNEU7TfW7bPUiX98eXxBzBDH58KDW2AG9N1UJEZCFeWN2tjRA3MJN26dAaFEF0D0d5EEbMUsCCKpXKD5CXJE5Ipu23AjpftdOTH01J0tH/s320/DSCN1078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>A big Snapper came up to say "hey"!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9gRfpGQHm_gQC-r_BqduC2j9O-fp_BLyEwcolFYUvqFDfE7_85OJ9RkLcKxeim7jCs67vh2Lv3uh3MgR6gWTj7EuuF6WoAULogxGnate-YVd1-hz7pP1WedtpfmZl0aF3xGPm0GQh1iRC9qoDn6lLjJ9zuYcLrP64XTYnDQvNNV5eKaDWhRzzZ14WbiZ/s4608/DSCN1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9gRfpGQHm_gQC-r_BqduC2j9O-fp_BLyEwcolFYUvqFDfE7_85OJ9RkLcKxeim7jCs67vh2Lv3uh3MgR6gWTj7EuuF6WoAULogxGnate-YVd1-hz7pP1WedtpfmZl0aF3xGPm0GQh1iRC9qoDn6lLjJ9zuYcLrP64XTYnDQvNNV5eKaDWhRzzZ14WbiZ/s320/DSCN1079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A Painter resting near a clump of Pickerel Weed.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NpWHRpNjztHOas5algpqrDc4mMtK-FtFGWn3iblo7o-hhoDTHO9bZASbQ0aedR0xWQW_M3aug1r38WmkAKgiRhE0549dKMBIcAdCqqrzUGs-xsySJP-opFUc4dUQ67RqC2AGJdwJGInHOUpIChwFFx4aEBeAZGBqdBuEq6Ov0v5m95-5Qu6-t9HbbeSK/s3066/DSCN1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3066" data-original-width="2300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NpWHRpNjztHOas5algpqrDc4mMtK-FtFGWn3iblo7o-hhoDTHO9bZASbQ0aedR0xWQW_M3aug1r38WmkAKgiRhE0549dKMBIcAdCqqrzUGs-xsySJP-opFUc4dUQ67RqC2AGJdwJGInHOUpIChwFFx4aEBeAZGBqdBuEq6Ov0v5m95-5Qu6-t9HbbeSK/s320/DSCN1081.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>We hit what we call "Osprey Path" and got yelled at repeatedly by the adults of the nest. While there, we saw one adult come back with a Sunfish for the brood.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-EAhlvha4wX6yV0ujSzamEwIKcRHHp3WYUGuwPSKDBZ7hiVOm3Exp9xE6b0k4qQDVcoqyCHUSO2yiW7wU2xZ4NvzlpR7Wg5XBKu1zia9qJtGx-JKsm9xH5QYA7URsKsNc4jPkDoAfs8bV64YJMRPvwiuoBEiJilB3Szedt7Pi02JnJV5Q6F_UCaHLvPa/s3259/DSCN1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2444" data-original-width="3259" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-EAhlvha4wX6yV0ujSzamEwIKcRHHp3WYUGuwPSKDBZ7hiVOm3Exp9xE6b0k4qQDVcoqyCHUSO2yiW7wU2xZ4NvzlpR7Wg5XBKu1zia9qJtGx-JKsm9xH5QYA7URsKsNc4jPkDoAfs8bV64YJMRPvwiuoBEiJilB3Szedt7Pi02JnJV5Q6F_UCaHLvPa/s320/DSCN1084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Painted Turtles and Duckweed... they often go together.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4GuWIExgKldyi2Vb9AiBXABKQn6pATfDS5GqWxWiIHRgV91BBlcYMV3UwswXQ8srwI5_c6s3Z1qee6t1d0Ys7aL0Es3IlhbYC-zGiF1GGj1yGS0rPfl2q1VaAchvY0ECG5mCOP6WKjeEUmpp8Wxs3Js-XZ9dqQEcz6HroI3_8WTtSj7iE2JgVDBxF3d5/s4608/DSCN1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4GuWIExgKldyi2Vb9AiBXABKQn6pATfDS5GqWxWiIHRgV91BBlcYMV3UwswXQ8srwI5_c6s3Z1qee6t1d0Ys7aL0Es3IlhbYC-zGiF1GGj1yGS0rPfl2q1VaAchvY0ECG5mCOP6WKjeEUmpp8Wxs3Js-XZ9dqQEcz6HroI3_8WTtSj7iE2JgVDBxF3d5/s320/DSCN1087.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNziK-qhE1VRXWFf9Q2Wxruu2hJh9j4jThSlY2aRw-TySX-SDj0v-XYIaBEdnHKAGNnjosntcRp5fS0mIAUpKc8SFkBBz6dd3eesN6Smrc45-zKDkAy5UxPFNTYVSGYXSuOwcjhXvdA2Qad-dS9fqeRXtgtxJWe6kC9o4lzEHBTcy5VB1be1bQaBAfb3bL/s4608/DSCN1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNziK-qhE1VRXWFf9Q2Wxruu2hJh9j4jThSlY2aRw-TySX-SDj0v-XYIaBEdnHKAGNnjosntcRp5fS0mIAUpKc8SFkBBz6dd3eesN6Smrc45-zKDkAy5UxPFNTYVSGYXSuOwcjhXvdA2Qad-dS9fqeRXtgtxJWe6kC9o4lzEHBTcy5VB1be1bQaBAfb3bL/s320/DSCN1088.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc0DRnZJmdCfpZ6ch-Vd15xmLbHQtZX4sAQLHLSXS5yJfKDStd5cjshxai9vQpC5Uh4cBWBD-SXZRGo9b4YXkaElyxvFL4hcRJkBTHBEDe2YwN0vStHMumc_DSRFwfs3ae0WTnGUwnVpF-y4sEF19-YJ594U7xCG-UvsRlEKA9h4vx7-z19XNhpo3BDuy/s3597/DSCN1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2698" data-original-width="3597" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc0DRnZJmdCfpZ6ch-Vd15xmLbHQtZX4sAQLHLSXS5yJfKDStd5cjshxai9vQpC5Uh4cBWBD-SXZRGo9b4YXkaElyxvFL4hcRJkBTHBEDe2YwN0vStHMumc_DSRFwfs3ae0WTnGUwnVpF-y4sEF19-YJ594U7xCG-UvsRlEKA9h4vx7-z19XNhpo3BDuy/s320/DSCN1090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This pretty Bullfrog let us know that we were getting closer to a froggy area.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrcrRw3JTsZ_tV7hVub_wWnM9ogwMJ8_2JjwLjCGrP86eP3p6gm1xDzxB-JR-fl1iRXEZy39F6xyFRJilagHaZ2_rnmjQbtVB3v7JD-_5P4Z1fCCczmu00P-H6-bL0hXvZJPjU9cVi12HiqOXHAfoLBoX1u0Dd0Ztj57MekdvjuGUc1dI1zcjlgRNQwIQ/s3451/DSCN1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2588" data-original-width="3451" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrcrRw3JTsZ_tV7hVub_wWnM9ogwMJ8_2JjwLjCGrP86eP3p6gm1xDzxB-JR-fl1iRXEZy39F6xyFRJilagHaZ2_rnmjQbtVB3v7JD-_5P4Z1fCCczmu00P-H6-bL0hXvZJPjU9cVi12HiqOXHAfoLBoX1u0Dd0Ztj57MekdvjuGUc1dI1zcjlgRNQwIQ/s320/DSCN1091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>But not before seeing a couple of silly Painters.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK3QxhPx7duSX-OBI8LtoViso8DwLb-mddrgQ_ylh_8p6EHH-UfGMHPzYcoW2HpMEQ3sWt3eRf-YbY4H1YNTvCxe2Ogqu7cPT5u0hcfdN1PgCjK8OdBhcrLmidI9NNcPH6VSUlHR8Tgf8b7TKWLnzJP0ExrL5qTill3QwWJ_FGpLg2cchW5wsp5L0JbSO/s4608/DSCN1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK3QxhPx7duSX-OBI8LtoViso8DwLb-mddrgQ_ylh_8p6EHH-UfGMHPzYcoW2HpMEQ3sWt3eRf-YbY4H1YNTvCxe2Ogqu7cPT5u0hcfdN1PgCjK8OdBhcrLmidI9NNcPH6VSUlHR8Tgf8b7TKWLnzJP0ExrL5qTill3QwWJ_FGpLg2cchW5wsp5L0JbSO/s320/DSCN1093.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhORVz6Yzki4nxBwQOW8FbAaZxyWaMQycRXqA_qiS_oaF9-E6mIAT4J1l66vbDQqUVrA4CgbGzMFo1u0yTiCxDMJm-qmzyQBrU5qkSR-F11_lNc2sckNtTy2VsFTMaftZz6waMDwbIn0ykLzsy9JxS6yVu4aIvCzD8G_LFF-6jOCC_Pa5PvYc0fsc3m2xc/s3795/DSCN1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2846" data-original-width="3795" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhORVz6Yzki4nxBwQOW8FbAaZxyWaMQycRXqA_qiS_oaF9-E6mIAT4J1l66vbDQqUVrA4CgbGzMFo1u0yTiCxDMJm-qmzyQBrU5qkSR-F11_lNc2sckNtTy2VsFTMaftZz6waMDwbIn0ykLzsy9JxS6yVu4aIvCzD8G_LFF-6jOCC_Pa5PvYc0fsc3m2xc/s320/DSCN1094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We finally got to the rich Frog Vein. There were noggins poking up everywhere. Too many to count, way too many to photograph. Here are a few... it goes Bull, Green, Bull, Bull/ Bull.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjEnj3_ZLGiXUZ7e-XMNZ6xN7t3fUFbslSOjgwOuAeSAc8cpM9IjloUEhRsj55932mmKYGtcX6DcHTxmNxJ2nyc_iNo11v0ptsCcAyAZy3D_kHWvwu5y0Kgl_F0m752bMU6kmiL07mAHT4yWJNn54sJD0vHzl2f8FBHJ3wLWLjoH0HDEuDTPA9BlXY4ep/s3372/DSCN1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2529" data-original-width="3372" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjEnj3_ZLGiXUZ7e-XMNZ6xN7t3fUFbslSOjgwOuAeSAc8cpM9IjloUEhRsj55932mmKYGtcX6DcHTxmNxJ2nyc_iNo11v0ptsCcAyAZy3D_kHWvwu5y0Kgl_F0m752bMU6kmiL07mAHT4yWJNn54sJD0vHzl2f8FBHJ3wLWLjoH0HDEuDTPA9BlXY4ep/s320/DSCN1096.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa6hVQAbavDqwshbbPpDZHdVGA2Qmi2rjtWsUbrdYRnvqlty3__KNCvep0ZZJsTrmkJGkJdkMNMUFQv-i6LLijTpEJlc9WB1tWVeEhRAE0rKlFC3iWxUH_gfbSZhf6Y0mBMWwk6aYKm_Fdwcf2IHGowjjvcgRZdYa55ixcP_lwgG1jYHpD_DXSxfMwkcy/s3526/DSCN1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2644" data-original-width="3526" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa6hVQAbavDqwshbbPpDZHdVGA2Qmi2rjtWsUbrdYRnvqlty3__KNCvep0ZZJsTrmkJGkJdkMNMUFQv-i6LLijTpEJlc9WB1tWVeEhRAE0rKlFC3iWxUH_gfbSZhf6Y0mBMWwk6aYKm_Fdwcf2IHGowjjvcgRZdYa55ixcP_lwgG1jYHpD_DXSxfMwkcy/s320/DSCN1097.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT19nDugHnMu3e5xinGqSA0J1g72GjZdm0gycgoxf-o9tMueTwVknk2sdJoI3CzVm3Y8iqd8DRMdCNM53_nnkO6B1NPCwJPsrWOQkso85A2h-si4o513ZZn8r18ckpdAfA_5VHyAmPmJUECtkN4bulkDjwhshpw3B6cu_TGsQIRWutsWn-vu2QnTVymSc/s3226/DSCN1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2420" data-original-width="3226" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT19nDugHnMu3e5xinGqSA0J1g72GjZdm0gycgoxf-o9tMueTwVknk2sdJoI3CzVm3Y8iqd8DRMdCNM53_nnkO6B1NPCwJPsrWOQkso85A2h-si4o513ZZn8r18ckpdAfA_5VHyAmPmJUECtkN4bulkDjwhshpw3B6cu_TGsQIRWutsWn-vu2QnTVymSc/s320/DSCN1098.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvxASCBocl6NLf3-j1a-DP7A3Jwz6wFiLyf4cFh64TzrT3r8nZJ0yU05P1v1O9inVZcQd7WxKGZDL4w-76S5y0Zm339IuhUHjhPJf_BgV-A6wGWuqAyo5xiF8tKcw6tfZYXmpmMgxqmuB8APND6vetdWLCJGnAz-83BeYDToZnE-dJGaWJCXFdxjylD3F/s3137/DSCN1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2353" data-original-width="3137" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvxASCBocl6NLf3-j1a-DP7A3Jwz6wFiLyf4cFh64TzrT3r8nZJ0yU05P1v1O9inVZcQd7WxKGZDL4w-76S5y0Zm339IuhUHjhPJf_BgV-A6wGWuqAyo5xiF8tKcw6tfZYXmpmMgxqmuB8APND6vetdWLCJGnAz-83BeYDToZnE-dJGaWJCXFdxjylD3F/s320/DSCN1099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We made it to the picnic table and had a sit-down, trying to avoid the sweaty butt-mark that a cyclist had left there as we arrived. Distant Painters were visible.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZDOmX4do4Gkg2nyWAyzz--IO6w8s9YW-Myu0jRYVfKemA4wdXYeDp3LkS-91PCQf1YUJ7uN24j6XUVdgCgCA24Et_6Z8nvTzf7XRuQfRp4Z7UYccITJxF-X_X4XYweSFTkVTNj2dtH-tSxurF4Qiv8-a6yZ3sSRDhjlJ9FnY02BxKjiP04HI_mEDDUK9/s2965/DSCN1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2224" data-original-width="2965" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZDOmX4do4Gkg2nyWAyzz--IO6w8s9YW-Myu0jRYVfKemA4wdXYeDp3LkS-91PCQf1YUJ7uN24j6XUVdgCgCA24Et_6Z8nvTzf7XRuQfRp4Z7UYccITJxF-X_X4XYweSFTkVTNj2dtH-tSxurF4Qiv8-a6yZ3sSRDhjlJ9FnY02BxKjiP04HI_mEDDUK9/s320/DSCN1100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>There was a Great Blue Heron standing on a perch out in front of us and its curious posture made me take notice...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLoSY5I8N0caZX2DUUBpOeBsUsmNqQqEpkfXaEFKL_oDriYLJ4JY_yGajBEJdLGEtjJxMo3Tk3KC93e5zovpnZUuVEnXIAW-OXPYEoDvrebLX09xB649xiw599em0Gr67Z2_7icT4xIMbEXPE-Wch5wv1KfitB3jCdyZGLhJM9jS6YFa0oIHjoFq5Ocql/s2357/DSCN1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2357" data-original-width="1767" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLoSY5I8N0caZX2DUUBpOeBsUsmNqQqEpkfXaEFKL_oDriYLJ4JY_yGajBEJdLGEtjJxMo3Tk3KC93e5zovpnZUuVEnXIAW-OXPYEoDvrebLX09xB649xiw599em0Gr67Z2_7icT4xIMbEXPE-Wch5wv1KfitB3jCdyZGLhJM9jS6YFa0oIHjoFq5Ocql/s320/DSCN1102.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div>I had no idea what it was doing. My guess was drying it's wings like Cormorants do but upon researching it when I got home, it really isn't known <i>why</i> they do it. At any rate, it was a new and exciting sight for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Andrea spied a cache of Milkweed Tussock Caterpillars.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUfNGP4RDFC5ZzxzaobbaSpa_vT55b4CgMgaLoen9vQU3H3VEwzuHVYQeDIe41MtRd79LHQ33ixTfFj3vRChTURqhG22kdQWhw8gy4v3Y9LTE2e0BcuY3vx9BMnCI4RzEJpzbahKnvt5lD3UcyU7xFFiIUN9cLPqnjUuGh7aSSHPHCjUXRs_vx22tCtif/s3240/DSCN1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="2430" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUfNGP4RDFC5ZzxzaobbaSpa_vT55b4CgMgaLoen9vQU3H3VEwzuHVYQeDIe41MtRd79LHQ33ixTfFj3vRChTURqhG22kdQWhw8gy4v3Y9LTE2e0BcuY3vx9BMnCI4RzEJpzbahKnvt5lD3UcyU7xFFiIUN9cLPqnjUuGh7aSSHPHCjUXRs_vx22tCtif/s320/DSCN1105.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>This poor Painter is in potato chip phase... turtle sheds look so uncomfortable!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWHHjBiZRc7m2jECd_aiwPquL4A74qrSiSY_eholkdJyv_sz6F4wHo45njR0-6aC5hUMCuQlnMpFXptyTH8lHQdUz6GKkeix6mq59YR6cRkbymfOfMvNm8LnwIKV82uSJlS__P9l5oo91nxa0TqGXVREmjjuQFS0OSOR_mfqI_eGynXlLQiX5HAA_mlPY/s3150/DSCN1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2362" data-original-width="3150" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWHHjBiZRc7m2jECd_aiwPquL4A74qrSiSY_eholkdJyv_sz6F4wHo45njR0-6aC5hUMCuQlnMpFXptyTH8lHQdUz6GKkeix6mq59YR6cRkbymfOfMvNm8LnwIKV82uSJlS__P9l5oo91nxa0TqGXVREmjjuQFS0OSOR_mfqI_eGynXlLQiX5HAA_mlPY/s320/DSCN1106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>There was a big speck out in the pond... closer observation revealed the toad of local turtles, the Plymouth Redbelly, looking as put-upon as hell!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs8dku7w-H5I22ADzJVJggRevURF3yfuevPJdDlnfu7XsBbCh4YRIATvpzgkYTP2t4uFoF6k9j7Mxk972rSIHIREZhbo-88W7kGmrWMB8ISz3cP0HViJIt5NoolBnMjDw09uip8D0-mwAhg-O9w9n9UsA1GioY2xMre92QGwlsyGsJT_78ZsZhxqlH_k1/s2035/DSCN1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="2035" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs8dku7w-H5I22ADzJVJggRevURF3yfuevPJdDlnfu7XsBbCh4YRIATvpzgkYTP2t4uFoF6k9j7Mxk972rSIHIREZhbo-88W7kGmrWMB8ISz3cP0HViJIt5NoolBnMjDw09uip8D0-mwAhg-O9w9n9UsA1GioY2xMre92QGwlsyGsJT_78ZsZhxqlH_k1/s320/DSCN1110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We ended the hike with two Painted Turtles... one on land and one asking you to not besmirch the Birch.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVwe5iG40z6huxmxLsgBO14sQFPaG2HbhDDQ3kTAn7-6XVANDI-q-Y_-QZUAvUJaT5wBsvYrWJBw2lx_P8KShGnCbY09KHdNGrm5t5Z-Nhnewr3yijRbaJV_rc_i7DG4_Tv04zHajc_kVzji0YFimLY-sJvMDHpUbOLV9aWbU24U6_VvS9jWkbVuvrZQR/s4608/DSCN1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVwe5iG40z6huxmxLsgBO14sQFPaG2HbhDDQ3kTAn7-6XVANDI-q-Y_-QZUAvUJaT5wBsvYrWJBw2lx_P8KShGnCbY09KHdNGrm5t5Z-Nhnewr3yijRbaJV_rc_i7DG4_Tv04zHajc_kVzji0YFimLY-sJvMDHpUbOLV9aWbU24U6_VvS9jWkbVuvrZQR/s320/DSCN1112.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHz_TVq9bw5Ikuli10IgbPw9iZ8ciKDT_21ClpXawX6bTSaQqUslxZhmozFdO5Y8T53bf1hzw97yi6BS-Q_BDmcOo1a1sW2MVCiMnOtvTeEn-l_OVDLYQkno5JxSzSU2W84Nvz0I7j6cMfpRL4kHJcC2awr3eGtzdrG9dKzFVNvY8-I3nN8ORWwrTo_vw/s2924/DSCN1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2193" data-original-width="2924" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHz_TVq9bw5Ikuli10IgbPw9iZ8ciKDT_21ClpXawX6bTSaQqUslxZhmozFdO5Y8T53bf1hzw97yi6BS-Q_BDmcOo1a1sW2MVCiMnOtvTeEn-l_OVDLYQkno5JxSzSU2W84Nvz0I7j6cMfpRL4kHJcC2awr3eGtzdrG9dKzFVNvY8-I3nN8ORWwrTo_vw/s320/DSCN1114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>No snakes, which really surprised us. We'd even made a super-easy "ice cream" bet... any snake gets us some ice cream. Oops. Better luck next time. Andrea's ankle did 6 miles+, by the way.</div><div><br /></div><div>We hit a Flea Market on the way home. I couldn't stop myself and flipped an American Toad next to the parking lot.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSx1K2KEeiu4xEGMlPAaqHIA11VSqKLVn8Sxai6npCsJ8ZJjSoCPdIsadgUjZbMj0CI5MPUDB9FlHCm3Ul6Pnk1NstBVzSySMW5X7ketf7AVi4Z4gcdKVx-IsGDK-HH_uZajZ_9-O0xud7rs9bFgv3YsW5JlqZvmVrNAIxQtUArj4o9Yr51678HdtJVXcI/s1104/American%20Toad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSx1K2KEeiu4xEGMlPAaqHIA11VSqKLVn8Sxai6npCsJ8ZJjSoCPdIsadgUjZbMj0CI5MPUDB9FlHCm3Ul6Pnk1NstBVzSySMW5X7ketf7AVi4Z4gcdKVx-IsGDK-HH_uZajZ_9-O0xud7rs9bFgv3YsW5JlqZvmVrNAIxQtUArj4o9Yr51678HdtJVXcI/s320/American%20Toad.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div>I bought the Jaws 2 novelization for $6 there.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day, we planned on getting up super early to take a walk around our favorite pond in Norfolk County. We severely overslept. I was kind of upset, but we decided to walk around our Green Snake place because it's good for Garters and it seemed like too long since we've seen one. (It had been two weeks.)</div><div><br /></div><div>It was very hot already when we got there at about 12:30 PM. We were greeted by a quartet of migrating Semipalmated Plovers (#77) though, which was nice.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61zKnIX1F3sa5vJKoiYsHlUpLhB7MMQZ6qpaewZjP5jMV-rSHdQpAy341Yn4I4fk-ol5mPTozpjhuTPfdPAJGaD1iBkUWwBT8ZxPMrv2UH20OjlOSyf29W07dIeTlXkmIRsFXNaDYQUOMTQ3S3H0HngUZymzQctcrTuco3PKQsNhLDAe8LMW9wboDhYXz/s4010/DSCN1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3007" data-original-width="4010" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61zKnIX1F3sa5vJKoiYsHlUpLhB7MMQZ6qpaewZjP5jMV-rSHdQpAy341Yn4I4fk-ol5mPTozpjhuTPfdPAJGaD1iBkUWwBT8ZxPMrv2UH20OjlOSyf29W07dIeTlXkmIRsFXNaDYQUOMTQ3S3H0HngUZymzQctcrTuco3PKQsNhLDAe8LMW9wboDhYXz/s320/DSCN1118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We flipped as we always do but no snakes were hiding from the heat yet. Walking up the path, we saw two things at the same time. A family of five walking towards us, and Andrea saw a Smooth Green Snake crossing the path. Because of the oncoming family, an in-situ shot wasn't going to happen, so Andrea grabbed it, our First of Year! And what a stunner... big and perfect.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBsJrle03wIP1PJi_PJ8WL2G6qiRh2zrkCCSCArlDgDnKwinmt3pTLZPYXXfnYQZ0nouwO57tQKZB9H-SU9tjN0qYr5_8RySbB7vRVnsrUNkzrN4M0P4ZD-KaMZhJWXmVbCLRFRcBOAE4cPp3ik_Kn0gCfcPDi_QmynJleEAghJ9dR2wvixCyxGc3hq4Z/s2917/DSCN1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2917" data-original-width="2188" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBsJrle03wIP1PJi_PJ8WL2G6qiRh2zrkCCSCArlDgDnKwinmt3pTLZPYXXfnYQZ0nouwO57tQKZB9H-SU9tjN0qYr5_8RySbB7vRVnsrUNkzrN4M0P4ZD-KaMZhJWXmVbCLRFRcBOAE4cPp3ik_Kn0gCfcPDi_QmynJleEAghJ9dR2wvixCyxGc3hq4Z/s320/DSCN1124.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div>And funny-looking, if I may be so bold.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lN3XJoW0qOQdVzCCBdeBgaxK6p7I1Zop-kyvPj-YDJA8nnKGvNCycBJWpcKkfd6iHvVkf1YXGHm0L8_2Usf11ZJgQkey1NxkMNwP4xZ7V62Nx8PnpjvZMKCk2lUWiC6QbP-ySJ8c6pu-U5MQihz6YTyFptmkcDh52TJZLmW9HI0V-BB7autC-Nu7zZB6/s2055/DSCN1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="2055" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lN3XJoW0qOQdVzCCBdeBgaxK6p7I1Zop-kyvPj-YDJA8nnKGvNCycBJWpcKkfd6iHvVkf1YXGHm0L8_2Usf11ZJgQkey1NxkMNwP4xZ7V62Nx8PnpjvZMKCk2lUWiC6QbP-ySJ8c6pu-U5MQihz6YTyFptmkcDh52TJZLmW9HI0V-BB7autC-Nu7zZB6/s320/DSCN1121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>We showed it to the family, who thought Andrea was insane for handling it, then let it go on its way. What a huge treat that was.</div><div><br /></div><div>Down closer to the water, we'd hoped to see some Garters on the beach (it <i>has</i> happened) but didn't get lucky twice. We saw some translucent planktony-shrimpy things in some tide pools, though. You can see them if you look closely, which you won't, so why did I even say that?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P61MTwcsu8q3_oMk_4c6RZvEcBx6ZHmTKuSU7Ppy1oAREWBdevhHbRnJ4K2CcYV9PwsSNM74i8xe6bX5MiNmepLuhShhUyuodOnT9jsrK2hOYSwq2x-Kn0xkMVCVQBVguZZEN9zSYvGmb1m5bZF89JroGwfW9w7d8UGcOV7dvjbMJyodXH_a0D97Ajd2/s2761/DSCN1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2071" data-original-width="2761" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P61MTwcsu8q3_oMk_4c6RZvEcBx6ZHmTKuSU7Ppy1oAREWBdevhHbRnJ4K2CcYV9PwsSNM74i8xe6bX5MiNmepLuhShhUyuodOnT9jsrK2hOYSwq2x-Kn0xkMVCVQBVguZZEN9zSYvGmb1m5bZF89JroGwfW9w7d8UGcOV7dvjbMJyodXH_a0D97Ajd2/s320/DSCN1127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Asian Shore Crabs were present, too, though not in the numbers we're used to.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EkmSkP-p0vDuM9GPefalQ4Ck96k1RiSEDatz4Q4NOdqgDYdt-9GKYBTlsYOahHCNT6n_68vnTmnoUn6eTNgro13inJnUg-9BnR8bXRBPL6zp3Z8t1ET3uFlBVQIj2DB99_EX5X0Rxm4JX0oSzl2A39alzMdFsdDiTFXRDKwtGTJfSKtqMNdvRJb1Q-M9/s3155/DSCN1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2366" data-original-width="3155" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EkmSkP-p0vDuM9GPefalQ4Ck96k1RiSEDatz4Q4NOdqgDYdt-9GKYBTlsYOahHCNT6n_68vnTmnoUn6eTNgro13inJnUg-9BnR8bXRBPL6zp3Z8t1ET3uFlBVQIj2DB99_EX5X0Rxm4JX0oSzl2A39alzMdFsdDiTFXRDKwtGTJfSKtqMNdvRJb1Q-M9/s320/DSCN1128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>That was enough... we checked the trails and the usual spots but it was very hot and we left and got some icy drinks for the drive home. I had to go grocery shopping, but Andrea asked if I wanted to visit our friends in the cemetery pond. We <i>do</i> pass it, so... why not?</div><div><br /></div><div>When we got there, we saw a huge Snapper basking on a small rock, and a (comparatively) small Red-ear on a huge rock. This was backwards!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43VdL0Ng3GNGdtYrx-fMTeAJkljHjRZFxcxowEwYet73BtrlmQPrbnSwzxDV2xTYeh93a1YvzBrZs0iHHeJGQ7-yz-CKCKgD3NnSY-_AbqEf70FJkIDhNNghOu_HxsflEJuiu4oNlJuWIvxPfakXN7ZVOeF3_b4takyVePaXXU1jFZeBkhm7kCZs8F3gH/s3059/DSCN1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2294" data-original-width="3059" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43VdL0Ng3GNGdtYrx-fMTeAJkljHjRZFxcxowEwYet73BtrlmQPrbnSwzxDV2xTYeh93a1YvzBrZs0iHHeJGQ7-yz-CKCKgD3NnSY-_AbqEf70FJkIDhNNghOu_HxsflEJuiu4oNlJuWIvxPfakXN7ZVOeF3_b4takyVePaXXU1jFZeBkhm7kCZs8F3gH/s320/DSCN1136.