Yesterday  I visited Buck Gulch Falls, a waterfall in Marin. Usually it's pretty crowded, so I recommend not going on the weekend. The round trip is 2.5 miles, and the trail is very picturesque, winding through the woods with a little stream alongside. The waterfall is small, but it's a really beautiful spot.

There's also a huge variety of wildlife. California newts, Taricha torosa, live in and around the stream leading from the waterfall. They were a joy to watch, especially because March is during their breeding season. I usually think of newts as slow animals, but they're surprisingly quick in the water. They swim downstream from the waterfall until they eventually reach a deep pool about 2/3 of the way down. This is where they all gather and lay their eggs. I saw about 20 newts and dozens of egg clusters. California newts are some of my favorite critters in this area, they have amazing coloring. They're pretty toxic, so if you see any don't pick them up. It was nice to see a healthy population because they are unfortunately victims of habitat loss and are listed as a species of special concern. 

I also saw Steller's jays, a California quail, and some slender salamanders. Overall, it was a great walk and the waterfalls were a perfect conclusion. If you're ever in Marin County I highly recommend visiting Buck Gulch Falls, just remember to watch out for ticks.