August 26: Always nice to come across something new (to us) almost literally on our own doorstep, a Blue-spotted salamander, or maybe that should be Blue spotted/Jefferson salamander, as the very informative Ontario Nature website explains. Click here.  I’ve included a small photo for scale – from tip to tail, if straightened out, I gauge it would be about 8cm – but such wonderful creatures are great to enjoy when pictured larger than life!

Peter Armstrong, Warsaw

Blue-spotted Salamander for scale - Peter Armstrong

Blue-spotted Salamander for scale – Peter Armstrong

Blue-spotted Salamander - Peter Armstrong

Blue-spotted Salamander – Peter Armstrong


Drew Monkman

I am a retired teacher, naturalist and writer with a love for all aspects of the natural world, especially as they relate to seasonal change.