How much wood ...

... can a woodchuck chuck?

Have been seeing this critter near a trail I walk. Took my camera tonight and ... groundhog snapshot.

They are also known as whistle-pigs for the way they warn others of their kind of impending danger. (Marmota monax)

Finally My Cardinal Shot

Finally got a really good cardinal shot as I walked out at the South Creek/Wilson's Creek Trail today. Almost didn't take my camera.

Walking Again

Winter is retreating. Walked three times this past week. Last night after I got home from work I headed to the nearby trail with my camera along. Took these four shots on that walk.







This last one was on our front lawn when I returned. The robins are back.

Always Take Your Camera With You

Rough Green Snake
Opheodrys aestivus aestivus


Walking today on my favorite trail, I came across one of my favorite snakes, stock still in the middle of the asphalt trail. It was a rough green snake, one of my favorites in the Ozarks. I had decided not to bring my camera today; everytime I do that, a great photo op occurs and is lost. When I knelt down to take a closer look, he began undulating to try to get away, but he was moving so fast, he was virtually staying in one place, like a car laying rubber by spinning its wheels too fast. The poor snake just couldn't get any traction. So I gently nudged him with my hand and let him push off and soon he was in the safety of the brush.

Rough Green Snake
Originally uploaded by pcoin

You seldom see these common snakes because they are small and blend in so well with their surroundings. But on the black trail he was easy to spot.

Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)
Originally uploaded by dpfunsun

He also stuck his tongue out and kept it out longer than I had seen a snake do.

(The photos are not mine but are linked from Flickr.)