Favoritos de univac

This animal was dead, lying on the fire road seen in another of the attached pictures. The body was covered in soil. The two pictures show it on a damp paper towel after washing off most of the soil. The tip of the tail had a slight injury, but the body was otherwise intact. I found it around 10:30 AM on a day with full sun since dawn, and a daytime high in the high 80s. It very likely died overnight, given its relatively moist condition. I saw a whiptail and striped racer that morning, but did not expect to find a salamander.

The pictures of the animal were taken on my front porch. The location pictures were taken about an hour later. I found the salamander while running, and was not carrying a camera. This explains inconsistent times and locations in the report or any photo metadata.

New herp for me -- wasn't even looking for them. I presume this population is well-documented based on proximity to high-visitation areas. This area was burned by the Bobcat fire last year (2020). It seemed to have burned intensely sometimes right up to the water, so it was nice to see a couple of these sitting seemingly unaffected, though perhaps time will tell. Good luck, frogs

One of four found rather quickly once I looked at the tributary. Eight years later I would find them far more difficult to locate at the same spot.

Just anecdotal, but more thoughts on their plight can be found at https://bangkokherps.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/california-waters-frogs-of-the-socal-mountains/

An unusual guest was visiting our stretch of river today. Large, probably eight to ten inches in length, with clear red and yellow markings on its head. Lousy pic at the end of my lens, but I believe it is a Red-eared Slider. I did see one here last summer.

Chorus calls during breeding within a small ephemeral pond, just below 2825 Benedict St. Los Angeles, Ca. 90039. Pond is no more than 15' sq ft. total. The pond area is within a sedimentary island of the LA River and appears to either connect to the main flow of water from river left or there is a spring source. Water levels do not vary much until water runs over the island in larger rains. In late summer the water level is lower. There is a rock overhang within the pod. The chorus will be interrupted when one approaches or by loud noises. Arundo donax surrounds and shades the pond on one side (river left).