On this beautiful spring day my herpetology class went out searching for vernal pools and herps. We found this vernal pool inside the Glenmeal State Forest in a vernal pool created by tire ruts in a trail. I identified these as spotted salamander eggs because they held their shape out of water, were attached to a twig in the water, and were laid communally. The outer casing was milky-white colored also.

On a rainy day my herpetology class went out and searched for amphibians in the woods near St. Lawrence University. We walked around looking at vernal pools for signs of salamanders spermatopores, eggs, and frog eggs. We didn't find any eggs or spermatopores that day so we looked underneath forest debris for herps.

I flipped over a log and found this little lead-backed salamander shortly after I found a red-backed salamander. The lead-backed and red-backed salamanders are the same species (Plethodon cinereus) with different color morphologies.

On a rainy day my herpetology class went out and searched for amphibians in the woods near St. Lawrence University. We walked around looking at vernal pools for signs of salamanders spermatopores, eggs, and frog eggs. We didn't find any eggs or spermatopores that day so we looked underneath forest debris for herps. I flipped over a log and found this little red-backed salamander while out looking! I placed my student ID card next to it for a scale.

The crisp, bright morning was perfect for a hike along the Lost Pond nature trail. This is a wonderfully laid out trail that loops around Lost Pond and treks through several different forest systems. I just missed the state stocking trout into Cranberry Lake by a half hour, but there was still plenty of fish hanging around the boat launch. A very nice and easy short hike.

During our Herpetology trip to Higley Flow, I found several wood frog egg masses in a marsh next to the beaver pond. These eggs are about 1 week from hatching, and I could see the developing tadpoles moving around. The weather was a bit chilly (about 50F) and cloudy.

Warm sunny day in Glenmeal State Forest, Pierrepont, NY. One of three spotted salamander egg masses that I found in this vernal pool.

Warm sunny day in Glenmeal State Forest, Pierrepont, NY. One of three spotted salamander egg masses that I found in this vernal pool.

Warm sunny day in Glenmeal State Forest, Pierrepont, NY. One of three spotted salamander egg masses that I found in this vernal pool.

Warm, sunny day. Another red-backed salamander found in Glenmeal State Forest on this day. Found underneath a decomposing log.

Warm sunny day in Glenmean State Forest, Pierrepont, NY. This salamander was found underneath a decomposing log.