Tag: Reptiles

Northern Whiptail Lizard At The Grand Canyon

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northern whiptail lizard - grand canyon 6

After we left the oasis of Indian Garden, Bob and I wasted no time making headway towards Plateau Point at Grand Canyon National Park. The heat was building, the wind was constant, and the sun was torturous.  Still, we forced ourselves to remain vigilant since other hikers had spotted rattlesnakes on the trail.  It was when we drew near the water refilling station about 3/4 of the way between the two points that we saw a Northern Whiptail Lizard taking advantage of the puddles of spilled water in the shade of the water reservoir. Read more

Eastern Milksnake In Rouge National Urban Park

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an Eastern Milksnake in Rouge National Urban Park, Markham, Ontario

Pandemic birding and nature hikes have kept us close to home since March of 2020, and one of our favorite places to get outdoors is in    Rouge National Urban Park.     On an early June day, we were very fortunate to see an Eastern Milksnake in Bob Hunter Memorial Conservation Area. Read more

The Three Rondavels in Blyde River Canyon in South Africa

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The Three Rondavels in the Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga, South Africa

For our first few days in South Africa, Bob and I stayed in Sabie.  Ideally situated enroute to Kruger National Park, the location also allowed us ready access to the sights along the Mpumalanga Panorama Route which takes in all of the Blyde River Canyon.  For us, the most impressive views were had at the lookout overlooking the Three Rondavels.

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Melanistic Eastern Garter Snake at Long Point in Ontario

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melanistic eastern garter snake, crown marsh, long point, ontario

After several hours of bird watching at Long Point Bird Observatory in Ontario, Canada, Bob and I decided to check out another location, Crown Marsh, before heading off for dinner.  A lengthy walk there on Long Point Trail 6 had us coming across this substantial Melanistic Eastern Garter Snake. Read more

An Eastern Garter Snake at Oxtongue Lake

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eastern garter snake, oxtongue lake, ontario, pic 2

Bob and I spend a lot of time at my childhood home at Oxtongue Lake, in Ontario, because my parents still occupy the same house all these 65 years later.  That is where I had my first encounter with a Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) when I was knee high to a grasshopper.  Seldom since then have we seen any snakes on their property, but this beauty slithered across the beach property recently, and I was so pleased to become reacquainted. Read more

Turtles killed by Winter in Toronto

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dead turtle in pond_milliken park_toronto_ontario

On a spring visit to Milliken Park in Toronto, we were shocked to come upon a number of dead turtles along the shoreline of the pond that had been killed by what is called Winter Kill.  Read more

Northern Sagebrush Lizard At The Grand Canyon

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Northern Sagebrush Lizard north rim grand canyon 5

It was very late in the afternoon when Bob and I landed at Cape Royal, one of the lookout points on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Despite our rush to see the spectacular views before sunset, we took time to observe this little Northern Sagebrush Lizard seen scampering amongst the rocks right at the lip of the Canyon. Read more

Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard at the Grand Canyon

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yellow-backed spiny lizard at the grand canyon

As Bob and I neared Indian Garden along Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon National Park, we kept a keen eye for birds and animals along the way.  I was conscientiously watching for snakes and so tended to scrutinize the trail in front of me to avoid stepping on one, in particular any Grand Canyon Rattlesnakes that might be sunning themselves.  It was Bob who spied this Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard where it originally sat hunched on the small branch of a Catclaw Acacia. Read more

Painted Turtles Near Forks of the Credit Provincial Park

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painted turtle - sits in pond near forks of the credit - ontario

On a beautiful sunny day, Bob and I decided to head to the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park in search of birds that are uncommon in our own part of the province.  As we approached Forks of the Credit Provincial Park near Caledon, along a quiet country road called McLaren Road, a vibrant green sludge drew our eyes to a pond at the side of the highway.  When we spotted a turtle poking its head up through the surface of the water, we had to pull over for a look.  The reptile turned out to be an Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta). Read more

Various Types of Turtles We Have Sighted Across Ontario

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various types of turtles - milliken park - toronto - ontario

As Bob and I so often do, we walked to Toronto’s Milliken Park one afternoon in early spring.  It was an unusually hot day which explained the assembly of turtles basking in the sun at the side of the park’s largest pond.  I couldn’t help think of the adage, “get your ducks all in a row” because there were the turtles, all lined up in order.  They certainly occupied  every inch of available space on that log. Read more