Pennsylvania Trip 2021. Day 2: May 22nd.

 So, we woke up early on our second day in order to meet our friend Bob at a place that all three of us had sworn off of. But it had been a few years for us and Bob never says die, so we all met up at about 7:30, hoping that young "herpers" hadn't destroyed the habitat too badly this year.

It was good to see him and we set right to work flipping stones (carefully and putting them back as found... take note, kids) and Andrea struck first with a tiny Ringneck.

Bob struck next, and again and again... in fact, unless it says otherwise, he flipped it or found it. The first was a Water Snake that wasn't too pleased with us!

He next came up with a ready-to-shed Milk, a first for him (and us) at this place. Our First-of-Year, too.

The man was on fire... Garter...

A fatty-fat Water...

A pretty, lavendery Garter...

Our FOY (first in two years... none in MA last year) Redbelly...

A second Red-bell...

While I was still photographing that guy, he flipped a massive Green Snake, also our First (live)-of-Year.

A couple of stunners...

I shot some Tree Swallow porn.

A big, pretty Green Frog.

While Bob and I stayed low, Andrea took the high road and enjoyed a private Nerodia.

I contributed a Garter in the Grass.

And then a screamer of an American Toad.

At the pond's edge, we stopped for a bit to watch some Water Snakes being Water Snakes... foraging and basking.

On the way back to the car, we saw a lovely Bullfrog, our 9th herp species in a short time.

On the road out, Bob stopped us and attempted to get me a lifer bird, which he technically did, but my pics are pure shit. But I present here PROOF that I saw a Blackburnian Warbler, #65, Lifer #193.

Perhaps I'll get a better photo some day. Perhaps not.

The next spot was pretty exciting... we'd never been to it before. It had become pretty hot by now, but we forged on. I flipped an Eft, our 10th species on the short day so far.

We were on the lookout for Hogs, and Bob managed to find the most beautiful Hognose any of us had ever seen... this gal...

Big, colorful and she never even hooded. What a stunning snake!

I had stepped toward a rock to flip when I had a snake rattling right in front of me. I hadn't noticed a very blue Black Racer right there and it took off into a tangle of sticks and logs. It kept peering out at me but I couldn't get any of the super-cute photos it offered up. Finally, it slid under a log. By this time, Andrea and Bob came over and we grouped our forces. They lifted the log and I saw the coil and reached but it was too speedy for my geriatric arms. I said, "I have no idea where it went!"... it was in Bob's hands.

In typical a Racer mood, it was feisty.

He eventually calmed down and we got some nice photos.

It should be noted that on the way there, Bob had said he always gets Wood Turtles on this hike. I made him promise that we'd see one. He did, and we did (much to his relief).

This would be the only turtle of the whole weekend, but what a great one to see!

I managed another Eft, this one with no spots.

We put a lot of effort into this one, but with a lot of help from Bob, I got nice Scarlet Tanager (#66) shot.

In keeping with the bright color scheme, here's another Eft.

Onward to the next spot! To be honest, it was one I wasn't super keen on hitting but I'm sure glad we did! First up, I'd been seeing tons of these bright millipedes so I finally photographed one so I could learn what it is...

It is Apheloria virginiensis, which secretes a cyanide-like substance as a defense! Not recommended eating.

Bob asked us to be nearby when he flipped a large rock. We got there, he flipped and I grabbed a Racer that was resting comfortably under it.

We both got a couple of bites for being assholes and bothering it. Sorry, dude!

Bob pointed out a bird call, one we had heard many times before. I snapped a pic (shitty, I know) of a Prairie Warbler and it turned out to be Lifer #194 and #67 on the year.

While we were up there mucking about with the Racer and Warbler, we'd walked right past a snoozing Hognose! In the blue, it was none too happy to be discovered.

I got super-lucky and snapped a perfect cobra pose (who said snakes don't do yoga) and this shot has become quite a hit on the Derpetology Facebook page, with 3200 likes and countless shares in less than a week.

We headed back to the car. I flipped a pretty Garter.

From there, we made one more stop. We were hoping to check a viper or two off of our list. We got there and I flipped a Dookie on the way in, species #14 on the day.

We walked along, concentrating on rocky areas and watching our step. Bob scuttled up a hill and when Andrea reached almost the same spot, she saw a black Timber Rattlesnake slide into the rocks. Perhaps between the two of them, they'd startled it? At any rate, she had the presence of mind to document the snake.

Not too much further along, Bob spotted a much easier to photograph Timber... a real velvety beauty.

We were walking along and saw something stretched out about 50 feet in front of us. Then, it started rattling. We trotted up to see the fattest Timber ever... she's as big around as my arm!

She didn't give an inch and showed us who was in charge.

A humbling experience. What a treasure.

Just as majestic in it's own way, a small American Toad.

I finally flipped one of the two species that we don't get up in Massachusetts, a Northern Slimy Salamander. It's a pretty one for sure, with a regenerating tail.

We never did see a Red Salamander on this trip. Next time.

Walking back, Bob spotted this American Toad hiding in plain sight.

That was that. We got back to the car. But wait, there is a nice stream right there. Bob hadn't seen a Spring Salamander in a long time and was impressed with ours from the day before, so he and I went to look for one. In quick fashion, he flipped a beautiful hotdog!

What a friggin' day! 17 species!

Obviously, it was amazing to be with our dear friend Bob again. We missed the son we never wanted, but will hitch up with him again soon. But Bob is not only a dear friend, he's a naturalist who gets it... it's always about the animals and the habitat. I admire that and I wish everyone would follow that lead.

We did indeed have a great day.