It's turtle nesting season. We wanted to see some nesting turtles. So, we chose the turtliest place we know, in Plymouth County. (After checking the UV Index... the place can be brutal.) It was going to be a little overcast, but in the mid to high 70s. It sounded just about perfect.
We got there late morning and jumped right in. We headed down the wooded path first (to "look for Wood Frogs") to look for Box Turtles and Gray Tree Frogs. We didn't see any of either of those, but flipped a Redback on the edge of a drying vernal.
But truth be told, it was 'skeetery as hell and we just wanted out of the woods. They were intense. We saw this Painted Turtle walking through the woods (why? I do not know) and took our life into our hands to get this photo. There's at least 3 skeeters on him.
Back out to the bogs, it was less buggy and we had a chance to take our time. The first part of the path is very Spotted Turtley but they were on to me this time... I couldn't get a shot. My first success was with a Painter and a Green Frog who startled each other.
At a cross-path, we looked down the one we weren't taking and saw, in the distance, a Painter crossing. So, we ran for turtles! Got there just as she'd reached the grass.
Heading back to the spot that we'd run from, we got to see things that we'd passed by in a hurry... a few Bullfrogs...
...and an absolutely mammoth Snapper.
Finally added a Great Blue Heron to the year (#82). I usually get them early but luck hadn't been with me yet.
A few more Painters...
A massive Bull.
One of the joys of taking pictures in nature is the surprises you get when you upload. Here's a surprise Painter head in the right foreground...
Here, dead center of the picture, behind the branches... a Snapper face!
This looks like a lovely spot to nest...
A Painted Turtle
not nesting!
We got to a spot we like to sit and relax at, but it was already occupied!
We helped her back safely, then admired the Painters who were basking nearby.
(In case you can't see that face in the front...)
This spot is near an Osprey nest and we often get scolded. We'd heard nothing, so we figured "what could possibly go wrong?"
Oh yeah, we got a scolding.
A few more Painters while we retreated.
This Bullfrog pretty much sums up my thoughts on most days.
Ahead, in the path, we saw a summit; two Painter Ladies were crossing in opposite directions.
We got to Spotted Pond. It pretty much lived up to its name. Here are two Spotties and a Painter enjoying a bask.
And here's a solo effort.
Heading towards the big pond, we saw another Snapper plopping some eggs into the earth.
No sooner had I said "where all da snakes?" than Andrea pointed out a periscoping Water Snake.
Another Painter up, looking for a spot as we headed to the big pond.
The big pond had its share of happily basking turtles. Here's a Redbelly.
Some Painters.
A Redbelly and at least 17 Painters. (Guess which one is the Redbell...)
A pair of Double-crested Cormorants guarding a pair of Redbellies.
Heading back was a slow mission. One thing that slowed us down was spying this Racer.
I tried to move in for a better shot and startled a second Racer. As I tried (unsuccessfully) to get a shot of that one, I saw a third one resting not far away. Anyway, they lived up to their names and I failed to photograph the other two, who slid under the concrete slab the first one had been resting on. Here is another shot of the first one, deciding that the two bipedaling mammals had spoiled their spot. Sorry 'bout that.
Walking along the pond, we figured we'd see plenty more nesting turtles, but we did not. We had to content ourselves with the occasional one in the water.
Some male American Goldfinches were flitting about in their bright yellow finery. I always lament that I count Goldfinches early in the year before they get their color, so I took a shot. Turns out, I didn't get one in January this year... here is #82.
I wonder how many birds I miss every year by doing that.
We rested a bit but had to hurry because the storm was coming in quickly. This happy Painted Turtle was our last sight before heading back towards the car.
Well, we went there to see nesting turtles. Mission accomplished. 9 species of reptile and amphibian and a few more birds. That was a good trip.
.JPG)
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