Very damp day in the woods

[Mark]

I got up early this morning with the intention of heading out to explore an area of woodland north of Bristol. We (the wife and I) set off in glorious sunshine, wearing sunglasses and clothing fit for a spring day. On arrival things were looking up, not only was it an ancient forest but a wetland to boot so I had high hopes for seeing some native amphibians in action - fortunately I'd bought my camera. With a bit of luck I might even get enough shots to warrant a field herping thread on caudata.org

After a mile of walking along empty forest trails, only stopping to watch foxes and buzzards, we looked up and suddenly realised why no-one else had ventured out on this fine Sunday morning. The sky was turning ominously dark and the first light spots of rain soon started falling. No worries, we're hardy outdoor types, a little rain doesn't scare us, we're British.... Sue even kept her sunglasses on in protest. 5 minutes later the sky turned leaden and the heavens really did open. Boy did it rain. The wind picked up, the trees were swaying, branches falling all around us.

We took shelter under a couple of trees (one each) and began discussing how poorly prepared we were for such weather conditions. We looked like a strange husband and wife game-keeping duo. After half an hour of standing with our backs against a tree, trying to figure out who's coat was more waterproof; who was wettest; who's tree was better; if we could make an umbrella out of leaves (what would Ray Mears do?); which tree in the rainy distance looked like it might afford more shelter etc., a bright bit sky moved over us and the rain eased. We hot-footed it back in the direction of the car, glancing briefly into two great looking ponds before taking shelter from another heavy downpour. The rain was bouncing so hard off the pond surface I didn't stand a chance of seeing it's inhabitants.

So the camera stayed in it's bag and I returned home damp, muddy and a little disappointed. To combat this I took my camera into the newt room to take some photos in the dry. Enjoy.

 

[ferret_corner]

ROTFL!!! AWWWW!!! What a day!! Sounds like one our ill planned hiking trips.

Arizona is prone to flash floods. When it rains the hard packed ground doesn't absorb water very fast so it "runs" off. Yeah, rather tame sounding. These flash floods can hit a car hard enough to roll it along for miles - yes killing the inhabitants. I've witnessed a couple of those and yet....

We drove to our favorite hiking area, loaded on our packs, ironically we had lots of water in those, and set out.

Usually we're really good about checking the weather for our portion of the state. Sure enough out of our sight, the rain was coming down in the mountains. We had just reached the bottom of the canyon and relishing the mild weather gentle stream. Then we heard thunder. With no real thunderheads in the sky we were momentarily confused. Without words we both dashed for the canyon side and scrambled up on some large boulders. As we sat there I had the errant thought that maybe this wasn't high enough.

It was, but just barely. Lucky for us we had some tasty sandwiches in our pack and a stick as we had to push a rattle snake that wanted to share our dry spot, while we waited for the surge to ebb out.

That was the LAST time we failed to check the weather before heading to such a vulnerable spot during monsoons!!!

LOL I'm glad you didn't melt in the rain!

 

[Jennewt]

A good story, Mark, even if you didn't bring back any field photos. Thanks for getting out the camera at home.

Good story from Sharon, too. (Beware the monsoon season!)

In that last shot, it looks like this male marm is ready for water, as he is getting a crest.

 

[Plethodonae]

Very clear and awesome photos Mark! Shame you couldn't get any from the wild, but I'm cool with these.