Backyard Business

For the first time since I left my parents' house, I have a backyard and it is glorious.

The idea of a yard list was such a foreign concept and I never thought that I would be able observe so many species from the comfort of a back porch and yet here I am. It adds to that strange feeling like I am actual adult... Terrifying!

With this new territory to examine, experiment with and observe throughout the changing of the seasons, the clamor of the cities --  despite all of their draws -- are not missed.

Birds & herps are the most common fauna and right off the bat, slender salamanders have been under nearly every flipped rock.

this February '16 slender was about half the size of a dime

The most exciting herp thus far has been a juvenile Arboreal Salamander:

making use of prehensile tail

climbing the great succulent pot

a look at the underside reveals organs and glands

The birds have also been visiting with decent number and variety. The annual winter appearance of a Flicker has been a highlight. Here is last year's visitor:






Camera trapping stories to follow...