Honestly, the photos so dreadfully bland, I almost didn't want to post it. But alas, this is the best shot of this blue corporal I managed to muster and I'm trying to build up the ole' life list.

Blue dasher was my first thought, but the tail seemed a bit short and stumpy, the posture, the wings. Just off... Cyric suggested blue corporal and after checking the links, yup. That looks like the one!

Thanks Cyric!

~ janson jones,
http://dusttracks.com

As March commences, I'm starting to see more and more Nerodias. The southern banded watersnake, Nerodia fasciata fasciata, seems to be particularly well established in Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area just east of Valdosta. I've seen several out there this week, as well as a few on the VSU campus in Valdosta itself. This Grand Bay individual was the lightest I've seen so far. If the N. f. fasciata subspecies is as variable as the N. f. pictiventris to the south, I'm in for a whole new range of Nerodia patterns. Great species.

~ janson jones,
http://dusttracks.com

Saw this dude/dudette at Grand Bay WMA today (just east of Valdosta). After giving this some thought, I'm pretty sure this is a younger American bullfrog, though I'd love some feedback on this identification. It's *possible* this is a pig frog (that was my first gut instinct), but the more I think about it, the more confident I am this is just bullfrog.

~ janson jones,
http://dusttracks.com

My first instinct for this one was southern cricket frog -- because I've seen *so many* at Grand Bay; that being said, this individual gives me pause and I'm not sure I can peg down why. There were innumerable frogs calling at this time (it had just rained a few moments before and I was on a deck walk over the marsh). I can't differentiate this individual's call. (I need to start recording this stuff). Any responses? Gut instincts? Experienced veterans of southeastern U.S. frogs? Sorry the photos aren't better. Best I could zoom with the light and no tripod!

UPDATE: I've been at this area repeatedly and time and again it's jammed with southern cricket frogs. I believe that's what this is, albeit a pale one. I'm tagging the observation accordingly, though I acknowledge there could possibly be something amiss.

~ janson jones,
http://dusttracks.com

This tanker truck of a skink was basking in some post-rain sunshine at Grand Bay on 24 March 2012. This was by far the largest broad headed skink I've ever seen. It had to have easily been five to six inches in length --at the very least-- from snout to venter (and not including the tail). Honestly, if it wasn't six inches, it was damn near close... I knew these were large skinks, but this individual took me off guard. Large, robust, and impressively girthy! Wish I could've gotten my hands on it for a solid measurement.

~ janson jones,
http://dusttracks.com.