One of the surest signs that winter is indeed over is the emergence of cold blooded critters.   Reptiles and amphibians appear, often a bit sluggish from shaking off winter and from the cool temperatures of spring.  The sun is a critical factor in warming up their systems enough to gain energy for normal function.

Starting in April, the nearby ponds are filled with a chorus of bullfrogs.

The eyes of a bullfrog are very pretty I think…

And who cannot smile when looking into the face of a box turtle?

A garter snake coils up and gives me a face-off.  She is ready for action.

This snapping turtle looks like he has had too much to drink on his night out (perhaps too much to eat too)…

A beautiful Ribbon Snake is out and about looking for lunch.

Face to face with a Ribbon Snake…

This little chap creates one of my favorite sounds found in nature, a chorus of tree frogs.   He is perched on our hose holder.

I ran into this male Broad-headed skink on my walk in our woods yesterday.   What a beautiful creature!

I will never understand how this Black Rat Snake is able to scale straight down a brick wall.  He  can seemingly defy gravity.