Vernal Ponds

The wife and I went on a vernal pond walk sponsored by the Woodland Owners of the Southern Alleghenies last week. Lead by Dave Scamardella our local forester and Charlie Eichelberger a biologist for the Western Pa. Conservancy it was an extremely interest outing with visits to several vernal ponds and discussions about how they work and what creatures use them. These depressions gather water from snow runoff and spring rains, dry up in the summer, and are the breeding grounds for several types of frogs and salamanders.

 We found Wood Frog eggs,

and a Jefferson Salamander in one of the ponds.

 

It was a very enjoyable time and I appreciate the vernal pond in the Back40 all the more.