Marbled Salamanders are vernal pool obligates. They lay eggs in the fall instead of the spring, and the mom sits on the eggs to protect them all winter long until the snowmelt fills in the temporary ponds.

Ghost and Gremlin being perfect little angels this week, extra cuddly

I used to see yellow spotted Salamanders a lot as a kid, I feel like they are more rare nowadays. Another species you find near vernal pools, so maybe I just grew up near one without knowing about it.

Some Great Blue Herons based off a few very blurry images taken Gifford Pinchot State Park, PA. They're honestly one of my fav birds; they remind me of Gandalf the Grey.

I guess I was in a real black and yellow phase when I was drawing last fall. Here is a butterfly species that is sometimes found at Gifford Pinchot State Park, PA. I try to use ref pics I take in the field or from park volunteers; which butterfly should I draw next?

The first time I saw one of these was along a swamp in New Hampshire, so large and lovely I had to draw it!

An American toad tadpole, a toad pole if you will.
(SJWoodsmith on Redbubble)

Wood Frogs are lovely little pals who are vernal pool obligates. if you find them, then you have a very special habitat nearby. (part of my native species drawings, SJWoodsmith on Redbubble)

Cicada pattern made! (SJWoodsmith on Redbubble, where you can get it on bags or pants or other merch)

how I've felt lately, cicada gets it.