Herping at Peace Valley Lake

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

You most likely have not noticed that i have not been around as much this past week, so allow me to inform you that I have not been around as much this past week. Why? HERPING! I am fortunate to live about 5 miles from a gorgeous lake surrounded by woods and streams. So I took pictures! As well as walking around my yard and the boyfriends yard photographing spring flowers. I share them with you all here!

Unfortunately, no garters yet! Not a snake at all... actually...

My secret spot... a beautiful fallen log, I don't ever find anything in it but i always fantasize I will someday!


Little sludgehole full of frogs directly in front of the log:


A more artistic view of my favorite dead tree:


So... many... bugs!


Late Sunset


Was lucky enough to capture a shot of this Great Blue Heron gracing the lake with his presence. This male and his mate nest here... the fist day They were both right up close to me and I didn't have my camera!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

This lone swan landed way out in the lake... I have never seen a swan here before... where is his mate?


Carpenter Bee doing her job!


I really like bees.


The daffodils are up!




And so are some others!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I simply LOVE this picture, I am not sure why...




Hoverfly... they do a very good job looking like a bee!




Dead on the nest

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Eddie wouldnt stop poking this thing with a stick!


And then I realized right next to it, there was a frog on the creek bottom!


This one thought it was still hidden


These two salamanders live under Eddie's mom's wooden flower pot. They are ALWAYS HERE!




As I lifted a large rock, this large female wolf spider and cricket made a quick dash for cover, but in the process bumped heads and the spider seized the oportunity! I simply love this shot! She only gave me one photo before sinking further into the darkness.


Thanks for viewing! and more will follow as I continue to spend my time in the field!

[anji1971]

Great pics Shannon!! You've certainly got some beautiful places to wander in. I love the sunset picture. It reminds me of being up north when I was a child. I never missed one single sunset over the lake -- it was my favourite time of the day.

[ssssnakeluvr]

very nice photos!!! can't wait till I can get out!!!!

[Stefan-A]

Great pics, Shannon.

[adamanteus]

Nice photos Shannon. You should have posted them in the Nature Photography Thread, where more people will see them.

[reptileparadise]

great pictures!

[Lori P]

Wonderful pics, Shannon! Thanks for sharing!!