New Years Resolution

Hello!

I don't usually make a New Years resolution - I don't generally see the point.  This year however, I have decided to make an exception.  It currently looks like I will be present in Ontario for at least most of the spring and summer, so I'm going to make a serious effort to do something I have long been wanting to do.

There are 48 species (or subspecies) of reptile and amphibian that are native to (and still exist in) Ontario (don't even try me with such fictional creatures as Eastern Box Turtle or Tiger Salamander).  I want to see them all.  Actually I've already seen most of them, save for a few of the most elusive.  Nonetheless, what I really want to do is to see all of these (sub)species within one calendar year.  Like "To See Every Bird on Earth", except nobody would read it.

To add a layer of difficulty to the task, I also want to possess a complete image library for all of these creatures.  Not only, then, will I have to see them all, but photograph them all as well.  Good photos.  No cell phone cameras allowed.

Now I'm well aware that this endeavour will probably fail.  To be honest, I'd be happy if I cleared the 40 mark.  However, this is the last time I will check in with reality during this pursuit.

Those of you with a sound basis in Ontario herpetofauna are likely already pondering the most difficult gets.  Here are the most challenging species as I see them:

1. Spotted Turtle, Wood Turtle, Queen Snake, Blue Racer, Four-toed Salamander and Small-mouthed Salamander - While perhaps not the very most difficult species the find in the right habitat, these rarities are only available if you know exactly where and when to look (or in many cases, who to look with).

2. Mudpuppy - How the hell do you find these in the active season?  Georgian Bay scuba diving, here I come.  Additional challenge - must be photographed underwater.

3. Northern Two-lined Salamander, Northern Dusky Salamander - Do these even exist in Ontario?  I believe not.  Science says otherwise.

4. Boreal Chorus Frog, Red-sided Garter Snake - Northwestern specialties - Kenora anyone?

An additional challenge will present itself with the Ambystoma salamander complex (just saw an awesome talk on this!).  These three species (Blue-spotted, Jefferson's and Small-mouthed) and their associated asexual non-species (confusing eh?) are essentially indistinguishable in the field.  This means that I will need to determine how I will deal with them (ie. how do I know if I've photographed all three?).  I will probably just try to photograph them in as many locations as possible.  The range for Jeffs and Smalls is fairly restricted, so I'd better make sure to hit those spots!

You can follow this noble mission by going to this page on my website.  The species list is up, but the action obviously can't begin until the herps start to emerge in early spring.  Garter Snakes, Peepers and Chorus Frogs should be first on the agenda.

Onward and upward...
Kyle