Living with herps

[Omaha Steve]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herping

Herping is the act of searching for amphibians or reptiles. The term, often used by professional and amateur herpetologists, comes from the word "herp", which comes from the same Greek root as herpetology, herpet-, meaning "creeping".

I went to turn the hose on and almost missed this a few days ago when it was cold and misty. S/he should feel better today when it gets to 79F this afternoon.



I was mowing yesterday when something YUGE moved. S/he jumped to get out of the way. No doubt in my mind a yard service would have kept on mowing. As a thank you for avoiding mowing over this this creature, it ate a yuge horse fly between photos.

A few years ago I asked the DU about what to plant in my backyard that was low on grass. These purple flowers from the other side of our fence that are forest cover have filled in nicely. We have it in the front yard too. Anybody know what these little flowers are?



Above. You always hear about squirrels stealing from bird feeders. Here is a photo of the opposite. Marta took this while sitting in her chair when she was so sick a few days ago.

Below a sign of spring.

OS

[Kingofalldems]

1. Nice. Those flowers are ground ivy I believe.

Or on second look, probably not.

[geardaddy]

9. Yep, also known as Creeping Charlie

People think it's a weed, but it's not.

[hatrack]

14. Same stuff, but we always called it "chickweed"

Not a botanist by any stretch . . .

Great photos, Steve - thanks, and Happy Spring!

[geardaddy]

17. I love the way plants have different names in different areas.

"Chickweed" is new to me! Thanks!

[mopinko]

2. creeping charlie.

you will never get rid of it now.
i have a lot of it, and usually let it bloom before pulling. it is an early bloomer and the bees love it. not much else for them to eat right now.

[louis-t]

8. This might be a good year for bees.

Dandelions are ridiculous already. There is a carpet of them on a boulevard by my house.

[Stryst]

3. Very pretty!

I have Carolina Anole all over my property, I should really be photo stalking them.

[Omaha Steve]

4. I took a great spider photo about an hour ago just outside my garage

But most people are Arachnophobic, so I haven't posted it (yet).

[Stryst]

13. Just post it with a "trigger warning"

I used to have a problem with spiders, but then my primary weed hookup got a pink toed tarantula, and I didn't know that spiders could be cute. And we have these little peacock spiders around here that are just cute as a button. The look like they have feathers around their eyes!

Spiders make me hope that first contact is still a couple of generations away; humans don't react well to the "other".

[Omaha Steve]

15. Trigger warning

Spider photo posted in Photo Group here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/103652016

[Stryst]

16. Is that a tarantula?

She has the meaty legs, and she was ground hunting.

Very pretty though.

[awoke_in_2003]

5. Thank god

I thought you may have left out a vowel

[eppur_se_muova]

6. Purple Henbit ...

among other names.

http://www.ediblewildfood.com/henbit.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamium_amplexicaule

There is a related species which often is found in the same area, but blooms later:

http://www.ediblewildfood.com/purple-deadnettle.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamium_purpureum

and should be steamed if you don't want the laxative effect.

Neither is native to North America, and both are regarded as weeds. L. amplexicaule is one of the harbingers of warm weather in our area, and it has been spreading.

[linuxman]

7. I think they make a cream for that...nt

[Ned Flanders]

10. Ever heard of a "herpetologist handshake?"

nice pics, thx

[Omaha Steve]

12. No I haven't

Does it have anything to do with a toads self defense maneuver?

[Ned Flanders]

18. a bit late...

...sorry.

Snake handler conventions are notable because many participants are missing digits. So when they greet each other, it is like a secret handshake.

[pansypoo53219]

11. my grandpa called it creeping charlie, but i found a weed or wildflower book at it says its

gill in the meadow. sure it has multiple names.

[Katashi_itto]

19. I like to cook with fresh herbs