Don't ask me how I managed to spot him in my driveway this morning, in between the two Hondas. Don't ask me how I managed not to run him over a few minutes earlier, when I drove Brice to school, or step on him as I dragged four trashcans down to the curb. It had to be luck, on both our parts.

He's a California Slender Salamander, and I am lucky enough to have a small population of them living right in my yard. They are most active at this time of year, when the ground is wet and soggy. I have posted pictures of them previously here and here.

After taking his picture (and again, I use the male pronoun by default) I released him in the planter to what can only be an uncertain fate.