The reptile featured in today's Native Talk Tuesday is Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus, commonly known as the Red-spotteed Common Garter Snake. This non-poisonous snake is found in a variety of habitats ranging from woodlands to open prairie and can also be seen in yards. The most astounding behavior that I have witnessed, as seen in the photo below at Stayton's Wilderness Park, is the ability to swim across a still-water pond.
The plant featured in today's Native Talk Tuesday is Lomatium utriculatum, commonly known as the Spring Gold. Also known as Fine-leaved Desert Parsley, this plant of the carrot family is found in a variety of environments ranging from dry, rocky slopes to open meadows at low elevations. The plant in the picture below was found at Silver Falls State Park, east of Salem.