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxMuL66uvo6wA7JcLYeqvLlcq4lSw0KnFtK_98moL7E7O0YnLqNcXl7aRv2KXQfAJ0G7TIHZJj_XrKhWOvAx0bnZnk5QSiBJarET_O8WroSkrRWe8S0605m5l0Ul_4u-Jb9vUuTFWR1ZTyfAp6ZmYKHZGwP1u3g6okCQlMCGRwti8elyw6xC7stDEBGr_/s4608/DSCN1135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxMuL66uvo6wA7JcLYeqvLlcq4lSw0KnFtK_98moL7E7O0YnLqNcXl7aRv2KXQfAJ0G7TIHZJj_XrKhWOvAx0bnZnk5QSiBJarET_O8WroSkrRWe8S0605m5l0Ul_4u-Jb9vUuTFWR1ZTyfAp6ZmYKHZGwP1u3g6okCQlMCGRwti8elyw6xC7stDEBGr_/s320/DSCN1135.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXWYaSG1z5VgsK0-ixzUlqaQ0ATaZpc1LE_X8X-v0PMom-DztrKXl9UiLCjWG9UhA9rltpNPWACTjRuyzhiz_aC-N5aXHdXSX9FUMwwCCEcLxerEF3Xoij-aWKM9m3401GmGWCJFckxbS93cktV8KkDjJkBdtiytGhzjQSbR5-dr_25Vh8RYs0ebYZrjl/s4179/DSCN1140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3134" data-original-width="4179" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXWYaSG1z5VgsK0-ixzUlqaQ0ATaZpc1LE_X8X-v0PMom-DztrKXl9UiLCjWG9UhA9rltpNPWACTjRuyzhiz_aC-N5aXHdXSX9FUMwwCCEcLxerEF3Xoij-aWKM9m3401GmGWCJFckxbS93cktV8KkDjJkBdtiytGhzjQSbR5-dr_25Vh8RYs0ebYZrjl/s320/DSCN1140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A Double-crested Cormorant caught a fish... looked like a Bullhead of some kind.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XkY_lu_De2-Q6aum3ba0d46iQui03TVLr53dQmo_hVVpkngGP4KDhXrkxEVxnWv8VGQ6sbwE7sa0mfwwnGtRYsauDlVo-E7p-TvSuCNrW_r2n8HjOj434HLo5uQxVgVoTtFRedQG4ZeWkIqBuxp6Wp8mZFKcWFQd7vbdtg7xjd1F9m7gpJJfqK7dDYu8/s4608/DSCN1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XkY_lu_De2-Q6aum3ba0d46iQui03TVLr53dQmo_hVVpkngGP4KDhXrkxEVxnWv8VGQ6sbwE7sa0mfwwnGtRYsauDlVo-E7p-TvSuCNrW_r2n8HjOj434HLo5uQxVgVoTtFRedQG4ZeWkIqBuxp6Wp8mZFKcWFQd7vbdtg7xjd1F9m7gpJJfqK7dDYu8/s320/DSCN1137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Sadly, the pond is filthy with trash... humans suck out loud. The turtles, many of which are discarded pets, don't seem to mind but I do worry about the Bullfrogs that breed there. This guy with the massibe tympanum made me worry.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mG2W6GNaGj2QlZoD03mtPiDGNxfYA9tJu-STXQUXqU4znN9MrWNFZmFkXhn6-3l0cNciay4RoFXlKSIWQtCIBScftnSpV4PEr8HrrHByXoFWiL6dmIrbyxfacAwykOrL7Uih2Au8KCWzkcw5FTcC5dlY-lZWuLGU1ggIuNfSXLaY3j0TPi9M6wFPsGpS/s2995/DSCN1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2247" data-original-width="2995" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mG2W6GNaGj2QlZoD03mtPiDGNxfYA9tJu-STXQUXqU4znN9MrWNFZmFkXhn6-3l0cNciay4RoFXlKSIWQtCIBScftnSpV4PEr8HrrHByXoFWiL6dmIrbyxfacAwykOrL7Uih2Au8KCWzkcw5FTcC5dlY-lZWuLGU1ggIuNfSXLaY3j0TPi9M6wFPsGpS/s320/DSCN1141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A few Whiteys cam by to look for a handout. I really thought we knew which was which but hell, I don't know.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyezu19J2yahdrenvMnlqAs3dimKxCrYbUxC9r5w3m65Sb7WRDlbVDLKoymlpp8MpKJ6k8eoBvCZ26Nq55lLJFtIBUbjxZTTFVwxNGij7PahcNpuUMpQ-tymNQL-ySESiLK8bG6snmbcesx_P-d5s_i87ypprW48MV1R3ZEFTpcZYZUkz1kU68AKONv7b/s3764/DSCN1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2823" data-original-width="3764" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyezu19J2yahdrenvMnlqAs3dimKxCrYbUxC9r5w3m65Sb7WRDlbVDLKoymlpp8MpKJ6k8eoBvCZ26Nq55lLJFtIBUbjxZTTFVwxNGij7PahcNpuUMpQ-tymNQL-ySESiLK8bG6snmbcesx_P-d5s_i87ypprW48MV1R3ZEFTpcZYZUkz1kU68AKONv7b/s320/DSCN1145.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN8bYEh-A2KYFB4tohUXj0Hkf5pGUE76h6FqHJRsL7Eb0v3CLtI9Y9owiI_qYalMUhZnX6HsFGaWeKXz_esDiTfzsu7TMRBcjPIdHzetFaJRbl7wRyuXn2yY-jk1_tSSsy8WzTJDE4E3ZEfb65yRranb6_qRZ5oxUWGspJ0uj77JZ8tgRnjBUJ6m3ta2k/s3109/DSCN1146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2332" data-original-width="3109" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN8bYEh-A2KYFB4tohUXj0Hkf5pGUE76h6FqHJRsL7Eb0v3CLtI9Y9owiI_qYalMUhZnX6HsFGaWeKXz_esDiTfzsu7TMRBcjPIdHzetFaJRbl7wRyuXn2yY-jk1_tSSsy8WzTJDE4E3ZEfb65yRranb6_qRZ5oxUWGspJ0uj77JZ8tgRnjBUJ6m3ta2k/s320/DSCN1146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A couple more Bullfrogs, sitting under a tree stump on an island.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2dtLw0fhAY9ouB5RGQm7nepd4mEoqA-LD6BjN-J9LXYbBxdfeESUf7i6AEoaZrECDI1RoXBDfAuBu8AaP2bxvGfcHSc-YoxUJqP9CLIeav7lisF-U_euaEUzVJbp1NnlHc8XQNqaq8QLXWkH06p0yPpHIm-wFDtz1_fTTT5fVpnq0CDg6a_ghgF03m3G/s3371/DSCN1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2528" data-original-width="3371" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2dtLw0fhAY9ouB5RGQm7nepd4mEoqA-LD6BjN-J9LXYbBxdfeESUf7i6AEoaZrECDI1RoXBDfAuBu8AaP2bxvGfcHSc-YoxUJqP9CLIeav7lisF-U_euaEUzVJbp1NnlHc8XQNqaq8QLXWkH06p0yPpHIm-wFDtz1_fTTT5fVpnq0CDg6a_ghgF03m3G/s320/DSCN1149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Another familiar face, the Red-ear with the pretty shell. He was also looking for treats.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe02j_XA14vYYcIHVFVvGfCVSiighGQgFFFhku7STT6LO48kSdOWzgPHPfMvvOr2wZYKi3l6hX49iHRYg64DSVOT0ooAA13o-MkMjl0frL591ox9mRKvORXkWI-v2ftlenWKoEtblkMmeqaaFmMv0suC_E6e0QbNzKUsR113MAzLrxexDghsESJsl3gEZ/s3819/DSCN1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="3819" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe02j_XA14vYYcIHVFVvGfCVSiighGQgFFFhku7STT6LO48kSdOWzgPHPfMvvOr2wZYKi3l6hX49iHRYg64DSVOT0ooAA13o-MkMjl0frL591ox9mRKvORXkWI-v2ftlenWKoEtblkMmeqaaFmMv0suC_E6e0QbNzKUsR113MAzLrxexDghsESJsl3gEZ/s320/DSCN1150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>OK, that Heron from the day before was doing something I'd never witnessed before. Imagine my surprise when there was <i>another</i> one doing it, albeit with the wings <i>behind</i> the body. Too weird.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJFfDTyZDlHL2pj1ZqG0ynFLL8dicT2kMVvzbwXg2wIxGTtEJpUvXP5jSTdpeRi0tKgr1eVVKrFPhd58eIy2DbhTQViKPCG8lpSWfP5mb5Ka5O76dxR7X9BiI8sSq4yIEMCc7m7rXkRYKF8-2owRGTdPxPTG3RAoUAz_T_B_3tU1DTccwS6RBRx-piRNP/s2569/DSCN1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2569" data-original-width="1927" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJFfDTyZDlHL2pj1ZqG0ynFLL8dicT2kMVvzbwXg2wIxGTtEJpUvXP5jSTdpeRi0tKgr1eVVKrFPhd58eIy2DbhTQViKPCG8lpSWfP5mb5Ka5O76dxR7X9BiI8sSq4yIEMCc7m7rXkRYKF8-2owRGTdPxPTG3RAoUAz_T_B_3tU1DTccwS6RBRx-piRNP/s320/DSCN1151.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>When we left, we noticed that Big Snapper had overtaken Big Rock. No sign of the Red-ear.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHS_nNeEGekshg9HCkSqfrz-wT8gx-DyIofkRp9sriqK68G4qiqwOwpxcF_KWOweMGWE0xl89aatvQzHVt5yuMt-X0vJA59leCsY1SERFYMP715V8MNFgiUAMCTpaI0M9LJc2_EiiOTS39wuaq2xzQGHoLcvSOOXL8EMkMsB1nCq3Rx__wA0LmimyXlwXu/s3753/DSCN1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2815" data-original-width="3753" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHS_nNeEGekshg9HCkSqfrz-wT8gx-DyIofkRp9sriqK68G4qiqwOwpxcF_KWOweMGWE0xl89aatvQzHVt5yuMt-X0vJA59leCsY1SERFYMP715V8MNFgiUAMCTpaI0M9LJc2_EiiOTS39wuaq2xzQGHoLcvSOOXL8EMkMsB1nCq3Rx__wA0LmimyXlwXu/s320/DSCN1152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Not a bad two days. Lots of turtles (5 species!) and frogs, weird Heron behavior and our FOY Green. No complaints, after all.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-67038044515200095742023-08-05T15:32:00.000-07:002023-08-05T15:32:31.303-07:00How We Ended July. 7-30-2023The heat finally broke! The hazy grey skies and sweltering heat had calmed down after the Friday night rain and it was in the low 70s when we headed to Plymouth County to try our luck. Of course, we knew we'd have to settle for heartbreak, but ya gotta try. At least it was beautiful and cooler.<br /><br />Yay for us, we got up nice and early and made it to the State Forest by 9:30. Take that, Cape Traffic! We went in to our first spot and Andrea even decided to hike down the gas-line trail for the first time this year. We were rewarded with a couple of very small Fowler's Toads.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65v_9JDiOd-bydG-Q3cyVgAzd8d9fzcPi_Geew1Gf8DUvOhoVqNG1f08d-SGdUMvrIA8Zd2mlt0rk32rxO6hYzBBfIIqrTH2JQeY_wa6zSbMSe-S150BXCnCDHSO2aI3_r8Gzn681yVQcklenBUnSAM49I9JihJo4cYo-Ads1tdBLjoQPWS422djaEFOi/s2691/DSCN1039.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65v_9JDiOd-bydG-Q3cyVgAzd8d9fzcPi_Geew1Gf8DUvOhoVqNG1f08d-SGdUMvrIA8Zd2mlt0rk32rxO6hYzBBfIIqrTH2JQeY_wa6zSbMSe-S150BXCnCDHSO2aI3_r8Gzn681yVQcklenBUnSAM49I9JihJo4cYo-Ads1tdBLjoQPWS422djaEFOi/s320/DSCN1039.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGDZ20HnqUIfLd7IJMkQFn3p305t-Bg1DMxWUdmQfsgy-_4K-JuwPNvFSmy9ol4J4C9lBm2MbePVPdHzLetd0sbuoq6_qhD1w3UjOvMFDuy9LWH23TAb6P2oXAYUpGy6rO_tOTCGpekxH6ueXgapf1kv1aOiSkgltXk7XiCDAc3ZFz4ugf9qSiCz2Vyxj/s2915/DSCN1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="2915" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGDZ20HnqUIfLd7IJMkQFn3p305t-Bg1DMxWUdmQfsgy-_4K-JuwPNvFSmy9ol4J4C9lBm2MbePVPdHzLetd0sbuoq6_qhD1w3UjOvMFDuy9LWH23TAb6P2oXAYUpGy6rO_tOTCGpekxH6ueXgapf1kv1aOiSkgltXk7XiCDAc3ZFz4ugf9qSiCz2Vyxj/s320/DSCN1040.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>We made it to the "Pool Runs Red" vernal and from the top of the trail, saw that it was very full and that a Painted Turtle was up enjoying a bask.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAxABHzVvG3dXma6BbkWxyPi11LxfvNlRDM6aLLzcPf-MNIenRFOl2B83qmUz9sd1Yb02V8wzBKYaYlsYlR2DPyy6FdQ7TDai0prRewrhGANTubQpmN9RewycLHDDSZOYXcnngWPuBhoYOUNE6JsVBcyFmDhw_UcdZI3KEhdUf46mxMcXtkQe78YsrdZ8/s3104/DSCN1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2328" data-original-width="3104" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAxABHzVvG3dXma6BbkWxyPi11LxfvNlRDM6aLLzcPf-MNIenRFOl2B83qmUz9sd1Yb02V8wzBKYaYlsYlR2DPyy6FdQ7TDai0prRewrhGANTubQpmN9RewycLHDDSZOYXcnngWPuBhoYOUNE6JsVBcyFmDhw_UcdZI3KEhdUf46mxMcXtkQe78YsrdZ8/s320/DSCN1041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Frogs "yeeped" and skimmed into the water at our approach. I swear, some of them got multiple skips, like a kid with a flat stone on a lake. I finally got the camera on a Green Frog on land, hiding in the shadows of the plants.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMK1IcCANjRarf4FywaI_I4QXnVIqRPOgRR-bfEBLT4fhA-cD7DpM23tyxrFbwYrbfjR4noi5U4SlI9Hsru4KB5LpmR1N9sAfnobl9vefecNukwPJIHvvbDtksAA7vYrDB-cz3GETQWr7NdNhuqIGyPWSf5-PGHneSKVfSaf7GU92soYgBWIYtzIDlXbIa/s3073/DSCN1042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3073" data-original-width="2305" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMK1IcCANjRarf4FywaI_I4QXnVIqRPOgRR-bfEBLT4fhA-cD7DpM23tyxrFbwYrbfjR4noi5U4SlI9Hsru4KB5LpmR1N9sAfnobl9vefecNukwPJIHvvbDtksAA7vYrDB-cz3GETQWr7NdNhuqIGyPWSf5-PGHneSKVfSaf7GU92soYgBWIYtzIDlXbIa/s320/DSCN1042.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>From there, we went over to the bogs. We heard lots of Green Frogs but only got the camera on some Bulls.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdf1AinESW9iC5DYxJQLgq7n3s6SSRZdRG1nOf7OVc_X6Co-Bmxd7cb4Cx11hMHYZaU7qhk3ppBIDyhhoGklBpJ6iFyIhmBwoKTNkUICCkDZFAAfYh7OGNN6JSYWgOZzTfJlHIJIoulL-ITWYRizqeD418SBx4usHlv6wYgqJmCirLW0bRNWdRAXTZHWr/s2775/DSCN1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2081" data-original-width="2775" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdf1AinESW9iC5DYxJQLgq7n3s6SSRZdRG1nOf7OVc_X6Co-Bmxd7cb4Cx11hMHYZaU7qhk3ppBIDyhhoGklBpJ6iFyIhmBwoKTNkUICCkDZFAAfYh7OGNN6JSYWgOZzTfJlHIJIoulL-ITWYRizqeD418SBx4usHlv6wYgqJmCirLW0bRNWdRAXTZHWr/s320/DSCN1043.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWkgBrHmQg1QXfuVkPgWjTMckDUQxnJ2vqa-muWHuhmmwngti1foS7kVGpVlj80xo7qC3r5LW1iWg0nvwxFKHhOYy1oDHKyMoflP_TiG0U9M1KDWFKSiYtLVnsEpv9QIJgwctKvcvt-WyDMS94Qu2h2JMrR4c4ONwmO_A2EeBdbl5OYZ8BQTroL6up01Y/s2962/DSCN1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2222" data-original-width="2962" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWkgBrHmQg1QXfuVkPgWjTMckDUQxnJ2vqa-muWHuhmmwngti1foS7kVGpVlj80xo7qC3r5LW1iWg0nvwxFKHhOYy1oDHKyMoflP_TiG0U9M1KDWFKSiYtLVnsEpv9QIJgwctKvcvt-WyDMS94Qu2h2JMrR4c4ONwmO_A2EeBdbl5OYZ8BQTroL6up01Y/s320/DSCN1045.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wHgEcz1lfz5BfpN_KO4zV6VCrMwypl3e2XSJ4Vi5Ye45YiY9nICulIgGHYH-MV3x2l2qUzhs-vtngAC3ObHGLN81v-2CkXrePN7YZxwC99ue81e4wS5V2zoYEeyDiWSzZh6w4qw3VqR6loGlMxlvNM3JoHra3VQLGnxUwJ39RUDMXR6Z8gohtQbjOih4/s4037/DSCN1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="4037" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wHgEcz1lfz5BfpN_KO4zV6VCrMwypl3e2XSJ4Vi5Ye45YiY9nICulIgGHYH-MV3x2l2qUzhs-vtngAC3ObHGLN81v-2CkXrePN7YZxwC99ue81e4wS5V2zoYEeyDiWSzZh6w4qw3VqR6loGlMxlvNM3JoHra3VQLGnxUwJ39RUDMXR6Z8gohtQbjOih4/s320/DSCN1046.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5MoPu_XCfRhviXS6mwj02aScUH4DbNqXNXuadDRuJi0Z1L6tzPB8q5bsE1cjve7tdZLiPE28gAQmKhBLK0ZQHQT9zA7MX0DBqVpE3GJ1RwbSmVaxpWFYRNI7QRofcpjFbToXqEE-0w0QwiuGp9eiGgpHMtBb3negsUNu6XBcm44UavEGOKlJPO3yChSR/s3093/DSCN1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3093" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5MoPu_XCfRhviXS6mwj02aScUH4DbNqXNXuadDRuJi0Z1L6tzPB8q5bsE1cjve7tdZLiPE28gAQmKhBLK0ZQHQT9zA7MX0DBqVpE3GJ1RwbSmVaxpWFYRNI7QRofcpjFbToXqEE-0w0QwiuGp9eiGgpHMtBb3negsUNu6XBcm44UavEGOKlJPO3yChSR/s320/DSCN1048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These purple petaled, vomiting yellow stamen flowers were all around the bog. I failed to ID them.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK2AdnxvgwoEI--t_CSiACLw50BJ55N-jLUHO5UmXSZ2Q5kPnx1Trzsux3K2ndBJF-ifRYTndixeSgsDnTLqb1UpEl8FrZ9wF-o7X6P66rHwH3mpBg0dwvlr135O1V6JjSblVcOcWvkj5JdQ6K0kYaZ_W5dg24UCjicx9yG5VHd4OfdlKXPbACm0jrGIV/s3456/DSCN1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK2AdnxvgwoEI--t_CSiACLw50BJ55N-jLUHO5UmXSZ2Q5kPnx1Trzsux3K2ndBJF-ifRYTndixeSgsDnTLqb1UpEl8FrZ9wF-o7X6P66rHwH3mpBg0dwvlr135O1V6JjSblVcOcWvkj5JdQ6K0kYaZ_W5dg24UCjicx9yG5VHd4OfdlKXPbACm0jrGIV/s320/DSCN1047.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>We went to sit next to the pond to watch fish and listen to birds, which we do every time. (This whole trip is always on repeat.) This tiny Toad was with us.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbgPsIu1NZWY9EaZUnHkN-0l-7EA7aN938YurDmlMoM81xAChirerbw7-Mk-cgTHDBlRySyf-23AMap23lrBpnb8H6UJdG9IIkIYefGdWNkH10WC88ddEFRvZxDlFPa83FvZzuqzjuNq4iJBWsU0NOseknLDAoIbI0Qt7RTPyWK511fz7uiUXGcuqshqQ/s2673/DSCN1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="2673" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbgPsIu1NZWY9EaZUnHkN-0l-7EA7aN938YurDmlMoM81xAChirerbw7-Mk-cgTHDBlRySyf-23AMap23lrBpnb8H6UJdG9IIkIYefGdWNkH10WC88ddEFRvZxDlFPa83FvZzuqzjuNq4iJBWsU0NOseknLDAoIbI0Qt7RTPyWK511fz7uiUXGcuqshqQ/s320/DSCN1049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>From there, we went to our best Hognose trail. Would we see one? No, but we did get our First of Year Redbelly under some bark.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ShpsIYRcgWqF4Mjbkmyb2lzXvKCONak37Z0nc13D8RN2iJcKwAJTAwsPfIgErm3jXSSWxeNrURpRSwtX-wMdePZHD09hVaXsFYm4doXmvkgpXSqReeg7_UkdT5KyzuZecNLOLwkfxkpuTPsymvieF8PVXp8g07asmtE8qwz4GqNQwQUV_EINC5u5lCsL/s2470/DSCN1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1852" data-original-width="2470" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ShpsIYRcgWqF4Mjbkmyb2lzXvKCONak37Z0nc13D8RN2iJcKwAJTAwsPfIgErm3jXSSWxeNrURpRSwtX-wMdePZHD09hVaXsFYm4doXmvkgpXSqReeg7_UkdT5KyzuZecNLOLwkfxkpuTPsymvieF8PVXp8g07asmtE8qwz4GqNQwQUV_EINC5u5lCsL/s320/DSCN1054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Obligatory belly shot.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGv8VNo18f9P2klDctMCFyT5-nX-A2JFbEysAOlrjGyBa2FTRreMLZC_-OOmzbnfZD_groW7nt0IBQlnzfijXCggEfustPed2uDlppZcbUEcu3j8tOB6KPn5KsIMxHcqAOsRhDtY5cZkg6Ny7YXcGCtzJAG1gt4E-6HTMJUk90YU7ltTDzofVXOMW3JW_/s3213/DSCN1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2409" data-original-width="3213" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGv8VNo18f9P2klDctMCFyT5-nX-A2JFbEysAOlrjGyBa2FTRreMLZC_-OOmzbnfZD_groW7nt0IBQlnzfijXCggEfustPed2uDlppZcbUEcu3j8tOB6KPn5KsIMxHcqAOsRhDtY5cZkg6Ny7YXcGCtzJAG1gt4E-6HTMJUk90YU7ltTDzofVXOMW3JW_/s320/DSCN1056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Coming down the hill from that encounter, a family of Black Ducks swam away in the pond.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG4lZb1xP4L9izks79xA7imEldpd0Ap5v-m32fQjCYxsAFjXijpifsOYs5Z_0Odl3dWht-ZgSa8eGqRy5wJxAeD7U7JRm9pJfcEXgcXcwRShto25LwP-5g5v-tN6WtgvYi-r9d4zL4TVhWipVqaEOgxNF5riKUCXXP1ln676wHDXbPVIJgRktdAMamExW/s3801/DSCN1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="3801" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG4lZb1xP4L9izks79xA7imEldpd0Ap5v-m32fQjCYxsAFjXijpifsOYs5Z_0Odl3dWht-ZgSa8eGqRy5wJxAeD7U7JRm9pJfcEXgcXcwRShto25LwP-5g5v-tN6WtgvYi-r9d4zL4TVhWipVqaEOgxNF5riKUCXXP1ln676wHDXbPVIJgRktdAMamExW/s320/DSCN1058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We gave it our best effort but saw no more snakes. Here's another Fowler's and a basking Painter from that trail, though.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUaVflxfDHZ85e_nGFEWIxNXCzuhokQ_0ZjXDK1j3CYPprS7lBY2JCHrsVRhXV202wVxksV2vbr3ZjdS3jWoi3qKDxWxSfM1rr28br6f5Cmz1CF56QCHKYQPG499PIo3aEuJTF-vVxPuiN3M3XjMY-vm2vF233paVZS-9klMI3vOQ-x8TyWuSPrYoLwbE/s2707/DSCN1063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2030" data-original-width="2707" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUaVflxfDHZ85e_nGFEWIxNXCzuhokQ_0ZjXDK1j3CYPprS7lBY2JCHrsVRhXV202wVxksV2vbr3ZjdS3jWoi3qKDxWxSfM1rr28br6f5Cmz1CF56QCHKYQPG499PIo3aEuJTF-vVxPuiN3M3XjMY-vm2vF233paVZS-9klMI3vOQ-x8TyWuSPrYoLwbE/s320/DSCN1063.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvBaJeGmeAXyy0n9aaHb73DgbTpKLPepo7N54CHO_bCqqbsueleoX65oYjauvDyc3ItajsK5-FfbFw7oq5GwWeF46RkOMNyCusIiDsjDjF0wTiFa8hJ1Eh08uOac10eLKDo3cQJiTweb1DIJYM1EOWRUmjCFBzwGqxvOZ7110W8a0UkZAJJ8tgvC7B8-i/s3110/DSCN1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2332" data-original-width="3110" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvBaJeGmeAXyy0n9aaHb73DgbTpKLPepo7N54CHO_bCqqbsueleoX65oYjauvDyc3ItajsK5-FfbFw7oq5GwWeF46RkOMNyCusIiDsjDjF0wTiFa8hJ1Eh08uOac10eLKDo3cQJiTweb1DIJYM1EOWRUmjCFBzwGqxvOZ7110W8a0UkZAJJ8tgvC7B8-i/s320/DSCN1064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Our last stop, as always, is the Visitor's Center. Water refills and turtles are usually what we seek there. No Red-bells (or Racers, for that matter) but there were a couple of Painted Turtles up, for a while anyway. It was very crowded with humans there.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUhC82fCp7SDlWp-hXNiMYoFc-K0JfJ7bHTap8iumLe-MjsJ6pnG_Uy2_p6yRJFpgNWmwVRNALHxOGJ2HeQgD6md87uFht9tecuKlBxIFYr-u9y38BpZoTi_WoBsSBizKmGaxMABQ05OeECw4LjTR9aLUm2g3P0ufCqpOvv-ZrFDbMoobOLp2ogaYGk0Z/s2878/DSCN1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2878" data-original-width="2159" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUhC82fCp7SDlWp-hXNiMYoFc-K0JfJ7bHTap8iumLe-MjsJ6pnG_Uy2_p6yRJFpgNWmwVRNALHxOGJ2HeQgD6md87uFht9tecuKlBxIFYr-u9y38BpZoTi_WoBsSBizKmGaxMABQ05OeECw4LjTR9aLUm2g3P0ufCqpOvv-ZrFDbMoobOLp2ogaYGk0Z/s320/DSCN1067.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1PNiqhR3cmrc7tRVJup6xk-TdPIhvfoKc1g9gOOSwADUcD_TGt2AD7dZ9AY3SB4Vm0y-Eq7YEucDVMBaBSagjl_hXrakFjOXxfkIcqrzOZ1KpSdvKMD9vH2sEucHquxN0KijRkJh-52NI2JNy0bPjKidS3xe977NvleF1MQ9hX_7cKsW7tgyTydtbi4B/s2787/DSCN1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="2787" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1PNiqhR3cmrc7tRVJup6xk-TdPIhvfoKc1g9gOOSwADUcD_TGt2AD7dZ9AY3SB4Vm0y-Eq7YEucDVMBaBSagjl_hXrakFjOXxfkIcqrzOZ1KpSdvKMD9vH2sEucHquxN0KijRkJh-52NI2JNy0bPjKidS3xe977NvleF1MQ9hX_7cKsW7tgyTydtbi4B/s320/DSCN1070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>That's it. That's what we managed. But Andrea did 6 1/2 miles, with plenty of rests in between, so I'd say we're sort of back into our fighting form. Or not. It doesn't matter. Seeing anything is a gift.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-40976977843674966412023-07-29T15:35:00.002-07:002023-07-29T15:35:59.722-07:00Beating the Heat. 7-23-2023<p> Last year was dry and hot. Too hot to do much and so dry that things were in danger of dying out due to drought. This year is also very hot, but we have tons of rain. Record breaking rain. While many folks complain, I say "let it rain, baby"! No dried out vernal pools this year. No thirsty snakes. We'd hoped to take advantage of the <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">moist</u>ness of it all and head into Essex County to look for salamanders and snakes.</p><p>Of course, true to form, we got a late start, but when we got there, we remembered that much of the trail was shaded and it wasn't horribly hot in the shade. There were, however, 'skeeters. But, much to our joy, there were frogs, too. Our first find was a small Pickerel.