Slightly successful Sonoma County Trip

[joseph]

Well, knowing that some people have trouble finding caudates period, I guess that I shouldn't be too dissapointed on the results. Either luck, time, not checking correct spots, or the weather's semicooperation(it was slightly sunny...but had rained last night) may have resulted(I opt for first 3nd and 4th)in finding only one species of caudate. I was a bit dissapointed about not coming across any Dicampton or Ensatina as I had before-but those two were spread between 2 such trips. Hopefully in April I will be able to find a few more Northern CA species. I did most of the trekking in 2 1/2 hours and, as far as caudates go, came across around 10 slender salamanders. I'm sure I could have found more but I was busy trying more difficult places like under logs for other species. Funny thing is...during the rainy night stole 5 minutes and found 2 bratachoseps each under one maple leaf. The photos of these 2 are on another camera and show the curled defense pose and one in comparison to a pencil. Non caudates include a scorpion, 2 banana slugs(AKA Dicampton food), and many large centipedes.

A single habitat shot. I regret not taking more as the scenery was breathtaking.

As I trekked along side this stream I came across many "waterfalls" some natural...some obviously man made or influenced. I would like to think this one was natural.

Now for the actual salamanders

One that is apparently in the process of regenerating its tail alongside the largest we found-not quite the width of a pencil.

While bratachoseps seemed almost everywhere...by far the easiest place for me to find them was buried in leaves-esp in places where trees grew close together or in hollow stumps.

Hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I did taking them

 

[rubén]

Really greats pics Joseph , with detail and very interesting information about the ecology of the specie . Compliments

 

[nate]

Very nice Joseph, congrats on the finds.