Well, I dont have any decent pics of my expeditions thus far, but that should change soon. Typically, I just find a creek within a semi-wooded area, where people seldom go frequently, and start following it; first downstream, then up. Occasionally I deviat from the creek-following to examine other environs surrounding. Ive made forays into 2 locations so far:
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"The Hollow"- this is a deep valley with a strong creek running through it. Its completely surrounded by heavily populated human areas. The valley floor is soft earth for the most part, but on either side are rocky cliffs and outcrops, making climbing nearly impossible. On the valley floor I could find no forms of life, except a leopard from that was either mutated or injured (missing one eye, with no apperant scarring).
We moved deeper into the valley, it being about an hour before sundown at the time. Eventually, after about 10-15 minutes of walking, we found a large divot in the rocky walls. A creek flowed through here, creating a number of sheer, rocky waterfalls with small "shelves" of rock overwhich the creek slowly trickled. As I made my way up one of these "waterfalls" I almost fell and knocked aside a mossy log. Underneath I found a salamander (what I believe was a Jefferson Salamander).
Upon further inspection, I found that just about every mossy rock or log housed at least one, if not 2 small salamanders. I noticed 2 color morphs- one being the typical coloration of Jefferson's Salamander (using the Nationl Audubon Field Guide to North American Reps/Amphs.), with a few showing possible coloration of Silvery Salamanders (an all female crossbreed of the Jefferson x Blue-Spotted Sal.). This was strange, as I did not notice any Blue-Spotteds in the area, and I dont believe this area is part of their native range.
The other coloration I saw, was only in smaller individuals. Some of the appeared light brown, almost reddish in appearance. I wish I had taken pics, as I cant remember if they had the blue speckles on the side like both Jeffs and Silvs have. Perhaps these are juveniles, or even a different species?
I plan to make another trip there soon to investigate further and get some pics.
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The second location is actually right out back of my home. A creek runs behind my house (though the entire water supply is surrounded on all sides by heavy human populations) which ranges in size from 1' across to 5'+ across; with depths of a few inches to more than 5'. Its total length is probably about a 1/2 mile, maybe alil more. Ive followed the entire length of the creek and have found TONS of life.
The water is thoroughly alive with minows, ranging in size from less than an inch to several inches.
Ive examined a number of leopard frogs, ranging from full grown to juvenile, though I never hear any croaking at night, which is strange since its spring. These guys are really slippery and at least 5 times Ive had em in my hand, only to have em slip out and away.
The first snake I encountered was a garter snake, very full on minows i think, which is why I managed to catch him. He was very calm and let me examine him, hold him, etc.
As I was making my way back, I encountered another, larger garter and this one I also held and a friend managed to get a pic of the snake on my shoulder. It was very calm, not scared at all of us as long as we didnt seem threatening, and actually sat on my shoulder for about 20 minutes while we walked, until I made him get off and head back into the scrub.
Just recently, I encountered a massive northern water snake (thick as a soda can and at least 5' long). When I came up on it, it dropped into the water and disappeared. I decided to be quiet and wait, and wouldnt ya know it, about 10 minutes later a big flat head pops out of the water and starts flicking its tongue. At the time, I thought it might be a copper head, albeit a huge one, so I waited and slowly crept forward. Before I got far, a juvenile (this one clearly marked as a water snake, less than 2' long) came swimming lazily upstream and bumped into the head of the adult! What luck! I was amazed, having never seen a water snake on this creek before, to see 2 in such a short time, especially a large established adult.
Well, the adult, having been bumped, ducked back into its water hiding place, so I decided to go after the lil guy. I jumped over this small "pond" in which the adult appeared to live, and chased the juvenile upstream. I managed to catch him in some rapids, where the water was too strong for him to swim away. I tailed him briefly with a glove, recieving 3 quick strikes in less than 3 second, and placed him on a small, sunny patch of grass next to the creek to get a photo. As I leaned in with the camera, all I see in the viewfinder is this lil snake coming right at me, mouth open.
...Well, I fell backwards like a fool, resulting in my going headfirst, backwards, into the creek. By the time Id recovered, the snake was gone. Not my best moment, but Im more than happy to share the story of sharing space with that "lil ripper".
