White-throated, green frog, Eastern Smooth Green Snake (20160916) Anothr first for the blog.

Loving the find weather that we have been enjoying, but we really need some rain. The Lake looks to be down about 18 inches and the woods are very dry. They haven't shut down travel yet so I continue my treks looking for baby turtles. The day started with just a pile of Clouded Sulphur butterflies.

With the first sighting of a Common Yellowthroat in one of my favourite apple trees, I was hoping for another whopper of a Warbler morning.

It was just terrific to find a young White-throated Sparrow. This is a bird I must start hunting down. They have beautiful colouration, especially in the spring.

I believe this next bird is a Savannah Sparrow, not as common here as out west.

It was also nice to get another CYT mixed in with the red berries. One of these images might make the "wall".

There is a little pond that usually over flows en-route and these little Green frogs are a mainstay. I couldn't resist.

While I am waiting for eggs to hatch, it would appear that this Grasshopper is just now depositing hers to hatch some time later.

Then I had the pleasure of "bumping" into this next guest. It actually landed on my belly as I walked up the tracks. Here is a phone image.

Here is another shot of it. I thought it was nice to see some separation in some of the wings.

This next subject is another first for the Blog and you know what that will mean. But first things first, here is a first look at an Eastern Smooth Green Snake. I always had called them "Grass" snakes.

Here is the second shot! I found it very hard to believe just how brilliantly coloured this fantastic looking snake was.

I hope you like the post, it was a joy gathering the images. Put some "wild" in your life, it takes no effort at all.
Turbo

Luna Moth Caterpillar, Loon, Garter Snake (20160907-08) A couple of treks on the tracks

Well I still am trying to find some baby snappers so I head to the tracks everyday that I can. With the change of the calendar month the differences in the flora and fauna are also obvious. Here is one new presence that I haven't seen since last year in this month. I didn't get an image of him last year, a Maritime Garter snake.

After two weeks of doing this little stroll this is the first time I have seen a Great Blue on the lake, or rather, flying over.

This next "guest" isn't a first timer, but the only other time I have found one was also here in Nova Scotia. I think it was 2012. A beautiful Cicada.

As I mentioned above the flora is starting to change as well, here is another example.

Or if you like to see a single plant changing, here is your image.

Along with changing leaves come the caterpillars that will soon convert to beautiful butterflies. I don't know which butterfly or moth this little one will become.

The net day we had some pretty overcast conditions. While lighting wasn't the best here is a very long distance shot of a Kingfisher.

Next up is what I believe might be a migrating, thusly visiting, Common Loon to the lake. He was very cooperative as he let me get to the waters edge for a couple of shots.

It was nice to have some calm water to help minimize the movement of the subject.

One of most interesting of my finds these days was this beautiful caterpillar. It is the caterpillar of the Luna Moth, an absolutely gorgeous creature.

All along the tracks these days I am finding quite a population of Clouded Sulphur buterflies. they can be quite tough to capture.

A great couple of days, with some uncommon finds worth sharing. These are just a few of the reasons that I keep putting a little "wild" in my life!
Turbo

Squirrel, Cardinal, Black and White (20160907) Some shots from the yard, with a quick visit to the Cemetery

Well the large white flowers are coming into full blossom finally, so they deserved a shot this morning. The bees just love them.

While I was in the bedroom getting ready to take Bizzy in for a Spa day I spied this squirrel. It's not the squirrel that is interesting. What is interesting is that he is eating bugs out of my wasp and ant trap. I put hummingbird food in the open jar to attract wasps and leave the hummingbird feeders alone.

Then the little bugger went over to raid my tomato plants.

While Bizzy was getting her hair done I headed up the hill to the Cemetery. Being after noon I didn't expect to find to much, but you never know. Right away I nabbed this tired daddy Cardinal.

There were alot of these little pale Butterflies in one of the fields.

Then I was able to spot that has been tough for me this year. I fell in love with the little Black and White last year, but I have been pretty dry on them this year.

Then a bird I am finding it seems everwhere this year is the little Black-throated Green Warbler. They are just beautiful birds.

I finished up the day with what might be the mate to the first my first bird. Here is a lovely lady Cardinal. She too looked really quite tattered.

Take some time to put "wild" in your life!
Turbo

Pickerel Frogs, Common Yellowthroat, Pied-billde Grebe (20160904-06) A day at home and one at Miners Marsh

The morning on the tracks was very slow although a couple of Common Yellowthroats were willing to put in an appearance.

I don't have an ID on this next little bird, it is a juvenile Sparrow of some specie.

We had a little additional time as we didn't do the full walk, so me and the puppy strolled along the lake a bit. I was glad we did as it turns out. The detour produced my first ever Pickerel Frog.

If you look close you can see a tick on the frog's back. What I found interesting about these Pickerel Frogs is that it is their spots that are green, and they are quite irredescent.

When we arrived home I was surprised to see so many Honey Bees hanging out on the Humminf bird feeder.

The next day (the fifth) was pretty dreary. I did manage to shoot a little bit of video the local pheasants and Blue Jays. Take a peek at one of the vids HERE
On the 6th, we headed over to Mom's as I had a Docs appointment. I met up with Angela G in Kentville and we did a tour around Miners Marsh. My first sighting was this little Green Frog.

My next find was this very close Solitary Sandipiper. Obviously my best iffort of this bird to date.

It seems that in keeping with their name the Common Yellowthroats are a bird that I have been able to spot everywhere I've been. The Marsh was no exception.

This beautiful teenager came within distance, so I had to shoot the yound Pied-billed Grebe.

There were other shorebirds all around the Marsh and I was shooting everything happy to figure out what they are later. This pair of Short Billed Dowitchers were a great catch for me.

Killdeer are always great birds to capture, and this little bird was quite cooperative.

I expect that this is a Semipalmated Sandpiper, they are on every beach and water hole right now. Next week they will be gone!

I wrapped my day up by finding a Leoprad Frog. this is a frog I was very familiar with in my youth. We used to find them everywhere we went, but then again we always headed for the water :)

Take some time, and put some "wild" in your life!
Turbo

Blue Jay, Sharp-shinned, Common Yellowthroat (20160903) Part Deaux, a follow-up stroll with Laurie Ann

So I let Laurie Ann know what a great morning I had, and she said "I'll be right over!". I have been wanting to get her out to do the tracks so this was great. While I waited at home I managed this Blue Jay. The dark woods make for a nice background, so I am trying to capture more birds with this type of environment.

Shortly after Laurie Ann arrived we had this little visitor that dropped by and did a fly by. It's the first time I have managed to capture the local Sharp-shinned.

We headed out for our stroll and found this wonderful flutter-bye.

We passed through the Warbler hot spot and strolled a little further along. We were able to grab some images of this Black-throated Green Warbler, there were actually at least two of them flitting about.

On the stroll home there was a lot of colour reminding us that "Winter is Coming!"

Just before getting back to the car we were treated to the company of a brood of Common Yellowthroats. Here is one of them for your viewing pleasure.

Before I wrap this post up I will share some of the images that Laurie Ann has provided from the walk. The first is this beautiful Black and White that she found.

Laurie Ann also capture Bizzy and I as we strolled along the tracks.

And of course the real reason she came for a visit was to see Bizzy.  Here is a portrait courtesy of Laurie Ann. She does great pet photography! You can see some of here work HERE

Take some time this day and put a little "wild" in your life!
Turbo