Every now and then, a writer needs to get away from the computer (or pad and pencil) and get out into the real world. It refreshes the mind and provides a bit more exercise than sitting at a desk. So, off into the nearby woodlands of the Big Gunpowder River I went, hiking up the hills and breathing in the crisp autumn air. But wouldn't you know it, there must have been some fantasy writers nearby because I was overrun by dragons. Huge, man-eating, fire-breathing dragons! And here I was without my sword. My mother always warned me about that.
Okay, perhaps they weren't quite so fearsome as I've made them sound, but they were, nonetheless, very interesting. I think the first one is an Eastern Red-backed Salamander even though it doesn't have a lot of red on the back. I thought it might be a Northern Dusky, but it didn't have the ridged tail, so I'll stick with the Eastern Red-backed variety. But don't quote me on that—I'm not an expert. I don't even play one on TV.
I think this next one is a Northern Slimy salamander. No offense, little fellow. I wasn't the one that named you.
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Image "Northern_Slimy.jpg" ©2013 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used with attribution
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Great post, my friend. I love critters.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I like to give readers on my blog a little more than "here's my latest post" or "please read my story."
DeleteNow that's the type of thing that would have me running 30 miles in under 10 seconds, even though they're so tiny. I'll make sure I never hike that way too... thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhy do such small things make me feel so yukky?
I'm glad I didn't find any of the big ones! But they are quite harmless to people and really not as slimy as they look. No sword required!
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