Target Practice. 9-12-2020

 First off, let me say that this new Blogger system is total ASS.

Sadly, like it or not, the season is dwindling down. There are still a few snake species we'd like to see before it's too late and two of them reside in the Plymouth County area. So, Triple E threats aside, we headed over to try our luck. It was sunny and beautiful out. 

We got there late morning and eagerly headed to our first stop. It was a great Redbellied Snake spot last year. This year, not so much. Today was a not so much day for Redbells, but our first find was a small Spotted Salamander, probably from the vernal on the other side of the road.

Nearby, a wiggly Redback made for a tough photograph.

We crossed the road and headed towards the vernal. On the way, Andrea spotted this gorgeous and tiny Peeper.

The vernal itself has shrunk a bit but is still full of life. This Bullfrog had no problem with me walking along next to him.

The float behind a very lucky person's house was filling up with Painted Turtles.

Heading back to the car, we noticed a snake skin. Upon closer inspection, there was a snake there too. At first, I was like "wha...? That's not a Milk... Oh shit! Baby Racer!"

As I tried to get a better pic, the snake kind of backed up, the whoosh... back into the hole.

So, we call that "off to a good start". Six species in the first stop. Next stop: cranberry bogs.

The bogs started off like they should... with frogs. Here are a couple of Bulls.

An adult Painted Turtle found a lily pad large enough to accommodate her bulk.

On the sandy path between two bogs, another small Spotted Salamander surprised us.

More bog frogs... a Green, a Bull and a Pickerel!

OK, that's two more species! Surely we'll hit double digits today!! Next stop, our most reliable Hognose trail. This is the reason it's a good Hognose trail... Fowler's Toads. Watch out, buddy!

In the half dozen times we have walked this trail this year, it has kicked our asses. This day was no different... long, hot walk- no snakes. But a few Fowler's brought our count up to nine species. 

Next stop... the surefire Redbellied Cooter spot. The taste of success was on our lips...

OK, well those are all Painters in the distance.

Looks like our rosy-plastroned pals were not going to throw us a bone this time. Meanwhile, Andrea found a successful nest next to the pond. Empty Snapper egg shells in the bottom of a hole she dug up.

We sat on the edge of the water, snuggling a bit and relaxing before the drive home. We knew there won't be too many days left to enjoy the sun like that. These distant Painted Turtles were our last sights of the day.

So, we fell a species short of double digits and missed our snake targets, but it was still a very successful and happy hike. Not too many other humans in our way. Three cheers for animals.

But man, after 11 years of doing this blog, this is the (second) worst time I've had, trying to adjust to the "upgrade" and needless changes Blogger has implemented. If it ain't broke, they "fix" it anyway. Pain in the ass. It may be time for me to just write this crap in a file and keep it for myself.

(The worst time was a trip to Assabet where I deleted the entire thing by accident. Never fully recovered from that.)