At Glenmeal State Forest, my herpetology class was shown a small, fast-flowing brook that was ideal habitat for Dusky Salamanders (Desmognathus fuscus). However, finding them was a challenge because not only are Dusky Salamanders well camouflaged but excellent escape artists. This was the first time I have ever held one.

Visited Glenmeal State Forest for Herpetology lab where we were recording the number of egg masses at each vernal pool. Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) eggs are recognizable by their smooth, uniform jelly shell! This compares to frog eggs in which each egg is individually covered and creates a bumpy appearance.

One thing I’m curious about are the small flecks of red located in the membrane of the coating. A potential egg predator?

My herpetology class went to Glenmeal State Forest to look for some herps and egg masses. While looking in a vernal pool, I found this spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) egg mass connected to a branch in the water.

My herpetology class went to Glenmeal State Forest to look for some herps. While at a vernal pool, I came across a red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) nestled in the leaf litter next to the water.

My herpetology class went out to the Kip Trail to look for herps. After flipping many logs, I finally found a red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus).

I was surveying the St. Lawrence University golf course for amphibians, and I was very surprised to find this salamander relaxing out in the open on some tall grass. These salamanders are usually very hard to find so I took as many photos as I could! Once I set him back down he immediately burrowed into the tall grass and back into the earth.

Sunday, May 31, 2015 was a beautiful day to be in the woods. It was rainy in the morning but under the leaves we felt few of the drops. We looked under many logs and found salamanders, snails, slugs, centipedes, beetles and fungal mycelium. Red back salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) were found under every other log or so. We didn't record officially, but in about 45 minutes we saw 8-10 salamanders, walking a total of 0.4 miles in a circle. Many of the logs were also excellent for balancing on, an activity that juvenile Homo sapiens seem to enjoy.

Nature Up North worked with the Colton-Pierrepont Living Environment class on a lab surveying deer droppings at Stone Valley. While it seems deer density is low, we found a many red-backed salamanders and jack-in-the-pulpit flowers. The cool, overcast weather made for a great day in the woods.

A cloudy morning turned into a beautiful Labor Day hike on Mt. Colvin. Spiders were busy overnight and we inadvertently broke face-first through several of their webs in the morning. Views of the Great Range and Ausable Lakes were fantastic.