Hiking the DC Metro Area

[Shrike]

I managed to get into the field this past weekend. Welcome back Spring.

American toad, Anaxyrus americanus

Eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina. These guys were feeling shy.

Northern black racer, Coluber constrictor. I tried to get closer for a better picture but the snake jumped to light speed. Amazingly fast.

Eastern garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis

And the crown jewel:

Eastern hognose snake, Heterodon platirhinos

After a few minutes of me sticking my camera in its face the snake figured out the tough guy bluff wasn't working and decided to play dead. I backed off and it rolled over and disappeared into the grass. Very cool to witness a behavior I've only read about in field guides!

 

[pnshmntMMA]

Whereabouts? You're right, wherever you are, you'll turn something up. You'll just have to come here to get your EBT fix

I still have my baby EBT we rescued from the lawn service at work! Hes now about. 7 months old and an eating machine. Im out in Colorado up north in Ft Collins. Plenty of rattlers, no turtles yet.


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[Shrike]

I'm playing catch up:

Tiger Bee Fly, Xenox tigrinus

To bee or not to bee (I'm really sorry about that, I couldn't resist)

Gorgeous hover fly. I'm not sure what species it is. Eristalis transversa?

Bee balm living up to its name.

A carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica, visiting some Agastache

A bumblebee, Bombus impatiens, visiting some Helenium

Orchard Spider, Leucauge venusta

Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum

Eastern Worm Snake, Carphophis amoenus

 

[Shrike]

A few oldies from this past summer:

I found this katydid hanging out on some Monarda.

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Northern Watersnake, Nerodia sipedon

A flying rat.

Goldenrod Crab Spider, Misemuna vatia

Tiger Bee Fly, Xenox tigrinus

 

[advan]

That tiger bee fly is wicked looking! Can't wait for the summer!

 

[Shrike]

That tiger bee fly is wicked looking! Can't wait for the summer!

Unreal right? I'd never seen one before and thought it was a giant horse fly at first glance.

 

[jigalojey]

I love how when they play dead the make it so overdramatic

 

[Ambly]

lookin forward to your posts this year. I gotta find some VA hogs like those beauties

 

[Shrike]

lookin forward to your posts this year. I gotta find some VA hogs like those beauties

Thanks! Spring can't get here soon enough. If you're up my way we'll find you that hog.

 

[Shrike]

This tan jumping spider, Platycryptus undatus, was hanging out on my front steps. I love how engaged jumping spiders are when they're being observed.

 

[Shrike]

I was pleased to see this lady bug hanging out on my Viburnum dentatum. I think it might be a non-native species. As long as it chows down on aphids I suppose I don't mind.

Bold Jumping Spider, Phidippus audax. I love watching jumpers watch me. They're so completely attuned with what's going on around them. Really fascinating.

 

[pnshmntMMA]

Very cool. I do miss all the wildlife I used to find in MD. Especially the turtles. Here in Colorado the turtles are scarce. However we have plenty of rattlesnakes and mammals, all of which taste good. So a fair trade off!


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[Shrike]

I've been a little slow posting to this thread lately, but I have a good reason to catch up now. The end of the summer was kind to me.

Dark Fishing Spider, Dolomedes tenebrosus.

Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus

American Toad, Anaxyrus americanus

Northern Water Snake, Nerodia sipedon

Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis

The last two species I'll post were a real thrill to find. It was my first time encountering both, but hopefully not the last.

Queen Snake, Regina septemvittata

Northern Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix. This snake is beautiful, but it's color and pattern are a potent reminder of why its important to watch your step in the woods.

 

[Shrike]

Thanksgiving snake! I found this little guy hanging out in my front flower bed.

Northern Brown Snake, Storeria dekayi