The spot we went to has Blanding's Turtles but it appears that they aren't up yet, or we just failed to see one. We did, however, strike Painted gold right away.
We could hear Wood Frog Madness from about 1/2 mile away. This gave us a big case of the smiles. This small Bullfrog wasn't amused.
A Painted hoist.
We made our way over to one of the many vernal pools that was so loud with frogs. Sure enough, they were all over, making the wondrous Springtime music!
So many ride 'em cowboys!
After that, we saw a few more Painted Turtles catching the sun, but it was still fairly cool. We took it very easy, sitting often.
From a bench, we enjoyed watching a matched set of Ring-necked Ducks.
And a frolicking, matched set of Muskrats.
Some good nature for a couple of under-the-weather nature lovers.
The next day was unexpectedly sunny so we went over to a nearby place just inside the Blue Hills. It's a good spot (!) for Spotted Turtles, who always seem to come up early. See?
Often in these early days, we can hear American Toads and Northern Leopard Frogs calling, but it was quiet. That said, our next two sightings were of the latter, our first Northern Leopards in two years.
I can't wait until we start seeing the bright green ones in warmer weather!
We slowly made our way out the path. We started hearing Wood Frogs off the trail, singing their choruses in the pools off to the side. We couldn't see them, though. That is, until this small guy hopped across the path.
We went over a flooded area in hopes of a Garter but the sun was too intermittent and we saw none. The Eastern Skunk Cabbage was growing up in cool shapes, like these devil claws!
I flipped a small Redback who lay there like a slug (it was his only defense) when he dropped out of the log, but he righted himself by the time I got the camera in order.
We were sitting down near a pool that was noisy with Wood Frogs. It was pure heaven, just listening to nature's horniest anurans. A woman hiked by and heard the frogs. I remarked how the Wood Frog calls and Red-winged Blackbird calls (also heard) are two of my favorite signs of spring. She added Red Maple buds. They'll be a sign for us now, too.
Still pretty gassed, we were on our way back. We stopped and got a few shots of the more brave Woods next to the path. Eggs were starting to appear.
I snuck a shot of a Painter basking by holding the camera way over my head and hoping for the best before he bolted. Not too shabby.
The Spotted spot at the beginning had three turtles up basking. Repeats of the earlier two plus one? Who knows? Who cares?
I haven't been doing too well with birds so far this year, so I was happy to add a Common Grackle (only #16 on the year) perched in... a Red Maple!!
I learned something.
From there, I had to get a few groceries but before heading home, I figured we could drive around the local cemetery pond and see if any turtles were up there. No Snappers, but a few Red-ears were basking loud n' proud. The first guy is absolutely massive.
The Yellow-belly who has been in this pond for a couple of years now seems to have survived another Northern Winter. Here he is in an amazing pose, ready to blast off into the sun!
Thus ended our Winter... we wound up with 14 species of reptile and amphibian, though the last two are introduced. Still, if they can survive our shitty Winters, they are welcome additions to our state. My friend Mike ended up with 18, I think, rather than the twenty I reported last time. I don't read so well sometimes.
Upward and onward... it is now Spring and too cold to go out this weekend. Oh well.
Nice to see some turtles out. It's amazing that the yellow-belly survives up here. Nature truly does find a way.
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