Wetlands Slowly Awakens

One Painted Turtle and 2 Yellow-bellied Turtles were out basking on the 7th of February; many more joined them later in the period. I thought I heard a Gray Treefrog calling early in this period and positively heard Spring Peepers and at least one Upland Chorus Frog sing out as things heated up. At least one small Bullfrog was in the Wetlands and several Green Frogs were seen out on logs or clumps of moss during the second week ofRead more

Brave Souls

Frogs persist in the Wetlands. Besides the BullFrogs being harvested by the Red-shouldered Hawk in the small swamp adjacent to the Wetlands Overlook, a Pickerel Frog was seen busily hopping along the grass near the restrooms in Explore the Wild on the relatively warm day of 24 January. Where it was going, and the reason for its haste, can only be supposed. A Painted Turtle and a couple of Yellow-bellied Turtles were out basking in the bright sunshine of theRead more

Looking back: Herps

With the closing of the year it’s perhaps time to look back and see what we’ve observed on the Explore the Wild/Catch the Wind Loop. Below, in the appropriate segments, I give totals for some of the species seen since January of last year. Following a week of relatively warm, cloudy, misty, and drizzly weather, a Yellow-bellied Turtle was seduced by the bright sunshine of December 21 into basking on a rock in the Wetlands. Unfortunately for the turtle, theRead more

Brown Snakes

Seen on the last day of the previous period (November 15th) but too late to make the presses were Northern Brown Snake, Yellow-bellied Turtle, Painted Turtle, Spring Peeper (heard only), Pickerel Frog, and Bullfrog. The 15th was a warm and humid day with strong southwest winds. Two Northern Brown Snakes were seen in two different locations. These small gentle snakes were both laying out on the paved surface of the Explore the Wild/Catch the Wind Loop. Many of the Museum’sRead more

Yellow-bellies and Bullfrogs grow, others Lay Low

Top Photo: Bullfrog. Young turtles continue to be seen from both the boardwalk and the Wetlands Overlook. No longer the silver dollar-sized individuals of a few months ago, the turtles appear to be growing quickly on the abundant food in the Wetlands. When not basking out on a log, these little Yellow-bellied Turtles are either eating or looking for food. I’ve not seen as many Painted Turtles as previously, and Snapping Turtles seem to be laying low. Bullfrogs are becomingRead more

The Wetlands Comes Alive

Top Photo: Green frog waits for something to happen. Cricket Frogs, Bullfrogs, and Gray Tree Frogs are calling. Occasionally, a Green Frog will pluck in with its twangy, single-note call. At least four Green Tree Frogs were seen along the path between the Lemur house and Catch the Wind. Look for them low on the vegetation along the raised banks on either side of the paved path (please stay on the path). They were calling during the first few daysRead more