This has been a fairly uneventful week. No pictures of poop, though I did find some coyote poop while out on a run as well some coyote tracks in the mud, but I failed to bring my phone so alas I shall be leaving yall wanting in that department. Regardless I did happen to stumble upon some interesting information about my site. While running I randomly chose to run down a path that I typically ignore, happily this path lead me to sign that informed me that part of the trails that I run on are part of the Dow Brook Conservation. One of the interesting aspects of the conservation is that is home to many vernal pools. Vernal pools are typically pools of rain or snow melt that are at there deepest during the spring. They usually dry up during the summer months, making them devoid of fish. This lack fish allows amphibians, frogs and salamanders, and some invertebrates, like fairy shrimp, to have a relatively safe place to lay their eggs. I am not sure yet on which species live in this area so I am going to find out more for next time, though I am led to believe that there are spotted, blue spotted, Jefferson's, and marbled salamanders in the area.With snow and ice finally melting I am looking forward to seeing what I can find in the pools.
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| frog eggs |
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| Blue spotted Salamander |
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| Fairy shrimp |
Looking forward to seeing your pictures when you find something!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that there are such things such as vernal pools that offer an environment that has less predators than ponds or lakes have.
ReplyDeleteI often walk through the woods with the kids. We will have to keep an eye out for these pools, they love learning about new things in nature...Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNice info, would love to see more pics.
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