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQPMB31Yt4fkn7nqbZ6yLoxla0gHNvSjmPO1FFqjdDGIhq2qX7fHehngB7dr3DR0JSLymDv1p4m0QxGVM2715jrz-N7-ND-hSZwpQnImdIBoY4SrRL4bHcT9KLCbT5sDM2ImcEucNZda8pnq63C1BuuKDvsnBMyvFcueHZf7iTTIWybv24D3bmu0er_qf/s1750/DSCN0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1750" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQPMB31Yt4fkn7nqbZ6yLoxla0gHNvSjmPO1FFqjdDGIhq2qX7fHehngB7dr3DR0JSLymDv1p4m0QxGVM2715jrz-N7-ND-hSZwpQnImdIBoY4SrRL4bHcT9KLCbT5sDM2ImcEucNZda8pnq63C1BuuKDvsnBMyvFcueHZf7iTTIWybv24D3bmu0er_qf/s320/DSCN0984.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>This year's toads were seen as well... here's a miniscule American Toad.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztspFi1EX4ELWu6V_22_1lu-OriSEyljRYpR14eO7Y8dyd-xBONi_5QjziNxUGdfYXTU1piQkXiQlWtuaWA9If-bIA0uvJY3qvUYXQ_Zr5tbdN8UxG8_D_EJWZWuEWoVkt22wjrBpuwRHgi0lp-2JVrRekCB3OnVY_bdtiKx1gFvYMkp2LS8cROEF4lIW/s2561/DSCN0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="2561" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztspFi1EX4ELWu6V_22_1lu-OriSEyljRYpR14eO7Y8dyd-xBONi_5QjziNxUGdfYXTU1piQkXiQlWtuaWA9If-bIA0uvJY3qvUYXQ_Zr5tbdN8UxG8_D_EJWZWuEWoVkt22wjrBpuwRHgi0lp-2JVrRekCB3OnVY_bdtiKx1gFvYMkp2LS8cROEF4lIW/s320/DSCN0986.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>How about a Green Frog on the edge of a pool?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9nkSkAkH2HjY6naJaGP7bbIWsbCf5SVwkRq2_bSXCjiLDo8hWGUmsASfTA_FG3WZaapgn3BjEcR5SgP66MWylCUPTRw2xgPqBlGR42XBnUP-F2B5Mpw7xiduL91t3RssB1q64N-9LTYV9Ghd-mCSudWSW-qA1j80UKv7JgR9iCU32WM-kyaWBM8Hd12J/s2973/DSCN0989.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9nkSkAkH2HjY6naJaGP7bbIWsbCf5SVwkRq2_bSXCjiLDo8hWGUmsASfTA_FG3WZaapgn3BjEcR5SgP66MWylCUPTRw2xgPqBlGR42XBnUP-F2B5Mpw7xiduL91t3RssB1q64N-9LTYV9Ghd-mCSudWSW-qA1j80UKv7JgR9iCU32WM-kyaWBM8Hd12J/s320/DSCN0989.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>I rolled a log over and startled this small Wolf Spider up on to my shoe.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0d5ZNFMNpbVkuvPfeVTGPVCUCCNn7BCe2pjHk9QUw9UiXF82VpOPIQNUAaEAgrWqttFfFkGTFSWK_h7JH8VNfYqlqdWoMqN-tw_0OKLkPBiZDOGJ03W18g39waC3rzi8xwLvuy5eQBSx4XW2jD5tYutmrrRX5X3eN95yo8M18p07hCrhN9Fx2o_fEsK_/s2516/DSCN0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2516" data-original-width="1887" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0d5ZNFMNpbVkuvPfeVTGPVCUCCNn7BCe2pjHk9QUw9UiXF82VpOPIQNUAaEAgrWqttFfFkGTFSWK_h7JH8VNfYqlqdWoMqN-tw_0OKLkPBiZDOGJ03W18g39waC3rzi8xwLvuy5eQBSx4XW2jD5tYutmrrRX5X3eN95yo8M18p07hCrhN9Fx2o_fEsK_/s320/DSCN0990.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>We got to a spot overlooking the water and saw plenty of turtle noggins poking out. This Painter was swimming when I snapped.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCmo7TLOFqoo_OvISmcV8fXtW021mxf_huc4iWJbpor9ioZcSQbF02DDssrQe2M0fkzTLdh28v_OCfv_UIMuupNdud1dL682WIFsE5x8rPGWxQOSxnPoaKT2s-SVhHOQDFBe_OPgPDsXDVMKsI50-zFt6cLO2Xn_k3wF-weFeJJM0LDf7NEPE0Mce1F_x/s4608/DSCN0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCmo7TLOFqoo_OvISmcV8fXtW021mxf_huc4iWJbpor9ioZcSQbF02DDssrQe2M0fkzTLdh28v_OCfv_UIMuupNdud1dL682WIFsE5x8rPGWxQOSxnPoaKT2s-SVhHOQDFBe_OPgPDsXDVMKsI50-zFt6cLO2Xn_k3wF-weFeJJM0LDf7NEPE0Mce1F_x/s320/DSCN0993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Back to the trail, a Green in a mud puddle. No shame, just keeping cool.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi85uZa5D9P4JtOGRv-WWSU4K5cXYvGWOLDJegTQCyMvtx0a2lPjWaoHkBGdtPc4jpnVkyyd6Yduj7JG-wLeXTZV1dev51UAd0eivfcWOsKSzASh9xZFWNUALlLJ0xSVOv0j5DvbBpHyCo4r_t42EJdpJbU93Q7wpjyj63W_GxcSSYlW31LMtU924blZ_j/s2639/DSCN0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2639" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi85uZa5D9P4JtOGRv-WWSU4K5cXYvGWOLDJegTQCyMvtx0a2lPjWaoHkBGdtPc4jpnVkyyd6Yduj7JG-wLeXTZV1dev51UAd0eivfcWOsKSzASh9xZFWNUALlLJ0xSVOv0j5DvbBpHyCo4r_t42EJdpJbU93Q7wpjyj63W_GxcSSYlW31LMtU924blZ_j/s320/DSCN0994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I'd been hoping for a large adult Pickerel. This upper-medium-sized one was good enough.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkGxWUkTeAjL4TEfhffIvmhHCyhN3yTN8jQoYIQN08Hw-pnyl8tN2RYM7MtSt_ILTVW6y_0foQ4mHcwUc4CHTfNwA5ZRqjhHkfQVciTkKuACxH6ggh5NJb-eU3xnxXVqMlePbAkKXa2rD7lAi1Mma2bK2ZPiju7_eGO_hcXxkQzudfX2jlsUSAxPp1wMV/s4608/DSCN0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkGxWUkTeAjL4TEfhffIvmhHCyhN3yTN8jQoYIQN08Hw-pnyl8tN2RYM7MtSt_ILTVW6y_0foQ4mHcwUc4CHTfNwA5ZRqjhHkfQVciTkKuACxH6ggh5NJb-eU3xnxXVqMlePbAkKXa2rD7lAi1Mma2bK2ZPiju7_eGO_hcXxkQzudfX2jlsUSAxPp1wMV/s320/DSCN0995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Another spot overlooking the water was very productive for Painted Turtles.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibM4C-pkXdLuykwZvxYbZ0y38FgGvcv7Hu_G_WsZqgNkSQcS8kA854RQ2xboC53hGpI9cJueine6z9TFOj_OQy_eBB7ANu6FkeFDgH7eM9e9VaFgZDno-h4H7_M5ue14hVa6zTKPfiO3IMusnTN6lop-Ic0FxNR4VjbM8q-8WGh2mOliAmBEkfLeKZ8HHq/s3977/DSCN0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2983" data-original-width="3977" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibM4C-pkXdLuykwZvxYbZ0y38FgGvcv7Hu_G_WsZqgNkSQcS8kA854RQ2xboC53hGpI9cJueine6z9TFOj_OQy_eBB7ANu6FkeFDgH7eM9e9VaFgZDno-h4H7_M5ue14hVa6zTKPfiO3IMusnTN6lop-Ic0FxNR4VjbM8q-8WGh2mOliAmBEkfLeKZ8HHq/s320/DSCN0996.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSAH5cyGWSNUnCtFhxCrB3Gq402deRQSaTrK1766TcK2ifTzw7Ey5SJsQif783gyhyg453xOz3ZSr_2csgN8UtSy0GVDjvB8dGq4Co_AELTI3Tlm2BAOOYw2KaBcpX8NTey229QJWJH6H6kjI1PHYt0ckn31polgwcDrhnVeDm5q7jgmZ22V4pCe-E7oW/s2932/DSCN0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2932" data-original-width="2199" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSAH5cyGWSNUnCtFhxCrB3Gq402deRQSaTrK1766TcK2ifTzw7Ey5SJsQif783gyhyg453xOz3ZSr_2csgN8UtSy0GVDjvB8dGq4Co_AELTI3Tlm2BAOOYw2KaBcpX8NTey229QJWJH6H6kjI1PHYt0ckn31polgwcDrhnVeDm5q7jgmZ22V4pCe-E7oW/s320/DSCN0997.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnCYdu6_K5b5oaMo6cz3pRgPCE59nsilNteMF_ijnWwGKKTvNig78x939DX72JAZiefbWIppgm5QMwa_L7tLsu7T-GAqbzpo3auTccUrRBQgBkQ1GrEXCGJDXHSmV4mCzr4YaG3qu2HDTzDG-AaaAB87CsKRpzlKZrCpZagNFS7t2aNyfIChg6yRBvlje/s3573/DSCN0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2680" data-original-width="3573" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnCYdu6_K5b5oaMo6cz3pRgPCE59nsilNteMF_ijnWwGKKTvNig78x939DX72JAZiefbWIppgm5QMwa_L7tLsu7T-GAqbzpo3auTccUrRBQgBkQ1GrEXCGJDXHSmV4mCzr4YaG3qu2HDTzDG-AaaAB87CsKRpzlKZrCpZagNFS7t2aNyfIChg6yRBvlje/s320/DSCN0998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A Red Admiral landed in front of me and begged for a photo. How could I say no?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyc-bE0Hs_L4AGvzmGSG0bNJn-3Q0yiEtCYMuKDVA3JQq8_qiBueWhniVs0mQYZ0nCmEfMOUsmIXeqk3W9Q74Gjd079Pmkk_cO0ArU5cBS52exjyFFSOa6zfKEk2oLZY_mIiqKN3pnsALoxEMpoBaJbyKQrEl9V9UqJjOaOlJKjvfxV2oVLIQidWlO-IR/s3624/DSCN1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2718" data-original-width="3624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyc-bE0Hs_L4AGvzmGSG0bNJn-3Q0yiEtCYMuKDVA3JQq8_qiBueWhniVs0mQYZ0nCmEfMOUsmIXeqk3W9Q74Gjd079Pmkk_cO0ArU5cBS52exjyFFSOa6zfKEk2oLZY_mIiqKN3pnsALoxEMpoBaJbyKQrEl9V9UqJjOaOlJKjvfxV2oVLIQidWlO-IR/s320/DSCN1001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A cool Painter.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouq9cPq-PvvJJq2YL8OVjVUjWfjFirBuPY17qAHoTwo7YMjL_QHTvX52VdEI7whfyFuSTHnvNWrOLAEcYNNmOqKOtrN9G2hsMv5dr0ch6w_P2Hp5KZ6cJgXYRzgYoW7dMaakPR1vqprvYAp-Bb13tfTGDfvoOWPgF8vn-K-aB9raWRXMPBuneUXBbDmwV/s3420/DSCN1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2565" data-original-width="3420" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouq9cPq-PvvJJq2YL8OVjVUjWfjFirBuPY17qAHoTwo7YMjL_QHTvX52VdEI7whfyFuSTHnvNWrOLAEcYNNmOqKOtrN9G2hsMv5dr0ch6w_P2Hp5KZ6cJgXYRzgYoW7dMaakPR1vqprvYAp-Bb13tfTGDfvoOWPgF8vn-K-aB9raWRXMPBuneUXBbDmwV/s320/DSCN1002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The spots that had been best for snakes in the past were right out in the scalding sun this time. Finally, in the dappled shade next to a pond, a slim Garter was spotted.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7STZPTLZIkOtp8OaF0GVMrGznuSQJlIWgKjD1t1Bveygm60PZzX8OoIqm1lX8YpeCUFWIpkXoLlYaFFyjBC62WuMQj69IhE0suQ34Tm609d5vJ_KPqwfhS1WUkejHgw88iyGReD6_8cwKTcpBRl-L836p4aC-b2k8m4MPHQlwWiC4EQX4cR9NEySt7N-_/s4608/DSCN1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7STZPTLZIkOtp8OaF0GVMrGznuSQJlIWgKjD1t1Bveygm60PZzX8OoIqm1lX8YpeCUFWIpkXoLlYaFFyjBC62WuMQj69IhE0suQ34Tm609d5vJ_KPqwfhS1WUkejHgw88iyGReD6_8cwKTcpBRl-L836p4aC-b2k8m4MPHQlwWiC4EQX4cR9NEySt7N-_/s320/DSCN1003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Down the hilly path (Andrea did <i>great</i> with just her brace on) and on to the next pond. This one is usually filled with duckweed. We noticed that, incredibly, one side of the pond was dry. Being next to a reservoir, it's possible that it had been dammed up or something. When we did get to the watery part, it was Painted Turtle Mecca.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAkhRqPuuX0bZ4lDcnYuNMPlfI62RMuXXZlXjddqqpAVBkH11TWMpeG99ZfyQ_vBCfcD-3VEAPl4hnpHUwlfdf1F3kNtAQt72MJ1EtCKE4BELcZ6wA3EpYPtaEP9tCvQ-amQGTlcUZWRYAStEFvg8VYTJPJTyOa_kxo4yi1eKyu96JcdCJK9pFLbRuKG1/s4608/DSCN1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAkhRqPuuX0bZ4lDcnYuNMPlfI62RMuXXZlXjddqqpAVBkH11TWMpeG99ZfyQ_vBCfcD-3VEAPl4hnpHUwlfdf1F3kNtAQt72MJ1EtCKE4BELcZ6wA3EpYPtaEP9tCvQ-amQGTlcUZWRYAStEFvg8VYTJPJTyOa_kxo4yi1eKyu96JcdCJK9pFLbRuKG1/s320/DSCN1005.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M2wxU7jmgfGGg4VqzuTB3p4cg0c_PhYIdSYNkbnM-MGt5lYED0zfeyKWoEAB3jcDZ8Nl-weMMR6chxZ5DMWFNJqASyXDj_e8TzgHlMS8fi6eUyQvvlypzTf9DtsOoN4Y0fVF3NJQzL7soSnr-AD5WzfacAausZNUpT9qzbTjZgShrWndrWJ1Nz1-qq9H/s3744/DSCN1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2808" data-original-width="3744" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M2wxU7jmgfGGg4VqzuTB3p4cg0c_PhYIdSYNkbnM-MGt5lYED0zfeyKWoEAB3jcDZ8Nl-weMMR6chxZ5DMWFNJqASyXDj_e8TzgHlMS8fi6eUyQvvlypzTf9DtsOoN4Y0fVF3NJQzL7soSnr-AD5WzfacAausZNUpT9qzbTjZgShrWndrWJ1Nz1-qq9H/s320/DSCN1007.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmCXwtAZEZjRsTQ1J3lgLI4QX3lECbHNyg80f6WXlc5hc9_oJKvZzXnXodLGfvvAdbogSqa1d9I7IuhIvdfSIAIJDdJdIlxhPvkcaf7woROlfltbTlz1FfIjKPemxKw10kLvKPFqvgoW1QzNHn94taNV7vJJ_taMntlKjQgLiRrC2PRNYbvzxA6ZER620/s3747/DSCN1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2811" data-original-width="3747" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmCXwtAZEZjRsTQ1J3lgLI4QX3lECbHNyg80f6WXlc5hc9_oJKvZzXnXodLGfvvAdbogSqa1d9I7IuhIvdfSIAIJDdJdIlxhPvkcaf7woROlfltbTlz1FfIjKPemxKw10kLvKPFqvgoW1QzNHn94taNV7vJJ_taMntlKjQgLiRrC2PRNYbvzxA6ZER620/s320/DSCN1008.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLX61x18Dl5UPtEDW3_rKorIHdojWFjP7W-zETToxzCQ3jj97Nb_Le13rRdT94HIlNcgwXcxW-jfORrDEJzmdNQ3uvNKXSNvPsHrFuWcoryf8er4Y5NWemwAdzg7wSYzsR7Wcue5B1GcBCqgjHLrCR-e6EPgyBdUIUVpIA7kEr9W1FPD8q4cqzx_Oi4dq/s2868/DSCN1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2151" data-original-width="2868" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLX61x18Dl5UPtEDW3_rKorIHdojWFjP7W-zETToxzCQ3jj97Nb_Le13rRdT94HIlNcgwXcxW-jfORrDEJzmdNQ3uvNKXSNvPsHrFuWcoryf8er4Y5NWemwAdzg7wSYzsR7Wcue5B1GcBCqgjHLrCR-e6EPgyBdUIUVpIA7kEr9W1FPD8q4cqzx_Oi4dq/s320/DSCN1009.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZciB-ioPWz2W2p_ZsU9K0vS8ShAWaALdSccCimsyo45lnrfKjlG6cxNuTKowLHvM7PljVMZvfNtBRuwxil_yHakivBBVlxGpfct0AMK7VDMtOmxq-ZTz3rwYYOSBT98Q7ehWeD8o8RP3Azxh3r5VXu_IokjarsoFMz7W7iefTz-2rTTbPdfOONn85FTQ/s4608/DSCN1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZciB-ioPWz2W2p_ZsU9K0vS8ShAWaALdSccCimsyo45lnrfKjlG6cxNuTKowLHvM7PljVMZvfNtBRuwxil_yHakivBBVlxGpfct0AMK7VDMtOmxq-ZTz3rwYYOSBT98Q7ehWeD8o8RP3Azxh3r5VXu_IokjarsoFMz7W7iefTz-2rTTbPdfOONn85FTQ/s320/DSCN1010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We got over to the path that overlooks the reservoir, usually a great spot for Water Snakes. The walk was mostly in the shade so we'd be comfortable as we sought <i>Nerodia</i>. We finally saw one near the end but she was a sneaky snake and I only got crap photos. (I didn't keep any of them, but hold on...) We got to the turn around point and... get this... <i>we turned around</i>! Barely starting back, we saw a large Water Snake that looked exactly like this one.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc4ScSI1IrewbYeDtkKakJtvTRczr8iV6U6CXezmsPkfaO2bnSxdooy6PzKEUSm3gVZ1V-kh5jwBErK3OmIuqGbEp6SmBJQqcSBbhGwvSLkL_lE5olIZFQXPMHfMob0Qgq9Zyn1n5IBid7BomYKgg3WpqijrCk9Ylm86LKYOu1AvAisMaOM_q824mePI4/s3201/DSCN1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2401" data-original-width="3201" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc4ScSI1IrewbYeDtkKakJtvTRczr8iV6U6CXezmsPkfaO2bnSxdooy6PzKEUSm3gVZ1V-kh5jwBErK3OmIuqGbEp6SmBJQqcSBbhGwvSLkL_lE5olIZFQXPMHfMob0Qgq9Zyn1n5IBid7BomYKgg3WpqijrCk9Ylm86LKYOu1AvAisMaOM_q824mePI4/s320/DSCN1014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Is that the same gal that I'd just struggled to get a shot of? No, <i>THIS</i> one is she! (I recognised the dirt on her face!)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3a9Gid0aPd1heJFWp12Z60D_tax2bcmE2eAh62nbr0FAInIo8xrzCth0TXd_NkYvkELOyU_fa8Alx6IrzQLVJh3XtecypwbMYxwy-HvOH7_S3RnXZ9QPlAhn1dLpkiX4D2JtyQrYA39C8VuWheUID-hfZ_yngWvKnZoWpwPTjfkNWM1WARzbaFX1_EB9/s4608/DSCN1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3a9Gid0aPd1heJFWp12Z60D_tax2bcmE2eAh62nbr0FAInIo8xrzCth0TXd_NkYvkELOyU_fa8Alx6IrzQLVJh3XtecypwbMYxwy-HvOH7_S3RnXZ9QPlAhn1dLpkiX4D2JtyQrYA39C8VuWheUID-hfZ_yngWvKnZoWpwPTjfkNWM1WARzbaFX1_EB9/s320/DSCN1017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And then, right next to her was one of the biggest Water Snakes I'd ever seen. This one was as big around as my wrist. And my wrist is big. Look at that head!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y9FJSget8ermbglXzhpfxQQmDFkv0JltJwzVJdhQNeESpY5TwftJ7D55GktzBuVJpEmMH94lnVfmpmF8iOPtkE26B8pv_DoK4Pcf953HSkrL_vKrlNIepsQ_Freoc989ZjyioaT65etoUtYiGAR7L_Yuf4DiSaEwx1hWMQCIpdaj5hR40raEXiDZu5Lt/s4608/DSCN1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y9FJSget8ermbglXzhpfxQQmDFkv0JltJwzVJdhQNeESpY5TwftJ7D55GktzBuVJpEmMH94lnVfmpmF8iOPtkE26B8pv_DoK4Pcf953HSkrL_vKrlNIepsQ_Freoc989ZjyioaT65etoUtYiGAR7L_Yuf4DiSaEwx1hWMQCIpdaj5hR40raEXiDZu5Lt/s320/DSCN1021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>^ That was a tough-assed picture to get, by the way.</div><div><br /></div><div>The, <i>right next to her</i> was <i>another</i> large Nerodia!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5vxtYGmlpMDwP2OtNI9wrRReQ_L4fpf3FDFqmDpRRSpzOMWYPlDeNC60AWjsuLTS-sooM5fAGoTuga1DmPtIYXxrDsTFLh3l76jwriFBVjCTiNugucRJZEh2fVLLKoGXNAmIWLJt1rGqUB-1HwQ2882kTj8SA0qZbTno1hyUOFeA83yzJap6U5O-zmAD/s4608/DSCN1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5vxtYGmlpMDwP2OtNI9wrRReQ_L4fpf3FDFqmDpRRSpzOMWYPlDeNC60AWjsuLTS-sooM5fAGoTuga1DmPtIYXxrDsTFLh3l76jwriFBVjCTiNugucRJZEh2fVLLKoGXNAmIWLJt1rGqUB-1HwQ2882kTj8SA0qZbTno1hyUOFeA83yzJap6U5O-zmAD/s320/DSCN1025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We had entered the Water Snake Sweepstakes and won! Four large-to-massive gals all in a row. You could back up and see all four at once. Tremendously cool.</div><div><br /></div><div>From there on, it was just a nice walk back through nature. I saw a small Wood Frog at one point that handed me my ass, as well as another Garter that did the same. We finally sat down near the water and just enjoyed watching Painted Turtles enjoying the summer with us<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsah-gbLE3KCtH2gpWjdWX25VSaZmF8QY7LPs-7I6FT9WZcqc6LdDZR1ooL60nkmAW-r9mlwnLavq3s5MPc_6HqeCUntwHnrLnBR-nnBBCV0i0mysAK8-BFG5fZf0zfYzCp8-O14cR1S6qHuNLRg7dpRBEnb16KFplxiG-IAj-N6Un5l8OOhILYPIQYkW/s3601/DSCN1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2701" data-original-width="3601" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsah-gbLE3KCtH2gpWjdWX25VSaZmF8QY7LPs-7I6FT9WZcqc6LdDZR1ooL60nkmAW-r9mlwnLavq3s5MPc_6HqeCUntwHnrLnBR-nnBBCV0i0mysAK8-BFG5fZf0zfYzCp8-O14cR1S6qHuNLRg7dpRBEnb16KFplxiG-IAj-N6Un5l8OOhILYPIQYkW/s320/DSCN1026.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsgSE2xLnsMCIMFqJrC_NusKC7foAJotjpEZy7lAEcN-MPJmw7trLf1zAdhIyIT5sOkqovTKsfW4khGQuTRk1V2XxWQa9Nz7j_yHFcJHQ4B9Z-GKftewCRpEKovyexEyWqF1afR6nkTwZkcj7SjN4C_BMCi-oUKzT47NnVhCxaK8nwnP8fkvv0S1mhp9W/s2951/DSCN1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2951" data-original-width="2213" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsgSE2xLnsMCIMFqJrC_NusKC7foAJotjpEZy7lAEcN-MPJmw7trLf1zAdhIyIT5sOkqovTKsfW4khGQuTRk1V2XxWQa9Nz7j_yHFcJHQ4B9Z-GKftewCRpEKovyexEyWqF1afR6nkTwZkcj7SjN4C_BMCi-oUKzT47NnVhCxaK8nwnP8fkvv0S1mhp9W/s320/DSCN1027.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9L1Py-jXHSkco38UOl8xO_tUweUAwH1yV89ZR9H-BX4IpDh5kheQVwqa2ipquaCmiHxJ-IM8vnmadXuTzRvVyv34QtRCLMMkFhErshAeRG1kX5hxAB7ec67U2FXSh1OSStKrg77qaMw9SKsZuO52kc1vn8jy0DF4HiFXz9PnBgPC7OLkJkWsghZ36w0A/s2854/DSCN1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2140" data-original-width="2854" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9L1Py-jXHSkco38UOl8xO_tUweUAwH1yV89ZR9H-BX4IpDh5kheQVwqa2ipquaCmiHxJ-IM8vnmadXuTzRvVyv34QtRCLMMkFhErshAeRG1kX5hxAB7ec67U2FXSh1OSStKrg77qaMw9SKsZuO52kc1vn8jy0DF4HiFXz9PnBgPC7OLkJkWsghZ36w0A/s320/DSCN1028.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeE3owbi5hmIyAo1by5xWQcTMFWT-heWsT0qlhqaZlEksLim50Zt78R-X04GuEF-YEqJeIpp4SQeoe_6s_kqExa4UuGvtRiGXHI9B0Tv9DoSroOvG92nmvclrgj9ss7g6N-EV9S_bhlA-FskxEVEFznRCHZNHRFw0sUUzJjyPlihMW1Sxur2G8IoBWRuI/s4608/DSCN1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeE3owbi5hmIyAo1by5xWQcTMFWT-heWsT0qlhqaZlEksLim50Zt78R-X04GuEF-YEqJeIpp4SQeoe_6s_kqExa4UuGvtRiGXHI9B0Tv9DoSroOvG92nmvclrgj9ss7g6N-EV9S_bhlA-FskxEVEFznRCHZNHRFw0sUUzJjyPlihMW1Sxur2G8IoBWRuI/s320/DSCN1029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Noggins.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVHjAmCHFAUC8vgYrQPbUa_UqF7sZVQbUOpwBgwpE85IKxu0wER50nTSCfkc9F70kzvqeWyAvRx_wDEZlOjKhEiun3fDQ1rt1FB98USu4_pgwNATwWgx6oFy_NI4gG4pm1B36iyQHA6S-uiOpiKjIL-tlvuFg8xHhVJyuWnBCJINAq6YU6Oo7Botiiuii/s2349/DSCN1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2349" data-original-width="1762" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVHjAmCHFAUC8vgYrQPbUa_UqF7sZVQbUOpwBgwpE85IKxu0wER50nTSCfkc9F70kzvqeWyAvRx_wDEZlOjKhEiun3fDQ1rt1FB98USu4_pgwNATwWgx6oFy_NI4gG4pm1B36iyQHA6S-uiOpiKjIL-tlvuFg8xHhVJyuWnBCJINAq6YU6Oo7Botiiuii/s320/DSCN1031.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrCPqWqvRtnkjGIjxiWiMpCHKk6yNBa_VyzFoHB531eBqqYZZPCjeOpnZHa34zdMi_VK3tCs3lZowTdM27IDRknDOTt4mNYDMelDKrd43Yb4fM2pFaByETyKBLgOYO_jCurnbGGc9cQ665nSlmtQcJRWaT8r1DwGvaAl8L3Ub2ykWziPiZCBTUilA42N8/s2488/DSCN1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="2488" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrCPqWqvRtnkjGIjxiWiMpCHKk6yNBa_VyzFoHB531eBqqYZZPCjeOpnZHa34zdMi_VK3tCs3lZowTdM27IDRknDOTt4mNYDMelDKrd43Yb4fM2pFaByETyKBLgOYO_jCurnbGGc9cQ665nSlmtQcJRWaT8r1DwGvaAl8L3Ub2ykWziPiZCBTUilA42N8/s320/DSCN1032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And that is how the day ended. We got ice cream afterwards. I got Peach and Andrea, naturally, got Totally Turtle.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-71481784865899121502023-07-23T14:54:00.000-07:002023-07-23T14:54:14.469-07:00A Visit to the Magic Tree. 7-15-2023We had plans to visit the summer Brimfield antique show that weekend. Attending that show always puts us in range to visit the Magic Tree, home of the easiest Rat Snakes to see in the state. We rarely fail to see at least one (though, we <i>have</i> failed...) It was going to be hot, hot... hotter than hell that Saturday so we left nice n' early and got to the park in Hampden County a bit before 9 AM. Of course, Andrea's foot was going to keep us moving slow, but that gave us more time to look closely.<br /><br />Sadly, the Tree is falling apart. You can see right into it. I don't think it will last much longer. We didn't see any of our target snakes, either. Hopefully, they'll find a new place to nest because that tree will be kaput in a year or two. We went searching for schnickles elsewhere and found a small Garter in a tarp.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHpsoNV17EV12qCqQal6KwG14LdwvuHaYD5L5_KcucDsHgKPRY1uk_OEStPcTeeNqbARWOdBCIFXZoCmS4wYR2SS9Ob92YEODjQa8z31LYXOnHqhI-NuSgMVQGZsvH7FI3KY4_n2hna1-i_6AkvdElGBNuQXe6j0RCtrXPYDXTGJL-TZbLpF0lkjmwGxS/s2293/DSCN0952.