VAN DAMME STATE PARK
On a cold, rainy day with temperatures in the mid-forties I headed north to Mendocino County. I've always thought that this place has a "prehistoric" feel to it, with its giant Coastal Redwoods.

Adding to the "giant" theme are huge Banana Slugs.

And Giant Trillium.

And a wall of ferns lining a hiking trail...

...that runs along this fast-moving creek.

And these primitive plants only add to the effect that this is a land "lost in time."

But do giants really live here? As a matter of fact they do, in the form of the first "lifer" of the year for me - a Coastal Giant Salamander.

Another photo of this spectacular amphibian.

Pacific Clubtail Dragonfly.

Ensatina.

Orange-edged bracket fungus.

Rough-skinned Newt.

A metal fish jumping over a log.

Slender Salamander.

Double millipede happiness.