tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post559694062615624137..comments2023-10-23T15:56:58.357-04:00Comments on Nature remains.: A special evening, part IInina at Nature Remains.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07888238636692649668noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-27731217795288136132008-03-07T10:42:00.000-05:002008-03-07T10:42:00.000-05:00I loved to search for salamanders when I was littl...I loved to search for salamanders when I was little. And I also would check the waters' edge of our pond for evidence of frog eggs.<BR/>It's been said...The first *day* of Spring and the first *sign* of Spring is often 30 days apart.<BR/>So I sit and wait for the warmth..Dorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12877365453453071691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-47901315231617484382008-03-05T23:01:00.000-05:002008-03-05T23:01:00.000-05:00Thanks! I love the Monday posting, leading us to b...Thanks! I love the Monday posting, leading us to believe you are preparing for a hot date. It was fun to read about the salamander adventure!NW Nature Nuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14274110274292106230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-67585675584031112282008-03-05T17:49:00.000-05:002008-03-05T17:49:00.000-05:00One of the best posts I've had the pleasure of rea...One of the best posts I've had the pleasure of reading in a long time.. your enthusiasm for your surroundings and your writing style leave me wanting more. <BR/><BR/>Glad you found your SalamandersTomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04167792394551286975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-21195730873789948732008-03-05T13:33:00.000-05:002008-03-05T13:33:00.000-05:00Great story! I've just had the best time catching ...Great story! I've just had the best time catching up with your last few entries. Fun to read! Thank you!<BR/><BR/>I think spring is FINALLY on its way here. Yippeeeeeeeeeeee!!!Sandpiper (Lin)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09576892200169989765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-58913546409463638362008-03-05T09:59:00.000-05:002008-03-05T09:59:00.000-05:00Well, they are enduring, but I'm sure your care fo...Well, they are enduring, but I'm sure your care for the land is a big plus... And they are charming dates! <BR/><BR/>You've inspired me to post my own <A HREF="http://natureessays.blogspot.com/2008/03/secret-nights-of-salamanders.html" REL="nofollow">salamander story</A>... hope you like it.SLWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07574103178321487531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-20505769155202211222008-03-05T08:27:00.000-05:002008-03-05T08:27:00.000-05:00Kerri--I've hoped to find them for years--the timi...Kerri--I've hoped to find them for years--the timing is so critical--I was finally lucky!<BR/><BR/>Monarch--I found 10 spotted and only 2 Jeffersons, maybe that's a similar ratio to what's out there? If so, good luck--I could have easily stepped on the Jefersons--he looked just like a brown stick!<BR/><BR/>Cathy--you're exactly right--these days go down in family histories!<BR/><BR/>Mel--surprise is right! There was nothing like seeing him plodding uphill through the grass on a misted night--like something from a dinosaur movie!<BR/><BR/>Mary--They are CUTE--and slow and gentle.<BR/><BR/>Cestoady--it's these successful experiences that make all the cold, wet, rainy nothings bearable.<BR/><BR/>Jennifer--what a great event to promote to children. Environmental education is the future.<BR/><BR/>Kate--isn't he sweet?<BR/><BR/>SLW--I was just so pleased to find them here--an indication that our land has treated them fairly well so far--or they've endured despite the changes.<BR/><BR/>Greeny--I understand exactly--I feel the same--a gift that has been sent to me alone is so fleeting.<BR/><BR/>RuthieJ--Yes, they're underground dwellers, and move out only under cover of extreme darkness--some even say the moon is too much light, need a cloudy night, in fact, an WET to protect their soft skin.<BR/>And ponds with NO fish are their destination, so eggs are not eaten before hatching by predators. It's the standing water that disappears by summer that they're drawn to--I'm sure you could find a good spot--it's such a treat--they're generally only seen on these migrations.<BR/><BR/>Lisa--me neither--you must wait and watch into the night. And, I'm a chicken when it comes to being in the dark.<BR/><BR/>Crayons--not "gross", just cold and wet. And looked at me very helplessly--I returned him to pool immediately after photos--which I need to document my findings. Salamanders actually shouldn't be handled because their skins are so delicate and susceptible to any lotions or "toxins" we may spread to them. But I was having a problem getting him into enough light to get a good picture. My hands were pretty clear of anything-- as you can see my fingers are "pruney" from being out in the rain all night. The writing--it is pretty much a narrative of thoughts that flow through on the spot. I do read it a LOT as I write it (out loud) to find a rhythm that seems natural--and I fine tune words at the very point of publishing, just to be sure the picture I'm painting is clear.<BR/>I believe that a good story must be read aloud. If I like what I hear--I push publish.nina at Nature Remains.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07888238636692649668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-40233665905530179802008-03-04T22:07:00.000-05:002008-03-04T22:07:00.000-05:00From a bookish crayonist, "Grossss!" How can you ...From a bookish crayonist, "Grossss!" How can you hold that in your hand?! Sorry!