On Sunday, March 8th, we made plans with our friends Teá and Dan to check out the local dens and maybe take a look for some early-bird turtles. The problem is, Coronavirus has been making inroads into our fine state and taking over much of everybody's attention. But it was sunny and mild (mid-40s) so we all met up and peeked at the dens.
Teá scored first with a slim Garter that I'd skipped right past.
(That makes 24 straight months with a Massachusetts snake seen.)
We kept an eye on a known entrance/exit hole and... wait! There was some movement!!!
Looks like somebody else moved in this winter.
We checked some other dens without much luck, but we enjoyed talking and catching up, something we don't get to do enough of. Our last stop, on the way out, was Robles' den, which was getting some good, solid sun by that time. I saw a slight movement in a hole... no way...
This wee Garter was thinking about it, but saw the four mammals hovering outside. If I have ever seen anything cuter, I'm not sure what it is.
This Garter was laying at the bottom of the mound, trying to be inconspicuous.
Unfortunately, Teá and Dan couldn't join us on the next leg of our hike so we made our teary farewells and headed into Norfolk County in hopes of seeing a Spotted Turtle. They seem to stir ahead of other local turtle species and we knew right were to go.
5 minutes in, target acheived.
He was backing in when we saw him so we're lucky to have gotten this.
It was chilly but we walked on, realizing that we were on our first real nature hike of the year. Further up, I took a long distance shot of what might have been a turtle. It was a Spotted.
So, now I had photographed the front end and the back end of a Spotted Turtle. One whole turtle, sort of.
We took an offshoot trail in hopes of flipping a Redback or something but had no luck. Much to our delight, though, we saw a coil of a Garter nestled in the leaves, trying to get some winter sun.
As always, the most beautiful sight...
That was a nice day, getting out, seeing friends and animals and seeing our first turtle of the year. (FOY Spotted Turtle!)
During the week, the Coronavirus threat became a lot worse, or rather, people started taking it more seriously, and it was suggested that people stay home and quarantine themselves. The shit was, as the kids say, hitting the fan.
On Saturday, March 14th, while many people were making a shambles of local supermarkets, we drove to Plymouth County to walk around a favorite pond. Being outside, away from people made good sense. It was going to be about 50° and sunny. We hadn't counted on the breeze, however. It was pretty cool.
Still, we had a lovely walk and every once in a while, we saw a distant turtle up, splash in, or swimming around. Finally, I got my camera on our First-of-Year Painted Turtle, who shot me a wilting glance.
Further up, we got to an area that blocked the chilly breeze that blew across the pond and saw our first Painted Turtle Chorus Line of 2020.
I decided last year to try a Grasshopper ID/count this year. I know, I may live to regret it. But, this is my #1, a Northern Green-striped Grasshopper Nymph (I think). If I'm wrong, somebody please let me know and I'll give up this reckless pursuit.
Then, before leaving, we followed some Wood Frog calls (mixed in with a few lone Peepers and one or two Gray Tree Frogs) down to a vernal. Of course, while we were there, they remained silent. But good luck did attach itself to us and we flipped out first lungless salamander on the year, our FOY Redback.
Just a wee wisp of a 'mander.
So, that's where we're at. Stuck at home (except for work) with the occasional trip to the woods. I'm fine with it all. "Stuck" with Andrea is quite pleasant indeed. And having nine species of reptile and amphibian while it's still the Winter up here isn't so bad.
Always look on the bright side of life. ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
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