Some Like It Hot. Most Do Not. 8-7-2022

 As the titanic shit-storm that is 2022 slogs along, we find ourselves filled with anxiety and grief and desperation. One thing that often helps those feelings are nature walks. But it has been so hot, nature walks aren't easily accomplished.

Still, we got up early on Sunday the 7th and headed in to Bristol County to hit a few places we knew we could dip into the water if we wanted to. It was 85° at 8 AM and we knew we wouldn't see much. Luckily, our first sight was a wonderful one... a chorus line of Painted Turtles.

Further along, we were sitting down by the river (many breaks were needed and taken). Andrea thought she saw a Pickerel Frog. I went to look... nope- a wee Green Frog!

This isn't even what she'd seen! See the stick to the right of the frog? She thought that might be the stripe up the side of a Pickerel. We'll call this Green a Bonus Frog.

Pickerels came soon, though. We were walking through a completely dried up vernal (the heatwave/ drought has been devastating) and a few small Pickerels were hiding under logs and leaves.

This wee Green was under a log as well.

A bigger Green.

We made our way to another sit-down spot. It has been known to be a wading spot, too. These two small Greens were by the water, staying cool.

A very small Pickerel (it should be noted that every frog except the bigger Green in the vernal are this-year's-models) was exploring terra firma.

Andrea decided to cool off for a spell.

Some distant Painters at our turn-around spot.

Plans had changed. We were roasting and Andrea was in danger of dehydrating, so we just headed back. Along the way, we saw this biggish, dark Green staying cool.

The Pickerels just kept getting smaller. This guy is all noggin.

Our last bit of nature before hitting the air conditioning in the car was watching this female Ruby-throated Hummingbird go from flower to flower. Of course, I got only this crappy shot, but it's bird #88 on the year.

And that's that. We were delighted to see so many young frogs that made it out of the water before it dried up completely. (We did see a few unfortunate puddles...) As 2022 continues to kick our collective asses, we have to grab any slice of happiness that comes along.