Hiking the DC Metro Area

Shrike

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
1,598
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!


 
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pnshmntMMA

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
465
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.


Sent from the Bantu Wind using Tapatalk.
 

Shrike

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
1,598
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
 
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Shrike

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
1,598
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

oOOo
Staff member
Joined
Apr 11, 2010
Messages
2,086
That tiger bee fly is wicked looking! Can't wait for the summer!
 

Ambly

Arachnobaron
Joined
Aug 20, 2012
Messages
328
lookin forward to your posts this year. I gotta find some VA hogs like those beauties
 

Shrike

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
1,598
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

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
1,598

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

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
1,598

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

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
465
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

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
1,598
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

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 8, 2006
Messages
1,598
Thanksgiving snake! I found this little guy hanging out in my front flower bed.


Northern Brown Snake, Storeria dekayi
 
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