Snakes Are Deaf. 9-4-2017

Labor Day and we were both off from work. So many options. Sunny, mid-70s... we chose a nearby place in Norfolk County in hopes of hatchling turtle sightings. We had none, but we saw lots of cool animals despite the inundation of human noise present at the bustling park.

We know our way around so we pretty much know how to avoid humanity while looking to photograph animals. For instance, a tarp covered woodpile usually has a hiding snake or two. It didn't this time but this wee shoestring was barreling along in an open spot near it. Andrea deftly lifted him for a photo.


The pond's edge was littered with humans, throwing rocks and stomping through habitat, so it was pretty quiet on the animal front. This massive American Toad was hiding out in the brush nearby.


Keeping our eyes open (but our blinders on to the disgrace of homo sapien disrespect) we saw a few secretive animals. This Wood Frog was well hidden.


This large Garter was  digesting a large lunch in the dappled sun, mostly out of sight.


We went up to a rocky hill that we always hit and there was a woman up there that we talked to for a bit. (We'd pointed out the last garter to her daughter). After she left, we saw this massive girl stretched out.

I wanted to measure her, so I picked her up to begin the proceedings. Just then I noticed the woman, her family and another couple had come up. *sigh* Education time? I tried, but the Garter, who was 31", bit and bloodied me and proved to be an irritable teaching tool.

This wee toad was more to their speed.


It was early afternoon and plenty of Garters were up hunting, digesting or, in the case of shoestrings, seeking cover from our steps.



We reached the pond and got our eyes on some distant Painters.


This guy was the Me of turtles... enjoying his rock alone. (Maybe his Andrea turtle was on the other side of the stump.)


This area, despite the flow of uncaring human footsteps, was full of secret Garters, mostly up foraging for food. Though the foot-falls were certainly "audible", they're so lucky they didn't have to hear the caterwauling. Check out the odd, stubby snout on the second guy.




Since our mission was baby turtles, we spent a lot of time at a known nesting area. It is also well off the main path so it is mercifully people-free. While we saw no hatchlings, we saw a wee American Toad and our only Redback on the day, a tiny, super-cute one.



We took a break on a bench we'd never noticed before. I could get used to this; sitting with my wife, looking out at nature. For me, the shimmering of water is far more interesting to watch than any television.


We went to a field where we have seen many species of salamanders and gently peeked under the many logs there. It was fairly dry and despite our efforts (which were many) we came up salamander-less. The very first log on another trail? Metamorph Spotted Salamander. Just like that.


Way out at our mid-way point, I saw Andrea lunge. She captured this speedy (and musky) Garter for a photo.


We went pretty far before seeing our next animal, a good sized American Toad.


Walking back along the side of the pond, humans were starting to show up again. We saw a lovely, black Water Snake coiled in the sun. By the time I got my camera ready, approaching human footsteps (and to be honest, probably my own presence) made it uncoil and move away.

I managed a shot of its noggin through the brush.


Distant Painted Turtles always make me chuckle.


That turtle stack from earlier had even more Painters trying to get on board.


We embarrassed a couple who were arguing. Their dog was in the water and wouldn't come out and the guy was swearing up a storm. We appeared and it turned into a jovial "C'mon, boy!". Anyway, we were over by them when Andrea looked down and saw this tiny, new Ringneck actually out and crawling in the sand.


This Ringer, our first oviparous baby of the year, would have been an excellent educational snake but the simmering couple didn't seem interested.

Almost to the end, we were back at the human-infested beginning of the trek. I saw a Water Snake tail sticking out of the bushes and it was slowly moving in. I grabbed the tail and extricated way more Nerodia than I thought was in there.

Here I was with another really uncooperative educational snake, though the family seemed unfazed by my bleeding hands and the ever-striking snake. She is a beautiful specimen.


A stream that flows from the pond was a good place to wash some musk and blood from my hands. It was also a good spot to see our 9th species on the day. We each found a colorful Two-lined Salamander.



One last stop before the car. A large rock revealed a tiny, newly hatched Ringneck.

Thank you for the perfect pose, little one.

We actually manged ten species on this Sunday. A lovely Pickerel Frog threw us a bone and hopped in front of us.


So, as is almost always the case, we didn't hit our "target" of baby turtles. But baby snakes, some salamanders, anurans and adult turtles made it a pretty good day anyway. And we got back in time for my early band practice. Win win.