This female Giant Garter Snake is about to give birth, judging by the looks of her mid-section. It’s pretty rare to find Giant Garter Snakes this exposed, and even more rare to find one that has coloration this beautiful. She was found on the Conservancy’s Frazer North tract, doing what scientists call “thermoregulating.” That is, trying to warm up her early-morning cold blood by sunning herself. Note also that there are no scars from otters, ibis or other creatures that like to rough these guys up. There is no sign of nematode problems either. Truly, this is about as perfect a specimen as you will find.
Nail trim needed?
Conservancy field personnel captured this close-up of an osprey (Pandion haliaetus) flying overhead from a nearby perch. The photo was taken on Conservancy mitigation land associated with a managed marsh complex. In prior years, some called this species the “fish hawk.” Clearly, the claws would be useful in catching fish.… Continue Reading Nail trim needed?