NORTH BEACH, MARYLAND
I found three different types of reptiles in this tiny nature preserve.

Diamondback Terrapins are the only turtles that inhabit coastal marshes with brackish water (mix of salt and fresh water) for their entire life.

This reptile is named for its diamond-shaped pattern on its shell - it also has white "lips." The Diamondback Terrapin is Maryland's State Reptile.

The Osprey is also known as a Sea Hawk, River Hawk and Fish Hawk; it is fish-eating bird of prey. A number of them were seen in their nests tending to their offspring.

North Beach features many raised flower beds, which are visited by a variety of butterflies, including this Painted Lady.

Double-crested Cormorants drying off in between diving for fish. Cormorants' eyes are adapted to see both over and under the water.

The Eastern Painted Turtle gets its common name from its colorful markings.

The Snowy Egret is one of North America's most familiar herons, but by the early 1900s it was almost hunted to extinction, due to its plumes being in demand as decorations for hats.

Northern Water Snakes were seen on most days of the trip. They are an adaptable species and eat a wide variety of fish and amphibians.

I decided to investigate a nearby wetlands sanctuary.

The first of three Eastern Box Turtles seen on the trip. Males can often be distinguished from females by their red eyes.

A scarab beetle known as Emerald Euphoria. It feeds mainly on sap from wounded trees - especially oaks.

A creekside Dusky Salamander. Duskies are surprisingly good jumpers. To achieve their impressive jumps, they have stout, muscular hind legs in comparison to their front legs.

Green Frogs could also be found in woodland creeks.

Woodland herp habitat.

I found a few Spotted Salamanders. These stout-bodied amphibians spend most of their lives underground and are fond of low-lying hardwood forests.