A great day finding herps

    I went herping this morning. Despite not finding my intended target, Red Bellied Snake, I still had a really good day. The first place I went was for the snake. Instead of finding it, I came across a mouse under a rock. This was the first time I have flipped a rock and found a mouse. I looked at the mouse and let it crawl into the brush before putting the rock down. I was afraid I'd crush it. 

   A little while later down the path I came across a small Eastern Milk Snake. Though it was small, it was feisty. It bit me the entire time I was holding it. It was a pretty little snake. After a few photos I put it back. 

After I left that area, I went to a small pond that usually has Northern Water Snakes. It took a few minutes but I found one. I didn't have my big lens. The best I could do is get this photo as it swam by.

Next I went to my favorite herping spot. I've seen Fowler's Toads, Black Racers, Pickerel Frogs and many other species. The sun was bright so I knew snakes and toads would be unlikely, but I'd probably see Pickerel Frogs. I caught three of them including one of the biggest I've seen.

Thinking my herping was over, Laurie and I went to the 

Cape Cod Canal for a picnic supper. After supper we looked for animals with a spotlight. It was a surprise to say the least, to see a Fowler's Toad out in the open. 

Fowler's Toad and below