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHpsoNV17EV12qCqQal6KwG14LdwvuHaYD5L5_KcucDsHgKPRY1uk_OEStPcTeeNqbARWOdBCIFXZoCmS4wYR2SS9Ob92YEODjQa8z31LYXOnHqhI-NuSgMVQGZsvH7FI3KY4_n2hna1-i_6AkvdElGBNuQXe6j0RCtrXPYDXTGJL-TZbLpF0lkjmwGxS/s320/DSCN0952.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Getting down to a good flipping spot proved tough but not impossible for Andrea. That's good, because we found a Milk down there. In the blue and ready to shed, he did not appreciate us bothering him for a photo. Sorry, dude.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjaXqGZTWaeMQeSbii43yJ8_4q-NbnvyAMeNdyadmTzaCrCIW-UitiPMN5z49BIqDcaDnSjA03TDeyWdQUJ8ItEOIMdk7Q6Y4_cJLGpFNq5BxfxqTQeEb-NVEP-uBId8t_EUqbCHoYWkZWD7fV2zx9sU1otnDmbRtct0_ciKJYieJ-Y0wWoXPha6yrn2d/s3841/DSCN0956.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjaXqGZTWaeMQeSbii43yJ8_4q-NbnvyAMeNdyadmTzaCrCIW-UitiPMN5z49BIqDcaDnSjA03TDeyWdQUJ8ItEOIMdk7Q6Y4_cJLGpFNq5BxfxqTQeEb-NVEP-uBId8t_EUqbCHoYWkZWD7fV2zx9sU1otnDmbRtct0_ciKJYieJ-Y0wWoXPha6yrn2d/s320/DSCN0956.JPG" /></a><br /><br />While we were fussing with ther Milk, a Green Darner expressed an interest in Andrea's water bottle.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO27s4WFGKJom7-b6geDGwh_66b1HhWwp7b8przMETN8_uay8iFixDElN_FxXSocsagOdb-mIEIHIw9QZV6ujhaQHSrj4PGgMfyGet4iXa6LMkwh0Qz9CLwDy5SCULVGJpnvYp66Vamq1EQGJLVoLoqSkbOZx13ab1YcLLXmrx5EmLffi8Lm9cZ7q31oix/s3959/DSCN0957.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO27s4WFGKJom7-b6geDGwh_66b1HhWwp7b8przMETN8_uay8iFixDElN_FxXSocsagOdb-mIEIHIw9QZV6ujhaQHSrj4PGgMfyGet4iXa6LMkwh0Qz9CLwDy5SCULVGJpnvYp66Vamq1EQGJLVoLoqSkbOZx13ab1YcLLXmrx5EmLffi8Lm9cZ7q31oix/s320/DSCN0957.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Not long after that, we saw a female Widow Skimmer. Very lovely she is.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yl8sP_lFFUNAVi7NWs7Ie5oIDR6ax5PlcqYmvbs0Z5YJ-IdxzRDBNSwBp2Rj6ljeFxgAn-K0IyNeSGkg8INtTlp-MPqQc_b_EMqQQVGa-H2v0OfxkJjETmXA8Kgw0f5qMZKJen819sFAy53Gop0A3ppbU2qjxgcSMaaAWWMaSytYYGyrEFV2Ef_AIA-0/s3175/DSCN0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2381" data-original-width="3175" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yl8sP_lFFUNAVi7NWs7Ie5oIDR6ax5PlcqYmvbs0Z5YJ-IdxzRDBNSwBp2Rj6ljeFxgAn-K0IyNeSGkg8INtTlp-MPqQc_b_EMqQQVGa-H2v0OfxkJjETmXA8Kgw0f5qMZKJen819sFAy53Gop0A3ppbU2qjxgcSMaaAWWMaSytYYGyrEFV2Ef_AIA-0/s320/DSCN0959.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I peeked under a log thinking of salamanders and a little Garter face peered out at me. I carefully lifted the whole log and got him out for a picture. Think he calmed down? No... I'm holding his tail for a faux "in situ" shot.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO8WhrOT-osHMaTU201R34fTYeGc7hovYFsRzPlnZ1bonCKiCZzPxhgE8EIJ8EG1IyKINvqUqObO4zr0hzPDv6psT7Rd0eDzzyHQo5sKphOW1tdLAY1_tpEp6L9iE1gk3JknwSLAV7fUdXgGyCaI3_Srsgswyvn-09acGAF8CCRzRtVioTgRVEYSbdnUI/s3698/DSCN0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2774" data-original-width="3698" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO8WhrOT-osHMaTU201R34fTYeGc7hovYFsRzPlnZ1bonCKiCZzPxhgE8EIJ8EG1IyKINvqUqObO4zr0hzPDv6psT7Rd0eDzzyHQo5sKphOW1tdLAY1_tpEp6L9iE1gk3JknwSLAV7fUdXgGyCaI3_Srsgswyvn-09acGAF8CCRzRtVioTgRVEYSbdnUI/s320/DSCN0960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Down by the swampy area, the water was covered with duck weed. Some of the resident Painted Turtles were piled comically high with it!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUcSgY4DqbS6LNhlkoE55st1UOXZz3xhC1JlIA01g_ZHk4Wvh8n3FZSMWAq8hXG-7ttCQwre5ZoDuIhXQ1HrOiKzghm70lgvKlVELmCCUW1WHohPASQILD9lVvTmnDkCGYqWbC8bzGC6p8AB84594i_FxzLb4BJda2KaMoLVkpgklxOwfcQg5NFwShiTj/s3607/DSCN0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2705" data-original-width="3607" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUcSgY4DqbS6LNhlkoE55st1UOXZz3xhC1JlIA01g_ZHk4Wvh8n3FZSMWAq8hXG-7ttCQwre5ZoDuIhXQ1HrOiKzghm70lgvKlVELmCCUW1WHohPASQILD9lVvTmnDkCGYqWbC8bzGC6p8AB84594i_FxzLb4BJda2KaMoLVkpgklxOwfcQg5NFwShiTj/s320/DSCN0962.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT5ZPTjt0-SXZkD5dc_XexlvPN-NykCMbuO_r-zVfG2GjN5vPjkHMfl_oJct6mW0Tg84Bd6cv3p3B6RcMKkWY1ec_qrnP6H3xiJ4sXPr0ujFr02YKjGH9Ihy-uDI-uaQHQF6ZMeBw1Pc0jEK2YyZZCCfbilFhsH2OAWQNereBKUglWhmwgWPdhu0CopZn/s1967/DSCN0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1967" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT5ZPTjt0-SXZkD5dc_XexlvPN-NykCMbuO_r-zVfG2GjN5vPjkHMfl_oJct6mW0Tg84Bd6cv3p3B6RcMKkWY1ec_qrnP6H3xiJ4sXPr0ujFr02YKjGH9Ihy-uDI-uaQHQF6ZMeBw1Pc0jEK2YyZZCCfbilFhsH2OAWQNereBKUglWhmwgWPdhu0CopZn/s320/DSCN0963.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHW9CCbDJTl9AGTH1PsopvPlCV8SAkz-3i8DjedyMX4bzBVnPw91vPLq6Y6DIb64DW_VCPlORSVAFt3eoBret0CU_U3ufUhWLKbgyT-j1NHdsHwgZXgKaxPozyZvhA-gWAx6IyHxiEDf7qs66WxVgZKGhjYg4qaoyidrgbK17wnk3g3XrjjTMj7h9Xe9X/s3021/DSCN0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2266" data-original-width="3021" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHW9CCbDJTl9AGTH1PsopvPlCV8SAkz-3i8DjedyMX4bzBVnPw91vPLq6Y6DIb64DW_VCPlORSVAFt3eoBret0CU_U3ufUhWLKbgyT-j1NHdsHwgZXgKaxPozyZvhA-gWAx6IyHxiEDf7qs66WxVgZKGhjYg4qaoyidrgbK17wnk3g3XrjjTMj7h9Xe9X/s320/DSCN0967.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9z-5WWVYWLZ-EpADN9OA5io4eOgDM-xTdKTq-rG4f6fbQClSuP81yVpsQUrscSajJKuh5b7mp4teQ8iom7udKuhFVf8pzZ_36iJRgZFtNjAdku3L5HOPRalT0rTU9nF8ZjGCiIDaJIh0CqSoaHfRlTIBMxjG7fwz60qadGBcgyqpHZvWYil3Fm8qKtYK/s3686/DSCN0968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2765" data-original-width="3686" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9z-5WWVYWLZ-EpADN9OA5io4eOgDM-xTdKTq-rG4f6fbQClSuP81yVpsQUrscSajJKuh5b7mp4teQ8iom7udKuhFVf8pzZ_36iJRgZFtNjAdku3L5HOPRalT0rTU9nF8ZjGCiIDaJIh0CqSoaHfRlTIBMxjG7fwz60qadGBcgyqpHZvWYil3Fm8qKtYK/s320/DSCN0968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We checked the Tree a couple more times but it remained empty. It was super hot and humid already so we weren't surprised. We <i> were</i> however surprised by this tiny 3/4" long Peeper.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmIJc58tmnT9tR4s9N1qI9I1kSvMsfa2pWSNetpeZk0bnjc-OlZBjDY08a7bP_5Y5D41t2XlHDsBOMXe0Ucdg2FqD5lkiERdbFbefnq4l3Ub3dnmbz3FZYtKfZYkHCwzo_sTjxqHZSCZMksNylip4UWmqVSg3grhE6neTbo_djmbhlBX1MtUSDP_CnHb8/s2548/DSCN0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2548" data-original-width="1911" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmIJc58tmnT9tR4s9N1qI9I1kSvMsfa2pWSNetpeZk0bnjc-OlZBjDY08a7bP_5Y5D41t2XlHDsBOMXe0Ucdg2FqD5lkiERdbFbefnq4l3Ub3dnmbz3FZYtKfZYkHCwzo_sTjxqHZSCZMksNylip4UWmqVSg3grhE6neTbo_djmbhlBX1MtUSDP_CnHb8/s320/DSCN0970.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Keeping it short, we headed back to the parking area. While Andrea powdered her nose, I went back to the tarp area to flip a few things, even though we just had an hour and a half earlier. A big metal sign had a good sized Garter under it now, along with whatever meal was in her belly.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvWq1LQOQZP8MswQKpcxvZhvI8qUL7BE0C11ODZq3bRpsV49fpEFCgBIIefWZtrpxvjpSpo8dEJnwrSeaexaNq0U4LscnPzCaO7EhWlx2xghL1g-ZG7nn-2aouhj1FW2wTIpvizvxy4SQ8RTS9_ifsWXo0DUeVcwmXsegRAHXveXBXqQO_yarD9V_hX9q/s4081/DSCN0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3061" data-original-width="4081" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvWq1LQOQZP8MswQKpcxvZhvI8qUL7BE0C11ODZq3bRpsV49fpEFCgBIIefWZtrpxvjpSpo8dEJnwrSeaexaNq0U4LscnPzCaO7EhWlx2xghL1g-ZG7nn-2aouhj1FW2wTIpvizvxy4SQ8RTS9_ifsWXo0DUeVcwmXsegRAHXveXBXqQO_yarD9V_hX9q/s320/DSCN0972.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Further inspection under the tarp revealed a big Ringneck coiled up on a discarded metal frame.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnhTo0dJS01r2cr5vfB18P5rZwEWNn3kjP9CSA0KuoGvL0kr_t14nLgfqaD_rwZRju66MIDHLdpCkIGLl-DEXMKvHRKn885CP8cKpn5oc8621caapzjrUyPQ7W4JA2FYLIJ7uF1MBTDo0mzc5feG7NfnBrspoqVx_-wIl6DwAb2S0QwlAQ62viuvnEhd7/s3505/DSCN0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2629" data-original-width="3505" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnhTo0dJS01r2cr5vfB18P5rZwEWNn3kjP9CSA0KuoGvL0kr_t14nLgfqaD_rwZRju66MIDHLdpCkIGLl-DEXMKvHRKn885CP8cKpn5oc8621caapzjrUyPQ7W4JA2FYLIJ7uF1MBTDo0mzc5feG7NfnBrspoqVx_-wIl6DwAb2S0QwlAQ62viuvnEhd7/s320/DSCN0973.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Rather than walk on Andrea's ankle, we drove out, but stopped just after the water area that runs along the side of the entry road. We were rewarded with a trio of clean Painters.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPpgA2F6lUkrCu9h8I-7Gv7ZYxunmug_tTGjFHw4OnvHt4zOZ8nVffLxjlWRxkmZZTM1g10rfaNeuHWFGHTSdJXuK_E2U27WPdWY4Q5fO0ZrI6pASOEmNT2JxT6c21GfFK9F84tycJfJLqwrK_euWdXUKJugQ9w8N71LaYgtJnbEKvfKBH5zNAMIiN5hZ/s4608/DSCN0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPpgA2F6lUkrCu9h8I-7Gv7ZYxunmug_tTGjFHw4OnvHt4zOZ8nVffLxjlWRxkmZZTM1g10rfaNeuHWFGHTSdJXuK_E2U27WPdWY4Q5fO0ZrI6pASOEmNT2JxT6c21GfFK9F84tycJfJLqwrK_euWdXUKJugQ9w8N71LaYgtJnbEKvfKBH5zNAMIiN5hZ/s320/DSCN0974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These guys had a more secluded spot about 40 feet from the road.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVaj-2x3BUG8l9XKRIblVd7pnQojWpLF1S8WH7xanymZbqmBTTL-LOnBc5EO6RVJ8uKkcFrF3mB9IOHT2-PiUZNUvnuvrEMGobm5fDyq_1dS88w4T3J07wPxZfKa9WaNYhqAPLmRRXF_KSrTSbWWI_NVDXnRF5eBKtIQi-8OY9Yl1WQZNy7eg-GCg9Y1F/s4608/DSCN0975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVaj-2x3BUG8l9XKRIblVd7pnQojWpLF1S8WH7xanymZbqmBTTL-LOnBc5EO6RVJ8uKkcFrF3mB9IOHT2-PiUZNUvnuvrEMGobm5fDyq_1dS88w4T3J07wPxZfKa9WaNYhqAPLmRRXF_KSrTSbWWI_NVDXnRF5eBKtIQi-8OY9Yl1WQZNy7eg-GCg9Y1F/s320/DSCN0975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We drove up a boat launch road to see what it looked like, but turned right back around. It was, oddly enough, just a boat launch. There was a big mud puddle near the entrance that we stopped to look at. This small Green Frog had the whole thing to himself.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7owfrASWRqEJKwKCpfVbtM2xRBAUW1dicy3JecMxcAjqR-xR7C3UsYHxav2iHQa4fU_zPnElbsSXJEnTWJjgjfVYGGpQg2D2Nj-KQb_KIkAXRw1959Yj3uvljiLirRHAxpV0Gjqf_Kmm_gwEljnmEB9MRr4r_xB_j6woWAZ0ZZISNHZ09hrPuGcLgywMz/s2195/DSCN0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1646" data-original-width="2195" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7owfrASWRqEJKwKCpfVbtM2xRBAUW1dicy3JecMxcAjqR-xR7C3UsYHxav2iHQa4fU_zPnElbsSXJEnTWJjgjfVYGGpQg2D2Nj-KQb_KIkAXRw1959Yj3uvljiLirRHAxpV0Gjqf_Kmm_gwEljnmEB9MRr4r_xB_j6woWAZ0ZZISNHZ09hrPuGcLgywMz/s320/DSCN0978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We'd heard them playing their banjos around the swampy area so it was nice to get our eyes on this fellow.<div><br /></div><div>And that was that. We went off to Brimfield from there, got overheated (I spent $12 on lemonade) and found a few things to bring home. A good day was had by both of us but even <i>my</i> feet were sore. Andrea was a champ and deserved a good lay-down when we got home.<br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-1041675483595896372023-07-14T06:38:00.003-07:002023-07-14T06:41:30.068-07:00What We Did Over Our Summer Vacation. 7-3 through 7-9<p> We both had the week of the Fourth of July off. Of course, we wanted to get a few hikes in but we also had a lot to do around the house, so we sought to choose our hikes wisely. Easier said than done. The week started out cool and rainy. Monday, the 3rd, was supposed to show signs of improving, so we tried a brand new place, an Audubon spot in Middlesex County that looked really good for turtles.</p><p>Of course, we got there very early and it was very cool and still drizzling.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnCPx-3anwWYhMrYq7wp4hvhj18-R0Ggq2dC6miRwcWnheaNDgKVPZdkYZ06plz_PLgXIJO-PLi4NwT-RtIBAzU1Y9RAX4_lGL6vm1Gv0zZs2AYd5Qe_tifads-dUnvPfVeV8QmtkNBDCo67ezKvKgRwnyCsDihNNq7wdf4xXNfTl5xn-3LwrzncD3Hh_/s4471/DSCN0879.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3354" data-original-width="4471" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnCPx-3anwWYhMrYq7wp4hvhj18-R0Ggq2dC6miRwcWnheaNDgKVPZdkYZ06plz_PLgXIJO-PLi4NwT-RtIBAzU1Y9RAX4_lGL6vm1Gv0zZs2AYd5Qe_tifads-dUnvPfVeV8QmtkNBDCo67ezKvKgRwnyCsDihNNq7wdf4xXNfTl5xn-3LwrzncD3Hh_/s320/DSCN0879.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>I saw a deer next to the pond and a low-to-the-ground mammal (beaver?) hurrying through the brush, but I had my camera under my shirt for rain reasons and could not procure a photo. I was quick enough to get this Eastern Cottontail, though. It was one of three we saw there.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozhm86bxrYhfLKMuTQbB69jT3KXpm0l9zkKaFRYnRRtaTaRlfY6_d1VmJFN_yKRhEDAd4pQjferPwoTad8K1QPj5hQbGiuHJ87HLDHA6HOxSHPW37xtRIdzZZ-I734SCGY9xIJohcKVYVJ4PfuKYm9r_Xd8mEwWY6Lz0dDZKsdimrL5XAYLhlUYyzzhqZ/s3100/DSCN0881.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2325" data-original-width="3100" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozhm86bxrYhfLKMuTQbB69jT3KXpm0l9zkKaFRYnRRtaTaRlfY6_d1VmJFN_yKRhEDAd4pQjferPwoTad8K1QPj5hQbGiuHJ87HLDHA6HOxSHPW37xtRIdzZZ-I734SCGY9xIJohcKVYVJ4PfuKYm9r_Xd8mEwWY6Lz0dDZKsdimrL5XAYLhlUYyzzhqZ/s320/DSCN0881.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>It was a very nice place but boy, did we ever pick the wrong time. We will visit it again under better conditions.</p><p>From there, we drove a few miles to check out a nearby State Park. $8 parking didn't deter us and we headed toward the beach. A dcr guy said "it's windy and wet". We figured that out.</p><p>But we got off to a nice start with a Pickerel Frog in the grass.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4mg68AeKPTN_FCui7J6Qdbtk_JZe2ug0KYaP4zRaUsPHdWTKkDkOI1fPY-wcPJ6JTTzkwOyDlKn5yXBDY2bZaFVfySqfJgHrGdN63qGOIFutkCDrkVy6yTr3E8QsuP-h-uoiCRE-0UzVcgDDmY6Z5EY9I5OUJsVmRoM9-epYaCuxUS2vz3xrv47qwQ1f/s2866/DSCN0882.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2149" data-original-width="2866" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4mg68AeKPTN_FCui7J6Qdbtk_JZe2ug0KYaP4zRaUsPHdWTKkDkOI1fPY-wcPJ6JTTzkwOyDlKn5yXBDY2bZaFVfySqfJgHrGdN63qGOIFutkCDrkVy6yTr3E8QsuP-h-uoiCRE-0UzVcgDDmY6Z5EY9I5OUJsVmRoM9-epYaCuxUS2vz3xrv47qwQ1f/s320/DSCN0882.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>We walked through the woods with a big, open dam area in our sights. It was nice up there, reminiscent of many other places that we enjoy. I startled a large Water Snake who had just come up top to bask. She slid into the water before I could document her. Finally got her.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVRFHfCSFbC6cD22HrvXMpfEJQ-f8SjEAOecytK4jgwzlF6J7QNS4DVpS3SSkE6EgDDKaKI7zZZ4mQ-4ub8A3plkPN_Vpstrg6NZuiKvC2_uuS0XgEhIwKwJ7t9BJG4LzSFh4Kvw_PFnMXsbHm3MIYpYyPb7n6aQaWG-xUWA3YXYCxCmI1K1vsi4lCBPA/s3368/DSCN0887.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2526" data-original-width="3368" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVRFHfCSFbC6cD22HrvXMpfEJQ-f8SjEAOecytK4jgwzlF6J7QNS4DVpS3SSkE6EgDDKaKI7zZZ4mQ-4ub8A3plkPN_Vpstrg6NZuiKvC2_uuS0XgEhIwKwJ7t9BJG4LzSFh4Kvw_PFnMXsbHm3MIYpYyPb7n6aQaWG-xUWA3YXYCxCmI1K1vsi4lCBPA/s320/DSCN0887.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><div>There was a lot of Common Mullein growing up there, which kept the Bumblebees happy.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsqr4eW61rXEKqqwbl7c35_ryZdjmcrhDa4UmMIxFDtswqkhUx-C82cZ9XBG6Ov7O45ByLJ9-4xA57kejq0sU7BFY9ylHU-4GL3mqeyGUv8vkz2_EKcgXPzxId0zCPbZf2Wj63SfhQOFWSApC7UAd8vAfnlZzYEKXOt7YBuoqyMyxusAnvDMybITo9a48/s4608/DSCN0888.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsqr4eW61rXEKqqwbl7c35_ryZdjmcrhDa4UmMIxFDtswqkhUx-C82cZ9XBG6Ov7O45ByLJ9-4xA57kejq0sU7BFY9ylHU-4GL3mqeyGUv8vkz2_EKcgXPzxId0zCPbZf2Wj63SfhQOFWSApC7UAd8vAfnlZzYEKXOt7YBuoqyMyxusAnvDMybITo9a48/s320/DSCN0888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>At the end of the dam area (at the dam-proper), Rough-winged Swallows were flitting all over the place. We sat and rested for a while watching them. One finally landed for our #73 bird on the year.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG-pymdnlu8n9Pu7qmniAufMKV7DJkhrFVwFpGbVGld2wlmXjW0oOzdiC7Lt1IVoWQcdL6FGnJppAK8VBRIHhHZtrHLQ8vQRj7bzXgVlkKSk3F8fjMMJL-I0BI8oAXyA1_V53Udor9mujo6CkgBuZcrQm2n5XpaIvq0PcNL_lqRsizKFJtEdJoZZgs184/s2947/DSCN0894.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2210" data-original-width="2947" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG-pymdnlu8n9Pu7qmniAufMKV7DJkhrFVwFpGbVGld2wlmXjW0oOzdiC7Lt1IVoWQcdL6FGnJppAK8VBRIHhHZtrHLQ8vQRj7bzXgVlkKSk3F8fjMMJL-I0BI8oAXyA1_V53Udor9mujo6CkgBuZcrQm2n5XpaIvq0PcNL_lqRsizKFJtEdJoZZgs184/s320/DSCN0894.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This was our view from our sitting spot. Not too shabby.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxNJLUKoBVYb8X6nPOUiF6WLGmqjM-x7g6s-jolFxPJht1vEWmwE7JkF_YfRPR5ZqpdxC41saf4jilzB2t5elfmmQS6bYLZGGsL0tOjUyzC0yj496gQsCPmx7kL5s1KfoG-X1DPHkLtsFXCXe0USnNLBPk1-Rp2z46Pqvk5vsWMtYeXxLDbHnBfPvXxl8/s4459/DSCN0895.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3222" data-original-width="4459" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxNJLUKoBVYb8X6nPOUiF6WLGmqjM-x7g6s-jolFxPJht1vEWmwE7JkF_YfRPR5ZqpdxC41saf4jilzB2t5elfmmQS6bYLZGGsL0tOjUyzC0yj496gQsCPmx7kL5s1KfoG-X1DPHkLtsFXCXe0USnNLBPk1-Rp2z46Pqvk5vsWMtYeXxLDbHnBfPvXxl8/s320/DSCN0895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>As we walked back, we started to notice numerous Water Snakes popping their heads out of the rocks along the raised walkway. Most of them were too quick for my fumbling fingers but I got a shot of one more.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iAEt_DD2lDmPJ1vrpuJFKubMt_hLYOVnGkXEEFc3BWLVSLQkqCbqOsX3bznxgILEtZQsZs8SB_s5AbXVo2tUvSAaAkTNDfTkP6zUGVMIXo9RNPKKjCo5RNLT5kqvPGSXJ-mpJpSvRcrMDULvRsXaT3CMnIirmVJz4tKxIwZo8oxoxZk3egFc4T_UJqyK/s2955/DSCN0896.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="2216" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iAEt_DD2lDmPJ1vrpuJFKubMt_hLYOVnGkXEEFc3BWLVSLQkqCbqOsX3bznxgILEtZQsZs8SB_s5AbXVo2tUvSAaAkTNDfTkP6zUGVMIXo9RNPKKjCo5RNLT5kqvPGSXJ-mpJpSvRcrMDULvRsXaT3CMnIirmVJz4tKxIwZo8oxoxZk3egFc4T_UJqyK/s320/DSCN0896.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That was our first hike of the week. Not gangbusters, but two brand new spots that we enjoyed.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the 4th of July, we walked around a local Norfolk County pond for the first time. We enjoyed it but the only animal we saw was one small Painted Turtle over the few miles of hiking. It was super hot.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAQXkki4idq4uzTHZrDtzEB1ZwHyOlg_XbOe4iSyMY8-T7Aliy8-93hOXz24w1AolnIwQPRCL9s5fhFcJlAE2ZEnq1gBbbbhKu-AXo1dWtuaIdTa0Errk5BF8iEGzNMQ5C4a_AjrqHTifp6_n5jihtQ990ABu5M7sXHzhP2cCiaVsni8CBkImks14wUwk/s4608/2023-07-04%20Cutler.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAQXkki4idq4uzTHZrDtzEB1ZwHyOlg_XbOe4iSyMY8-T7Aliy8-93hOXz24w1AolnIwQPRCL9s5fhFcJlAE2ZEnq1gBbbbhKu-AXo1dWtuaIdTa0Errk5BF8iEGzNMQ5C4a_AjrqHTifp6_n5jihtQ990ABu5M7sXHzhP2cCiaVsni8CBkImks14wUwk/s320/2023-07-04%20Cutler.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Still, worth the effort.</div><div><br /></div><div>We didn't get out again until Friday the 7th. We'd had a few walks planned but slept right through our "must leave by" times. It was incredibly hot so it's leave early, or forget it. We forgot it.</div><div><br /></div><div>We'd hoped to hook up with our friend Box Turtle Tim and hit the Cape but he had to work all week so we ventured to the Cape on our own on Friday, leaving very early and arriving in Tim's turtle field by 8:30 AM. With scale, tape measure and Box Turtle forms, we were ready to gather some data for Tim. Except it was already well into the 80s and we were soaked with sweat at the word go. We didn't see any Boxies, but we did see a nice Fowler's Toad in his woods.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPT2tlyvhoCml_Ssp1KJQm6C91wBQ8H-x9EkBYep3gtNTueeRtojjswCxRxJpkcwKJwuwBsoOa4z58PiUPboIvATLZ5ZC7B5p9nx5KiFy6B6oy7ucZP8bRvYrInRYj8KxhW2l72wj2dCyoBUB2rcs12X-i1rK5gmskpq8G_7ATBvzN7PAnleq7Axllzt_/s4608/DSCN0905.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPT2tlyvhoCml_Ssp1KJQm6C91wBQ8H-x9EkBYep3gtNTueeRtojjswCxRxJpkcwKJwuwBsoOa4z58PiUPboIvATLZ5ZC7B5p9nx5KiFy6B6oy7ucZP8bRvYrInRYj8KxhW2l72wj2dCyoBUB2rcs12X-i1rK5gmskpq8G_7ATBvzN7PAnleq7Axllzt_/s320/DSCN0905.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Looking around the area, we realized that we hadn't been to this sanctuary in the daytime since the pandemic. A lot of things had changed, but apparently, it was for the better. A lot of Bullfrogs were enjoying a man-made pool that hadn't been there the last time we were.