Clean Up. 5-5-2026

When we're walking around in nature, we see a lot of beauty but we also see a lot of ugly. That would be the trash. Since I'm retired and basically useless now, I have no reason to not get out there and do some clean-up every now and again. So I bought an extendable pool skimmer, grabbed a contractor's bag and a snake stick and headed out to the local cemetery pond here in Suffolk County to clean around the edges. Of course, I had to take my camera. Yes, I cheated on Andrea, but I figured I wouldn't see much that she hasn't already seen.

Of course, the stump was full at the cemetery. It was 75° and sunny! It was filled with the usual suspects, our familiar Red-ears, but I got my first look at the resident Yellow-belly as well! (Sorry, Andrea!! ❤)

Also on the island was a surprise, a Black-crowned Night Heron (#43). I had no idea they were ever up here. I learned that yes, they are indeed!

GOSLINGS!!!!! Little yellow fuzzy-butts!

This is the same little Painter that was on this log last week! Like me, a creature of habit.

There wasn't a ton of garbage but what was there was now in my bag. There was a grounds-crew making noise nearby and I suspect that was why I didn't see any Snappers. I notice they are nervous when machines are making noise.

From there, I went over to an abandoned school in West Roxbury. This place has a beautiful pond/ marshland area that is next to a busy street and lots of shit blows into it from the street. Plus, it's a big party place for kids, so there's always cans and bottles laying around. This spot was a lot more work. I managed to add Tree Swallows (#44) to my Bird Count while trash collecting.

Some Painted Turtles put up with my foraging activity.

Still no Water Snakes spotted at this normally Nerodia-centric spot. I sat on a spillway overlooking the second pond, which is next to a soccer field. There were plenty of Painted Turtles up basking with me.

I was surprised to see a big Snapper up basking as well. First one I've seen here.

A mixed group... first Red-ear I've seen here, too, though it hardly surprises me.

Notice how tanniny the shells are on the turtles in the pond on this side.

That was a nice rest but I got back to work and when all was said and done, I had most of that contractor's bag filled with trash. I was a sweaty, filthy mess (and ate a bag of potato chips on the way home before washing my hands) but I felt pretty good about the accomplishment.

 I will try to do this at least once a month, if possible.