Spring Peepers Calling
Yesterday by small pond in the woods near the visitor center I heard the intense singing of Spring Peepers. That sound tells me that spring will be here soon. This … Continued
The Sounds of Spring
Tonight after sunset we walked out onto the prairie and found ourselves surrounded by at least a dozen male Woodcocks performing their mating ritual. After calling from the ground for … Continued
Red Milk Snake Rarely Seen
Yesterday was only the second time in over 30 years of living here that I’ve seen a red milk snake in the wild. (I did keep a couple for a … Continued
Spring Peepers
On a walk this afternoon I heard the song of Spring Peepers for the first time this year. A welcome sound that means Spring is coming! I pulled out my … Continued
Kill the Snake?
Black Rat Snake, Pantherophis obsoleteus While we were eating our picnic lunch today I heard some birds making a ruckus nearby. Songbirds chattering incessantly suggests danger. On inspection I found … Continued
Singing Frogs
Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana The rains and warmer weather agrees with the frogs. The songs of the various frogs and toads was so loud last night that it was hard to … Continued
Northern Cricket Frog
Northern Cricket Frog, (Acris crepitans) This weekend I hiked in the stream bed of Hillers Creek. Since it has not rained in awhile is was mostly dry. Among the rocks … Continued
Spring Peepers in the Fall
Spring Peeper, (Pseudacris crucifer) One of the earliest sounds of Spring at the PGT is the singing of the Spring Peeper. The frog is so small that I rarely get … Continued
Western Ribbon Snake
Western Ribbon Snake, (Thamnophis proximus) Matt and Duncan saw a beautiful snake this morning; a garter snake. According to The Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri it was a Western Ribbon … Continued