Vernal Pools of Appalachia

The vernal pools of Appalachia are temporary bodies of water that form from seasonal rains and snow melt. In late winter and early spring, the pools host breeding events for amphibians and macroinvertebrates.  As a conservation photographer, I’m drawn to the intricate dance of underwater life in Appalachian Mountain forests and nearby lowlands. 

  • Often overlooked because of their small size and nocturnal nature, vernal pool animals have complex lifecycles that involve an aquatic element. From the abstract patterns of salamander egg masses to the golden filigree of a wood frog tadpole, there’s a tiny world of beauty and complexity that deserves notice and protection.

    Documenting vernal pool life cycles is like a spiral. The same events happen every year in roughly the same order, but every year of observation adds complexity, depth, and new discoveries about behavior. One year’s work might focus on hatching eggs while another year’s work might concentrate on metamorphosis. It’s a dramatic cycle that takes place on a minute scale.

    While spending hours crouched beside the pools, peering through the viewfinder of my underwater camera, I enter a state of flow, where time dissolves and even my sense of scale is fluid. It can feel startling to stand up and once again take on the dimensions and chronological awareness of a Homo sapien.

While crouched next to a small vernal pool at the base of Shenandoah Mountain, I noticed this female spotted salamander depositing her pale blue eggs just below the surface.

While crouched next to a small vernal pool at the base of Shenandoah Mountain, I noticed this female spotted salamander depositing her pale blue eggs just below the surface.

Pool of Wonder: Female spotted salamanders deposit their eggs in luminous clusters just below the surface of the water. Location: A vernal pool just outside of Shenandoah National Park in Augusta County, Virginia, USA

Pool of Wonder: Female spotted salamanders deposit their eggs in luminous clusters just below the surface of the water. Location: A vernal pool just outside of Shenandoah National Park in Augusta County, Virginia, USA

As a spotted salamander embryo develops inside an individual egg, photosynthetic algae grow inside the egg too, gradually altering the color balance to a vibrant yellow- green. Researcher Ryan Kerney has discovered that the algae (which provide oxyge

As a spotted salamander embryo develops inside an individual egg, photosynthetic algae grow inside the egg too, gradually altering the color balance to a vibrant yellow- green. Researcher Ryan Kerney has discovered that the algae (which provide oxygen within the egg capsules) even grow inside the living cells of the embryo—a first discovery for a vertebrate species.

A group of eastern newts preys on spotted salamander eggs in a human made pond. Typically, spotted salamanders try to limit predation by laying their eggs in temporary ponds, so this constructed pond was a suboptimal habitat. The newts were out in gr

A group of eastern newts preys on spotted salamander eggs in a human made pond. Typically, spotted salamanders try to limit predation by laying their eggs in temporary ponds, so this constructed pond was a suboptimal habitat. The newts were out in great numbers and were involved in a kind of shark-like feeding frenzy.

Outside the spotted salamander egg masses, the vernal pools fill with other life forms. Wood frog tadpoles nibble at the edges of the eggs, looking for all the world like alien invaders

Outside the spotted salamander egg masses, the vernal pools fill with other life forms. Wood frog tadpoles nibble at the edges of the eggs, looking for all the world like alien invaders

Wood frog tadpoles nibble at the edges of a spotted salamander egg mass

Wood frog tadpoles nibble at the edges of a spotted salamander egg mass

A closeup of a wood frog tadpole (nibbling on a spotted salamander egg mass) shows its golden filigreed skin.

A closeup of a wood frog tadpole (nibbling on a spotted salamander egg mass) shows its golden filigreed skin.

Spotted Salamander embryos in algae infused egg capsules, George Washington National Forest, Virginia

Spotted Salamander embryos in algae infused egg capsules, George Washington National Forest, Virginia

A spotted salamander embryo (Ambystoma maculatum) in an algae-infused egg capsule

A spotted salamander embryo (Ambystoma maculatum) in an algae-infused egg capsule

After spotted salamander embryos hatch, they spend the next few months as larva before eventually metamorphosizing and leaving the pools. They'll return to the pool as breeding adults in future years.

After spotted salamander embryos hatch, they spend the next few months as larva before eventually metamorphosizing and leaving the pools. They'll return to the pool as breeding adults in future years.

A wood frog rests on a "cloud" of spotted salamander eggs

A wood frog rests on a "cloud" of spotted salamander eggs

Eastern tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) are a state-endangered species in Virginia. Under threat from wetlands development, a few remnant populations hold on. The largest of the mole salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum cut an impressive figure wit

Eastern tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) are a state-endangered species in Virginia. Under threat from wetlands development, a few remnant populations hold on. The largest of the mole salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum cut an impressive figure with their bright, speckled eyes and mottled patterns.

Vernal Pool Series Media

Book

Vernal Pools - Documenting Life in Temporary Ponds (free e-book download)

Video

Ephemeral - Life in Appalachian Vernal Pools

Selected Articles

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Riverine - Life on the Shenandoah