A Night Fit For Amphibians…
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Mar 27, 2009 | by Kevin Loughlin
They’re here! The conditions were finally right. It had rained off and on all day yesterday and the temperature hovered in the mid-40’s F. A drenching rain came before sundown and the temperature held. Lisa and I had a leisurely dinner, prepared the camera equipment and headlamps and left the house around 8:45 PM.
We arrived at the trail just as the rain let up. Perfect. Wet but no downpour to affect our cameras or photographs. We walked the trail to the special spot. Paula, Marco and Ed had also just arrived from the other trailhead. We heard a few Wood Frogs. We searched for our first salamander.
We found our first Spotted Salamander at 9:39 PM. They were few and far between for a while… until about 10:30 PM, then we found dozens of them! All males, they were dropping their “packets” to be picked up later by the females. Some were shy, disappearing behind leaves as we shined our lights. Others posed for our cameras, allowing several images before boredom with our flashes set in.
Today Lisa and I will be driving to the Poconos where, on Saturday night it is supposed to rain. I can’t wait to check a couple new, hopeful locations to find more salamanders on another night fit for amphibians!
photos © Kevin Loughlin
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Well…. Thanks for sharin’ the pictures… at least… These are fab, as usual. Hope the Poconos are equally productive for you!
You’re having more success with salamanders than I am. And I blame this very dry spring for preventing their movement in more than a trickle of a few at a time.
Your photos of them are wonderful!
Great finds…the only salamanders I’ve found this year have been slimy, Plethodon glutinosus.