Neil Silverman recently photographed a Rough-skinned Newt. Looks like this newt was ready for his or her close-up!

You shouldn't touch this newt because they have a neurotoxin in their skin. It's called tetrodotoxin, the same neurotoxin in pufferfish. Gartersnakes can handle this toxin and they prey on these newts. Rick and I often see them in our forest, along side the seasonal creek. They flash their orange underparts as they cross the trail.

Thanks to Neil for allowing me to share his photo with you here. Neil, along with his wife, Susan, teach photography workshops. You can find out more at this link: https://silvermansphotography.com/

The temps went up, up, up today - another heat wave. The horizon is clear so perhaps there will be a green flash at sunset.

Spring doesn't know...