Reptiles at Ridgefield

Red-spotted Garter Snake

Flicker

It was late in the winter and the weather was warming. The sun was out and the forest was alive with quiet sounds — the sounds of snakes slithering through the leaf clutter on the forest floor. After I saw my first red-spot — my first two red-spots actually since they were intertwined — I stood still and listened as others came slinking along, tongues actively flicking, looking for other snakes to meet and greet and possibly mate with.

American bittern eating a red-spotted garter snake

Red-spotted Breakfast

Red-spotted garter snakes are almost too beautiful for words. They are not too beautiful for breakfast, apparently, at least not if you’re a hungry bittern. I came across this bittern after it had captured a red-spotted garter snake early one morning. It mostly stayed in a sheltered area in the reeds where I couldn’t get a good look at it.

I came across the same bittern a little while later, and noticed it had just caught a second garter snake, this one even larger than the first. It killed the snakes by applying pressure with its beak, often to the snake’s head. Even so, it took the snakes a while to die, and the bittern made sure the snake was dead before swallowing it.

Probably a good idea when your breakfast can bite you back.

Western Painted Turtle

You're Not the Boss of Me!

I saw this western painted turtle trying to cross the road towards a water channel at Ridgefield. Being a turtle, it was taking its own sweet time making it across and I was concerned it might find itself in the path of a birder watching the trees more than the road. I got out and helped it across but the turtle wasn't too appreciative of my aid, pulling tightly into its shell and refusing to come out and play. I took a few pictures and hopped back into the car so we could each continue safely on our way.

A western painted turtle covered in duckweed sits in the grass at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

A western painted turtle pokes its head out of green-colored water near the Kiwa Trail at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Pond of Many Colors

I got to see many of my favorite species on this spring-time visit to Ridgefield, such as this western painted turtle poking its head out of its pond of many colors near the Kiwa Trail. Painted turtles are one of only two freshwater turtles native to Washington, the other is the pond turtle which is so rare you're unlikely ever to see one. The painted turtles seem to be doing fine, at least at Ridgefield, where on a sunny spring day I've seen a few dozen just along the auto tour.