Adder's-tongue (fern) 

Fungus with algae growing on it 

A Day at the Office 

Snakes, Snakes and More Snakes

Another busy day today. I have many pictures to share but I thought I would lump all of my snake pictures together under this post so that certain of my readers can avoid them if they wish.

We tallied five species of snake today:

• Cottonmouth (venomous)[ Agkistrodon piscivorus ]-- only saw three
• Brown Water Snake [Nerodia taxispilota] -- 41, and I'm sure we missed a few
• Redbelly Water Snake [Nerodia erythrogaster] -- two
• Black Rat Snake [Elaphe obsoleta] -- one (first one of the year)
• Northern Water Snake [Nerodia sipedon] -- two (first ones we've seen in a few years)

I realize that some people don't like snakes and I think that is unfortunate. They are truly amazing creatures and don't deserve to be so reviled. We were delighted to see so many individual snakes out in bushes and on trees today.

Cottonmouth peeking out of a clump of dead Spanish moss 

Brown Water Snakes -- two for the price of one! 

Redbelly Water Snake 

Black Rat Snake 

Northern Water Snake 

No Time to Write!

Hope you enjoy the pictures. I took them this morning and am headed back out this afternoon. No time to share any factoids - sorry. I'll try to come back and edit in some info when I have the time.

First frog of the morning -- green treefrog 

Laid back leopard frog 

Northern fence lizard 

Red maple seeds 

Tiger beetle 

Tiny tracks in the mud. 

Artsy anthills 

A Less Than Beloved Harbinger of Warm Weather

My least favorite arachnid -- the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Guess it's time to treat my field clothes.


If you are a regular reader, you have probably figured out by now that I am a live and let live sort of person -- for the most part. I will not, however, offer myself up as a blood meal to ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, or biting flies. It's my blood and I plan to keep it (except for the odd pint here and there that goes to the American Red Cross).

All that being said, I do have a sort of grudging respect for the little blood suckers. They have a part to play in the overall scheme of things and they are quite wonderfully adapted to their role.

You will have to excuse me now. I just spied another tick, this one a nymph, strolling across my hand as I type. Time for a strip search!

Enjoy the outdoors, but be vigilant! Check for ticks often. A tick can't transmit disease unless it attaches and it takes them a little while to dig in.

Signs of a successful hunt...a scattering of cardinal feathers beneath the apple tree. The sharp-shinned hawk's perseverance paid-off. 

A promise of peaches... 

The marsh at sunset. Taken in Currituck County, NC. 

This newly emerged dragonfly, one of the basket tails, was having a hard time with the blustery winds today. My hand made a convenient spot to stop and take a breather. 

Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans) Found this diminutive fellow on our walk this morning. It enjoyed the warmth of my finger for a moment before making its leap to freedom. As adults, these frogs range in size from 0.5 to 1.5 inches (16 to 35 mm)


(Remember, April is National Frog Month. Go outside, especially in the evening, and listen to find out what species are singing in your neighborhood. The Frogwatch USA homepage has links to frog sounds to help you make an ID.)

Henry's Elfin (Callophrys henrici or Incisalia henrici) This little butterfly is found in woodlands. Its primary foodplant in our area is the American Holly. Such a tiny little butterfly! We would have overlooked it if it hadn't been flapping its wings as it sat on the ground.

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) -- It might make some people itch, but it is a pretty plant in any season.

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)


The flowers are nice, but the berries are better!

Are You Feelin' Froggy?

Green treefrog (Hyla cinerea)


Did you know that April is National Frog Month? (And no, I'm not trying to pull an April Fool's joke on you.)

You can do your part to help monitor the nation's frog and toad populations by becoming an active volunteer Frogwatcher. It only takes a little of your time and sign-up is easy at the Frogwatch homepage
(I don't know if Canada has such a program. As a matter of fact, I am not all that familiar with what species of frogs and toads there are in Canada, but I would be interested in learning.)

The picture above was taken last fall. I normally post pictures within a few days of taking them, but this is one of my favorites. As soon as I took this shot, the little guy jumped onto my hand. I guess he wanted his close-up!