Observaciones de bobbyfingers

Caught in the act! Found "Big Daddy Sluggo" here just about to munch out on one of my prize Bromeliads. Normally random invertebrate freeloaders are more than welcome in my little basement greenhouse/insectary/lab/"man cave", but that was a big "no no", lol. Relocated to my outside garden so he could eat my vegetable plants instead. "Happy (slime) trails", buddy! : )

40" adult female. Beautiful day here in Jersey - so I got out for a little "hobble/stumble" in the field today. I made a quick visit to the northernmost vestige of the NJ Pine Barrens - a tiny disjunct "island" of remnant Barrens habitat, known physiogeographically as the "Spotswood Outlier". Saw SIX of these black satin beauties in a little over an hour! All were remarkably co-operative for this typically "feisty" species, so a good time was had by all - (meaning just me and the Racers), haha!

Young adult female. Nice day today - considering the "herpetofaunally challenged" part of NJ I'm proud to call "home", haha! Several Garters, Dekay's Brownsnakes, and Eastern Red-backed Salamanders observed as I got out for a little walk/"stumble" along an abandoned railroad bed in a local industrial park. Nothing like some good, clean herping fun to brighten your day! : )

Young adult female. Another little "backyard buddy" found under a "sucker board" I placed behind my rickety old garden shed a couple of years ago so I can get my "herp jollies" with these guys every now and then. I've seen 1,000 "dekayi" if I've seen one over the past 50 years (found my first one when I was around 7 years old) - but seeing one always brings a smile to my face! : )

Yay! It's official - Spring has finally arrived in NJ! Most folks consider the lovely American Robin as the herald of Springtime, but for any Herpetologist worth his/her "scalation" - it's undoubtedly the first Snake of the season, no matter the species, haha! Observed basking (uncharacteristically for Storeria) along an abandoned railroad bed in a local industrial park. Vicinity of Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

This adult female "Godzilla Katydid" picked a nice safe place to lay her eggs. If you look closely, you can see her ovipositor pushed deep into the soil of the potted cactus. Hope Gerry sees some "baby monsters" on his front porch next Spring! Vicinity of Boerne, Texas.