It's been a while since I've posted, so I'll share my winter finds with the vernal equinox (March 20) nigh.
Chris (Darkhorse) and I met up with a fellow herper in North Alabama in mid-January to flip for smallmouth salamanders, a real rarity in Alabama. After systematically flipping logs, branches, and leaf litter with no luck, our host was able to produce one just as we were resigning ourselves to trying another time.
Small-mouth Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Small-mouth Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
On the way back to the car, we were surprised by a yellow-bellied watersnake who had decided that a temperature in the low 50s was warm enough.
Yellow-Bellied Water Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr
Seal salamanders have been ubiquitous, as usual, in Talladega National Forest and surrounding areas.
Seal Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
On a trip to Conecuh National Forest in early February, I turned up a dwarf salamander and Southern red salamanders.
Dwarf Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Southern Red Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
I really like the look of the adult reds I find in Conecuh:
Southern Red Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Early March trips to Tuskegee National Forest have been fairly productive:
So, this first one may actually turn out to be some undescribed species of dwarf salamander, but I haven't bothered to change the ID in Flickr.
Chamberlain's Dwarf Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Spotted Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Mole Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Marbled Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Four-toed Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Cottonmouth by adamcooner, on Flickr
Southern Black Racer by adamcooner, on Flickr
Smooth Earth Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr
Eastern Mud Turtle by adamcooner, on Flickr
I found a nice lead phase Southern zigzag in my parents' flowerbed in Northwest Alabama.
Southern Zigzag Salamander (Lead Phase) by adamcooner, on Flickr
Recently, I've been visiting the Oakmulgee District of the Talladega National Forest.
Yellow-Bellied Water Snake by adamcooner, on Flickr
Spotted Dusky Salamanders by adamcooner, on Flickr
. . . and the Bibb County reds have not disappointed.
Red Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Red Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Red Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Red Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
Red Salamander by adamcooner, on Flickr
And that brings us up-to-date. Thanks for looking! Hopefully I'll be posting more often this spring and seeing more of everyone else's finds too.
Winter 2015
Moderator: Scott Waters
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- Posts: 2248
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Re: Winter 2015
Luminously beautiful images, Adam. Thank you for the visual delights.
- Berkeley Boone
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- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 4:02 am
Re: Winter 2015
Great photos!
Are you sure that is a midland water? It looks to me more like a plainbelly (or yellowbelly, as you'd called it on the adult a little higher up in the post).
Just curious.
--Berkeley
Are you sure that is a midland water? It looks to me more like a plainbelly (or yellowbelly, as you'd called it on the adult a little higher up in the post).
Just curious.
--Berkeley
- Daniel D Dye
- Posts: 1220
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:56 pm
- Location: New River (Brooker), Florida
- Contact:
Re: Winter 2015
Good stuff here, Adam.
We found out recently the Chamberlain looking dwarfs found in that area are actually undescribed Dwarf Salamanders (Eurycea cf. quadridigitata). Get with Chris M., he'll give you more info.
DDD
We found out recently the Chamberlain looking dwarfs found in that area are actually undescribed Dwarf Salamanders (Eurycea cf. quadridigitata). Get with Chris M., he'll give you more info.
DDD
- Adam Cooner
- Posts: 247
- Joined: July 8th, 2010, 3:50 pm
- Location: Calera, AL
Re: Winter 2015
Y'know, I just ID'd this on autopilot, but you're right on review of other photos. The change will be made. Thanks!Berkeley Boone wrote:Great photos!
Are you sure that is a midland water? It looks to me more like a plainbelly (or yellowbelly, as you'd called it on the adult a little higher up in the post).
Just curious.
--Berkeley
Thanks, Tamara!Tamara D. McConnell wrote:Luminously beautiful images, Adam. Thank you for the visual delights.
Thanks, Daniel. I saw that Facebook exchange and have been meaning to look into that a little more.Daniel D Dye wrote:Good stuff here, Adam.
We found out recently the Chamberlain looking dwarfs found in that area are actually undescribed Dwarf Salamanders (Eurycea cf. quadridigitata). Get with Chris M., he'll give you more info.
DDD
Re: Winter 2015
Great stuff.
Re: Winter 2015
Nice shots Adam! Glad I was able to help on the texanum.
You've found some really nice animals lately. Love the rubers.
You've found some really nice animals lately. Love the rubers.
- Adam Cooner
- Posts: 247
- Joined: July 8th, 2010, 3:50 pm
- Location: Calera, AL
Re: Winter 2015
Thanks, Scott! I hope we're able to meet up again.ScottAL wrote:Nice shots Adam! Glad I was able to help on the texanum.
You've found some really nice animals lately. Love the rubers.
Re: Winter 2015
good stuff Adam