Pawtuckaway State Park, April 2011

I was looking for Hepatica flowers. I didn't find any, but I did find a few other things worth photographing. The Pawtuckaway Mountains are a ring dike, the steep-sided circular remnant of ancient volcanism, strewn with big granite boulders.

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	I almost didn't notice this little critter in the water.
	It's an Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens). These are adults; young ("efts") are bright red-orange.
	The summit of South Pawtuckaway Mountain, seen from the fire tower.
	Another view of the South Pawtuckaway summit.
	One of many ponds in Pawtuckaway park.
	Dead trees within the pond are a sign that the pond is new.
	Lingering snow on this spring day.
	A balanced boulder near Round Pond.
	Typical jumble of boulders.
	Of course, boulders are good for more than just looking at.
	Climbing the boulder, part 2
	Bouldering, part 3
	Bouldering, part 4
	Reaching the top of the boulder.
	If you were wondering how you get a new pond, here's how: a beaver dam.
	Beaver lodge in the middle of the pond.
	Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
	An eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus.
	Just outside the park, some surprising ranch animals: alpacas (Vicugna pacos)