Seeing this fine spotted salamander and reading your comments induced me to start singing (my dog doesn’t mind) the cool Lucinda Williams song “Hey, hey. Too cool to be forgotten.” From Car Wheels On A Gravel Road. Thanks for sharing your new neighbor!
Living in the northern Calif redwoods I see salamanders occasionally. I saw a baby one this winter a couple of inches long. I tried looking up what kind they were after reading your article and discovered that some of them live in the tops of Douglas Fir Trees which really surprised me. I am not sure which ones I have so will look more closely when I see one next. I learned a lot from your experience. Nice photos!
I’ve never heard of them living in treetops, Morgan, thanks for sharing! Always something new to discover in nature, even when I’m just in my own backyard :)
Yes, nature is always teaching us when we pay attention. Really enjoyed your photos. I have a life long love of taking pictures starting with my Brownie camera from 1960. When my mom saved S & H green stamps after while blue chip stamps. She didn’t want to mess with them so I started saving them and saved 23 books which got me a Yashika Twin lens and tripod.
Thanks so much, Morgan! Oh my goodness, what a fun story, thanks for sharing! You sent me right down a little rabbit hole looking up the stamps and cameras 🤣
Right? They are soooo sweet. My kids often find them by gently tilting up logs to look beneath. I am not often that patient, and just have to get lucky to stumble across one in my path :)
Adorable! Salamanders are just among the most wonderful animals. We have a similar species in Europe, the fire salamander - it only looks similar though (black with yellow spots); apparently the two species are not even in the same family! I love watching how slowly & intently they move.
So charming, and perfectly dressed to blend in with his surroundings. He reminds me of the salamanders I happened across hiking through the redwood forests once. They are very unhurried creatures. The banana slugs too, those just blew me away!
Oooooohhhhh…..!!! Life can be quite treacherous when you’re such a (potentially) yummy morsel! But how well he hid himself beneath the cool, moist leaf litter. How gentle, how intriguing, responding like that to your daughter’s touch! What a wonderful addition to my day. Thank you so much! A real delight. 🤗🤗❤️💕
You’re so right, Beth!🤣 Little guy is too yummy for his own good, but hopefully all tucked away safe to keep being our neighbor for many days to come 🤗 And, yes, I was so surprised, I’ve never seen them do that before. Always something new!
Seeing this fine spotted salamander and reading your comments induced me to start singing (my dog doesn’t mind) the cool Lucinda Williams song “Hey, hey. Too cool to be forgotten.” From Car Wheels On A Gravel Road. Thanks for sharing your new neighbor!
How fun, Gary! Wildlife inspiring songs in our head is peak nature connection :)
As a kid, Sydney, I often saw the spotted salamanders in very early Spring.
As my brother and I slogged through the just thawed areas, they fascinated me, seeming almost magical. Delighted to see them again in your post. 🌞
They do seem magical, don't they? What a beautiful memory :)
I’m so glad your post kicked a few synapses to retrieve my experience from youth (:
Oh my goodness, so beautiful. Your empathy and connection with the salamander is as calming as you found him. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Lischer! They are so wonderful :)
I am a big fan of salamanders, newts, efts and their kin. This one's a cutie.
Thanks so much! They are so wonderful :)
Living in the northern Calif redwoods I see salamanders occasionally. I saw a baby one this winter a couple of inches long. I tried looking up what kind they were after reading your article and discovered that some of them live in the tops of Douglas Fir Trees which really surprised me. I am not sure which ones I have so will look more closely when I see one next. I learned a lot from your experience. Nice photos!
I’ve never heard of them living in treetops, Morgan, thanks for sharing! Always something new to discover in nature, even when I’m just in my own backyard :)
Yes, nature is always teaching us when we pay attention. Really enjoyed your photos. I have a life long love of taking pictures starting with my Brownie camera from 1960. When my mom saved S & H green stamps after while blue chip stamps. She didn’t want to mess with them so I started saving them and saved 23 books which got me a Yashika Twin lens and tripod.
Thanks so much, Morgan! Oh my goodness, what a fun story, thanks for sharing! You sent me right down a little rabbit hole looking up the stamps and cameras 🤣
Thanks Sydney, that’s a fun comment.
What a cutie! I’ve never seen one so am a bit jealous! I’m keeping my eyes open wider these days so hopefully…
Right? They are soooo sweet. My kids often find them by gently tilting up logs to look beneath. I am not often that patient, and just have to get lucky to stumble across one in my path :)
Adorable! Salamanders are just among the most wonderful animals. We have a similar species in Europe, the fire salamander - it only looks similar though (black with yellow spots); apparently the two species are not even in the same family! I love watching how slowly & intently they move.
They really are, Hannah! I agree, there’s such peaceful, patient purpose about their lives, so truly lovely.
So charming, and perfectly dressed to blend in with his surroundings. He reminds me of the salamanders I happened across hiking through the redwood forests once. They are very unhurried creatures. The banana slugs too, those just blew me away!
Oh my gosh, Noel, I remember banana slugs from our time in the PNW! They were so fascinating, like bizarre alien creatures, they cracked me up!
Ahhh...thank you Sydney. Helped me breath. So beautiful.❤️
Thanks for sharing these images and video clips, Sydney. Adorable little reptiles! :)
Oooooohhhhh…..!!! Life can be quite treacherous when you’re such a (potentially) yummy morsel! But how well he hid himself beneath the cool, moist leaf litter. How gentle, how intriguing, responding like that to your daughter’s touch! What a wonderful addition to my day. Thank you so much! A real delight. 🤗🤗❤️💕
You’re so right, Beth!🤣 Little guy is too yummy for his own good, but hopefully all tucked away safe to keep being our neighbor for many days to come 🤗 And, yes, I was so surprised, I’ve never seen them do that before. Always something new!
Sweet 💛
They are amazing & very conscious!
Very cute:)
Love him. Thanks for the introduction.
I'm gentled, and in love.
💕
This is beautiful.
Thanks so much, Bella!