We just finished up the warmest winter on record here in the Greater Cleveland Area. Here's some of the stuff I found this year prior to March 21st.

Painted Turtles were the first herps of 2012 for me. I started seeing them out basking in February.


A nice group of them from a Metropark.


A "flying" Painted.


Amphibians started migrating around the middle of March, if not, a bit sooner. Jefferson Salamander:


I took my friend's kids out during the daytime. Here's the habitat we explored:


Lauren likes salamanders.


And so does Lance.


But Lucas...not so much.


Spotted Salamander.


Redbacks are one of two types of salamanders that I can find in my backyard.


Another friend wanted me to take her kids herping, so I did.


The children were stoked when we hit the "salamander jackpot" - four Spotteds and one Smallmouthesque under one log.


Smallmouth-like Salamander (probably a hybrid).


Ryland was happy.


Avery now wants to be a herpetologist.


Wood Frog.


Darker, floating Wood Frog.


Spring Peeper.


On March 14th I saw my first "lifer" of the year - Blanding's Turtle.


Bullfrog.


Big Ol' Snapper.


Medium-sized Snapping Turtle, sporting some orange.


Black Squirrel


A little bit after the Peepers and Wood Frogs, Western Chorus Frogs and American Toads started calling.

Western Chorus Frog.


American Toad.


Big toad carrying a sign. Somebody told me that it wasn't real, but I want to believe.


On March 17th I went looking for my second "lifer" of the year. Along the way I saw this Northern Brown Snake.


And some Green Frogs.


And I found my "lifer" too - Spotted Turtle.


Northern Water Snakes were the first snakes I saw this year, but they proved to be tricky to get shot of.


Here's a different one.


Leopard Frog on a log.


Pickerel Frog on a log.


On March 20th, it seemed there there were Eastern Garter Snakes everywhere. A few males courting females were seen. Here's a little male with a large female that appeared to have recently eaten a frog.


And here's one from another location.


Red-spotted Newt in "suspended animation."


Newt out of the water.


It's been an interesting winter!

Tim
Third Eye Herp

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Show Entire Thread ]