Overnight and until noon, the rain covered Fannin County on Wednesday. So going with the flow, I adapted to the weather.
Much to Gracie’s delight, we took her for a walk in the damp weather at Bonham SP. It would have been too wet to try to do field work. At least that was my feeling on the matter. LOL
A beautiful small Orbweaver’s web stood out with water droplets. Consequently I wonder if a spider doesn’t curse the damp weather?
After lunch, we headed to the northern units at the Caddo NG. It was an opportunity to look for gates and record their locations.
This view of one of the roads does not look too bad. However just moments earlier, we were slipping and sliding on a muddy road. Now it is marked in my notes for future reference. 🙂
One of the gates had this kiosk. Looks like turkey season is starting this weekend!
Some of gates were open and in poor shape.
Just inside the above gate (out of sight) were these daffodils!
Next we went down road that looked fine. Lucky for us when reached the end there was a nice turn around at this sign.
Back on a main road, I spotted these Cream Wild indigo (Baptisia bracteata) on the roadside by a Caddo unit! This was exciting for me. Three species of Baptisia on this adventure!!
Then as I am walking back to the truck, hissssssss! This three foot Eastern Hognose Snake laid in my path. I had never seen one so big! In fact, I have only seen one once before. That was thirty years ago at our house. And it was a baby.
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know.
11 Comments
I love to play with hog nose snakes. They roll around on their backs and play dead. Even have tongue hanging out. Too cute. And wonderful spider web. Great pic.
Long ago, I was taught it was a good thing to run over a snake in the road. My mom did not like snakes at all. So now being more conservation minded, instead I admire them. Thanking them for helping the the ecosystem stay in balance. Where am I going with this, playing dead means you are causing them much stress. The snake is fearing for its life. Just a thought😊 FYI, I know I would have done the same as a kid if we had had them around our house🤷🏻♀️ Thanks for sharing!
You are bringing back memories of our many camping trips to south eastern OK in spring and seeing the different species of Baptisia! I too love hog nosed snakes. Only one in my life time and that was in my cabin back yard a couple years ago, and it was a red phase. This year I have had an abundance of checkered garter snakes and ribbon snakes.
You know the northern units in Caddo NG have horse trails too? Apparently there is a Western Hognose too, but I wonder if they are having troubles like the Horned Lizard?
Yes I knew about the trails and never got up there due to various reasons, distance, would have to stay overnight and lack of someone to go with me. I did ride up on trails north of Lake Texoma where i did meet up with others and camped out. I always wanted to go to the trails at Caddo. Looked so nice when we drove by to check them out.
I love to play with hog nose snakes. They roll around on their backs and play dead. Even have tongue hanging out. Too cute. And wonderful spider web. Great pic.
Long ago, I was taught it was a good thing to run over a snake in the road. My mom did not like snakes at all. So now being more conservation minded, instead I admire them. Thanking them for helping the the ecosystem stay in balance. Where am I going with this, playing dead means you are causing them much stress. The snake is fearing for its life. Just a thought😊 FYI, I know I would have done the same as a kid if we had had them around our house🤷🏻♀️ Thanks for sharing!
Wow! What a magnificent snake friend!! B. Bracteata is my favorite. I see it around here, too.
Look for frosted elfins if you have a patch🤞🏼
Hog nose snake is cool – never seen one
Very cool hog nose snake. I’ve never seen one in the wild but was able to handle a tame one at a snake handling class. It was my favorite snake.
A fun class I bet!
You are bringing back memories of our many camping trips to south eastern OK in spring and seeing the different species of Baptisia! I too love hog nosed snakes. Only one in my life time and that was in my cabin back yard a couple years ago, and it was a red phase. This year I have had an abundance of checkered garter snakes and ribbon snakes.
You know the northern units in Caddo NG have horse trails too? Apparently there is a Western Hognose too, but I wonder if they are having troubles like the Horned Lizard?
Yes I knew about the trails and never got up there due to various reasons, distance, would have to stay overnight and lack of someone to go with me. I did ride up on trails north of Lake Texoma where i did meet up with others and camped out. I always wanted to go to the trails at Caddo. Looked so nice when we drove by to check them out.
So many places to go and not enough time. Yeah you would have liked Caddo NG too..