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpsX7s8tlmJg37P8W7yTOKtlmacGkR7iNDvVB8z_cEJx6cSqONaJxleAKGDAtlkblLkXuHCQTOR3hkG3V_PYO7ftr3RYDLXx6Z5BbBD_X-NeSUKXuJ5My_PTRCfQosqk-3UVWTaKE1icvfaMYJbuHwJhathhsbA4TmuVHjKcr5u4lawablFlvyWycmkAq/s3394/DSCN0906.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2546" data-original-width="3394" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpsX7s8tlmJg37P8W7yTOKtlmacGkR7iNDvVB8z_cEJx6cSqONaJxleAKGDAtlkblLkXuHCQTOR3hkG3V_PYO7ftr3RYDLXx6Z5BbBD_X-NeSUKXuJ5My_PTRCfQosqk-3UVWTaKE1icvfaMYJbuHwJhathhsbA4TmuVHjKcr5u4lawablFlvyWycmkAq/s320/DSCN0906.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdTmNjjSU1jdtF9AImmlmZM04mkhqrBZKD8sMiTmTQ0IAukZnpva19LeN_R9x4gnCXBeVFIvLtPPx-tKgwN83w3kI3PQLBBrnvy8g_Lxji78MC4Dk0J1GtGI_iMU1ihcSuKaz96zs-ZGEwwPEhj1GYfIBL9_kr2BLIbTzKTJsRS5wcKmzkKyEUjTMIAGv/s3399/DSCN0908.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2549" data-original-width="3399" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdTmNjjSU1jdtF9AImmlmZM04mkhqrBZKD8sMiTmTQ0IAukZnpva19LeN_R9x4gnCXBeVFIvLtPPx-tKgwN83w3kI3PQLBBrnvy8g_Lxji78MC4Dk0J1GtGI_iMU1ihcSuKaz96zs-ZGEwwPEhj1GYfIBL9_kr2BLIbTzKTJsRS5wcKmzkKyEUjTMIAGv/s320/DSCN0908.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRvCKe79n7eZvljLTzrQ-wRVv9PUk_kuXtlL-DnDoLSLrhZPanc5VBSlCsuT2Psk06m7cxzpCM9mJne9s-y8hKJDaYcWubSkcoC-FaF06SoJdmXaSv5uW6ACNh_uzp0xHxIOlr6jkre4bQTTol-gyhI3O3oOpf8t4J2wFcL-HnOipMGvR9JxHMva-UeOX/s2743/DSCN0910.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2057" data-original-width="2743" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRvCKe79n7eZvljLTzrQ-wRVv9PUk_kuXtlL-DnDoLSLrhZPanc5VBSlCsuT2Psk06m7cxzpCM9mJne9s-y8hKJDaYcWubSkcoC-FaF06SoJdmXaSv5uW6ACNh_uzp0xHxIOlr6jkre4bQTTol-gyhI3O3oOpf8t4J2wFcL-HnOipMGvR9JxHMva-UeOX/s320/DSCN0910.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There was a Painted Turtle in there too, basking secretly.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHprfiPpRMH730HXsoLWJCfLA5GQFySrRCzJyyWDI2HILQhQvLswoF2W1NSTsNTIVGSyl53Q9czNwUqDgTPv4-cmBnZmzpr-y5VofWeEcZQL4WmAwgnieaRAuvuQoT5JEWMhuUziG5WJI7kySYx7TD-ktAFQtROBuMn9F9JELYK3DTJEiPpJ44LzPqv0ur/s3209/DSCN0911.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="3209" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHprfiPpRMH730HXsoLWJCfLA5GQFySrRCzJyyWDI2HILQhQvLswoF2W1NSTsNTIVGSyl53Q9czNwUqDgTPv4-cmBnZmzpr-y5VofWeEcZQL4WmAwgnieaRAuvuQoT5JEWMhuUziG5WJI7kySYx7TD-ktAFQtROBuMn9F9JELYK3DTJEiPpJ44LzPqv0ur/s320/DSCN0911.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Since we'd failed on Box Turtles, we hit the trails towards the beaches in hopes of seeing a Diamondback Terrapin, a species we'd missed the past few years. We passed a freshwater pond with a couple more Painters up basking.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20RAofwhaPf21LtPyGgFwAnd2lBaGiqYC8CImAI7ZrhcfwXVyNAmPCcpxaMzymCnyUh-Aui2lxrXFi6_deW0yOfE1lp2ZpTUbBgNHaspSKOtTg0Kb75Lmm1OMSYd3u9Xs0-HJMoNSVllWl5ItsF2P2X8zk64jQ_ckweTo-0Tc3QzO31QFCaZsYBUnrq5x/s3513/DSCN0912.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2635" data-original-width="3513" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20RAofwhaPf21LtPyGgFwAnd2lBaGiqYC8CImAI7ZrhcfwXVyNAmPCcpxaMzymCnyUh-Aui2lxrXFi6_deW0yOfE1lp2ZpTUbBgNHaspSKOtTg0Kb75Lmm1OMSYd3u9Xs0-HJMoNSVllWl5ItsF2P2X8zk64jQ_ckweTo-0Tc3QzO31QFCaZsYBUnrq5x/s320/DSCN0912.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Along the trail, we encountered this horrifying sight... a Parasitic wasp (probably <i>Ammophilia sphecid</i>) carrying a live Rough Prominent Caterpillar (thanks, Teá!) to go feed it to its young. Nature is brutal.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Nv4QsT9CShKzkijPOLzvu8NpQD1z7ifucTCCzmPFZ4aLrbT3Pu8fd-GSYl8xSeubeaoD2TOPDXy2iyAuFQGGnV43ZBBz3WsYcuYJlrZJzLkNpUVWtEqMN4Zm1hq7YGQpDDGRKUExgvAz0sEJevOXp2bbaKqhmyfRNCup1NKUWVRgBj9svXy2DvCim4az/s2221/DSCN0913.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1665" data-original-width="2221" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Nv4QsT9CShKzkijPOLzvu8NpQD1z7ifucTCCzmPFZ4aLrbT3Pu8fd-GSYl8xSeubeaoD2TOPDXy2iyAuFQGGnV43ZBBz3WsYcuYJlrZJzLkNpUVWtEqMN4Zm1hq7YGQpDDGRKUExgvAz0sEJevOXp2bbaKqhmyfRNCup1NKUWVRgBj9svXy2DvCim4az/s320/DSCN0913.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>One thing that always surprises me at this place is the clumps of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus... it just looks out of place near a beach.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSmMxu2Sn4E7fU8UnhBUd3NT5BnG_TAt1V3ykf4j_tTFC9-j5rzX0OaRPpZMZJEH-94kvdAPPeIwRKkoaGhVSJ6YCpwf-N-d2G32LCI1uBOHAt_WQpb0qKNmlEh5xF8KQuNWgXxnDqeMtEXxQbo3I6rN8uc1Cg20kJyOREcci2ENmQhZUiPDOEBGThvjm/s4608/DSCN0918.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSmMxu2Sn4E7fU8UnhBUd3NT5BnG_TAt1V3ykf4j_tTFC9-j5rzX0OaRPpZMZJEH-94kvdAPPeIwRKkoaGhVSJ6YCpwf-N-d2G32LCI1uBOHAt_WQpb0qKNmlEh5xF8KQuNWgXxnDqeMtEXxQbo3I6rN8uc1Cg20kJyOREcci2ENmQhZUiPDOEBGThvjm/s320/DSCN0918.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Once we hit the beach path, Fiddler Crabs were all over. They are a lot of fun to watch and they're so variable in both size and color! Lefties and righties, too!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPQxC_FsuOhxoQ9fPceWCVnw4VZxIJB9PEfmouRXYFicGQlhUbAzX16b1lt-yMxdTRg7-CDLXO1s3SyNhCc4-v4aNB_bCHPCQxcv2d3RKHHbGrFMJ9nt7_xkSj3ja_-Vbq56BqMNDmzwh3rE7z6iBZnKtUqp_Y8WWk7ofoqR5h8hyOtZzCKRbK3myVlqx/s1882/DSCN0919.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="1412" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPQxC_FsuOhxoQ9fPceWCVnw4VZxIJB9PEfmouRXYFicGQlhUbAzX16b1lt-yMxdTRg7-CDLXO1s3SyNhCc4-v4aNB_bCHPCQxcv2d3RKHHbGrFMJ9nt7_xkSj3ja_-Vbq56BqMNDmzwh3rE7z6iBZnKtUqp_Y8WWk7ofoqR5h8hyOtZzCKRbK3myVlqx/s320/DSCN0919.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMXQu4N3CPxM3RbBoQw-iiaswanFUIYylvS4ojjHn9QSIwQgG1SgVv1xQE7eURrc5uEu23DExORWzQZ4Lt5J9lJMP5Lrk0sULAKg4txgcd6mpvjhXbqel5Ms9MtyhuM2bQLDhcvFmaCOexF_wDo8NuGMZiHST5CyvO3s2s4I7JVnYICrLcivFsGjBBdeA/s2238/DSCN0921.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1679" data-original-width="2238" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMXQu4N3CPxM3RbBoQw-iiaswanFUIYylvS4ojjHn9QSIwQgG1SgVv1xQE7eURrc5uEu23DExORWzQZ4Lt5J9lJMP5Lrk0sULAKg4txgcd6mpvjhXbqel5Ms9MtyhuM2bQLDhcvFmaCOexF_wDo8NuGMZiHST5CyvO3s2s4I7JVnYICrLcivFsGjBBdeA/s320/DSCN0921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We'd been keeping an eye out in the grasses and dunes for nesting Terrapins but saw none. We saw a lot of nests, some protected and some marked to protect with cages. It had been a busy morning, evidently. Finally, we saw a little canal and our First of Year Diamondback Terrapin, first since 2019.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXuH2fT41HsWRpu8enn5oKSnO952-hM-5JcvqhCJpEiL-9LhVgqsaqO1PVapNw6Tx6idU0pmoOhjw76YmpQDtStFrPPHT5LBUazJbHG8XoLvJUcyyA8dYEpQB5eOJhN5HLzaNhM1D1v2CAcMLtHZT9dZlBp35y57PQlWyScY1VDl8NU_fr_NSCMv02y-V/s3030/DSCN0922.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2273" data-original-width="3030" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXuH2fT41HsWRpu8enn5oKSnO952-hM-5JcvqhCJpEiL-9LhVgqsaqO1PVapNw6Tx6idU0pmoOhjw76YmpQDtStFrPPHT5LBUazJbHG8XoLvJUcyyA8dYEpQB5eOJhN5HLzaNhM1D1v2CAcMLtHZT9dZlBp35y57PQlWyScY1VDl8NU_fr_NSCMv02y-V/s320/DSCN0922.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>There were a few noggins poking out of the water, too.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmTofpvvtRXWMJUDAhI_ISqtsBelJf-INxy9TKoEeGspYFqocIMsovyzRjcfaX5RcoYuHCTUxfPCXjeHUWezUlx27_ZTM60jgiNIQY2EndzBVSxEcCkDwd4GfXeawzU5cCGwcvAHpx3C0ZF9sinr2JNu4HBJrcS2MEXDx9bsJYtFVczns7Z8jAtYbukKR/s2681/DSCN0923.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2681" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmTofpvvtRXWMJUDAhI_ISqtsBelJf-INxy9TKoEeGspYFqocIMsovyzRjcfaX5RcoYuHCTUxfPCXjeHUWezUlx27_ZTM60jgiNIQY2EndzBVSxEcCkDwd4GfXeawzU5cCGwcvAHpx3C0ZF9sinr2JNu4HBJrcS2MEXDx9bsJYtFVczns7Z8jAtYbukKR/s320/DSCN0923.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BsXJxgj73slSkPrz2znr8MTrl37PGYn4PtYJMEC13ZIxHKs1fJadcBoRhRJ6-6Z3yQfZxI9ya5Esd4BYuDgIMUYgeRnQCfmyjV_niMWt9n8aLV-cxOsTxgrkFv3RBE8hImZv0iPgw1KkjpNBHerp10gqQS41M5p3aGSlJcTUs5OUQs1NSus_jOAHDH6Q/s2886/DSCN0925.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2886" data-original-width="2164" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BsXJxgj73slSkPrz2znr8MTrl37PGYn4PtYJMEC13ZIxHKs1fJadcBoRhRJ6-6Z3yQfZxI9ya5Esd4BYuDgIMUYgeRnQCfmyjV_niMWt9n8aLV-cxOsTxgrkFv3RBE8hImZv0iPgw1KkjpNBHerp10gqQS41M5p3aGSlJcTUs5OUQs1NSus_jOAHDH6Q/s320/DSCN0925.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One target achieved! We went out towards the beach and watched Fiddler Crabs for a while and even learned a thing or two. The ones without the big fiddle claws are the females.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAioXJXAPvzbMmv1R-E42JiLocloBaZZoPigUtFIt8aSJTw7VcXsuBZEwQ6sJrjSFHbvVKIhoH2FuXTC3IM1O1WwKBAFx6N4_J1aBi7yiybdbYZkAzni4G6m2ZmR-J0HAftN4UwZ2xw9peD1NJ1ZG7rVLo220LBRNB2wbSwDF8Smz69NjQ_WcbQ2STLnSr/s2196/DSCN0926.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2196" data-original-width="1647" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAioXJXAPvzbMmv1R-E42JiLocloBaZZoPigUtFIt8aSJTw7VcXsuBZEwQ6sJrjSFHbvVKIhoH2FuXTC3IM1O1WwKBAFx6N4_J1aBi7yiybdbYZkAzni4G6m2ZmR-J0HAftN4UwZ2xw9peD1NJ1ZG7rVLo220LBRNB2wbSwDF8Smz69NjQ_WcbQ2STLnSr/s320/DSCN0926.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This guy was my favorite... he stood there, gesturing and standing his ground against we two massive mammals. He was pure badass. Guy N. Smith would be proud.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTO123s1Wh6mX-tNDnAh4IDeQC5Cup3qTlqG1MYnaPcyIW35SpedDEhWdGHm-463FlRS3gbMX1gl8qzdBFMq6sB7ngNupgpIg7Pg9AUR2COCARIBtGfz8rjNJiBp8rV-4kYlm6INHnhiZkcEXWJcvNP440EgjAWJeo_W7CzlCcIwHkBgoj1Ed1HaeAR8o/s2945/DSCN0928.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2209" data-original-width="2945" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTO123s1Wh6mX-tNDnAh4IDeQC5Cup3qTlqG1MYnaPcyIW35SpedDEhWdGHm-463FlRS3gbMX1gl8qzdBFMq6sB7ngNupgpIg7Pg9AUR2COCARIBtGfz8rjNJiBp8rV-4kYlm6INHnhiZkcEXWJcvNP440EgjAWJeo_W7CzlCcIwHkBgoj1Ed1HaeAR8o/s320/DSCN0928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Walking back (the sand after the soft pine-layered woods was starting to do a number on Andrea's ankle), we peeked into the canal again and saw two Terrapins basking.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHnXCJJhQ8CIq0EsL8dvsVKK9csv0Ple4mEerCiHr8lcK2Yz1CKe1TnlWC3VXVklh1c_hI-JyOB7AaUB66EQBvfLL6ityts5_J2BTYwpQdZbLuspefPLf60vhaKC6MTozWbEVnV9srWB58gA0Enljf2qUtkLzlSK73pT7L677k2F3XnRtvHdiEOQLhseY/s3159/DSCN0938.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2369" data-original-width="3159" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHnXCJJhQ8CIq0EsL8dvsVKK9csv0Ple4mEerCiHr8lcK2Yz1CKe1TnlWC3VXVklh1c_hI-JyOB7AaUB66EQBvfLL6ityts5_J2BTYwpQdZbLuspefPLf60vhaKC6MTozWbEVnV9srWB58gA0Enljf2qUtkLzlSK73pT7L677k2F3XnRtvHdiEOQLhseY/s320/DSCN0938.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Because I like learning shit, I photographed this plant. It is a Rugosa Rose plant and the fruits are edible, though I didn't test that out. We did see the flowers elsewhere and didn't realize it was the same plant.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXgn8O5GArzAe1Mvi6GFIEbz8zddIsG9RMy_b3QFEP_XSXipW5hzY8xP1IYeFLT3Q_40NH0xrJ2Wk5SRiQammhVVucsPnSa0RXRSCLqlOLsWFqsDMyv0_QbhCII6ltH-HsHheP3M6Ng6wOUFFFj2TesMHAqE7hKVGvjAPu96968dvjDfZ82vza3qKpTwp/s4608/DSCN0940.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXgn8O5GArzAe1Mvi6GFIEbz8zddIsG9RMy_b3QFEP_XSXipW5hzY8xP1IYeFLT3Q_40NH0xrJ2Wk5SRiQammhVVucsPnSa0RXRSCLqlOLsWFqsDMyv0_QbhCII6ltH-HsHheP3M6Ng6wOUFFFj2TesMHAqE7hKVGvjAPu96968dvjDfZ82vza3qKpTwp/s320/DSCN0940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Passing by the freshwater pond, a Painter had the float all to himself... for now.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3TtJrdyT1xGAjIaQTtbWT_-7odt1b7SHgr6QjxcbfDdop4NCVbvtjYtK3Bvd3YSadp01P2Rgwn2Wc00QArUzgQOdZcT5ctEGVusqEY0pow6QOAT7UBqoIzvvnCGwtaR80D3Nqkdms6jVfgFHLsZtBU5-w161fS3CUT7w0ij7KVmB2wy_LwTH3l4NaNuR/s2762/DSCN0942.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2071" data-original-width="2762" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3TtJrdyT1xGAjIaQTtbWT_-7odt1b7SHgr6QjxcbfDdop4NCVbvtjYtK3Bvd3YSadp01P2Rgwn2Wc00QArUzgQOdZcT5ctEGVusqEY0pow6QOAT7UBqoIzvvnCGwtaR80D3Nqkdms6jVfgFHLsZtBU5-w161fS3CUT7w0ij7KVmB2wy_LwTH3l4NaNuR/s320/DSCN0942.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Of course, we were toast by this time. Sore ankles and feet and overdone by the sun. We sat in rocking chairs, acting our age, and watched the bird feeder area for a while, cooling off. I added three (common) birds to the year, including the best portrait ever of a Wild Turkey (#74).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VDA3amuvTI7jVY5Ps9qtT7XbTTy7zwfBztmiaKXZzkXWtLnYErYbpsHCCMjfx8z7tV-eNT_LXml6kaqfX2mwgf3H8MkdIuUGXhiDQNU_cfXtAO0GzR1GjbZZOyzh4IQdWd8_qYY0kzM7upqSUvOii39FS5vAEAWdKYBj4WOzuT479FzWECWS39PfBeFl/s2652/DSCN0943.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2652" data-original-width="1989" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VDA3amuvTI7jVY5Ps9qtT7XbTTy7zwfBztmiaKXZzkXWtLnYErYbpsHCCMjfx8z7tV-eNT_LXml6kaqfX2mwgf3H8MkdIuUGXhiDQNU_cfXtAO0GzR1GjbZZOyzh4IQdWd8_qYY0kzM7upqSUvOii39FS5vAEAWdKYBj4WOzuT479FzWECWS39PfBeFl/s320/DSCN0943.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>We ended the day with his bald Northern Cardinal, who looks more than a little bit like me.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxrS9HP6wUS3gmEtAYE98dGEoR0Nh3MFHjuGLA92BPI7TcTi5BYAsppi2Jh4_RBsE40SmC-HMtNkNqtFQgLCojxAOoaSVX2Qpy58QJMwi0FwZkeWQYhJd-p4-KBzfu3RfUO6UM835I-MPoswC0cR0af2Vx9kAwtsWHXuNyMLQ36RlV1ahkG6TXuPChmZv/s2410/DSCN0948.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2410" data-original-width="1808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxrS9HP6wUS3gmEtAYE98dGEoR0Nh3MFHjuGLA92BPI7TcTi5BYAsppi2Jh4_RBsE40SmC-HMtNkNqtFQgLCojxAOoaSVX2Qpy58QJMwi0FwZkeWQYhJd-p4-KBzfu3RfUO6UM835I-MPoswC0cR0af2Vx9kAwtsWHXuNyMLQ36RlV1ahkG6TXuPChmZv/s320/DSCN0948.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The last day before work, Sunday the 9th, we were going to look at Green Snake place, even though it was in the 90s, but decided to go work on Andrea's garden plot instead. Weeding <i>needed</i> to get done. Well, making the responsible choice actually worked out in our favor when Andrea found our First-of-Year DeKay's Snake while weeding!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhWLi-CzY5jtENbFnHMQHRSj7b27aMQdNTP1I1ys55lYZYxH2IVkP-X9K4A9NGyIKDPcJxBL05y2tZtixlZ6867obY2Z9twl6yZzlnEH0mKIaF4-QM4O3WrDv5otdLy1IVhAYtv4CBnlJqoTKRW33i7URdr0ckwsbxFvJzF2vY7gXulKRHV2ZsMce7UWc/s4032/IMG_7034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhWLi-CzY5jtENbFnHMQHRSj7b27aMQdNTP1I1ys55lYZYxH2IVkP-X9K4A9NGyIKDPcJxBL05y2tZtixlZ6867obY2Z9twl6yZzlnEH0mKIaF4-QM4O3WrDv5otdLy1IVhAYtv4CBnlJqoTKRW33i7URdr0ckwsbxFvJzF2vY7gXulKRHV2ZsMce7UWc/s320/IMG_7034.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ETyeH_aIPTPsEiK0kw-Dm25qT8gY8MiRACrX8SYsWu8eGlbZl3T2Yt2K9sxkUMAsGgnfc9Y_zIcQO-Yky7f5ecVBcMNRkTCJ6Gd1V7kf3G9tij6BOmjCoUd4EHcJEf3vA4ohioGxc78LUpu-ML96KZWs6ZubTy0xhD1ICxUTPxMqU4NU6GW74NDam314/s2708/IMG_7035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2708" data-original-width="2031" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ETyeH_aIPTPsEiK0kw-Dm25qT8gY8MiRACrX8SYsWu8eGlbZl3T2Yt2K9sxkUMAsGgnfc9Y_zIcQO-Yky7f5ecVBcMNRkTCJ6Gd1V7kf3G9tij6BOmjCoUd4EHcJEf3vA4ohioGxc78LUpu-ML96KZWs6ZubTy0xhD1ICxUTPxMqU4NU6GW74NDam314/s320/IMG_7035.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And that is how we spent our Summer vacation. We're still not able to do too much with that ankle, and if we try, it tells us to stop, but we <i>finally </i>got our Deke and first Terrapins in a few years, so it's all good.<br /><br />The house didn't get very clean, though.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-19485743465578551462023-07-08T10:30:00.001-07:002023-07-08T10:30:38.804-07:00There We Was, on a July Morning. July 1st, 2023We started July with an early morning trip, breakfast on the road, to Plymouth County. We wanted to beat the Cape traffic so we were barreling down Route 3 at 7:30 AM. It was going to get hot, too, so the earlier the better. Andrea was in a brace and we would play it by ear as to how much hiking we could do.<br /><br />Our first stop, we only did the top part, deeming the oil-line path too sandy and hilly for her ankle. We struck out, anyway. The second stop, the bogs, was flatter and has better trails. It also had a Painted youngster on a lilypad.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYIxiFvuYBruv7cypqO8wgVbrNpYDFBuLt1ycyi27n3VQAtgcn3itX8LxgGEwKbtS6h6nUIzGVrzjk6Qs31fDnHkw8Hdg0AnoC-qKVBuZRF4xYYJvWYwf0E8yPU-z3MM2Tn_KPSUHP3XqZwuQ16ANWaPB8ojXZBrQ-aWCb1i1WIkIxFlsBVMpiw9K_XBn/s2866/DSCN0840.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYIxiFvuYBruv7cypqO8wgVbrNpYDFBuLt1ycyi27n3VQAtgcn3itX8LxgGEwKbtS6h6nUIzGVrzjk6Qs31fDnHkw8Hdg0AnoC-qKVBuZRF4xYYJvWYwf0E8yPU-z3MM2Tn_KPSUHP3XqZwuQ16ANWaPB8ojXZBrQ-aWCb1i1WIkIxFlsBVMpiw9K_XBn/s320/DSCN0840.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>The bogs were in full bloom with Bullfrogs and Water Lilies.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEytSFl2nLawSgrUstP0ckCIiBYUhhYKkeAEUGYRwaa4G5Z55-S6vEfc8RSvbYaXsNoo7LQuPHeq9rREV8uEyeWsFc0-xo5iXGURVysRpTuUgf4idBVq381E8U9FTm0xf84h82wNdSWV_fSukwZY8sbzkguqaI8ErWpzySmkIM4-EwgSM8xS4JZFQ4B3ok/s3650/DSCN0842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2738" data-original-width="3650" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEytSFl2nLawSgrUstP0ckCIiBYUhhYKkeAEUGYRwaa4G5Z55-S6vEfc8RSvbYaXsNoo7LQuPHeq9rREV8uEyeWsFc0-xo5iXGURVysRpTuUgf4idBVq381E8U9FTm0xf84h82wNdSWV_fSukwZY8sbzkguqaI8ErWpzySmkIM4-EwgSM8xS4JZFQ4B3ok/s320/DSCN0842.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I flipped a board next to the bog and a Fowler's Toad burrowed back, telling me that it wasn't there.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6ibeuHNx9IHkXX3Oj9EH7ibnDh74why8X0qELF8tC8z2Ya4L_gaxwPRV_ZZaMSTyIVwbX1lVsZ353LrNZyDXhGG-qW6WFG7dBrOw9yScM-nBdwypWOq6x_EdOh_4Co1HMCfyp-xciuKIuSIoOvhGEU5xZIGQJoYMhP6LigW0iF7KMBfnNZBNZuXpnLGT/s2893/DSCN0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2170" data-original-width="2893" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6ibeuHNx9IHkXX3Oj9EH7ibnDh74why8X0qELF8tC8z2Ya4L_gaxwPRV_ZZaMSTyIVwbX1lVsZ353LrNZyDXhGG-qW6WFG7dBrOw9yScM-nBdwypWOq6x_EdOh_4Co1HMCfyp-xciuKIuSIoOvhGEU5xZIGQJoYMhP6LigW0iF7KMBfnNZBNZuXpnLGT/s320/DSCN0843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It's hard to believe that it took until July, but this is our first Pickerel Frog of 2023. It's odd to see them in the water here, they're usually hanging out up in the grass.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-Ix7VmYOf2nbOPGL0G9jytZkXgMPZICuyIVpOJu7e5IsZpVItbSw5y8B7uUtQKQhrJnppLZwsCHg5NBXPnfCZrgMTGVVXKYqHzl1bCD5ofonjXbOe6NZHA2qZFOcsHQY2UgXlVXaasxIsfPtb1TOg6A1SbmnyBi0qDh783wCLsADOgKgNsZB-3wxWv-Y/s2251/DSCN0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="2251" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-Ix7VmYOf2nbOPGL0G9jytZkXgMPZICuyIVpOJu7e5IsZpVItbSw5y8B7uUtQKQhrJnppLZwsCHg5NBXPnfCZrgMTGVVXKYqHzl1bCD5ofonjXbOe6NZHA2qZFOcsHQY2UgXlVXaasxIsfPtb1TOg6A1SbmnyBi0qDh783wCLsADOgKgNsZB-3wxWv-Y/s320/DSCN0845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Another Bull n' Bloom.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyraC5Ix8lrC2ZRnZW0pFR18OAN1QxJA9804tggbQwQNyqFSjnHiJDwEKJJxtL_t2fyV-BiE9TRdkJ8jY0TVJ_A2xSfzX7_Rj49EU41cHWXnzE1fg1JnWNjUNO0db_fJYFid9edK39rJrl8BntyoWyco-ZYspvliT_0ZhyPzQmzf_rR763d5UPH7QE2Nh3/s3220/DSCN0846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3220" data-original-width="2415" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyraC5Ix8lrC2ZRnZW0pFR18OAN1QxJA9804tggbQwQNyqFSjnHiJDwEKJJxtL_t2fyV-BiE9TRdkJ8jY0TVJ_A2xSfzX7_Rj49EU41cHWXnzE1fg1JnWNjUNO0db_fJYFid9edK39rJrl8BntyoWyco-ZYspvliT_0ZhyPzQmzf_rR763d5UPH7QE2Nh3/s320/DSCN0846.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Another Painter-Pad, this time a bit larger.