<BR/><BR/>But I really enjoyed that fine piece of writing. I'd like to know about your process. Do you write quickly and then hone? Do you write carefully and publish? Do you let the idea steep for a day, and then do you write? <BR/><BR/>I was right there with you on this one. So excellent!Crayonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04381728158412423377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-28497340552684801732008-03-04T20:23:00.000-05:002008-03-04T20:23:00.000-05:00This is just awesome Nina. I have never seen any ...This is just awesome Nina. I have never seen any kind of Salamander in the wild. WOW My heart went pitty patter just looking at your pictures.Lisa at Greenbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743973292900758183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-57109594812537422762008-03-04T20:16:00.000-05:002008-03-04T20:16:00.000-05:00Oh Nina, that's so neat. I can see why you're so ...Oh Nina, that's so neat. I can see why you're so glad you still have that little pond. So these salamanders are easiest to find at night? I'd like to try finding some at the pond in our neighborhood once spring arrives.RuthieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-27135647648619055842008-03-04T19:06:00.000-05:002008-03-04T19:06:00.000-05:00Jackpot! What a wonderful, special surprise!I sta...Jackpot! What a wonderful, special surprise!<BR/>I started reading this earlier this morning but didn't have time to finish.<BR/><BR/>I have always liked to think that when I see something unusual in nature, something someone else would probably miss, I have been "sent" this special thing. What would a shrink say to something like that?!<BR/>Thanks for sharing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17044970694074554765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-76772976796020824442008-03-04T18:34:00.000-05:002008-03-04T18:34:00.000-05:00Great hunting-- and awesome storytelling! I've nev...Great hunting-- and awesome storytelling! I've never actually tried to find these guys (our local equivalent, that is, <EM>A. tigrinum</EM>)-- but sometimes they find me! They are indeed wonderful, and surprisingly long-lived, 20 years or so... <BR/><BR/>Thanks for this inspiring adventure.SLWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07574103178321487531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-1719419390547837712008-03-04T18:33:00.000-05:002008-03-04T18:33:00.000-05:00The Spotted Salamander is adorable ... what an exc...The Spotted Salamander is adorable ... what an exciting time it must have been to see this.katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03979577122006222781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-59856126810683639252008-03-04T18:29:00.000-05:002008-03-04T18:29:00.000-05:00Today I told 1st graders the story of my first vis...Today I told 1st graders the story of my first visit to a vernal pool. They sat in suspense... You're story makes me anxious for our salamander nights... soon... It's become an annual necessity!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-81029117819261303742008-03-04T14:07:00.000-05:002008-03-04T14:07:00.000-05:00To be standing in the rain on a dark,spring night...To be standing in the rain on a dark,spring night and witnessing the march of mole salamanders to their breeding hole must be one of the great field experiences naturalists yearn for --- now we all have some of that thrill through your expressive writing. I had goose bumps by the time I came to the end of your night gaunt.cestoadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653689058424312225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-62195109049449127202008-03-04T13:11:00.000-05:002008-03-04T13:11:00.000-05:00Nina, I like Cathy's comment. You will be telling ...Nina, I like Cathy's comment. You will be telling your grandchildren... Congratulations on your great find! They're very CUTE.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040099513110890878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-89021414053665936722008-03-04T13:05:00.000-05:002008-03-04T13:05:00.000-05:00Yesss!!! You found them!!! What a great surprise! ...Yesss!!! You found them!!! <BR/>What a great surprise! Congrats!Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04550692601943778577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-49561191545830235902008-03-04T12:51:00.000-05:002008-03-04T12:51:00.000-05:00Hallelujah! March 3, 20008You'll be telling this t...Hallelujah!<BR/> <BR/>March 3, 20008<BR/><BR/>You'll be telling this to grandchildren, years hence.<BR/><BR/>It was a dark and rainy night . . .Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00548755592157386484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-35206857421856960282008-03-04T12:42:00.000-05:002008-03-04T12:42:00.000-05:00I am soo excited that you found these guys! I hav...I am soo excited that you found these guys! I have never seen the Jefferson's! I think you are about 2 weeks ahead of me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7757093280387768593.post-27725970565202722872008-03-04T12:30:00.000-05:002008-03-04T12:30:00.000-05:00WOW! That is SOOOO NEAT! I need to be on the "lo...WOW! That is SOOOO NEAT! I need to be on the "look out" for these guys too!Kerri Farleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07617128767655910810noreply@blogger.com