Weekend Hocking Hills Herping with High School Students - April 21, 22 and 23

We stayed in cabins near Lake Hope.

The Flowering Dogwood was in bloom.

And at night, the Spring Peepers were calling.

Mr. Maretka leading the Independence Biology Society on a Peninsula Trail hike.

Wild Blue Phlox was common in the woods, fields and along streams.

Six-spotted Tiger Beetles were out when it was sunny.

Slimy Salamander.

Ash Cave.

Named for its yellow clustered bulblets (looking roughly like kernels of corn), Squirrel Corn has white heart-shaped flowers.

A cool looking blue insect that was on our cabin one morning called the Vale Horrid Moth.

Two-lined Salamander.

A creek that ran along one of the trails we hiked.

Gray Treefrogs have the ability to change colors to better blend in with their surroundings.

Trillium.

A tiny Ringneck Snake photographed next to a dime to show its size.

Cedar Falls.

A young Five-lined Skink with a bright blue tail.

There were several spots featuring elegant and distinctive Virginia Bluebells.

A Fishing Spider found near Rock House.

A Green Frog at Conkle's Hollow.

The ancestory of Rove Beetles date back to the Triassic - 200 million years ago - a few were seen on the trip.

I found my first Northern Water Snake of the year (a few more were found the next day).

Spring Beauty was blooming everywhere, even in the front lawns of our cabins.

Several Midland Painted Turtles were seen basking.

Tiger Swallowtails hanging out at the shoreline of Lake Hope.

Five-lined Skink.

Independence High School Biology Society at Old Man's Cave; it was a great weekend for spending time in nature.