Green Frogs seemed more vocal this period than in previous weeks. Northern Cricket Frogs can still be heard in the Wetlands, although with less frequency. Many Bullfrog tadpoles have morphed into adults during the past few weeks, evidenced by the dozens of miniature Bullfrogs poking their little heads above the water of the Wetlands.

Yellow-bellied Turtles continue to venture out of the water to lay eggs. One was seen heading home after depositing her eggs on the north side of the Wetlands on the warm and muggy morning of 27 June.

Other then one seen peeking out from under a rock during the first half of June, I still haven’t observed a Northern Water Snake in the Wetlands. Where are they and what are they doing?

On June 24th as I was tending the Ornithopter, I heard the excited voices of both children and adults at the entrance to the Mist Garden next to the Ornithopter. Some of the voices sounded apprehensive while others simply annoyed. Apparently something was on the path that was keeping people from passing.

“Must be a snake!” I thought as I quickly ran over to see what it was.

What a pleasant surprise to see a Rough Green Snake on the path. While these slender snakes are not uncommon, I usually run into only one or two a season, if I’m lucky. They’re expert climbers, and once they get into a tree or shrub, and off the pavement, they virtually disappear. After assuring the Museum Guests that it was a perfectly harmless snake, I picked it up and placed it in a small, nearby tree. It’s always a treat to see one of these little gems.