Springtime Nature Walk
On Wednesday, April 7th, Valerie C. and I visited the Audubon Center and Sanctuary in Jamestown, New York. We arrived shortly before 10:00 AM and didn’t leave until around 1:00 PM. There are three trails at the Audubon Center. We walked part of each trail. We saw geese, an eagle (too far away for a good picture), ducks, various birds, reptiles and amphibians. Valerie saw a deer. She caught a glimpse of its white tail, as it passed in front of us a good ways down one of the trails that we were walking.
These are two of the many geese that we saw on our nature walk.
Snake!
This snake was lying curled up on top of a low bush. We wondered if it was dead. We passed by it again towards the end of our walk. The snake was still lying on top of this bush; however, it had changed its position. No, it wasn’t dead! After seeing this snake the first go-around, we saw three more snakes!
My friend Valerie
We were walking on this boardwalk a short time after taking this picture. At the same time that I noticed on my right what appeared to be a long snake curled up on top of a low bush, Valerie saw a snake in the water to her left. These snakes were much closer to where we were walking, and I raised my camera to take a picture of the one closest to me. The plan was to take the picture and get the heck out of there! As I raised my camera, the snake uncurled. It wasn’t one snake; it was two snakes! They looked as though they were slithering, quickly, towards me ONTO the boardwalk! I didn’t give it a second thought. I touched Valerie’s shoulder, said emphatically “they’re coming!”, and pushed my hand gently on Valerie’s shoulder. It didn’t take much to get Valerie moving. We both made quick steps forward, all the while watching behind us. The snakes didn’t go on the boardwalk; they slithered into the water. Seeing four snakes during one nature walk was more than enough for me! I really wasn’t that pleased when we saw that first snake. At least that one was farther away, and it wasn’t moving!
Toad ?
I think this is a toad, as it appears to have a bumpy skin. This was the only amphibian that we saw. We heard lots of them singing or as they jumped into the pond when we walked by. We didn’t see any turtles. We kept looking for turtles because I had hoped to take a picture of several of them sunbathing on top of a log or a rock.
This bridge caught my attention. I loved the reflection of the bridge in the pond.
Reflecting Bridge
While we walked through the forest, I smelled Spring … an earthy fragrance.
I tried to capture the smell of Spring in this photograph.
Can you smell the earth?
Before leaving the Audubon Center we visited the eagle called Liberty. I took a picture of her screeching. Neither Valerie nor I had heard an eagle’s cry before. That was so cool!
Liberty
9 Responses to “Springtime Nature Walk”
Linda: I had the same experience with snakes in my garden. I got some great photos up close. They were just making love. That is a frog not a toad. They are the ones which live in swamps.
I know two Linda's that take great photos. I'm heading for the woods things are changing quickly now
What a beautiful place. I feel the same way about snakes. They give me the creeps. They are beautiful creatures and I don't mind seeing them as long as they are far away or behind glass:)
I LOVE the bridge photo. Snakes, not so much…but that bridge? Yep, that is so pretty.Looks like you had a lovely day.Thanks so much for your comments on my last post. It was a strange post to write but I am curious about others perspectives on this touchy matter. I did have an Amazon link up for a bit but it didn't produce anything and I am easily bored…lol.Becky K
Oh Linda, What a wonderful place to go and get some great photographs. I would run AWAY from those snakes also. Love that bridge picture with the reflection…Have a great day.Hugs,Betsy
Awesome photos! We haven't been there yet this year but I'm looking forward to going. Jean
What a neat place! Loved the photos! That was different, seeing a snake in a bush!
Love the bird-the snake is NASTY-the give me the heebies. I had a friend that had a snake in her house she not only covered it with a bowl she through it outside. NEver for me.
Looks like a nice place to visit!