Nearby I checked some large chunks of slate away from the creekbed, on a hunch that the larger Queen Snakes would prefer areas with more cover.  I found a young adult, perhaps twenty inches in length, which we photographed to get some shots of the ventral scales.  Queen snakes are not the most cooperative serpent when it comes to getting their picture taken.

A few more Ringnecks and one more small Water Snake, and we turned around and headed back upstream.  We turned up a few more Longtails and Ringnecks, but saw no Twolines or frogs of any sort.  Usually the Twolined Salamanders were present under rocks with a bit of water underneath, but not today.

We decided to work a small stretch of creek above the place where we started, and we were glad we did.  I was on the other side of the creek when I heard Rick utter an exclamation, and saw him bent over in a patch of weeds working to secure something.  "Hang on, I'm coming over to you," he said.  "You've GOT to see this!"    'This' turned out to be an aberrant Longtailed Salamander, with black pigment missing from all but the last inch of tail, and a small spot above one front leg.

We spent a long time photographing and marveling over this unusual salamander before Rick carried it back over the creek and put it back where he found it.  Regular Longtails are beautiful enough as it is, so this one was just 'extra special'.  It was a fitting last herp for a pretty good day of hot weather herping.

Species Observed:

Longtailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda)
American Toad (Bufo americanus)
Fowler's Toad (Bufo fowleri)
Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata)
Northern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii)
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis)

Cool Birds:  Belted Kingfisher, Hermit Thrush