Below is a view of the Newman Lane parking area approaching from north to south. The parking area is in the middle of a wooded stretch (the rest of the park) and clearly marked by the usual Somerset County park sign.
A major theme of this hike was the low water line. While we have had many cloudy days this season, not too much rain has fallen lately. Many streams had dried up, and the remaining ones were very low. I found many small snails in each shallow area. I couldn't tell if they were especially prolific this year, or if the low waterline was squishing them together into small areas.
I believe this snail is a part of the family Lymnaeidae. However I was unable to narrow it down further. I will have to purchase a mollusk field guide. Unfortunately, not enough snail enthusiasts have taken to the web to make this information readily available. These two were hanging out on a leaf, which I picked up to photograph clearly. As soon as they were clear of the water they began moving fairly quickly towards the edges of the leaf. They can really move when they have to! I replaced the leaf quickly and they settled down again.
I thought this deeper pool would have at least a few frogs hanging out, but I didn't see any (or perhaps they were all camouflaged).
I am sure this is an Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus). I want to mention again that the parks of Somerset county are not noticeably crawling with snakes and other reptiles. Over the course of many, many hikes where I am specifically looking, listening and sometimes smelling for stuff I have caught a few lucky shots of interesting creatures. If you are hiking along thinking about clouds or your grocery list, it is very possible to encounter very few.
This season's undergrowth has now come in completely, laying a heavy covering over the woods along the reservoirs edge.
I believe this is a Great Blue Huron (Ardea herodias), fishing on the other side of the reservoir from me.
A few from my favorite spot at the reservoir.
This is Poison Ivy - a whole bush full! Be sure to stay away from bright green leaves that look like this.
I believe this is an American Toad (Bufo americanus). He was about 3 inches long, and while initially startled by my footsteps, he sat quietly by the edge of the trail long enough for me to take several pictures.
This is another freshwater snail - a larger species than the those in the photo at the beginning of this post. I was also unable to confirm an exact species - please help me out! Below is a photo of one of these snails crawling along the bottom of the reservoir (about 1 foot from shore).
Its been another weekend of sun and clouds today, June 13th. I hope to get in a few additional hikes this week.
