For decades, Don Scallen has visited springtime ponds to witness the wondrous spectacle of Spotted Salamander and Jefferson Salamander breeding. He will share pictures and video of this special time of year. Don’s salamander adventures are not limited to the spring however. In recent years he has ventured into the woods in early autumn to document the nocturnal behaviour of various salamander species including red efts – juvenile red-spotted newts – and red-backed salamanders, quite likely the most common vertebrates in southern Ontario woodlands.

Don Scallen dove into the natural world as a little boy and has remained immersed ever since. He’s a birder, a herper, butterfly blitzer, fish watcher and a native plant aficionado.