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The same vernal pool as seen in the winter. This has been a very dry winter. Many vernal pools in the area do not yet have water in them. Normally at this time of year the water level is up to the trees laying across the middle of the vernal pool. If there is not substantial spring rain, the race for life for the tadpoles and salamandars will truly be a race. Most vernal pool species have a survival mechanism that triggers rapid development during seasons when the pools dry quickly. The creatures that survive tend to be much smaller than the average for their species. Studying vernal pools this spring should be interesting!
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