While waiting for spring bird migration to pick up, I have been enjoying the local reptiles and amphibians. Here are a few highlights.
The first herps to appear each year (in February) are Common Garters. Our local subspecies is called Red-spotted Garter for obvious reasons.another Red-spotted Garter, paler in colorThis little specimen had the most intense red I have seen on this species. Last one, found climbing a tree stumpOur other species of garter is Northwestern Garter. They have smaller heads and lack the red on the face.This Northwestern Garter had an intensely red dorsal stripe. The only species of salamander I have found so far this year is Long-toed Salamander, but I have found them in several different locations. American Bullfrog is an invasive species that wreaks havoc on local wetland ecosystems, eating native frogs, baby turtles, and anything else they can catch. Another non-native is the Red-eared Slider (native to the southeastern U.S). When I was little, back when dinosaurs ruled the earth, you could buy baby turtles in pet stores. They were almost always this species. Unwanted pets were released into the environment, where they flourished. Western Painted Turtle is one of only two turtles native to Oregon. I was delighted to find this massive specimen at the Sandy River Delta.
Birding will be heating up in the next week, so I will have to start looking up again.
Ethical Birder 