Salamander Sighting

When I dumped out the duck pool to refill it this afternoon I was delighted to discover a tiger salamander underneath it! He is medium-sized, about 8 inches long. I scooped him up and put him in a bowl for a brief photo session before letting him go in a safer place away from the poultry.

It has been a wonderful year for amphibians, probably thanks to the deluge of rain earlier this summer. The prairie is absolutely hopping with frogs and we have three darling toads living in various corners of our patio.  I am happy to see so many amphibians--it must be a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

Plus, I love the sweet smiling face that salamanders have.