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunNdiu3bWLN6QITGTIxtpE30fbiiUrJSf24JXSbDJiF-zqwy86uIfua6up_CkUAQ-tZ_YreZY4jGWLYTM3aetmUBAl3F8y7inb6NatZX_zjU_zNvNdUh0puMsAHi09vgFqoceS8Af6LO1-DMneCaKJsK_9U-SLhm9jE7kan9nKR25W7KeHPuzgqaKqwLl/s3233/DSCN0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2425" data-original-width="3233" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunNdiu3bWLN6QITGTIxtpE30fbiiUrJSf24JXSbDJiF-zqwy86uIfua6up_CkUAQ-tZ_YreZY4jGWLYTM3aetmUBAl3F8y7inb6NatZX_zjU_zNvNdUh0puMsAHi09vgFqoceS8Af6LO1-DMneCaKJsK_9U-SLhm9jE7kan9nKR25W7KeHPuzgqaKqwLl/s320/DSCN0847.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This being an actual, in-use cranberry bog, boxes of bees are brought in at certain points of the year for pollination purposes. This makes some of the paths a bit scary. I had the bad fortune of hitting this path right after a dirt bike tore through and had 3 stings! We carefully and respectfully walked by. You could hear them going over our heads but they didn't bother us. Or rather, we didn't bother them.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZtzcp-XVfZVU7Blq4YkHyOHT8gD9QjPg-ImrLLT7-IxznS7u6bwngBK61kpmieDb5eSIyDMKIuJsCDNsOAhkiC4oPr6NQUNYrIgW8PIaViWl8hjDzjdGvpV_c2kSD7ZelE8REyzNz4LEFP3eB0pF-xuTr1lWdK-mkezMgXwLn1J5d5CwHc4NnMekNEs3/s4316/DSCN0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3237" data-original-width="4316" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZtzcp-XVfZVU7Blq4YkHyOHT8gD9QjPg-ImrLLT7-IxznS7u6bwngBK61kpmieDb5eSIyDMKIuJsCDNsOAhkiC4oPr6NQUNYrIgW8PIaViWl8hjDzjdGvpV_c2kSD7ZelE8REyzNz4LEFP3eB0pF-xuTr1lWdK-mkezMgXwLn1J5d5CwHc4NnMekNEs3/s320/DSCN0848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The other bog was also very froggy and we finally saw a Green after having heard them the whole time.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX11ZbH9vpBVkUMqPUQ0xytDu3Pfg578KdH04VVW9PBeYjoDAJvPuPpc73UH231jZ8jpbHFdEyhBuJr9Ofp6Q2a24nozgkJNw54Nx9V6BdMeZBV_Gme9bmcvZ8EjzcWzYAOOtUaN0kbmVY_JV0s81M5RPSjQAqqjDXpbkFfTGg1XMHKEcOTCJMHoc-KlV/s2965/DSCN0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2224" data-original-width="2965" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX11ZbH9vpBVkUMqPUQ0xytDu3Pfg578KdH04VVW9PBeYjoDAJvPuPpc73UH231jZ8jpbHFdEyhBuJr9Ofp6Q2a24nozgkJNw54Nx9V6BdMeZBV_Gme9bmcvZ8EjzcWzYAOOtUaN0kbmVY_JV0s81M5RPSjQAqqjDXpbkFfTGg1XMHKEcOTCJMHoc-KlV/s320/DSCN0850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A Bull without a Water Lily.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVVvWVbS4kB8l48UrmmvRFbNfd5qCd36cCIEuxDj5Sky4bs7hhOp0_GIX5cLWqa0ysMhMcJolOMQkh5Xx1woSlO3Yh2iZ_TviHyYiaLeWc2SCDOm73RonjypEPg1WhabcsgjwbFyXhHOfOyFOIgkdzBAwc9jeWQmJOkRyk8Bs-fBbxNuyVSozxHsDVsd9/s3988/DSCN0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2991" data-original-width="3988" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVVvWVbS4kB8l48UrmmvRFbNfd5qCd36cCIEuxDj5Sky4bs7hhOp0_GIX5cLWqa0ysMhMcJolOMQkh5Xx1woSlO3Yh2iZ_TviHyYiaLeWc2SCDOm73RonjypEPg1WhabcsgjwbFyXhHOfOyFOIgkdzBAwc9jeWQmJOkRyk8Bs-fBbxNuyVSozxHsDVsd9/s320/DSCN0851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Another pretty Green.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZXf9h9xtDQyu1KkatMw9q6PmL8uJgMOC-iRjdA2Ib3KSmLxHDePAoa95XA6uI_RDtI8AdnIQy1-CEduyhTtN0I_3acZD9LOOWYerke8n0AhItY5sGlPsyOeKshLcE93u2qxVE7ERYfOcd3KNDy-9GaKprghJN_5Nl1eEaElLU5RK9qgVjGl4XR0GfyEx/s3252/DSCN0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2439" data-original-width="3252" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZXf9h9xtDQyu1KkatMw9q6PmL8uJgMOC-iRjdA2Ib3KSmLxHDePAoa95XA6uI_RDtI8AdnIQy1-CEduyhTtN0I_3acZD9LOOWYerke8n0AhItY5sGlPsyOeKshLcE93u2qxVE7ERYfOcd3KNDy-9GaKprghJN_5Nl1eEaElLU5RK9qgVjGl4XR0GfyEx/s320/DSCN0852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>In the wooded area, I peeled back some bark. That almost never works, but it did this time and a Ringneck was unhappy to see me.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi4ZOWfDoySMcvpfG7loBSu8LszlulNATuI1ARvwT3SkAw8rUCmT8yKTqxt24TbnYIvTBYwOpxdGExv5OiJ0_vSXM9PCxiE2cPqGGOc8ijaRCjKgPNXiiFaRxNXlnIlSUOAx-tmyOgSuz5QpBs1yGsObNJXCBedtPqiGtPB9F0_FPzWlX6QTpMQJTLAIQ/s2362/DSCN0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="2362" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi4ZOWfDoySMcvpfG7loBSu8LszlulNATuI1ARvwT3SkAw8rUCmT8yKTqxt24TbnYIvTBYwOpxdGExv5OiJ0_vSXM9PCxiE2cPqGGOc8ijaRCjKgPNXiiFaRxNXlnIlSUOAx-tmyOgSuz5QpBs1yGsObNJXCBedtPqiGtPB9F0_FPzWlX6QTpMQJTLAIQ/s320/DSCN0854.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Our last sight at this bog was a gorgeous Fowler's who hopped into the grass.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGE4aizZ3qtEM8RpsXcsSCWKlySU_Rhf6k_DZOe8c8XYnUzQ0QnJHFivWmFfGy8iWfxlD2rQF5dkXfTDTjky-Hz_EOJbwnUkJ6TNF9IdIIusbq1-lYBF4wkfU_hcXVQvgNBrWm7YUoqvmWuUeGM4edTjwsNLCflU2anq7hqYapLnDJfTj5GF3hS4OGhSbs/s3427/DSCN0860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2570" data-original-width="3427" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGE4aizZ3qtEM8RpsXcsSCWKlySU_Rhf6k_DZOe8c8XYnUzQ0QnJHFivWmFfGy8iWfxlD2rQF5dkXfTDTjky-Hz_EOJbwnUkJ6TNF9IdIIusbq1-lYBF4wkfU_hcXVQvgNBrWm7YUoqvmWuUeGM4edTjwsNLCflU2anq7hqYapLnDJfTj5GF3hS4OGhSbs/s320/DSCN0860.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>So far, so good on Andrea's ankle, but we decided to go out of sequence in case it gave way. We hit the visitor's center, knowing Redbellied Turtles would be there. Oddly enough, there weren't any in the usual spot! But while looking, we both saw a Racer tail in the bushes... FOY! Except I couldn't procure it for pictures, so... the search continues. Once you miss it, a racer is gone like water down a drain.</div><div><br /></div><div>While looking for it's escape route, I saw a young Painter basking on a board.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN-VMHq8_903NGenpWgqHAHcgSpZ8eYj4aO5v_z7oEJEF_SpCNkdc5CQO9LfBORB7xENqNWjr7R9OYKEXXxv_rQB3nkN6DbG5IBtVHasF8LmGkq_cONbLgaobQ-qWsXqH-mMVhic9rVV5wCF0r0k042TDXvZwm1NSfuKaOMPRYfp2P6PLZ2ChatIkeTAw/s2883/DSCN0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="2883" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN-VMHq8_903NGenpWgqHAHcgSpZ8eYj4aO5v_z7oEJEF_SpCNkdc5CQO9LfBORB7xENqNWjr7R9OYKEXXxv_rQB3nkN6DbG5IBtVHasF8LmGkq_cONbLgaobQ-qWsXqH-mMVhic9rVV5wCF0r0k042TDXvZwm1NSfuKaOMPRYfp2P6PLZ2ChatIkeTAw/s320/DSCN0862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Andrea spotted a Redbelly swimming in the adjoining pond. Yay!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH1T9I-aRVLrnc955wcdps8q0UjsoEUqhkC7ihk9bMYfm1Fwj8TkaiRkzvOVcWztUoV7SX4R6OIbh8yVjK7lyLAiHYS2tP1r6i4FWbxXrE2oo0wIAPV-y8zg9VOurEInoNgRQVzovUkBdKM1XUXDJlYHipCMNGtzqpyBbTTDQPNTQEq2BBFaXtCdYifDC/s3216/DSCN0863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2412" data-original-width="3216" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH1T9I-aRVLrnc955wcdps8q0UjsoEUqhkC7ihk9bMYfm1Fwj8TkaiRkzvOVcWztUoV7SX4R6OIbh8yVjK7lyLAiHYS2tP1r6i4FWbxXrE2oo0wIAPV-y8zg9VOurEInoNgRQVzovUkBdKM1XUXDJlYHipCMNGtzqpyBbTTDQPNTQEq2BBFaXtCdYifDC/s320/DSCN0863.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We sat at the end of a peninsula that overlooks the pond for quite a while, just enjoying the rest, the quiet and the sights. Far off in the distance, the camera picked up a couple of Redbells enjoying the sun in a human-free area.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy07DAQ0yPPqDJ-1y638JFOpkO6nOFytkEWyQ7VU-oYRuJ0MJfKYQnjGG7Xtq2T-Et-zxR3BDqJio47VjCu31S9WMM5WuHHl4SWH5PXUntnT_Hol88xKl0ywttDgr4kjmz4DGCwfe_wRD5wYGaJpy31BZaIMP7Bk81VVcAiNkjs3KfSVBfJUNvg7zJ6aZ1/s2833/DSCN0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2125" data-original-width="2833" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy07DAQ0yPPqDJ-1y638JFOpkO6nOFytkEWyQ7VU-oYRuJ0MJfKYQnjGG7Xtq2T-Et-zxR3BDqJio47VjCu31S9WMM5WuHHl4SWH5PXUntnT_Hol88xKl0ywttDgr4kjmz4DGCwfe_wRD5wYGaJpy31BZaIMP7Bk81VVcAiNkjs3KfSVBfJUNvg7zJ6aZ1/s320/DSCN0866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>As we relaxed, an Eastern Kingbird (#72) was preening right over our heads, allowing me to get this funny shot.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFXQ27jxum_OSP5m73mGDtU6YmaXdA0YQXtpurJis6iX0B1CBaLcJNU__Y4Bp2vDhwThx80KHvPoEqLIEIgepjRSDIpB9YKoLNdUgYKnXTplECsNdea5SraW638UBzFcQ-qWvYIe4MylWTgL5Pul_uzKOGyoVLhv9KciypHqnk-gYKJ0RCxQKu-7gzQ7u/s4608/DSCN0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFXQ27jxum_OSP5m73mGDtU6YmaXdA0YQXtpurJis6iX0B1CBaLcJNU__Y4Bp2vDhwThx80KHvPoEqLIEIgepjRSDIpB9YKoLNdUgYKnXTplECsNdea5SraW638UBzFcQ-qWvYIe4MylWTgL5Pul_uzKOGyoVLhv9KciypHqnk-gYKJ0RCxQKu-7gzQ7u/s320/DSCN0872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Andrea decided that she had some life left in her ankle, so we hit the trail that has been fruitful for Hogs, a Green, Ribbons and Garters in the past. We did half of it. No snakes, but plenty of Fowler's Toads. We'd seen <i style="font-weight: bold;">ZERO</i> on this path last year and out concerns were huge. It was nice to see them hopping along, plentiful and beautiful. Here are two the Andrea spotted right away.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq_dI7rSJVvEnykN6QLrUOeUtViqWPlPax9ph7ELfqcrR6bDj9qGuEcdmk0ekx144FdlLQArl1RX0ES4fIzMhSH7zdxgVpPmFgxG2Jqu8UrE8H9S1Qw8BnvHcdeimetTeDgmoEIvBqMJNjYBnjFAgHYSVRf9Q91SChp4pGW94QjIENLb67bjI4IQZgGDN/s3213/DSCN0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3213" data-original-width="2409" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq_dI7rSJVvEnykN6QLrUOeUtViqWPlPax9ph7ELfqcrR6bDj9qGuEcdmk0ekx144FdlLQArl1RX0ES4fIzMhSH7zdxgVpPmFgxG2Jqu8UrE8H9S1Qw8BnvHcdeimetTeDgmoEIvBqMJNjYBnjFAgHYSVRf9Q91SChp4pGW94QjIENLb67bjI4IQZgGDN/s320/DSCN0873.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A few Painters were up in the pond, but the angle was difficult to photograph. Here is my best...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wblmnxBGlG-S3ACthXsBwP2SGRNzgEk9O0wfqp8hsR-1zrNk9DNH9XTqTnOe2TG9arg0Q7Z3q0aH1v2ZF4NmR7A3lrN_jKyF-fX_RV0n_WGQHvIkf43dXuIeLqLRim1h6zW7jd8z-D_QBi591COLCFCfplvKy4mZd1JkeVGt7msWPxUTzAyHKj5G7yQq/s3652/DSCN0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2739" data-original-width="3652" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wblmnxBGlG-S3ACthXsBwP2SGRNzgEk9O0wfqp8hsR-1zrNk9DNH9XTqTnOe2TG9arg0Q7Z3q0aH1v2ZF4NmR7A3lrN_jKyF-fX_RV0n_WGQHvIkf43dXuIeLqLRim1h6zW7jd8z-D_QBi591COLCFCfplvKy4mZd1JkeVGt7msWPxUTzAyHKj5G7yQq/s320/DSCN0876.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Our last find was another peek under some bark... a Fowler's keeping cool on a hot day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIENop6WS0HxqPFyS-0iX36XCUYpXIFvC6h0T4iBKW6zufMmdloK5JeSxip8BxCOLgN3_M6gDe5hVk2mnXwZ-sIvOo5T1AdAqUBmGFsECbgQti3pBH0jI9n9PJ0o0Xe4sa6BLUbMRXuAyh-9hGwX17CVUxOlfvw-16k132OhFzIrrrmaLjdBhavPdKU2he/s2699/DSCN0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2699" data-original-width="2024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIENop6WS0HxqPFyS-0iX36XCUYpXIFvC6h0T4iBKW6zufMmdloK5JeSxip8BxCOLgN3_M6gDe5hVk2mnXwZ-sIvOo5T1AdAqUBmGFsECbgQti3pBH0jI9n9PJ0o0Xe4sa6BLUbMRXuAyh-9hGwX17CVUxOlfvw-16k132OhFzIrrrmaLjdBhavPdKU2he/s320/DSCN0877.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>And that's that. As usual, we struck out on Hogs, but we couldn't hit our best (it's too hilly) path and we had to skip a few others. We'll see them again. It's all good, when you see other critters while you search for the trophy-target. We left the place happy and satisfied, if a bit sticky and tired. "Herping" in July is never very productive, so a 7 species day is A-OK with us.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-15002453958902882212023-07-02T10:31:00.001-07:002023-07-02T10:31:53.143-07:00How June Ended. 6-25-2023<p> It was sticky hot and we went to our Green Snake Place at noon. We were soaked with sweat before you could say "boo". We saw no snakes, so we sat for a while watching birds and hoping for a breeze from the bay. We tried our best but any snakes, Green or otherwise, were keeping cool <i>way</i> out of sight.</p>Driving home, we decided to visit our chelonian friends at the cemetery. Even though we see pretty much the same turtles every time, we see <i>something</i> and that's what makes us happy. As usual, Red-ears dominated.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO-8yKDAJNP-RB8YUXm4OCajvsP85dlk7Fcr6Wti5VHocAHyzyo-TKMatVGVL_HIEvOubBDkMqesSZlBQUDZp1eWU9SNtci6SMexUE0i-3PRof_CBsEhxoGRk5UGOM79M0aReS71Gqy9FahRRvf7WXxftNXUCfaSfywYw2N6k20h0ssTg-hgtD5VAm32k/s4608/DSCN0817.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO-8yKDAJNP-RB8YUXm4OCajvsP85dlk7Fcr6Wti5VHocAHyzyo-TKMatVGVL_HIEvOubBDkMqesSZlBQUDZp1eWU9SNtci6SMexUE0i-3PRof_CBsEhxoGRk5UGOM79M0aReS71Gqy9FahRRvf7WXxftNXUCfaSfywYw2N6k20h0ssTg-hgtD5VAm32k/s320/DSCN0817.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>We started to walk around the pond, Andrea in a brace. A Snapper that we don't know by name was swimming nearby.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l4NmlKYbw6ieMIO464WxZXszGWG2Y6UyLNxedetJRf-gz2QbViKBYgDPX7Je4UMImh103XKru6dfHXNLcxEeHulMaNt1ynUTBZVn4IcKZwStYX4jScrglApYTdxziENdkyQ-A3-3iUuKo4eJ_zzil5tUFF-hI2BNsTuxGnAXRbDzEKwB9IUAZAI0llP-/s3503/DSCN0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="3503" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l4NmlKYbw6ieMIO464WxZXszGWG2Y6UyLNxedetJRf-gz2QbViKBYgDPX7Je4UMImh103XKru6dfHXNLcxEeHulMaNt1ynUTBZVn4IcKZwStYX4jScrglApYTdxziENdkyQ-A3-3iUuKo4eJ_zzil5tUFF-hI2BNsTuxGnAXRbDzEKwB9IUAZAI0llP-/s320/DSCN0818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Our friend, the <i>real</i> Whitey came by to see if we had any handouts.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEs2tbkN6zvoc0smPX_tXrsvSZc1aqLyVI3NgVt3UDHzs18WlyuKbGPf_BpSklv9mk8adHBarMH1Fkdy67EHbLnKmfXl0La6iYPn3uNfbULRpr0qZB-SQdvMlEGycb8ZrevsjdzX8uxxlmk1BiqTrvu2C4wQTZF-E1-6Qp-dU_C-1YEKTuYgj-5RAiojG/s3456/DSCN0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEs2tbkN6zvoc0smPX_tXrsvSZc1aqLyVI3NgVt3UDHzs18WlyuKbGPf_BpSklv9mk8adHBarMH1Fkdy67EHbLnKmfXl0La6iYPn3uNfbULRpr0qZB-SQdvMlEGycb8ZrevsjdzX8uxxlmk1BiqTrvu2C4wQTZF-E1-6Qp-dU_C-1YEKTuYgj-5RAiojG/s320/DSCN0819.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It was super hot and turtles were basking everywhere. A Red-ear and a Painter up near the edge.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IrQA_HyEezWIP7RTv4pyFngnx2geaoM6ItTVhgoWXnsBkzVnN89jiRJ4TE3lpp5ASUFDmg_PVe8nMP7A1-hZN7vVa5ADPw1XBpbdW9jZ9GqIntpRpjLlb0wvmwQYWYKlj4ACIyDqQaKEmqGXXC9xg_zuS5GHvmKj3F65yrn_ILDXqZTQ5q7xdRjRTIn-/s3638/DSCN0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2728" data-original-width="3638" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IrQA_HyEezWIP7RTv4pyFngnx2geaoM6ItTVhgoWXnsBkzVnN89jiRJ4TE3lpp5ASUFDmg_PVe8nMP7A1-hZN7vVa5ADPw1XBpbdW9jZ9GqIntpRpjLlb0wvmwQYWYKlj4ACIyDqQaKEmqGXXC9xg_zuS5GHvmKj3F65yrn_ILDXqZTQ5q7xdRjRTIn-/s320/DSCN0820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A couple more Ears of Red. (When you buy a pet turtle for your filthy little brat at Petco, it is a lifetime commitment, you moron.)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxEG1jD3mpDozsYCVlbMAMLq5sQy--EuuZ9_pqVrkjhmN3UcQXlKtqYHwfMeVZiFrjAaZQlPMgQ9R2Q6pMjd5lMVbZ3XcgKcZ4X_8mXBIcTnm9R2J4D5WuqyKgsxPWplwGxW9pggwI8kRv0ihQnE9O_plJEht__94fjWIzngr4VxwYmOkYeOcWlis16iE/s3433/DSCN0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2574" data-original-width="3433" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxEG1jD3mpDozsYCVlbMAMLq5sQy--EuuZ9_pqVrkjhmN3UcQXlKtqYHwfMeVZiFrjAaZQlPMgQ9R2Q6pMjd5lMVbZ3XcgKcZ4X_8mXBIcTnm9R2J4D5WuqyKgsxPWplwGxW9pggwI8kRv0ihQnE9O_plJEht__94fjWIzngr4VxwYmOkYeOcWlis16iE/s320/DSCN0821.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKtValh4IoSqrAYpqkUk5Hq3Vs0nTzGJ120DtlSin4D5jj3deHFVg97-gtq6erf4Mibk_WrzBeXefSJztRVi_J2vBHAyEpDSF59g41DQzaXn-DoZH4EKG12KeUzSdhG5wUi7yvUXfqrg9D3fq9Rm4lnxFiUuoPOeHBvvCM9Yxnmf2DGOs4Rh3glRzvZEc/s2772/DSCN0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2079" data-original-width="2772" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKtValh4IoSqrAYpqkUk5Hq3Vs0nTzGJ120DtlSin4D5jj3deHFVg97-gtq6erf4Mibk_WrzBeXefSJztRVi_J2vBHAyEpDSF59g41DQzaXn-DoZH4EKG12KeUzSdhG5wUi7yvUXfqrg9D3fq9Rm4lnxFiUuoPOeHBvvCM9Yxnmf2DGOs4Rh3glRzvZEc/s320/DSCN0822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Always a welcome sight, a young Bullfrog.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyn0_zaf0N8ipX-GsEN0_CEsaQ1x0dNuI_Qiv6m8CUzhKtKDRrBqu-THVdSzpZIuE0AXoXQgI3byoSh8lkhn4PFE9C-E75EG1SdNvGFTP2ufZUfeh324HgZxRGO-M_4dEi9VvWVaiNEZHocKZ0WXFVOPF57fbCsrtpUoVGw9BI31PPV2zyEp2-010FOnw/s2964/DSCN0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2223" data-original-width="2964" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyn0_zaf0N8ipX-GsEN0_CEsaQ1x0dNuI_Qiv6m8CUzhKtKDRrBqu-THVdSzpZIuE0AXoXQgI3byoSh8lkhn4PFE9C-E75EG1SdNvGFTP2ufZUfeh324HgZxRGO-M_4dEi9VvWVaiNEZHocKZ0WXFVOPF57fbCsrtpUoVGw9BI31PPV2zyEp2-010FOnw/s320/DSCN0825.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A Snapper was nearby, cruising with the low-riders.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrp3LBJeGuksnLwWjZf1mCFWWWkFLp-He_lvJ9H-xuT8w65mmrkq9GPAXlec85qr3ez5qK1_s_zdF6GB-ntcLaLE2DhxeuhmaB9zs9qoMD-h221bRTFDjW2Uvfend_xm4em-xM-HxJRKQ6t9pXXwyKbrm9tManp7Kb11ezl79MabuqzxtJe5TlIHMHYZ_/s3197/DSCN0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2398" data-original-width="3197" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrp3LBJeGuksnLwWjZf1mCFWWWkFLp-He_lvJ9H-xuT8w65mmrkq9GPAXlec85qr3ez5qK1_s_zdF6GB-ntcLaLE2DhxeuhmaB9zs9qoMD-h221bRTFDjW2Uvfend_xm4em-xM-HxJRKQ6t9pXXwyKbrm9tManp7Kb11ezl79MabuqzxtJe5TlIHMHYZ_/s320/DSCN0827.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Yellow-belly was where he usually is, near the edge in a shallow corner. I'll bet he digs the warmer water.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx1URf9vF6hZVqyoClIrn2vRYWCDfNX889Kttq54yD3HB39frvirZTzuDjIqilcdPRbSIQY9GJ356oh912GMACvfVWJzM0PlalQObehomN99D2n7v5K6Sng4_9ZYBc9OrxCYIg8p8TaOiNdBXIJwENjpUoHdcA20mvec_mVX-CIapQRQApmL6lvw0A6sL/s3166/DSCN0828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="3166" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx1URf9vF6hZVqyoClIrn2vRYWCDfNX889Kttq54yD3HB39frvirZTzuDjIqilcdPRbSIQY9GJ356oh912GMACvfVWJzM0PlalQObehomN99D2n7v5K6Sng4_9ZYBc9OrxCYIg8p8TaOiNdBXIJwENjpUoHdcA20mvec_mVX-CIapQRQApmL6lvw0A6sL/s320/DSCN0828.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Two examples of <i>very</i> happy Red-ears. Maybe it <i>was</i> best that the bad pet-owners dumped them here.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK1cQZYIxC2Ap1-WA2UtQobGAb0jgV9GpLcE9fUQ-TvHdwK76zKezeZfCx0EyeaoIWLl2WuqKJpPr-yp7beIVt1fvlmqLHTakhqF7ewXpxf-xkcI_MGMSFKK7HdfA_-b7RQj35ygJroGm2FdBg5A_GsTRxHcKwseVXsgKdUshjD-u6v3T6OFDXffxFFZb/s2825/DSCN0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2825" data-original-width="2119" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK1cQZYIxC2Ap1-WA2UtQobGAb0jgV9GpLcE9fUQ-TvHdwK76zKezeZfCx0EyeaoIWLl2WuqKJpPr-yp7beIVt1fvlmqLHTakhqF7ewXpxf-xkcI_MGMSFKK7HdfA_-b7RQj35ygJroGm2FdBg5A_GsTRxHcKwseVXsgKdUshjD-u6v3T6OFDXffxFFZb/s320/DSCN0829.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYSlRQ5z7hLfDReCQxCSd_FGn_fgS-W3NkQ6h9pzltoTZymdGcYNacnSDAUnmXEVrPX93mkT6Bjb2yu2gln7FFRp_w2IqwVq8noA5WBjX2GFVgUVR7770ktRJW_AQI2Biy_nNK6OHS1O5L9D3WiehzcB-eX03pN8F1NkUlZ8Cp3SCrXTFw0m7vIZCrdlY/s2505/DSCN0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1879" data-original-width="2505" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYSlRQ5z7hLfDReCQxCSd_FGn_fgS-W3NkQ6h9pzltoTZymdGcYNacnSDAUnmXEVrPX93mkT6Bjb2yu2gln7FFRp_w2IqwVq8noA5WBjX2GFVgUVR7770ktRJW_AQI2Biy_nNK6OHS1O5L9D3WiehzcB-eX03pN8F1NkUlZ8Cp3SCrXTFw0m7vIZCrdlY/s320/DSCN0833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And this is the end of June, Painted Turtle style.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3syBeMiwNilFHAJuSeYePKcpe0MVL2aeWwatgUMhXGhv9aaAOhwWqwoRs49GQBxQ5WF3pLcTLwSeUPpGEsAHBOqGaLctee4f6v37CFC9WwKZuy3QbTwCRER-03uRJAB8PPGozLbuRMfaE9kQS3g7xj05g0CQb3c__rUa5dGfptBh7Ll8A0HeNnKRXn-p/s2675/DSCN0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2675" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3syBeMiwNilFHAJuSeYePKcpe0MVL2aeWwatgUMhXGhv9aaAOhwWqwoRs49GQBxQ5WF3pLcTLwSeUPpGEsAHBOqGaLctee4f6v37CFC9WwKZuy3QbTwCRER-03uRJAB8PPGozLbuRMfaE9kQS3g7xj05g0CQb3c__rUa5dGfptBh7Ll8A0HeNnKRXn-p/s320/DSCN0834.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-35259562196701165852023-06-23T08:32:00.000-07:002023-06-23T08:32:29.047-07:00Hoofin' It with Andrea. June 18th.It was going to be overcast but warmish. Snakes popped into our heads. We decided to go to a place that has been ruined by human campers but still has a few spots where we could see some snakes and maybe a Musk Turtle. Plus, it isn't too hilly as long as we avoided a few paths.