Sunday afternoon we hiked a path at Oil Creek. I was looking up at the tree canopy looking for birds when my husband said, “Stop! Take 5 steps forward, stop and turn around.” I did it. I thought maybe there was a bird he wanted me to see. But instead it was to get me away from the snake I was standing next to on the path. He knew I would panic if I had looked down. I pounded my walking stick on the ground not too far from the snake but he wouldn’t move. He was sunning himself on the path. We left him alone and moved on. I was always told that if you make noise and vibrations while you walk along, the snake will move away. But this one wasn’t going to move. Anyone know what kind it is? **added-my husband told me while out on the path that he thought it was a Northern Water Snake. It looks like he was right!
CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE THEM to 1200 x 900.


Below are 3 insects in one photo. I was taking the photo of the butterfly and when I enlarged it I noticed a bee was looking at the butterfly. Underneath the butterfly is an ant. My husband said he saw the bee fly up to the butterfly and wondered what it was doing but the butterfly moved on before anything happened.

The ferns were still wound up in curls. They look like artwork.

There were wild flowers everywhere.



A Merganser
A duck escort.

The Great Blue Heron looks fake when he stands so still.
Click on the Video to hear the sounds of Oil Creek. I’m not good at identifying bird calls yet, can you identify the birds on this video?