Memory Lane: The Undergrowth

The following collection of photographs are among the most familiar faces of my childhood. I grew up with these ectothermic personalities! The first time I found one of these salamanders, in a patch of wood in suburban Campbell River, I thought it was a clouded salamander (Aneides ferreus) and I nicknamed them "the escape artists" because of their uncanny ability to disappear from the terrariums I put them in overnight. Both the clouded and the wandering salamander truly are survival experts. They can survive major disturbances to their environment and I often find them in clearcut or woodpiles. They have even been known to survive massive forest fires where the entire stand of trees is burnt to the ground. Aneides vagrans. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 12, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/40.

Dragonflies are among the more endearing of insects because of their helpful ecological niche (they eat a tonne of mosquitos). This one was getting along in months and didn't have much gumption. Hence why I was able to pick it up. Many people don't realize that the majority of a dragonflies life, sometimes several years, are spent in the previous aquatic stage of their development in ponds as top predator of the submerged micro-ecosystem. The large, sometimes blue dragonflies, like this one, are called darners. Female Ashna sp. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 19, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/200.

The diversity among Thamnophis is astounding. The northwestern garter snake is probably the most common member of the genus in suburban or disturbed areas. This particular individual had a nice orange stripe down her back. But not all have that feature (scroll down). The only way to really tell if it is a T. ordinoides is to count the number of upper labial (lip) scales. There are seven on this one, so it must be either T. ordinoides or T. sirtalis. Since sirtalis have a black base colour and this one is brown, it must be T. ordinoides. Thamnophis ordinoides. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 19, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/640.

This one is a little trickier. There are actually eight upper labial scales which means it must be T. elegans. However, the colour pattern is not typical of that species and the head is far more T. ordinoides in shape. It might be a hybrid because the mottled look to the upper labials was also found on some T. ordinoides I found about a kilometre from this individual (see bellow). Thamnophis elegans vagrans. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 19, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/640.

I used to wander into the forest near my Campbell River home as a kid and spend hours catching this species in the ditches and streams that ran through the forest. I would wear gumboots and wield a cheep net. I could see dozens in a day of  free-spirited exploration. Nowadays, these frogs aren't nearly as common. It might have to do with climate change, or habitat degradation, but the introduced bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is certainly playing a part as they literally eat the red-legged frog out of its range. Cannibal. Rana aurora. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 21, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/80.

The pale swallowtail is a nice butterfly. Once again, the only reason I got as close as I did is because this one has old and had damaged wings. Papilio eurymedon. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 21, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/400.

This is one of my all-time favourite insect shots. See the coiled proboscis. Papilio eurymedon. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 21, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/320.

Rana aurora. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 21, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/80.

Rana aurora. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 21, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/60.

This is a newly metamorphosed Pacific treefrog. They're as cute as little bugs! Sometimes, if you visit an ephemeral pond the right time of year, these little boogers are jumping all over the tall grass. As the water gets more shallow, it warms, speeding up the development of the tadpoles. Once the pond is dry, the little froglets appear in droves. Juvenile Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 21, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/25.6, 1/250.

Rana aurora. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 21, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/100.

Here's another species of Thamnophis (that makes three for this post). T. sirtalis is the only snake on Vancouver Island that normally occurs with a black base colour. Sometimes T. elegans appears jet black because of a melanistic mutation common with that species. However, the yellow stripes and orange side spots are a dead give away for T. sirtalis. The common name is "common garter snake" in case you were wondering. It is a subspecies of the common garter snake called the Puget Sound garter snake. I took this shot without disturbing the basking snake. Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 25, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 0, 14.41mm, 0 EV, f/4.5, 1/250.

Unlike other reptiles, snakes shed their skins in one shot. The transparent scale over their eyes is also shed so, when the skin gets old and starts to separate from the snakes body, it gets hazy blue or grey. It gives the snake's eye an eery glazed look until it is shed. Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii in ecdysis. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 26, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/640.

For about ten years of my life I new no other Plethodontidae salamanders except A. vagrans. When I found my first red-backed salamander one thanksgiving at a park in suburban Campbell River, I was ecstatic. I didn't know anything so beautiful existed outside of eternity. Just look at that contrasting orange with the dark brown! Juvenile Plethodon vehiculum. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 25, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/60.