<br /><br />Upward and onward, we got there late morning and headed to a snakey spot. I saw a Pickerel Frog on the way but he avoided my camera so we're still ZERO on the year. Upon getting to the snake spot, a speedy Garter made itself known.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9jsOElSJOL4GF419xTtvxFfkaX75iAqMmnGMHgXBpMtVQOsavJ7xux21gzd_rbYOgWDbQ961fcCCU_QypTutNGF6Ssn-Kz04GzTnrCq6JKHW803WbssnMtwLOkmsJmCg-LiAbQZjf_u_8w0JR7a9wZR6FPbjTy03RBO5vYfE3MoV40BllX9FMM5iPp5j/s2914/DSCN0782.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9jsOElSJOL4GF419xTtvxFfkaX75iAqMmnGMHgXBpMtVQOsavJ7xux21gzd_rbYOgWDbQ961fcCCU_QypTutNGF6Ssn-Kz04GzTnrCq6JKHW803WbssnMtwLOkmsJmCg-LiAbQZjf_u_8w0JR7a9wZR6FPbjTy03RBO5vYfE3MoV40BllX9FMM5iPp5j/s320/DSCN0782.JPG" /></a><div>There looks to be some damage in front of its eye. Not sure with the sand stuck to the face, but probably.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSvVanSbrw4XIROUlBnZ-9Q81OznnwezUTbjMnAbOm8yF4oyAFdKlP644FtD0-BAzZve7esHNHmywJqgje0mZJ9eve3wlImGA3VWKBc-ZSFDGLYIzJgbsaESIRYglhaVmVS6cVVIjrL4O8JKYqwQi_3rdyLtYo8zSIAiUx8zHpFC_dIO2DCpzBnEtNjR5/s3170/DSCN0781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2378" data-original-width="3170" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSvVanSbrw4XIROUlBnZ-9Q81OznnwezUTbjMnAbOm8yF4oyAFdKlP644FtD0-BAzZve7esHNHmywJqgje0mZJ9eve3wlImGA3VWKBc-ZSFDGLYIzJgbsaESIRYglhaVmVS6cVVIjrL4O8JKYqwQi_3rdyLtYo8zSIAiUx8zHpFC_dIO2DCpzBnEtNjR5/s320/DSCN0781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I flipped a log and saw nothing under it, but a Milk was laced up in the bottom of the log. I tried to carry the whole thing out to show Andrea and it slid out and got very angry with us.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-uhjFqpY4X9vGy6m_rXT4ReUjRblqnORXChhRL2Wu23M12Kklbod2kRUm5eYE-ES0mTdcA29i3wCdabZQ-kruvLCde8U7TngXOiTvebNafP-I08bwsUOtDX5xbqZ_G9mbDo8QiC3PxDapoFoHbPL733eTWo5IPTtDWM6Rk1rsoTUR2vZZLgjj-0piVtC/s3215/DSCN0783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2411" data-original-width="3215" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-uhjFqpY4X9vGy6m_rXT4ReUjRblqnORXChhRL2Wu23M12Kklbod2kRUm5eYE-ES0mTdcA29i3wCdabZQ-kruvLCde8U7TngXOiTvebNafP-I08bwsUOtDX5xbqZ_G9mbDo8QiC3PxDapoFoHbPL733eTWo5IPTtDWM6Rk1rsoTUR2vZZLgjj-0piVtC/s320/DSCN0783.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Sorry, old chap. I see you're in the blue!</div><div><br /></div><div>From there, we took a wrong path and wandered far from our goal in 200% humidity and the occasional sprinkle. Finally, we found our way to the pond we were after. I flipped a pair of Fowler's under a rock.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mX7NGCXiqISf9_KGu_-qJ4SEYQDbMRxdwBX2GdfBVd--E3JZxIErkUx0xrM0Tto0Y3sAkwlaNHGGkm4iB8N7Xg-oiKb9WG4J9gaYKdX2y-0QDKhHBu7DvL6-jmhOJw5f2XO7SPtcK4D-e3unf2Ymde7U2Z4BCrLXhREbF6As-aKcnKZeevhRzi0pQI5n/s3366/DSCN0787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2524" data-original-width="3366" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mX7NGCXiqISf9_KGu_-qJ4SEYQDbMRxdwBX2GdfBVd--E3JZxIErkUx0xrM0Tto0Y3sAkwlaNHGGkm4iB8N7Xg-oiKb9WG4J9gaYKdX2y-0QDKhHBu7DvL6-jmhOJw5f2XO7SPtcK4D-e3unf2Ymde7U2Z4BCrLXhREbF6As-aKcnKZeevhRzi0pQI5n/s320/DSCN0787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p>I walked along the rocks on the edge of the pond near the spillway. This is where I'd hoped to find a Musk. I instead found an absolutely stunning, big ol' neatly folded Water Snake.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2y4IeXhLaWEYU8-kfoe_E3WhcZdMmHb7boRUd_8xbm1tEaCR_wLisaxtOlnmg68T22NoekK0zT0vvgaP5o4n-F0RZmKjfYT4tpsED5o9kFYKL-ujgA2PWkL1Zt9yfEJ2QBNbYjx1Sg2JSv3_I_JUvnKULjdue-PToilmTufhoGN5mdMBvRRmgR4GCGp2x/s3452/DSCN0789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2589" data-original-width="3452" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2y4IeXhLaWEYU8-kfoe_E3WhcZdMmHb7boRUd_8xbm1tEaCR_wLisaxtOlnmg68T22NoekK0zT0vvgaP5o4n-F0RZmKjfYT4tpsED5o9kFYKL-ujgA2PWkL1Zt9yfEJ2QBNbYjx1Sg2JSv3_I_JUvnKULjdue-PToilmTufhoGN5mdMBvRRmgR4GCGp2x/s320/DSCN0789.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>On the other side of the spillway, however, I saw a lump in the plants floating on the edge. And a little head pulled in right next to the lump. I reached in and got our First of Year Musk.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkvbkShZqipvR40_nZkNOsIG9gsvYZwcVPqSZdrqkbqi5gz4PiQEiVcVuHORk0EAEysdJvCyq35-4L5OSGOhVO0wTny0cdUQHoIEGO7QZB7bNE6zWtjUypiNDpRUtsagQJY_C3vPhHuQxcnCBIn5YmsG7DrK9NQePIi0sn4IvoDNnl0iMqUkmVvF1T8oY/s3564/DSCN0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2673" data-original-width="3564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkvbkShZqipvR40_nZkNOsIG9gsvYZwcVPqSZdrqkbqi5gz4PiQEiVcVuHORk0EAEysdJvCyq35-4L5OSGOhVO0wTny0cdUQHoIEGO7QZB7bNE6zWtjUypiNDpRUtsagQJY_C3vPhHuQxcnCBIn5YmsG7DrK9NQePIi0sn4IvoDNnl0iMqUkmVvF1T8oY/s320/DSCN0791.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>He really lived up to his name... he smelled like a freshly paved road.</div><div><br /></div><div>I left it up to Andrea to see if she wanted to continue on or head back. She said "let's go on" so we kept walking around the pond. She had seen a huge distant shell and we knew it must be a Redbelly. On the way to a better vantage point, we saw a very small Painted Turtle catching some rays.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRS-v86T_B17fvDLAJguKDFSDRGjzt8Jp2J02ZGIGdM8cYEfxC9qg0XcOBFNGPL4w9sf65oBXP0Z0ociu9T5g5hdACF9RBkLEVnx17bM9q6TcM5PY_88TOcitCb5q0SOhUqttB4HkPRoqZtGKlm2NmT32IV07SVKwV_g1BNas57In2N_FBdPBCTnN4dK3/s2987/DSCN0798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2240" data-original-width="2987" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRS-v86T_B17fvDLAJguKDFSDRGjzt8Jp2J02ZGIGdM8cYEfxC9qg0XcOBFNGPL4w9sf65oBXP0Z0ociu9T5g5hdACF9RBkLEVnx17bM9q6TcM5PY_88TOcitCb5q0SOhUqttB4HkPRoqZtGKlm2NmT32IV07SVKwV_g1BNas57In2N_FBdPBCTnN4dK3/s320/DSCN0798.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>When I got within range of the big turtle, I finally got an OK shot... our FOY Plymouth Redbelly (here in Bristol County!) and an assortment of Painted Turtles. This Red-bell is a <i>beast</i>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURJo_e-U-X5oGAki0ffJgN9QcakuUensA-aSPGW1JytkzKIUVKiOKKGhNDjkz7MH_WGJBWGNJuDkjoA2kUMlgZVGCzbyDZNvytKZ91ZeHwWuBWpA2Yw4yIIXsOvc2m2vpz7CfilhM9y0tGSHQphF9dpisjh8OyoElw1ifJBpjxznhpA3gGTHZJCQk-zO3/s4608/DSCN0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURJo_e-U-X5oGAki0ffJgN9QcakuUensA-aSPGW1JytkzKIUVKiOKKGhNDjkz7MH_WGJBWGNJuDkjoA2kUMlgZVGCzbyDZNvytKZ91ZeHwWuBWpA2Yw4yIIXsOvc2m2vpz7CfilhM9y0tGSHQphF9dpisjh8OyoElw1ifJBpjxznhpA3gGTHZJCQk-zO3/s320/DSCN0799.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This mammal was sitting on the surface of the water. I <i>thought</i> it looked like a Beaver but we've never seen any Beaver activity in this area. Plus, the tail and body are above water so I'm calling Muskrat.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AC763jXcvcOppS_X7zWW85pR2aTIsVAN9zM5faiuEvPoFvzMQEMqr_b4FIv2KC2sb4jX8PSFJxMHHTr35ML01UNGgNd6mu-LOg5dDDgtFYLfSDufo52gzXLjKio0BjymSjs-xDvwA8nGshYhNNWyG07h-eVbz44N4wbwma37suj3-CLIhMNe1q7d_tNL/s3558/DSCN0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2668" data-original-width="3558" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AC763jXcvcOppS_X7zWW85pR2aTIsVAN9zM5faiuEvPoFvzMQEMqr_b4FIv2KC2sb4jX8PSFJxMHHTr35ML01UNGgNd6mu-LOg5dDDgtFYLfSDufo52gzXLjKio0BjymSjs-xDvwA8nGshYhNNWyG07h-eVbz44N4wbwma37suj3-CLIhMNe1q7d_tNL/s320/DSCN0800.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This side of the pond had plenty of Painted Turtles up despite the overcast day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10YxKhNYoLb7xQ4Qw3wOexU3r7x00nqx0flTIy-aWFzUFbRiCK0KMCPETKsynGXTNEDTkhdr7G8DNm4xjy_YIvBcHAv-RIa-L_PDHBNdojXn8uI8H_mfYfC-tZl6iv7tWF5og2qeek-utvjhjqVVKyMXx6GDaVoeRownXgJSyyn2NO_UKiHoan9CGh09V/s2764/DSCN0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="2073" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10YxKhNYoLb7xQ4Qw3wOexU3r7x00nqx0flTIy-aWFzUFbRiCK0KMCPETKsynGXTNEDTkhdr7G8DNm4xjy_YIvBcHAv-RIa-L_PDHBNdojXn8uI8H_mfYfC-tZl6iv7tWF5og2qeek-utvjhjqVVKyMXx6GDaVoeRownXgJSyyn2NO_UKiHoan9CGh09V/s320/DSCN0802.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S7Nwgnb5WMYbD2czu9fi8_8-p2ckDQXQUgZ5rkzMc6Z4o5MvhYoYkjhqaApSk6a7cE9CJStpvMVkn8GfsbmA2h9cD3HlnqbhMHGiQ1IMwPBvckN1CSh_V-ZTnNTnxkoRfcf4Y3Zf0lzPH_7AVkLkksU_ND43_fN0QMdMZeh60fzndESgQYyuN3T_BDTJ/s3600/DSCN0803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="3600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S7Nwgnb5WMYbD2czu9fi8_8-p2ckDQXQUgZ5rkzMc6Z4o5MvhYoYkjhqaApSk6a7cE9CJStpvMVkn8GfsbmA2h9cD3HlnqbhMHGiQ1IMwPBvckN1CSh_V-ZTnNTnxkoRfcf4Y3Zf0lzPH_7AVkLkksU_ND43_fN0QMdMZeh60fzndESgQYyuN3T_BDTJ/s320/DSCN0803.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNeT977-nIXMcspmosc6szKEmEKOUffovIoaVnPtMWr8JNgti-FncXt0neD_U3wl4VpBqZscp_irOM3ZqhG4og0dSFup82AwI3PFKdX2zGkil00mxVAR70634IeeVMHbrbXM0uwaWuMwJFIuIRnYDXIHexxpYeL2iQZKPkCjAo5gpMDosdrfZ8doS8kmT/s4608/DSCN0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNeT977-nIXMcspmosc6szKEmEKOUffovIoaVnPtMWr8JNgti-FncXt0neD_U3wl4VpBqZscp_irOM3ZqhG4og0dSFup82AwI3PFKdX2zGkil00mxVAR70634IeeVMHbrbXM0uwaWuMwJFIuIRnYDXIHexxpYeL2iQZKPkCjAo5gpMDosdrfZ8doS8kmT/s320/DSCN0805.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L6GAGsVVLwqC8v9t0pZwG-14yHzpRKRsPaAMrUnWe1gu5ltFugBTtLrzEgNmNOZZ7zPoqP0fKgB7NAjMPNNvEqqD5cxddmsvqyNERNNanI4QoJgVWXV9PcDVSR-dHyIcEOzvc0x2fI8AZTLYcdNObcKg4cK1SK2U_bjNxiffgtBzIaElItx4hFqwR-2w/s3177/DSCN0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2383" data-original-width="3177" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L6GAGsVVLwqC8v9t0pZwG-14yHzpRKRsPaAMrUnWe1gu5ltFugBTtLrzEgNmNOZZ7zPoqP0fKgB7NAjMPNNvEqqD5cxddmsvqyNERNNanI4QoJgVWXV9PcDVSR-dHyIcEOzvc0x2fI8AZTLYcdNObcKg4cK1SK2U_bjNxiffgtBzIaElItx4hFqwR-2w/s320/DSCN0809.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I got badly musked by a pretty Water Snake that I tried to pull out of the rocks. It was so pretty that I wanted Andrea to see it. Yikes- I got what I deserved. Washing up in the pond just wasn't enough. But we'd reached our turn-back spot anyway. Andrea had done a remarkable job. Then, she spotted this mini Redbelly basking. It's great to see that they are reproducing here.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFF2Vw7w3l0khTvZ9IZLfWSSWWyoBFgAJhWcfcoQtCzb3kChVabd3F2bCHOJuhIJnj6mggZ5QJOmgqTSWGpeICTd2SRMF3hLwmWLEAM2BsuhzM4jrQDUDESIwR92fTj2GrWrfkPu1uy1WoUitU9oc2Q0V0RpuoW_zEETAh5RcrogEDH_j99gcJ-93wzWlf/s2709/DSCN0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2032" data-original-width="2709" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFF2Vw7w3l0khTvZ9IZLfWSSWWyoBFgAJhWcfcoQtCzb3kChVabd3F2bCHOJuhIJnj6mggZ5QJOmgqTSWGpeICTd2SRMF3hLwmWLEAM2BsuhzM4jrQDUDESIwR92fTj2GrWrfkPu1uy1WoUitU9oc2Q0V0RpuoW_zEETAh5RcrogEDH_j99gcJ-93wzWlf/s320/DSCN0806.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We took it slow on the way back. I didn't get anymore animals photographed but this Moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria) was pretty cool.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-6HTbR56iXfw3Q6VvsZW2-iezfZc0NW5lmy5lxpbk-Hu5SUXpvq_qLl-NM2ogEtBnBOfVIIpWOjUN1ZzaBjjpbvNiUXh29l3lDO_TRiqP9IuIX4LR8br0mdWEk0iTXSkTL_O9NDf82WLhgi7U4hcOL7braYzRyMDFxnmQojp18eto0SUGZoh2C7aq7z7/s3116/DSCN0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3116" data-original-width="2337" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-6HTbR56iXfw3Q6VvsZW2-iezfZc0NW5lmy5lxpbk-Hu5SUXpvq_qLl-NM2ogEtBnBOfVIIpWOjUN1ZzaBjjpbvNiUXh29l3lDO_TRiqP9IuIX4LR8br0mdWEk0iTXSkTL_O9NDf82WLhgi7U4hcOL7braYzRyMDFxnmQojp18eto0SUGZoh2C7aq7z7/s320/DSCN0811.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>There she is, struggling through a sand-trap. She did a little over four miles and tattered the bottom of the boot. But she says it was worth it and we saw some great animals, including two FOYs!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oHCfa0wIJZE4hyBikUJZTimHW2s2XrrShg2RmWKSy89CA0Wfzt9UJCXUw5rl2RcncjRNl64HOIZNRizdiFJm7MemcikCRyVpjSHvda8ZeccA7wItElEwuiSCy7LxjQ9eMPy6B0407UARKAkxt1uBzSXvACN0Ym9qYOkCcamgk9nYBR8cSNaHpcUwlJI5/s4608/DSCN0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oHCfa0wIJZE4hyBikUJZTimHW2s2XrrShg2RmWKSy89CA0Wfzt9UJCXUw5rl2RcncjRNl64HOIZNRizdiFJm7MemcikCRyVpjSHvda8ZeccA7wItElEwuiSCy7LxjQ9eMPy6B0407UARKAkxt1uBzSXvACN0Ym9qYOkCcamgk9nYBR8cSNaHpcUwlJI5/s320/DSCN0812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>She is made of tougher stuff than most of us.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-38648799332923425732023-06-19T14:24:00.000-07:002023-06-19T14:24:05.744-07:00Ambulatory Andrea. SHE WALKS! 6-11-2023<p>With the crutches gone, Andrea was walking with just the boot. She wanted to go on a hike, so we picked a relatively flat place where we could see stuff without a ton of work. We chose a place that I'd pushed her in the chair a few weeks prior. Now, we could get to a few better spots, even knowing we'd be cutting it short. It was sunny and nice and things seemed pretty OK.</p><p>Our first secret place paid off with a Water Snake basking on the edge, right next to the water. Upon closer inspection, this guy has a bum eye so the Vitamin D will do him a lot of good.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiWaSD7XG9g-xxZtVuPTlLNGFu56c_i3ePhRwKAOUiSImAkvrvFpSZ5iZUjiZOyeQHC8h0e5PgFFjrNHRHtV9yJ3zJNVfrKAt7m1yrgD1WBCc0rlugtj20L79YjPoSr0c1u_GC42NAF0AwtdKTlTLX8TTMTU4ywn0F2v21qjxVJiusBLwQG5k28fyH3fQ/s3614/DSCN0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2710" data-original-width="3614" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiWaSD7XG9g-xxZtVuPTlLNGFu56c_i3ePhRwKAOUiSImAkvrvFpSZ5iZUjiZOyeQHC8h0e5PgFFjrNHRHtV9yJ3zJNVfrKAt7m1yrgD1WBCc0rlugtj20L79YjPoSr0c1u_GC42NAF0AwtdKTlTLX8TTMTU4ywn0F2v21qjxVJiusBLwQG5k28fyH3fQ/s320/DSCN0728.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>Much to our dismay, a lot of the place was set up for a disc-golf tournament. Teams of kids and adults, 99% male, of course, were cutting in front of Andrea, seeing her limping along in the boot. The game was obviously more important. So we moved on. The peninsula, a great place for frogs and Water Snakes, had a tarp over the water to catch stray discs. I got super passive-aggressive to the guys working there and we moved on.</p><p>The next inlet was beyond the stupid tournament so I went in and looked. Nuthin'. Then, heading back up to the trail, a massive Nerodia skittered away. How I'd walked right past her, I'll never know.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6aPKq3mbAuXd4d-UKppSEmgIiZE-I4NRo-UZ-1cSCm84CThnfsfP2B7gCcp9FJd84MINCL925rL3EYxOlkw8WIusptgBf7KH0LcJQls00Wn1obavPXVu_eMxEWimbLZyhGcRyKyVC3x4ps6_cAv6FWKtEyaVNaJ_tLu4OkmuGX0Thl5iyFDKw60S2rsO/s4608/DSCN0729.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6aPKq3mbAuXd4d-UKppSEmgIiZE-I4NRo-UZ-1cSCm84CThnfsfP2B7gCcp9FJd84MINCL925rL3EYxOlkw8WIusptgBf7KH0LcJQls00Wn1obavPXVu_eMxEWimbLZyhGcRyKyVC3x4ps6_cAv6FWKtEyaVNaJ_tLu4OkmuGX0Thl5iyFDKw60S2rsO/s320/DSCN0729.JPG" /></a><br />She was a beast, despite a stub-tail, impressive enough for Andrea to come down the sloping path. It was worth it. She was ready for her close-up.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyKfgPVMnBvyPWqn1Y_lsHtF9YN79GwV5XoiTpfkcZQ3lM1uOBMvm_b5bG4C01mQVUdeNamCIS0qQP_M1DkdutWhcJpmH6NZSfjTLS9nTsqIMhnCUVmT8sVBHZoUtE6yN6cQ8mo4h-KLUlAYzE_vzJQ5YPGJC_vbErD67ZR1Ie49Hxesm01EkX-tCyfn0/s3173/DSCN0730.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyKfgPVMnBvyPWqn1Y_lsHtF9YN79GwV5XoiTpfkcZQ3lM1uOBMvm_b5bG4C01mQVUdeNamCIS0qQP_M1DkdutWhcJpmH6NZSfjTLS9nTsqIMhnCUVmT8sVBHZoUtE6yN6cQ8mo4h-KLUlAYzE_vzJQ5YPGJC_vbErD67ZR1Ie49Hxesm01EkX-tCyfn0/s320/DSCN0730.JPG" /></a></p><p>We made our way to a vernal to see what was happening there. It had gotten a bit smaller since our last visit but it was teeming with tadpoles. Toads? Woods? I really can't tell.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZuqORKd3wfrkcLr9V5Dx2-exM6T2MddL_uU2_fOcUPFwadkpMAn7wOqpIV87O9b9cdDT5HjRNNwGp1HAkmjt-4VkrEY1iiX39Vz2JJqa154yVNmmp8m3buGKwWxIGcXb01NKw7u3Yovcm6WWl3bKzYrQrFeqbYqnXsmo8Ux5rrhxGXS3B-62JHYps_Qr/s4608/DSCN0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZuqORKd3wfrkcLr9V5Dx2-exM6T2MddL_uU2_fOcUPFwadkpMAn7wOqpIV87O9b9cdDT5HjRNNwGp1HAkmjt-4VkrEY1iiX39Vz2JJqa154yVNmmp8m3buGKwWxIGcXb01NKw7u3Yovcm6WWl3bKzYrQrFeqbYqnXsmo8Ux5rrhxGXS3B-62JHYps_Qr/s320/DSCN0736.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>This Green Frog was also there. Could they be Green tadpoles? I don't think so. Maybe.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0962GzfFTVr1bI4opB6fmiMek-NesD5f4mxAjKKQE4mEvLSytDB8Nuqx-l8bmX9ggJdVVRLkxbCCesS9iE--15B5Ya0iRuV5DuXV_NXI1P3lNHRbtORvXZXgB4-TYDdPokoH8k9YKz9Z9aK6pdQO-mdfZ8vu1ji7cEgOe1OOBV4_1Lx7Vc-n6uTbfoCEQ/s3540/DSCN0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="3540" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0962GzfFTVr1bI4opB6fmiMek-NesD5f4mxAjKKQE4mEvLSytDB8Nuqx-l8bmX9ggJdVVRLkxbCCesS9iE--15B5Ya0iRuV5DuXV_NXI1P3lNHRbtORvXZXgB4-TYDdPokoH8k9YKz9Z9aK6pdQO-mdfZ8vu1ji7cEgOe1OOBV4_1Lx7Vc-n6uTbfoCEQ/s320/DSCN0733.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>Sit-downs were going to be plentiful. We grabbed a shady bench and sat there for a bit, looking out over the pond. This Eastern Wood Pewee (#69, dude) was sharing the space with us, hunting flies. At one point, he flew right at Andrea and grabbed a fly right in front of her. It was a huge treat to watch this bird just doing its thing, unphased by our presence. This shot makes me laugh.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEwpMsQDJQUnXDCLAb-nbuAy1Qf9TbTV1ubSfLcK2dTSg6vJFB9nnjXqm-VPF2TnTa7Z1ETdn-0f3UOI_bzXa9W_jssh93c69Vjg0p6UehzVAbVyOgePgRtKAXmhsk9iAUeHzJRQIcPbG8FYk6cbBK1ewmfjttER-SISPeW0Gx_xpKdKkg4SFT9s2lT9D/s2655/DSCN0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="1991" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEwpMsQDJQUnXDCLAb-nbuAy1Qf9TbTV1ubSfLcK2dTSg6vJFB9nnjXqm-VPF2TnTa7Z1ETdn-0f3UOI_bzXa9W_jssh93c69Vjg0p6UehzVAbVyOgePgRtKAXmhsk9iAUeHzJRQIcPbG8FYk6cbBK1ewmfjttER-SISPeW0Gx_xpKdKkg4SFT9s2lT9D/s320/DSCN0743.JPG" width="240" /></a></p><p>Turtles were tough this time out but we finally found a Painter being fabulous.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDaRTdnHQ_kSubZLyXsnIk6VXNoglSrZSUM3fXzQ9AubvId776KW1jwZ2fKIBCf6RdhbHbzzk08cGUA-7TBylhFI28ES711vOlHd3LMuZ4iqZ6JYtvNUK7hN_tsucLIG7CQcGkwWhAby522R_sgMUNOkABgCGzikGkZHJtQLCJQew0Q21gN2MIuEcrBmO/s3111/DSCN0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2333" data-original-width="3111" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDaRTdnHQ_kSubZLyXsnIk6VXNoglSrZSUM3fXzQ9AubvId776KW1jwZ2fKIBCf6RdhbHbzzk08cGUA-7TBylhFI28ES711vOlHd3LMuZ4iqZ6JYtvNUK7hN_tsucLIG7CQcGkwWhAby522R_sgMUNOkABgCGzikGkZHJtQLCJQew0Q21gN2MIuEcrBmO/s320/DSCN0746.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>In the bird blind, this spider was keeping us company. It is a Leucauge venusta, an Orchard Spider.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsn9DEQS_u4aPNrmXfeie2vfKccX4zo0n4xXX_qF7dpt0ea3i_Ok3OrUfsfyll59hgUz0X9k-QP2Epu8x0w4cjHN0uViiLyKAYvZ43VMC0xdPM7mpuGvD8oEFEYjjACSyg1qV1nI0fOka92MgkIKtf175t8SLkN55d84GvBQ0ewSzCzakZ4MArW8frNLq/s2080/DSCN0748.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsn9DEQS_u4aPNrmXfeie2vfKccX4zo0n4xXX_qF7dpt0ea3i_Ok3OrUfsfyll59hgUz0X9k-QP2Epu8x0w4cjHN0uViiLyKAYvZ43VMC0xdPM7mpuGvD8oEFEYjjACSyg1qV1nI0fOka92MgkIKtf175t8SLkN55d84GvBQ0ewSzCzakZ4MArW8frNLq/s320/DSCN0748.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>We did what we could but didn't want to overdo it. Heading back, we rested on the Pewee bench for a while. He was still there hunting. Andrea is a badas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe060XunDezlM7-MK5JTXQRIazaEYkGF5UswgfqD4OsjYLT2ESSqhiWIgHLWznteFpm7_67LLT1rLe9Ose_uIcgYt9ey4gwuwZtIBW55cvtiMODKFhGB7CFYKuQsfzBpVxCMWuTRT0wXIYYeirnRte-B26T1GJPdZlr0PeO9spx3M-itOFnkNVJUhA5AK_/s4608/DSCN0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe060XunDezlM7-MK5JTXQRIazaEYkGF5UswgfqD4OsjYLT2ESSqhiWIgHLWznteFpm7_67LLT1rLe9Ose_uIcgYt9ey4gwuwZtIBW55cvtiMODKFhGB7CFYKuQsfzBpVxCMWuTRT0wXIYYeirnRte-B26T1GJPdZlr0PeO9spx3M-itOFnkNVJUhA5AK_/s320/DSCN0751.JPG" width="320" /></a><div><br /></div><div>The pond had some (in)action this time around, too. Some distant Painted Turtles were up.