But don’t look for any photos. Way too fast. It was a garter snake, SSSSsssing through the gravel in Whitemud Ravine near Rainbow Valley Road (and by SSSsssing I refer to the shape of its movement, not the sound it was making.) This is the fourth snake I’ve seen in the woods since I started walking in the 90’s. Three garter snakes and one ball python. The python wasn’t native, and he was wrapped around some guy’s neck, but it still qualified as a snake sighting.

The rain we had on Thursday and Friday made a huge difference in the ravine. The creek has come alive again. It’s surging, and the sound of it is wonderful. I was accompanied for most of my walk by dragonfiles and grasshoppers (in the sunnier parts). Pleasant company. I didn’t notice any mosquitoes, so the dragonflies were doing a hell of a job.

Hot and sunny. About a two hour walk.

25C/I don’t know when I left, but I came back around 3:40.