Blue Speckled Salamander |
While working outside Sunday, our dog Sadie alerted us to a presence in the pit surrounding our soon to be earth bermed home. The soil has been slow to dry after the huge amounts of rain received throughout the summer.
This little fellow was one of two sightings these past couple weeks that don't happen on a regular basis. I heard that our oldest Granddaughter did happen to find one in their small town yard six miles to the west of us yesterday as well. I can only think that the recent temperature cool down has them looking for spaces to get prepared for hibernation. Our sandy soiled location here in the country is a great place for burrowing.
It appears these salamanders are at the southwestern edge of their normal range here in central Iowa. Some concern about their future has been expressed due to enviromental issues.
Western Painted Turtle |
Two teeth like projections |
Brightly colored carapace characteristic of Western Painted Turtles |
Cope's Gray Tree Frog |
Hubby even found one clinging to the roofing felt as we were preparing to apply our metal roofing one morning.
The frog not wanting to share the space leaped to the ground. Being on the ground I placed it into the tall
grass for it to catch it's breath and move to a better situation.
At the moment the interior of our wood foundation home is perfect for toad habitation with river rock and damp conditions where the ground hasn't been totally covered.
Throughout the summer we have gathered up various sized American toads and placed them outside to find another natural setting to become home .
We saw an increase in little green snakes and the Leopard Frogs. The frogs seemed to be wherever you would walk in the yard, in the garden, or puddles in the drive. I was almost afraid to step anywhere in case I might accidentally squash an innocent in hiding.
I am confident there were other reptiles and amphibians at TimberLife,
but these are the ones that crossed our path this year.The snakes,frogs and toads were hard to avoid becoming noticeable by their numbers.
The weather has become dryer and Fall has arrived - time to bid our summertime visitors farewell, and look forward to their return next Spring...