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUg6o2Q01Uel3yZ2CR7Iv1G081imBX_RQC8cWc9evuxqqgyvzgRxmU-OZBOjnRZ_OeoD_n3T-AkhiSG1LrZ0Q1-tiLFUMFYWfIqbnJzEsL9_kqY8SyaYGwsYv9NtYwpdkTGagI1VV88BPssi4YPguc7v2-RmQs4eD35-OoKSeqd3Rp7tKHNorwBnuP4D_/s3719/DSCN0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2789" data-original-width="3719" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUg6o2Q01Uel3yZ2CR7Iv1G081imBX_RQC8cWc9evuxqqgyvzgRxmU-OZBOjnRZ_OeoD_n3T-AkhiSG1LrZ0Q1-tiLFUMFYWfIqbnJzEsL9_kqY8SyaYGwsYv9NtYwpdkTGagI1VV88BPssi4YPguc7v2-RmQs4eD35-OoKSeqd3Rp7tKHNorwBnuP4D_/s320/DSCN0753.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMQo_jxYde0lyhtLb2HSRinySNLI6UgQPER3P6v-OBz1c0wAHk9PNFv2HDID-_MrBJrecaDzSMgu5VfZh2G0q1o1ZDjzvas68slY01QiIgOvGXp-gVyZ65Odn2KpKBjXqU_-Nk_4p5tslpUoS_GMQdCY8pv0EakkBEwo3vfoyBY10OHCCboJb2nMWlPKr/s2940/DSCN0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2205" data-original-width="2940" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMQo_jxYde0lyhtLb2HSRinySNLI6UgQPER3P6v-OBz1c0wAHk9PNFv2HDID-_MrBJrecaDzSMgu5VfZh2G0q1o1ZDjzvas68slY01QiIgOvGXp-gVyZ65Odn2KpKBjXqU_-Nk_4p5tslpUoS_GMQdCY8pv0EakkBEwo3vfoyBY10OHCCboJb2nMWlPKr/s320/DSCN0755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Walking back, Andrea pointed out a Garter that I'd just walked past. While trying to get a pic, he curled up into a nice coil.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDwx5kElOaXBpUm__j6PKbUbhuIFN0oyXKrdrPd8HOEq6Id_fBpobJLP_sFnc2dTvcqqVKocsQGsh6V8SGdYtFimkiRtubsOz03NoSpR3moVTiJj22yI_dvvtPWuNMxQ4Xtfl59kmWmR4UdHaHeijwwFWeIV6R1R-b2GfByy_c1bZHmUFPWFbly0DpwIa/s3695/DSCN0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2771" data-original-width="3695" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDwx5kElOaXBpUm__j6PKbUbhuIFN0oyXKrdrPd8HOEq6Id_fBpobJLP_sFnc2dTvcqqVKocsQGsh6V8SGdYtFimkiRtubsOz03NoSpR3moVTiJj22yI_dvvtPWuNMxQ4Xtfl59kmWmR4UdHaHeijwwFWeIV6R1R-b2GfByy_c1bZHmUFPWFbly0DpwIa/s320/DSCN0765.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I contributed with a little guy that was slithering next to the path. Like the massive Water Snake, this guy was a stub-tail.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJwNQ_aQ1wjvjP2oTFixOC2Ql6I6woPQpwWvPlkanCj7SOHk_YOIXfXDof6cxCsThmfnjtXFMDi4uHw9dh98f_2RSrgwIE82DVMVheGaBdMfOOm2yN3gwCuG9UcD6lacqQsr4AxijOcVaMprShyJDVsEmen7I_IJjTIuryn8Lw0T35dLUah6iBr4M2uSS/s3853/DSCN0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="3853" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJwNQ_aQ1wjvjP2oTFixOC2Ql6I6woPQpwWvPlkanCj7SOHk_YOIXfXDof6cxCsThmfnjtXFMDi4uHw9dh98f_2RSrgwIE82DVMVheGaBdMfOOm2yN3gwCuG9UcD6lacqQsr4AxijOcVaMprShyJDVsEmen7I_IJjTIuryn8Lw0T35dLUah6iBr4M2uSS/s320/DSCN0769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I couldn't resist checking in on the big gal on the way back. She was still there, folded neatly into a comfortable coil.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWX3HyI04PqdNw6x8xmzUODer3un0EpTkHDfLl2MevjQ207m9Nr3SjuwEZMlD8VK05OUlt29mXgY4uQimj_nGbMqOmKydRaw_upBGYj0ApbmEfpeuAlsR0HsN71EZgFWNHwW5r2adosgOLdHU3OQ_3fOru6qocMpqiwvPwJcV-VZxAEiDSqaefiDomSjn/s3780/DSCN0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2835" data-original-width="3780" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWX3HyI04PqdNw6x8xmzUODer3un0EpTkHDfLl2MevjQ207m9Nr3SjuwEZMlD8VK05OUlt29mXgY4uQimj_nGbMqOmKydRaw_upBGYj0ApbmEfpeuAlsR0HsN71EZgFWNHwW5r2adosgOLdHU3OQ_3fOru6qocMpqiwvPwJcV-VZxAEiDSqaefiDomSjn/s320/DSCN0772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Back to the beginning, a group of hey-brahs were playing disc-golf but there was a Water Snake posing nicely so I got my shot.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-jl9hDlAk36lWiFBH6FI-TjU31gZgV6TVhfqDfT3w1_bNG1dMnGyStveynZhna29HYIvjwlocNdA5rauG-Z57Uo1GTb_4GszQtzXwapIUTkTblpsp_dnXdunqZfUweg03uZFKRL3myJsXZeL5AS74JLWdWO9hJVPrrl7flejI03U3EhLhp8r34OD12jJ/s3726/DSCN0776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2795" data-original-width="3726" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-jl9hDlAk36lWiFBH6FI-TjU31gZgV6TVhfqDfT3w1_bNG1dMnGyStveynZhna29HYIvjwlocNdA5rauG-Z57Uo1GTb_4GszQtzXwapIUTkTblpsp_dnXdunqZfUweg03uZFKRL3myJsXZeL5AS74JLWdWO9hJVPrrl7flejI03U3EhLhp8r34OD12jJ/s320/DSCN0776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One dude said that they were playing, insinuating that I was in their way. I said, "I just need to photograph this Bullfrog first, then I'm on my way." Not as passive-aggressive as before. I'm learning.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Rkvt3u0Hf4eZsA9HyNTq3tRtGRvKCJzbt6vpGcemx-9dB7xzgBevEbmEQl3TYJiXWnjtLhIVbRzfzIuSp-u8_CIMYR8dIZ3ikoZ4RQFcAArNwnHN7GQLqtXuGIGEFRGIduG88dELgJ4OzIym7gqHa_1VosyblN8gjnQVFopZQ0GuoHB5kwlnDkgpuEUS/s3323/DSCN0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2492" data-original-width="3323" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Rkvt3u0Hf4eZsA9HyNTq3tRtGRvKCJzbt6vpGcemx-9dB7xzgBevEbmEQl3TYJiXWnjtLhIVbRzfzIuSp-u8_CIMYR8dIZ3ikoZ4RQFcAArNwnHN7GQLqtXuGIGEFRGIduG88dELgJ4OzIym7gqHa_1VosyblN8gjnQVFopZQ0GuoHB5kwlnDkgpuEUS/s320/DSCN0777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I peeked into the secret place where gooey-eye had been earlier. He was gone but nearby, this Water Snake was resting in the dappled sunlight.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWg2mQnmK5X2N9jpdUSsRlB1j1Pmo8Vqc4HRSrVKBIGt_zy0cQz3a3X7eAplqERwC7l4AEzGMepaKJPuVLIm4Uv-6oNxBm0scZ98ASQF-3gkJ-hKuJxEQDg-WHWwvW2Nk-G-kqOEZ_0FNgv0gV21klnFwHjvnz5Ck_K_t8VPQcM5AqkMvUBFIf7mb7MjV/s3622/DSCN0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2716" data-original-width="3622" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWg2mQnmK5X2N9jpdUSsRlB1j1Pmo8Vqc4HRSrVKBIGt_zy0cQz3a3X7eAplqERwC7l4AEzGMepaKJPuVLIm4Uv-6oNxBm0scZ98ASQF-3gkJ-hKuJxEQDg-WHWwvW2Nk-G-kqOEZ_0FNgv0gV21klnFwHjvnz5Ck_K_t8VPQcM5AqkMvUBFIf7mb7MjV/s320/DSCN0779.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I flipped many a stone heading back to the car in hopes of a Ringneck or a salamander. I came up empty. While Andrea visited the facilities in the visitors center, I ambled out back to a disc-golf tee that was unoccupied. There were rocks along the steps. Finally flipped my Ringer.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yHwfMlAhSEWzwd5so-1jh2jhq6cmaWyfUK6Q28Rc9Ai_hu9YuDIx8yMiSBLLZer5rRuIpbt7c3PmaXF9QWnRLqgv9RkRPf0xanVf-I5m7quxtbwf0aYcH79LQC_hMjb7O9JeHPy8xKJVw4PKIrVTT7HWtWnCf_Z1-U3NTd84MKj391rR7lltpw3zxgld/s3362/DSCN0780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2522" data-original-width="3362" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yHwfMlAhSEWzwd5so-1jh2jhq6cmaWyfUK6Q28Rc9Ai_hu9YuDIx8yMiSBLLZer5rRuIpbt7c3PmaXF9QWnRLqgv9RkRPf0xanVf-I5m7quxtbwf0aYcH79LQC_hMjb7O9JeHPy8xKJVw4PKIrVTT7HWtWnCf_Z1-U3NTd84MKj391rR7lltpw3zxgld/s320/DSCN0780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Oddly enough, it was another stub-tail. Not surprising considering the boy-men playing disc-golf couldn't care less about anything but their game and never even consider something might be living under the rock. I gently grabbed it and saved it for Andrea to see, then released him under the same rock.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, She hoofed it for just under 3 miles in her boot. Hot damn, that's good. And by doing so, we saw some great animals. I don't know when our last 3 snake species hike was but it was definitely before the accident. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>We left and got ice cream. We earned it. Andrea did, anyway.</div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835482907729963774.post-7985034739158669422023-06-12T14:44:00.000-07:002023-06-12T14:44:28.871-07:00Limping into June! 6-4 and 6-9.Predicting the weather this June has been quite difficult. Sunday the 4th was cold. Low 50s. We didn't want to be stuck in the house, so Andrea crutched to the car and we went to the local cemetery to do some birding. Of course, I had to check the pond, but we figured if we'd see any turtles, it would be a Red-ear. They seem to be the most cold tolerant. We were right.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CaW5qrwrX-carMNcLP5YH5w_9-DDfLAoPEBXSj90gqW3Nky6nxd2cqSTivgqU7EQ4uK9f8NJEWPpTlP9X8RPGYNx4yCMInW44RqiqvBgNjzr8UyZNKeDZHjFt5eNf5Hd3vt2dGCE-kvfLWBUdPndm212_sz-KHQvjWkxHEjhwD4btKEQS8M0upThiw/s3039/DSCN0699.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CaW5qrwrX-carMNcLP5YH5w_9-DDfLAoPEBXSj90gqW3Nky6nxd2cqSTivgqU7EQ4uK9f8NJEWPpTlP9X8RPGYNx4yCMInW44RqiqvBgNjzr8UyZNKeDZHjFt5eNf5Hd3vt2dGCE-kvfLWBUdPndm212_sz-KHQvjWkxHEjhwD4btKEQS8M0upThiw/s320/DSCN0699.JPG" /></a><div><br /></div><div>We saw a pair of young women standing near the edge of the pond, aiming their cameras and smiling and that could only mean one thing... friendly Snapper! Again, we were right.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGITSBIA0pjcMOHZqp0CVf-nALbRaTZgsuC-iJ9UMd6pATfxKfI0cwd_RgGkRlFwUZ0aVbC3UEUMdGxNn9_IjRUJYMI-LAIrnPDpFYjHGf9rBOq4-_vccBH3B5oEVNITRg1HkWyasgbxN_r-Qdno04q7XGzpxAaoL5_JdIuNLDpJ_7hGkpPy9EXUMVg/s3206/DSCN0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2405" data-original-width="3206" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGITSBIA0pjcMOHZqp0CVf-nALbRaTZgsuC-iJ9UMd6pATfxKfI0cwd_RgGkRlFwUZ0aVbC3UEUMdGxNn9_IjRUJYMI-LAIrnPDpFYjHGf9rBOq4-_vccBH3B5oEVNITRg1HkWyasgbxN_r-Qdno04q7XGzpxAaoL5_JdIuNLDpJ_7hGkpPy9EXUMVg/s320/DSCN0702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Whitey? Maybe!</div><div><br /></div><div>We did see some birds. This Killdeer (#68) seemed out of place as we usually see them in open fields near woods but we saw two, so it looks like we'll have to watch our step when we return!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjjuOGq75Pku_Bt7SQvLILBr4ZEo59cd-g6H5txjec8zk2V34Jk0Jvgl0z93aawNtTJhXqeZ4nJa6CL2LDNU5yPPedyhV-nFeCActtypJRNJKFV18ASIF3LIU9flST5B0BifEJLnm0XDG3hCo3aA3laWnHDrTfKYUwMf_mRhkef8vwePpon6m0eBQXg/s3281/DSCN0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2461" data-original-width="3281" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjjuOGq75Pku_Bt7SQvLILBr4ZEo59cd-g6H5txjec8zk2V34Jk0Jvgl0z93aawNtTJhXqeZ4nJa6CL2LDNU5yPPedyhV-nFeCActtypJRNJKFV18ASIF3LIU9flST5B0BifEJLnm0XDG3hCo3aA3laWnHDrTfKYUwMf_mRhkef8vwePpon6m0eBQXg/s320/DSCN0706.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We decided to drive over to "the other pond" to see if any frogs were up. On the way there, at the far end of that first pond, I saw this sticking up from the "road".<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUvYT6ei7rm4BG1PQEmouT41ULq3YHGTh8M-3kfpdYd6wPQy241FD367eCGrl9waN292uTha3Og8p0BuyUQoQaEtVex3kVkpck2PCDU1c9obAOT7bZpE7YzvMalbZyuC_37YkH7s7pUvCKyvGK35KWoT_FKYhit2xjaTcZoSRZRV18--khzK51IczOQ/s3244/DSCN0708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2433" data-original-width="3244" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUvYT6ei7rm4BG1PQEmouT41ULq3YHGTh8M-3kfpdYd6wPQy241FD367eCGrl9waN292uTha3Og8p0BuyUQoQaEtVex3kVkpck2PCDU1c9obAOT7bZpE7YzvMalbZyuC_37YkH7s7pUvCKyvGK35KWoT_FKYhit2xjaTcZoSRZRV18--khzK51IczOQ/s320/DSCN0708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We saw no frogs at the other pond, but Andrea did some good crutch walking, moving quickly and painlessly. We headed back to leave, peeking at the first pond one more time. There was a woman and her kid on one edge and from the car, we could see splashing and turtle shell activity, so we joined them.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was a bunch of turtles there. Some were begging food (we had none) and some were gettin' busy. This Red-ear was one of the former.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKnmy-QIbXll7nixuim15A1GLxg8fik1GbL6-uxNQx4KFQauzJd16oofb3fZDTpoRO-iZIo70lV7_S8PlZmV6En8v1Cn64ZUZYKELg8UyQeOVDRPWmxijjXAD_qaOjUviVDCJZCCNogQU76eJmqNVE5_VyngRTRUYeteFclrK6x1yh_-x3Qse_J8yew/s3201/DSCN0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2401" data-original-width="3201" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKnmy-QIbXll7nixuim15A1GLxg8fik1GbL6-uxNQx4KFQauzJd16oofb3fZDTpoRO-iZIo70lV7_S8PlZmV6En8v1Cn64ZUZYKELg8UyQeOVDRPWmxijjXAD_qaOjUviVDCJZCCNogQU76eJmqNVE5_VyngRTRUYeteFclrK6x1yh_-x3Qse_J8yew/s320/DSCN0711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of the Snappers that were vying for either the female or territory. Are any of them Whitey? As it turns out, there are three that have white on their faces. To be completely honest, unless he comes right out to us, we can't tell which is him.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzQI8PQGebcEkT1Z1jwe_q0qRQXlnK_KJ1Te0teW2n4_VWVfsX15fkZSLltbV-qG8ZGP8Gvkb4rHeu0--Rn7GbXRwEHM-O1VovSNK6zOvYlZCEZ91zpoprBVh7I3OGfoCwCu1ECFC2xiVxrjAvu5_sGbMWHAacAFwReykGf8-5eJXK11Bnzoai24huQ/s2869/DSCN0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2152" data-original-width="2869" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzQI8PQGebcEkT1Z1jwe_q0qRQXlnK_KJ1Te0teW2n4_VWVfsX15fkZSLltbV-qG8ZGP8Gvkb4rHeu0--Rn7GbXRwEHM-O1VovSNK6zOvYlZCEZ91zpoprBVh7I3OGfoCwCu1ECFC2xiVxrjAvu5_sGbMWHAacAFwReykGf8-5eJXK11Bnzoai24huQ/s320/DSCN0712.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZxxeub39CWbtE2Vh1j0d5NKglmQ54GY8Z9ioJbETIZ_8EzsIR3UtSPLkqNTjA29qq1RvJHTNozS_qZe571ZyjKuMP2fzWj4oxHwxXrO-f66E2ONqt1PqUfNlQPtMna2oa6YNtNS6dOXFLuR7Ju63hfwoG2dfzZmhKqN2ftinaKCGc--LbCCvH30BOw/s3308/DSCN0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2481" data-original-width="3308" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZxxeub39CWbtE2Vh1j0d5NKglmQ54GY8Z9ioJbETIZ_8EzsIR3UtSPLkqNTjA29qq1RvJHTNozS_qZe571ZyjKuMP2fzWj4oxHwxXrO-f66E2ONqt1PqUfNlQPtMna2oa6YNtNS6dOXFLuR7Ju63hfwoG2dfzZmhKqN2ftinaKCGc--LbCCvH30BOw/s320/DSCN0713.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIHog6DGRdHaICuWCyTFoUu89cQOZdwk-aYDufLNbdM8caQGTY-m_uyB48_m70mn9DuurKpaeXKqKgP1b6qd2ZW9KXTEyz1LdrBhNWLGi_nGw_HdDw4iNtE6blyOq_gO6ZW4xcGumiWe4Y2qqaI2km_MhBzftW1zXoonJyu-KqghomIRGyYb4LvhGHQ/s2803/DSCN0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2803" data-original-width="2103" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIHog6DGRdHaICuWCyTFoUu89cQOZdwk-aYDufLNbdM8caQGTY-m_uyB48_m70mn9DuurKpaeXKqKgP1b6qd2ZW9KXTEyz1LdrBhNWLGi_nGw_HdDw4iNtE6blyOq_gO6ZW4xcGumiWe4Y2qqaI2km_MhBzftW1zXoonJyu-KqghomIRGyYb4LvhGHQ/s320/DSCN0714.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is the smallest one and we suspect she is a female.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOJDIUv9XkTp7Axc8ONYwGsGBFdUPr9QW4Y4U2Y_OTjXr3d8eelf6c_tUJZ8gEbhLaM-HKH3KrUzvg6nuuTatGXZx70mWdG9rsCgQUJ-9ORWtoYwG6RaKV5te0TzuDEEsiAVYWhJraK4B8BaTXe6njmCG1YJl1eqr4RqReh0YXB6ci7qB5hQuOUbWiQ/s4394/DSCN0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3138" data-original-width="4394" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOJDIUv9XkTp7Axc8ONYwGsGBFdUPr9QW4Y4U2Y_OTjXr3d8eelf6c_tUJZ8gEbhLaM-HKH3KrUzvg6nuuTatGXZx70mWdG9rsCgQUJ-9ORWtoYwG6RaKV5te0TzuDEEsiAVYWhJraK4B8BaTXe6njmCG1YJl1eqr4RqReh0YXB6ci7qB5hQuOUbWiQ/s320/DSCN0716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For your Painted pleasure.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3_l-qm2gaJxcgzGMnz-oJsakpL51RO1aqDOav5Al9cFBGHY2IoSVOkShenz9aC-0P8vxiku1Ncx7IFhp_h4crIkp_kou9inqMT91HQ4m1UKdWeZLDRzDogFER2dlc65mfQHv0df-zYhRTxEmT-c3fr3adzmh3Zh81SD6Csg6ihFF-VfHJviyZiGTBg/s2900/DSCN0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2175" data-original-width="2900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3_l-qm2gaJxcgzGMnz-oJsakpL51RO1aqDOav5Al9cFBGHY2IoSVOkShenz9aC-0P8vxiku1Ncx7IFhp_h4crIkp_kou9inqMT91HQ4m1UKdWeZLDRzDogFER2dlc65mfQHv0df-zYhRTxEmT-c3fr3adzmh3Zh81SD6Csg6ihFF-VfHJviyZiGTBg/s320/DSCN0718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>OK, now THIS one IS Whitey. No mistaking it. He came right out of the water hoping for a snack. What a wondrous, beautiful beast! He is absolutely massive. Must be all of those handouts.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdh-9ZuEscm6A28ezsmsXs3HBY6rLap3Ht0N4Wy48dh7op2A31GRW-D2ygmJl2xIZeHleC6q92rwp8hsL7MNK3hoB3neFR7gbvGCGQsVUhVdTuk45lkPGNKtr8oDVHvLeYyiYOSoztvntdXGQ60yW2gtpcxE1szvqEZIi7AJJQuiSJqMUMb7yl9ynLQ/s3150/DSCN0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2362" data-original-width="3150" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdh-9ZuEscm6A28ezsmsXs3HBY6rLap3Ht0N4Wy48dh7op2A31GRW-D2ygmJl2xIZeHleC6q92rwp8hsL7MNK3hoB3neFR7gbvGCGQsVUhVdTuk45lkPGNKtr8oDVHvLeYyiYOSoztvntdXGQ60yW2gtpcxE1szvqEZIi7AJJQuiSJqMUMb7yl9ynLQ/s320/DSCN0719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Not a bad Sunday afternoon. We had six Snappers in sight at one point. The kid said he'd had seven the previous week! What a pond!</div><div><br /></div><div>Andrea saw the doctor on Monday the 5th and her instructions were to wean herself off of the crutches and eventually change from the boot to a brace. The crutches were gone by Wednesday. She absolutely kicks ass.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday night was rainy. And barely 50°. Since we were too lazy to drive to Plymouth to cruise in the rain last year, we got our butts in gear to do that very thing. We went out to dinner first (date night!) then drove 45 miles to the State Forest. It was no longer raining, unfortunately, but the roads were wet. We figured we'd score bigtime! But we didn't. In fact, we saw nothing until we hit our turn-around spot and I got out to "look for Wood Frogs" and saw our First of Year Fowler's Toad on a path. Target #1 achieved.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK7WWvFKompgr_5BHfcd0w8z_lvsqKA7OKAKm2JySnTSOjT4AVX0r09-75JKqyuPlyPfhOgbcou45cvUF7PHVVVk8rPImIZd4O7iVcp2PQ06ltwZ5ChA4tLtCIAVDSoQUs56vzqA9Y8Nxz9W8DnYmbOWr1yeV8i8hA0KrfNTZSq35vGmeQuMe17LoYg/s2530/DSCN0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1897" data-original-width="2530" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK7WWvFKompgr_5BHfcd0w8z_lvsqKA7OKAKm2JySnTSOjT4AVX0r09-75JKqyuPlyPfhOgbcou45cvUF7PHVVVk8rPImIZd4O7iVcp2PQ06ltwZ5ChA4tLtCIAVDSoQUs56vzqA9Y8Nxz9W8DnYmbOWr1yeV8i8hA0KrfNTZSq35vGmeQuMe17LoYg/s320/DSCN0720.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>I took him to show Andrea and he promptly jumped into the car. I found him under some trash on the floor of the back seat. Damned if I didn't laugh.</div><div><br /></div><div>We saw a Park Ranger (who wondered what the hell we were doing, but gave us full permission once we told her) and she said frogs were out in force, but she was probably driving around during the rain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Someone was coming up behind me, so I pulled over and as I did, I saw a set of eyes reflecting! Scared shitless that I was going to squish something, I got a tire on either side and hoped he didn't hop. Luckily he didn't and I got a shot of this beautiful Bullfrog.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SPoHKnWe1RVAeCBbXKsQCkKZ18748we9LUMrlIqnI_lddTWvd9oZOzb27UmUZ2YEMQZPhs03pVA4Xl81l98HZ6pHWv8phCeNe0YpQMt5uQrcxSu1OArAWRZP1j7_9Lvf43BIOnHqzxZqvS3QjOwPnby2P9LDjv2qMEAkWf1LwHndRHqYdGmYjyss2A/s3041/DSCN0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2281" data-original-width="3041" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SPoHKnWe1RVAeCBbXKsQCkKZ18748we9LUMrlIqnI_lddTWvd9oZOzb27UmUZ2YEMQZPhs03pVA4Xl81l98HZ6pHWv8phCeNe0YpQMt5uQrcxSu1OArAWRZP1j7_9Lvf43BIOnHqzxZqvS3QjOwPnby2P9LDjv2qMEAkWf1LwHndRHqYdGmYjyss2A/s320/DSCN0722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>I love how he looks coked-out with his night-time eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div>We already considered the drive worth it when we saw the Fowler's and the Bull added to our happiness. Making things even better, we saw one more animal, our other anuran target, a Gray Tree Frog, the First of the Year.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXOBAx5WQ1FVAauZStNjmNfXIPb1XqcLvtbC5Lp4a6QNDUlDxS8JnIaRdhSg-zXFFwzF4d4nTP-SPz9rHk9IMZZkwQyihp71L7wLHwPtpmVHhzZjc-NMY2RRjD_tvoUCxNm_777mcXYCW7-PPb8kTIm16Z7d3Lncj6bMOAjsPOm-s_hSWhC38RUYecw/s3027/DSCN0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2270" data-original-width="3027" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXOBAx5WQ1FVAauZStNjmNfXIPb1XqcLvtbC5Lp4a6QNDUlDxS8JnIaRdhSg-zXFFwzF4d4nTP-SPz9rHk9IMZZkwQyihp71L7wLHwPtpmVHhzZjc-NMY2RRjD_tvoUCxNm_777mcXYCW7-PPb8kTIm16Z7d3Lncj6bMOAjsPOm-s_hSWhC38RUYecw/s320/DSCN0723.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>90 mile round trip for 3 animals? Yessiree! Worth every inch!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mike Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06783223455997428201noreply@blogger.com0