The season is finally on!

[joeysgreen]

It was an early day off work today so Colin and I drove out to the hibernaculum. Three snakes were out; there was still a bit of snow covering the entrance to the den. Some interesting temperatures to note. A cold little feller was sitting on 39F ground and had a surface skin temp a few degrees warmer. Less than two feet away, and the ground temperature was 70F and a much more alert basking snake was a comfortable 77F.

On a plus note, the information sign still looks great. Undamaged and not faded. On a downer, the drought has really hurt water levels in areas and it looks to be another slow year for amphibians.

Ian

ps, Colin post your cell phone pic's here please

[leezard]

Gee, Ian, is it still straight? Or did the concrete sink? LOL At least the post will be a long term inhabitant!! (AKA -- good job on that!)

Too bad to hear about the drought, though. Although not very surprising. Hopefully we'll get some rain soon!

[Toirtis]

Originally Posted by joeysgreen

On a downer, the drought has really hurt water levels in areas and it looks to be another slow year for amphibians.

Sadly, you probably are correct. Here in Calgary, we typically see 25+cm of snow in March...this year we had less than 1cm...in 25 years here, I cannot remember a more dry winter. Bodes very darkly for amphibs and fish. Calgary's typical winter snowfall is about 127cm...this winter we have had barely over a quarter of that.

That being said, I will have to go poke about some of the local hibernacula this afternoon.

[joeysgreen]

Christian, you'll probably see more snakes than I (weather provided). This snake den is in an odd place, being that on a northwest facing, shaded slope.

[FrogO_Oeyes]

Doubtful. The weather turned iffy early on, and was right crap by late afternoon [90km wind, lighting, wet snow, white-outs, power failures].

[GoodonGeckos]

Yeah the weather was the exact same up here in Edmonton. It was snowing sideways! SIDEWAYS! The snow wasn't so wet up here though. I doubt i'll see many snakes this year so fun to just watch them though.