Ignore that last Pelee Island post, the pics didn't work....try this one

[mrcanada21]

Hi,

I recently came back from a daytrip to Pelee Island with a few friends. The main point of this trip was to take photos of herps so he's a few (I took over 170 pics).

The first subject of the morning, this young bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). This particular frog has ridges running down its back which is charictoristic of a green frog (Rana clamitans melanota) but this is a bullfrog....pretty cool I thought.

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/britishcanuk/variouse/DSCN6344.jpg

Here's a large green frog (Rana clamitans melanota) that was sitting within a couple feet of the bullfrog. These were common as well.

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/britishcanuk/variouse/DSCN6345.jpg

This is the only newt we could find(Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens). All of the efts I'v ever seen on Pelee Island are verydark. I wonder if its geographical or coincidental....or neither, are dark ones pretty normal??

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/britishcanuk/variouse/DSCN6406.jpg

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/britishcanuk/variouse/DSCN6404.jpg

This next one is pretty neat. I'v been told its a blue-spotted x smallmouth salamander hybrid (Ambystoma laterale x texanum)
and I tend to agree because it really doesn't have the clear blue spots of a blue-spotted but it does have a smaller head and more mottled pattern.

I'v been told that the entire salamander population on Pelee Island is made up of hybrids of the two species. I don't believe I saw any pure forms of either species. Most were young but we found 5 or six adults and none looked typical of either species.

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/britishcanuk/variouse/DSCN6415.jpg

This is a lake erie watersnake(Nerodia sipedon insularum). This little snake was found in the woods where the salamanders were found, quite a ways from any water. These snakes are very variable, some look like typical northern watersnakes and some lack any pattern at all and others can be anywhere between. They are all considered to be lake-erie's and are all protected.

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/britishcanuk/variouse/DSCN6433.jpg

Here's another young one. We saw dozens of these.

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/britishcanuk/variouse/DSCN6460.jpg

Melanistic eastern gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)are are found on Pelee Island as well as at Point Pelee. This one was particularly obliging...and particularly beautiful. We probably saw 6 or 7 of these black garters as well as many typically patterned ones.

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/britishcanuk/variouse/DSCN6475.jpg

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/britishcanuk/variouse/DSCN6480.jpg

This last pic is not from Pelee Island but from mainland Essex County (Amherstburg area). Does anyone know when the last blue-spotted was found in Essex Co.? I believe this find is the first for this area in several years (20 ish). If anyone knows more about it please reply, I'm interested in knowing the status of this species here and the significance of this find.

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v156/britishcanuk/blue-spotted_salamanders_.jpg

All the best.

Russ

[munchy]

wow those are some good pics. that melanistic garter is killer!!

[Vanan]

Fantastic pics!! Love the young sipedon and garter!

[dave68]

Great pics mrcanada, they are very "picture book" quality, if I say so myself, especially the ones of the frogs and newts. May you have the same luck on all your Herpin' trips to come!

[reptiguy123]

Nice black garter!:)

[exotic_66]

lol pelee is a lot of fun !!! im looking forward to going back. i love that picture of the melanistic garter VERY COOL!

nice shots!

~NESSY~

[Cruciform]

Wow, what camera were you using and what settings?

It's almost like little lighting men were following you around setting up perfect contrast.

[mrcanada21]

Thanks for the comments guys, I'm glad you liked em'. I use a Nikon 990 Coolpix without any attachments (lenses, flash, etc...). I really like the pivoting body, its incredibly useful for photographing herps. Cheers,

Russ

[Melly18]

Wow those pics are amazing! Thanks for sharing it looks like you guys had a lot of fun!!! :D

[coolhl7]

melanistic garter was simply awesome!