July 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Wildlife Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
I recently rediscovered my inner child and went searching for frogs and salamanders! As a kid growing up in Northern BC, my sister and I spent many hours hunting for amphibians in our neighbourhood. I always loved that feeling of turning over a piece of wood and finding those big beady eyes staring up at you!
My recent excursion took place on the shores of Lake Kathlyn in Smithers, but any moist, wooded area near you will likely do the trick! It took me a few minutes to find the right hunting spot, but my patience was rewarded with numerous great finds! My photo is of a salamander that I found inside an old log (the best place to find salamanders by the way - a nice moist rotting log on the forest floor!), but I also found a few toads of miscellaneous colours and sizes hopping around in the swampy areas next to the lake. Our rainy summer has provided great amphibian homes this year!
The numbers of amphibians in Northern BC are declining every year, so I really encourage you to get your hands dirty and learn about these critters in their natural habitat before it's too late! Contrary to popular belief, you won't get warts from touching frogs...and I've kissed a few as a kid and they didn't turn into princes either :) Just please be very gentle if you choose to pick up any toads or salamanders and carefully return them to exactly where you found them.
Happy hunting!