One thing about reptiles that humans find hard to relate to is the fixed expression on their faces. Emotions are expressed with body language in reptiles. This fellow looks completely disturbed; furrowed eyes and vacant stare. Is he crying? No. In fact, he's just enjoying the rays of the sun. You'd never guess it from his face, but he is saying, Aaaaah! Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 25, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/5.6, 1/640.

Juvenile Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. June 26, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 200, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/160.

Here's an interesting individual. It has seven upper labials, so it must be either T. sirtalis or T. ordinoides but the colour isn't characteristic of either of those species. I think it must be T. ordinoides because, besides the colour, it is most like that species. Like one of the above photographs, it could easily be a T. ordinoides/T. elegans hybrid. Hybrids are not at all uncommon among Thamnophis that would explain the rather melanistic tint to the skin. The blue sheen on its underside is actually reminiscent of T. sirtalis pickeringii so, really, who knows what kind of hybrid species this is. Probably got teased as a kid. Thamnophis ordinoides. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 10, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/80.

While many Plethodontidae can be found under logs after a rain, Aneides is not usually. They are very active species that climb trees and jump to branches. I've heard them called more lizard than salamander. I typically find them by pealing back the bark of dead trees, standing or leaning: they prefer to be off the ground it seams. Aneides vagrans. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 12, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/125.

They call this the "big dingy beetle." Not real becoming. Notice the mite on the beetles left mandible. Mites often hitch rides on beetles to get around more quickly. They don't harm the beetles, it's more like the insects way to hitchhike. Harpalus pennsylvanicus. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 12, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/6.

An adult western red-backed salamander. The silver speckles on the underside are stunning. Plethodon vehiculum. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 12, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/40.

Okay. Lets have another look at a hard to ID Thamnophis. Seven labials, orange stripe--must be T. ordinoides. But watch out. The dark underside and mottled look to the labial scales is a T. elegans feature. Maybe this is another hybrid. Thamnophis ordinoides. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 10, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/320.

Unlike many of the other Puget Sound garter snakes on the Island, this one has no orange side spots. Rather, they are faint and yellow. The beautiful diversity of Thamnophis blows my mind! Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 13, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 0, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/40.

Plethodon vehiculum. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 12, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/13.

Plethodon vehiculum. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 12, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/40.

The golden netwing is a brilliant relative of the firefly. Dictyopterus aurora. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 14, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/20.

Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 5, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/250.

Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 5, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/200.

These treefrogs might be brown (with a yellowish green tint to the underside and side of face, but the species as a whole, like most ectotherms of the northwest, are extremely variable. Think of the juveniles pictured above, which were grey or uniform brown. I have a few more shots of this species bellow. Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 5, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/250.

Hybrid or weirdo? I guess either way he's a weirdo. Thamnophis ordinoides. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 10, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/60.

Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 5, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/250.

Look at that golden face and bronze armpit! Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 5, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/320.

Every king enjoys surveying his kingdom. Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 5, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/500.

Close up of those enigmatic mottled labials. Thamnophis ordinoides. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 10, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/50.

This picture demonstrates the variability of the Pacific treefrog well. Sparsely spotted brown and brilliant green. Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 13, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/50.

I think this picture is beautiful, but the snake is wet, possibly giving the false impression that it might be slimy. Of course, that is not the case and I trust you are discerning enough to know that. The common garter snake, especially the northwest subspecies, can probably be called semiaquatic. In the spring especially, they eat nearly every meal in the water--frogs and pollywogs are their favourite. Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 13, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/100.

This is an artistic picture of a common garter snake in a defensive posture. Garter snakes in the northwest do not bite. They may musk (stink) but usually they just try to get away or curl up in a frightened little ball like this and try to keep their vulnerable head under their coils. Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 13, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/10.

Here's the green spotted variety. Beautiful silver sides. Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. May 2, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/250.

I confess. I'm a pro. Clearly this is one of my favourites. I increased the shutter speed and snapped the photo just as the golden netwing spread its carapace for flight. The folded wings are opening and the first thrust lifts the insect of the twig. Dictyopterus aurora. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 14, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/640.

Dictyopterus aurora. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 14, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/250.

Is this the inspiration for Kermit? Pseudacris regilla. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. April 13, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/40.

Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. May 3, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 0, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/30.

Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. May 3, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/320.

Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. May 3, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/250.

Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii. Near Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. May 3, 2009. Canon PowerShot A430. ISO 100, 5.4mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1/320.