A day on the Parkway

[jaster]

Nothing better to do, why not go out for a few hours?

Plethodon montanus

First one of the day. Tiny one too! Must be a yearling. I finally tried out a 'trick' to caudate photography on him.... Basically you disorient them by tossing an individual in the air and catching them. I did this, plopped it down, even moved it around and it lay motionless for a few minutes. Neat!

It also got a bit dirty in the process of photographing...

This is Cold Prong Pond, my sanctuary.

I almost stepped on this little water snake (Nerodia sipedon).


Put him down after a minute, took one more step next to this one!

And you would never guess what was next. Not one, or two, but three more little Nerodia closer to the pond edge which they swam into...


Since my camera is 'waterproof', I wanted to test it. It is for the most part.... I think some water got under a button somewhere...

Anyone know if these are Rana or Bufo tadpoles? I thought Rana sylvatica but I do not know my anurans.

 

[Mac Myers]

Don't know about the Tadpoles. Awesome place to be able to go.
I have to say however... that if you were serious about tossing the Animal into the air... then... uh.... stop that.

 

[Azhael]

Believe or not, things like that are normal practice among biologists.

Gorgeous place and very nice animals. It fascinates me how all aquatic snakes share a basic head design...that one looks just like a Natrix.

 

[John]

Very nice photos - thanks for sharing. What is this waterproof camera you are using?

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Nice post Bradley! Those tadpoles are of a Bufo sp.

Mac, you'd be surprised at some of the tricks we use to get stuff to sit still.

 

[jaster]

Thank you all. The toss up trick has not done any harm to salamanders I've tried it on. My professor was mentioning how they have amazing abilities to handle damage from falling, if I ever dropped one.

John: The camera is a Richo Capillio (sp?), originally made for construction site photography. I also found out it is more 'water resistant' that 'water proof'....

Azhael: That's probably the reason all water snakes were Natrix for some time.

 

[deliriah]

I don't like the idea of "tossing" them either. But then I am awful at both photography and catching anything. You don't have to toss them very high do you? I guess if it works and they're not hurt in the prossess, its's not all bad. Great pics! And yes I think those tadpoles are Bufo.