It’s been a rainy couple of weeks in Massachusetts, but at long last, the sunshine has returned! People and wildlife alike are venturing forth to soak up the warm rays for the first time in days. In nature, this behavior is called basking. Both reptiles and amphibians are poikilothermic, which means that they cannot regulate their own body temperatures internally as birds and mammals do. Basking on sunny days helps them to warm up their cold bodies.
Enjoy these five photos of wildlife enjoying the sunshine, then get out and enjoy it yourself! Have a great photo of your own? The 2016 Photo Contest will begin on June 1, 2016.
Northern Water Snake © Elizabeth McGurn
Monarch Butterfly © Chris Lang
Painted Turtles © Angelia Caggiano
Bullfrog © Jennifer Freitas
Twelve-Spotted Skimmer © Helene Grogan
wow!! will watch out for the skimmer