The ponds of spring and early summer are alive with insects, amphibians and reptiles. Here are a few from yesterday’s pond survey.
As the weather warms, California red-legged frogs are more visible. This frog is a sub-adult.
The California red-legged frog is listed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and is classified as Threatened. http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=D02D
Each pond has tadpoles, sometimes just tree frog and other times tadpoles of red-legged frog, western toad and tree-frogs.
Tree-frog tadpoles were present in every pond.
The California tiger salamander larvae we found were approaching about half the size of mature tiger salamanders. Their gills are apparent.
This cts larvae is not quite half the adult size. All California tiger salamanders are listed as either Threatened or Endangered. http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=D01T
A garter snake sunned itself on a floating log.
Garter snake.
This is a Pacific newt larvae that overwintered in the pond.
The ponds contained many dragonfly nymphs. At one pond a “squadron” on red dragonflies gave me a photo opportunity.
These red dragonflies appeared to be reproduction mode.
