One of several beautiful Chicago garter snakes (Thanophis sirtalis "semifasciatus") I observed basking in the late morning sunshine in an area where the woodland canopy opens up. Of the two species of garter snakes in Chicago, this one seems to prefer forest-edge habitat or savanna.
A Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens), in a vernal pool located in the woods.
I don't often find redbelly snakes (Storeria occipitomaculata) on the crawl. This was was exiting one flat stone and was heading in the direction of another.
No doubt the Chicago garters were out looking for food and/or mates. This big chunker was seen alertly cruising behind a thick wall of impenetrable thorns.
The sad reality of providing vehicular access to see snakes is that sometimes snakes too use the roads and often end up being run over by cars. No matter how many times I see dead flattened snakes like this, it hurts a little.
Ugh, another one. I include photos of dead on road (DOR) snakes to remind me (and others) to be careful when driving in areas where snakes are found.
A tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum). I usually find one or two of these at this particular preserve.
A big male prairie crayfish (Procambarus gracilis).
At the Trestle, I chased down this big plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix). I noticed that this population is gradually spreading southward into areas that were once choked with invasive brush and buckthorn but are now being restored.
The omnipresent midland brown snake (Storeria dekayi).
Small whites (Pieris rapae).
I promise...
I was lucky enough to get pretty close to this mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) before it flew off to do whatever it needed to do.
What do you use for a camera?
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