Category Archives: Cape Cod Wildlife

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Hiking, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Trails, Cape Cod Wildlife

Garter Snake On The Red Maple Swamp Trail At Fort Hill On Cape Cod.

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I heard a little rustle in the leaves as we were walking along the boardwalk on the Red Maple Swamp Trail. It didn’t sound like an animal as the sound was too consistent. I thought perhaps it was a snake. (Click on blog link for other photos.)

I had never seen a Garter Snake before so it was pretty cool when we spotted it among the leaves and dead branches on the side of the trail. “Garter snakes are indigenous to North America and found widely across the continent. Most common garter snakes have a pattern of yellow stripes on a black, brown or green background, and their average total length is about 22 inches.”

Have you ever seen a Garter Snake?

Cape Cod Birding, Cape Cod Hiking, Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Trails, Cape Cod Wildflowers, Cape Cod Wildlife

Beech Forest Trail In Provincetown On Cape Cod.

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The Beech Forest Trail in Provincetown is so diverse. You never know what birds or animals or wildflowers you might see as you hike on the trail over the boardwalks or up the steps. (Click on blog link for other photos.)

It’s always been one of my favorite hikes… no matter what time of the year.

Have you ever hiked the Beech Forest Trail?

 

Cape Cod Beaches, Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Wildlife

Harp Seal Resting On This Cape Cod Beach With The Help Of IFAW.

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We all should be so thankful  to IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, for their  work around the globe to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife. (Click on blog link for other photos.)

I took a walk to the beach yesterday when I saw a car in the parking lot that had an IFAW sign in its window, so I knew something was going on. As I walked down the beach, I saw 2 white signs on the beach a good distance apart. There was also a volunteer from IFAW who was guarding the Harp Seal who was resting up on the beach. It is recommended that people stay at least 100 feet away from these endangered seals.

We had an interesting discussion while he described the number of seals that IFAW has rescued in the past few days on the Cape, which was quite a few.

The Harp Seal lives in the cold waters of the North Atlantic and  Arctic Oceans. They will “ungulate” their bodies to produce forward movement so they can move up onto the beach to rest. They will head back to the water at a later high tide.  Interesting fact: The Harp Seals get their name from the black spot on their back that looks like a harp.

I sure was at the beach at the perfect time. What a great experience! Have you ever seen a Harp Seal?

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Hiking, Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Trails, Cape Cod Wildlife

Healthy Coyote Searching For Prey At Fort Hill On Cape Cod.

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I’ve seen many coyotes hunting for prey at Fort Hill but they were always pretty far away out in the fields. This coyote was so intent on finding lunch that he wasn’t paying attention to anyone walking by.

Beautiful animal, don’t you think?