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[John_White]

The day started out chilly with temperatures in the mid 50's and bright sunshine. Due to the cooler temps didn't see very many reptiles during the morning, however the amphibians were abundant with American toad and southern leopard frog larvae in almost all standing water. Rolled a few logs and found mainly cicada larvae getting ready for their 17 year emergence scheduled to start on May 20th. It will be interesting to see the effects of having this huge food source dumped on the environment.

The Canada geese chicks are getting big and starting to explore on their own.




As the temperatures started to climb the turtles came out to bask. Below is a large Northern Redbelly Cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris).


Red-winged blackbirds are now nesting and the males are vigorously defending their territory.


While standing in the swamp trying to photograph small blue fish this northern water snake appeared.