Well, on Thursday, October 1st, the sun was making a rare appearance and it was pretty nice out. I suggested to Andrea that we go check out the local dens during her lunchbreak to see if anyone is back yet. Considering the wet and cool weather, I expected to see some salamanders and maybe a snake or two near their den sites. First up was indeed a salamander... a bright Redback (that I didn't see upon flipping... I only noticed a massive slug).
Into the Valley, the tree-hole den opening did have a Water Snake noggin poking out, so at least one individual has come back for the Winter already.
Another Redback, this time with a massive Earthworm.
That was it for critters in the short time allowed us but it was interesting to note how the storm affected the place. Most vernals seen had plenty of water (Sly's pool was surprisingly dry) and there was plenty of tree damage. I expect future visits will reveal more snakes returning to their hibernaculums.
On Saturday, Andrea had made plans to spend some time with some friends but I was really itching for a real nature walk. It was sunny and warm and didn't want to miss out so I took a short drive over into Norfolk County to look and see if the Copperheads are settled for the Winter and hopefully see a Racer, Garter and some salamanders as well. My band had an afternoon show so time was a little tight. I left at about 11 AM and got there within a half hour.
It's always a bit sad to be out without Andrea but the walk and warmth did feel good. My back was a bit sore so flipping logs wasn't going to feel great but I did it anyway. It paid off when I rolled over a log and saw this behemoth of a Spotted Salamander.
This is one of the largest I've ever seen, certainly outside of a Big Night.
This path is good for Marbled Salamanders, too. A threatened species in this state, it's always good to see them and I'm happy to say that I did uncover one.
One more Spotted, this time a small first-year specimen.
So, I looked all around many off-path spots but was coming up snakeless so when I got near the ascent to the hilltop, I went up, carefully watching every step, to scour the top for Copperheads. Babies should be out and about on these warm days but I saw nothing up there. I went to the far side and descended to the shady area where, later in the year, we always see lots of them sunning outside of their Winter spots. I (very carefully... no need to be envenomated before a gig) walked those rocks and leaves for a half hour or so and saw nothing, though I probably passed by a dozen. I realized that I had gotten pretty far below the top so I climbed back up. Just at the rim of the hilltop, I looked to my right and saw this one peeping at me.
That took a lot of work but I finally saw what I'd climbed up for. Of course, I spent another 45 minutes looking around but that was the only snake seen on the day.
I made it down, walked out (I swear I heard Gray Tree Frogs... never would have thought they were nearby) and drove home in time to shower, have lunch, pet cats, and go to the band's gig. A full day, though sadly it was without Andrea. We settled down to a movie later that night, though.
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