Sure Sign of Spring

One of the surest signs of spring is the reappearance of the little Red-bellied snakes (Storeria occipitomaculata). 

A small pencil-sized snake that emerges in late April.  This little fella was soaking-up the spring sunshine on the driveway.

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This species comes in a variety of colors - Black, gray and brown.  They typically have 2-4 thin stripes on their back.

Their young are born alive.  It's a helpful snake that eats bugs and slugs.  It's also small enough to be eaten by other critters.

The Prize

The girls and I were out a couple of days ago and cleaned-out 50 nest boxes.  We removed the old nesting material from the previous occupants making room for new tenants.  A couple of nest boxes were consigned to the scrap heap and a few more destined to the work bench for repairs.  This is another rite of spring - and just in time as virtually all of the birds have arrived.

Her Highness made the entire circuit with a prize she found in the woods.

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A deer leg.

Spring Has Arrived

Gorgeous night.

Full moon in the southeast is casting shadows it is so clear.

The peepers in the ponds are peeping.  There is also another frog.  The green frog croaking like a broken banjo string.

The woodcock are peenting and engaging in their sky dance.

38 degrees and a fire in the woodburner.

Should have elected third season turkey permit...

Mud Season

Mud season is upon us and after several weeks of precipitation - snow, ice, sleet and rain - there is standing water everywhere.

The ponds a full to the brim and the creek is surging.

Perfect conditions if you are a Labrador retriever.

Some shots taken this morning.

Blonde dog splashing her way through one of the many trail puddles...

And both girls tussling over a stick thrown into the creek...

 

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Posing for a Holy Card III

Three additional photos.  Three different locations.  All thoughtfully composed by the local deer herd...

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A Quintet of Deer

Is a quintet of deer a grammatically correct term?

All I know is that there are five of the tree munchers in the photo...

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The Flash - II

Lest you think all of these deer are just posing for a holy card - many of them are running for their lives.

Don't know why.

But they are...