Photo by Chris Bosak
An eft crawls across a trail at Merganser Lake in summer, 2016.

A newt. More accurately an eft, which is a terrestrial stage of a newt’s life. The efts eventually make their way to water and become newts, which are duller in color and have a tail more suitable for aquatic life.

Birders, hikers and anyone else who uses wooded trails must be careful in the spring and summer, especially after a rain, to be sure not to step on these interesting creatures.

Click here for a Wikipedia page with more information.

Here are few more photos.

Photo by Chris Bosak
An eft crawls across a trail at Merganser Lake in summer, 2016.

Photo by Chris Bosak
An eft crawls across a trail at Merganser Lake in summer, 2016.