, originally uploaded by trisheroverton.

I’m starting this blog with another beautiful photo, taken by trisherverton, of a little snowbird on a cedar branch. Just yesterday, I was up at my parents’ watching a large flock of these dark eyed juncos, and one fat gray squirrel, hunting for seeds in the ice and snow. And today it is like spring again — and I’m back at work. That’s November for you!

Anyway, I hope that everyone who celebrates had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a lovely First Sunday of Advent. And that everybody had a great weekend.

Now that we’re all back, I thought I’d address the Youth of Mount Kisco’s most pressing question lately. Here it is:

Are the newts girls or boys?

Well, it can be tricky to tell with newts sometimes, especially if they are young, as ours appear to be. But I’ve done a bit of research (of course, I wanted to know, too!) And here’s how you tell.

1. Find out what kind of newts you have. With some species of newts, sex differences are very subtle. But we are lucky, as we have Chinese fire bellied newts!

2. The cloaca of a male Chinese fire bellied newt will be larger and rounder than that of a female.

3. Therefore, I can deduce that Lazy and Crazy are both boys. (Unless I am sadly mistaken — which could happen! ).

4. But, I’m fairly certain I’m right. And if you would like a fuller explanation, with great photographs, check out Jennifer Macke’s Web site on sexing caudates. It’s a wonderful site, with clear explanations and great photos — well worth a visit!

So that’s it for this afternoon! Keep checking back for more news of
Lazy and Crazy — or let me know what else you might like me to write about!

~D.