Plethodontidae
posted 12/31/10 - For my last post made in 2010, I really wanted to have something with a face. Seeing a salamander out in the wild was one of my goals this year and voilà! Actually, Andy found this salamander after he rolled over a log and called me over to take pictures - gotta love the fella for supporting me in my quirky nature obsession. For more information on this very cool Ensatina with yellow spots in the top half of its eyes, make sure to click on the embedded links above.
I was amazed at the color and diversity we found during our hikes in the rain and at the end of December. And to think, I almost canceled our reservations to "camp" in a yurt on Mt. Madonna due to fierce winter storm forecasts. It was a bit cold and very wet, but we had an incredible time. Sometimes you just have to go for the experience and hope for the best.
Wishing all my blog readers the best for 2011. May it be a new year filled with love, laughter, and the making of fond memories!
ps 01/06/11 - For a much more informative blog post than mine, check out Curbstone Valley Farm.
ps 03/16/14 - I edited the text, because now I know this was not a newt, rather a lungless salamander in the Plethodontidae family.
I was amazed at the color and diversity we found during our hikes in the rain and at the end of December. And to think, I almost canceled our reservations to "camp" in a yurt on Mt. Madonna due to fierce winter storm forecasts. It was a bit cold and very wet, but we had an incredible time. Sometimes you just have to go for the experience and hope for the best.
Wishing all my blog readers the best for 2011. May it be a new year filled with love, laughter, and the making of fond memories!
ps 01/06/11 - For a much more informative blog post than mine, check out Curbstone Valley Farm.
ps 03/16/14 - I edited the text, because now I know this was not a newt, rather a lungless salamander in the Plethodontidae family.
8 comments:
That 2nd photo is just so cute! :)
Happy New Year to you and Andy too! God bless you in 2011!
My sister and I loved exploring the creeks as girls. We especially enjoyed finding salamanders. Newts are lovely creatures as well. Who can forget when Matilda puts a newt in the Trunchbull's water in the movie adapted from Roald Dahl's book. Happy New Year!
That's a cool critter, one I've never found. I need to roll over more logs, but I always feel a little guilty about it! Wishing you all the best for a great 2011. I love it that today all is one: 1-1-11!
Thank you, twg! I like the smiling "lips" in the second pic.
Nature Drunk, I'm going to have to look up your movie reference as I'm not familiar with it.
John, we rarely turn over logs. I liken that activity to someone ripping the roof off my home when I'm cozied up for the winter. To placate my guilt, I made sure we rolled the log back to where it was, making sure not to squish the newt. Wishing you good things for 2011!
Oh that is one cute critter! I've only ever seen the dark ones w/ red bellies.
Waiting for it to be 11:11 pm. this evening :-)
Nature Drunk, I was very interested in reading about Matilda. I may have to rent the movie. The illustrations for the hardcover by Quentin Blake remind me of Jules Feiffer's illustrations for the Phantom Tollbooth; they were contemporaries.
Janet, I love when dates and times sinc.
Oh, your fellow looks like he has faint spots, still a juvie perhaps? How awesome! It must be Ensatina season! ;)
Clare, I really don't know if it's young or not. I used the CA Herps site for ID - the best one I've found online. I really like your blog, because you post similar things to what I've found during my hikes.
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