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Native Californian, biologist, wildlife conservation consultant, retired Smithsonian scientist, father of two daughters, grandfather of 4 small primates. INTJ. Believes nature is infinitely more interesting than shopping malls. Born 100 years too late.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Newtsville, CA



Rich and I collected memory sticks and changed batteries on Sunday at our Marin County site.

It was threatening to rain.

The newts were out and about, and you really have to watch your step.

Not only is it cruel to step on a newt, it is very unpopular to do so in Marin County.

Some were moving across the trails, others were poised like bird dogs.

They were all looking for action, even when there was no need to look any further.

This is, like, very Californian.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I got nostalgic when I saw the newts in the rain. I can recall the smells as well as the pleasant cool rain showers when those guys are around. Good to see they are alive and well.

Owlman said...

I have always enjoyed observing newts and recall the first time that I saw one on an upper tributary of Austin creek in Sonoma County. The fact that it was bicolor intrigued me and I ran home to tell my mother of my sighting and wondering what it was.
Later during my college years I was introduced to a very interesting book "Of Scientist and Salamanders" by Victor Twitty, Professor of Biology at Stanford University who spent a lifetime of experimental studies on Salamanders.

Camera Trap Codger said...

Yes, Twitty did interesting stuff. I remember his work from SF State days.