We landed at BWI on a Saturday, spent a few hours with my parents in Anne Arundel County, then left for Queen Anne's County to have a small memorial service for my wife's grandmother who passed away back in April. We met her family at a nice park and walked to the beach to conduct the service. My wife told me not to herp while at the park, given the solemn situation. So I didn't. But, it turns out, her family spotted two different herps for me anyway.
While we were waiting around for my father-in-law, my sister-in-law called me over to a fence line where a frog was taking shelter in a gap in a fence post in order to beat the late afternoon heat. This is a Cope's Gray Treefrog, and the ID is based on their range (Gray Treefrog's don't range to where we were).
DSCN8244 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrOn the way back from the ceremony, my brother-in-law was the first to see this Eastern Gartersnake that had just been hit, most likely by a park vehicle. The wound to the head didn't look severe, but the snake was definitely in bad shape, and was hardly moving when I relocated it off the path.
DSCN8256 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrThe next few days were spent in Delaware, where I turned up a few neat critters around my mother-in-law's house.
Bess Beetle, I believe.
DSCN8258 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrFowler's Toad in the flower bed. My MIL used to have a cat, but she gave it away, and it just so happens that I now find a toad in her yard. Hopefully more wildlife will show up in the future!
DSCN8272 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrSlug
DSCN8279 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrThese spiderlings must have been laid and hatched in the span of the night, because they were definitely not there the night before.
DSCN8342 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrMama spider
DSCN8344 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrThe only deliberate herping I conducted in Delaware was at a park in New Castle County that I've been to several times before. Here's a male Blue-fronted Dancer damselfly.
DSCN8288 - Male Blue-fronted Dancer by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrThis Northern Watersnake was out basking next to a foot bridge. I love the coloration on this one. Does it look gravid to anyone, or appear as if it had a recent meal?
DSCN8300 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
DSCN8302 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrEastern Gartersnake hanging around some logs.
DSCN8304 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
DSCN8306 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrSilver-spotted Skipper
DSCN8312 - Silver-spotted Skipper by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrI snuck up on this small Eastern Painted Turtle that was hanging out on the pond's edge. I love seeing them as they have more color on them than most of the turtles we get in Florida.
DSCN8313 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
DSCN8314 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
DSCN8317 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrRed-spotted Purple
DSCN8322 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrNorthern Redbellied Cooters with a Painted Turtle
DSCN8331 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrThis Green Frog hopped across my path after it was scared up by a nearby snake. I never got a good look at the snake, but it was likely a Northern Watersnake.
DSCN8338 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrAfter Delaware, we spent the rest of the time back in Anne Arundel County, MD. I didn't turn much up there besides some Toads.
Eastern American Toad - this was a surprise find as Fowler's Toads are more common in the area, and I hadn't seen one of these since I lived in Illinois back in 2013.
DSCN8367 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrMale Eastern Amberwing - the smallest dragonfly species you'll see in these parts.
DSCN8397 - Male Eastern Amberwing by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrRobber Fly
DSCN8378 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrDessicated Bullfrog in the basement windowsill at my parent's house. Not sure how it ended up there.
DSCN8357 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrFowler's Toad found at night near a retirement complex.
DSCN8360 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrJuvenile Common Whitetail (male)
DSCN8387 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrJuvenile Fowler's Toad in the neighborhood I grew up in.
Fowler's Toad Stewarts Landing 1 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrAnother one I flipped near a creek in my neighborhood.
DSCN8238 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrSaid creek.
DSCN8351 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrI saw this Ebony Jewelwing fluttering about, until it got caught in this spiderweb. The spider immediately pounced upon its prey, immobilizing it. That's not something you get to see everyday!
DSCN8350 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on FlickrThat's all I have to share from my trip. Nothing spectacular, but I was pleased with what I managed to turn up with what little time I had for herping. I hope you enjoyed my finds!
