MD nature pics thread

[joppaj]

As warm as it's been in the afternoons, I'm surprised we're not seeing more snakes.

 

[mpollan1]

Made a loop through Brookside Gardens on my walk on Wednesday. The pond by the main entrance had 20 - 30 turtles basking on the logs. Several looked like they just crawled out of the mud with it all over their shell.

 

[308Scout]

As warm as it's been in the afternoons, I'm surprised we're not seeing more snakes.

It's not been that warm here. The last of the snow finally melted with yesterday's rain. I was surprised to see this one out so soon. It looked like it just emerged. It was moving slow like it was just coming out of long bout of brumation.

 

[Mr H]

Just now in the front yard, a Female Downy WP...

Also had a White Breasted Nuthatch with her, but the little blighter wouldn't stay still

 

[akalma]

Saw two of them yesterday 30 yards apart from each other. What kind of snakes are they?

 

[308Scout]

Water snakes. Look to be Northern Water Snakes, if I had to guess while viewing on my phone.

 

[joppaj]

Water snakes. Look to be Northern Water Snakes, if I had to guess while viewing on my phone.

Agreed. Absolutely Northern Water Snakes. They're known to not be fond of being handled.

 

[akalma]

Thanks for ID! Picture was taken near Q2 area of Blackwater in DorCo. The water level was rather high, all lower areas were covered.

 

[mpollan1]

As Joppa wrote, they sure are ornery critters.

 

[ThirtyOught Six]

 

[Mr H]

View attachment 459698

I got better.

 

[2flhun]

This big dude was hanging around my backyard for a couple of weeks. It snagged the squirrel who used to run on top of the fence, tormenting my Lab.

 

[Sundazes]

This big dude was hanging around my backyard for a couple of weeks. It snagged the squirrel who used to run on top of the fence, tormenting my Lab.

We has one hanging out here as well. I haven't seen it since I found the patches of squirrel fur and tail in the yard. It looked to be an epic battle.

 

[dementlr]

 

[joppaj]

This big dude was hanging around my backyard for a couple of weeks. It snagged the squirrel who used to run on top of the fence, tormenting my Lab.

A gorgeous (and aptly named) Red Shouldered Hawk.

 

[Mr H]

A gorgeous (and aptly named) Red Shouldered Hawk.

Beat me to it. Beautifully marked.

 

[KRC]

We must have a mating pair as there is a lot of whooting going on at night. Drives the dogs crazy.

 

[P-12 Norm]

This big dude was hanging around my backyard for a couple of weeks. It snagged the squirrel who used to run on top of the fence, tormenting my Lab.

When I worked in Silver Spring, we had a Red Shouldered Hawk that lived nearby that used to hunt and roost around our building. He'd roost close to the windows sometimes, as they were mirrored and he thought he saw another hawk. Saw him take out a few rodents in my years there.

 

[joppaj]

Came home to find that my migratory neighbors are in town for their annual visit. They'll stay for about a week.

 

[John from MD]

Came home to find that my migratory neighbors are in town for their annual visit. They'll stay for about a week.
View attachment 460072

Those on my lawn I can do without.