This week I went on three different expeditions in search of amphibians. I will detail each and show you some of the pictures I collected from each.
Trip One:
I ventured out into the woods behind my house in search of woodland salamanders. I crossed over a small brook which I determined to be moving too quickly for salamanders to inhabit. I moved into a marshy area full of ferns and fallen birch trees. I walked around this area for 20 minutes or so, turning over logs and large stones in search of Red Backed Salamanders and Two Lined Salamanders, both which inhabit these types of niches. After working my way through the forest, I came to a low stone wall which seemed to be a good place to find some woodland salamanders or maybe some toads. I found neither. Instead I consulted my guidebook and made a plan to walk lower along the wall to where there were some large stones and the ground was wetter. Down in this hollow I encountered my first amphibian: a small red eft. The red eft is the juvenile form of the Eastern Newt, a fully aquatic amphibian found in many lakes and ponds all over the north east.
Total Time: 1 Hour
Trip Two:
Next, I made a late night expedition to hunt out what frogs, toads, and salamanders I could find at the Norwich Pool. I brought a very powerful head lamp and I marched up the trail with my rubber boots and immediately found two American Toads and a nice Green Frog. I photographed them all and went along my way. Unfortunately, the rain began to pour and I found no other signs of amphibian life for the rest of my soggy walk.
Total Time: 1 Hour
Trip Three:
The shortest of my trips, this one consisted of a short escapade into the garden to pull weeds, followed by yard work around the house. On my adventures earning my keep I found 3 red efts and one American Toad, but the real prize came later. As I went inside to wash off my hands and get some lemonade, my dad pounded on the back door. I slid open the glass door to find him holding a ball of dirt. Inside that ball was a small Red Backed Salamander. He had found the little guy while moving some rotten logs from our property. I photographed the salamander and it was returned to its home.
Total Time: 45 Mins
