My First Snakes and Turtle of Spring: April 5, 2022

While in the woods at Marie Curtis Park, the afternoon group came across two slow-moving Garter Snakes. They have likely just emerged from winter hibernation:

Garter Snake
Garter Snake
with Garter Snake
Garter Snake

A turtle was also seen enjoying full sun by a pond:

Red Slider Turtle

and a chipmunk was spotted:

Chipmunk

Both morning and afternoon groups had a good look at a Horned Grebe:

Horned Grebe still in winter plumage
Horned Grebe still in winter plumage
Horned Grebe still in winter plumage

Other birds:

Canada Geese
Hairy Woodpecker (male)
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
Downy Woodpecker (female)
Red-tailed Hawk
Bufflehead (male)
Song Sparrow
American goldfinch (female)
Mallard hybrid
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
Eastern Phoebe
Northern Cardinal (male)
Common Grackle
Ring-billed Gull
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
Song Sparrow
American Black Duck (male)
American Robin
Ring-billed Gulls

10 am group:

1 pm group:

NATURE POETRY

Would you think it? Spring has come,
Winter’s paid his passage home;
Packed his ice-box—gone—half way
To the arctic, they say.                         – Christopher Cranch (1813–92)

Miles Hearn

1 thought on “My First Snakes and Turtle of Spring: April 5, 2022

  1. John YATES

    Thanks Miles, I’ve often seen Garter snakes at nearby Col. Sam Smith Park sunning themselves on or near the paths and once or twice at Marie Curtis Park but never this early in springtime. Loved the poem, Bon Voyage Winter see you in December!

    Reply

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