It's Madison

The 4th Annual Naked Bike Ride.

Liberal politics.

State Street.

Farmer's market - complete with various causes vying for attention.

Salamander crossing.  ??  It's Madison.

There's a saying that Madison is 40 square miles surrounded by reality.

Like many statements that are quite outlandish, there can be just a flavor of truth in it.

Events, restaurants, ideas, and causes seem to find a niche of success here when traction would be very difficult to come by in most places we've lived.

The influence of the University has a lot to do with it, however, I've not heard of Purdue being part of an annual Naked Bike Ride.  (If it is, I must have missed the news coverage when living there in Boilermaker land.)  Madison just had its fourth such ride, and no I was not in that one.

When I saw the Salamander Crossing sign, I came to a quick stop to take a photo.  It marks a spot in a quiet residential neighborhood between some green space and the beautiful marshland pictured above.

The sticky tongued creatures are able to capture food with a rapid uncoil of the tongue that rolls up like an old window shade with lunch.  Another distinguishing feature is never more than 4 toes on its front feet and five on the rear (although they could have fewer).

Best of all is the ability to drop their tail if captured, giving them time to escape the distracted predator.  No troubles, they can regrow one as well as regenerate the lens and retinas of its eye.  That is amazing!

The little (most are between 4 and 9 inches in length) creatures are an important part of the ecosystem.

It brought a smile to my face to see the sign and realize that some of the creatures neighbors are concerned about living together.  That, in the best of the phrase, is Madison.

I just hope the salamanders can read.