spotted salamander

What an interesting picture. With its yellow spots and halo of reflected light, this salamander immediately reminded me of a kind of magical totem, a sacred symbol revered by some primitive tribe and central to its mythology and its ceremonies.

Even as a thumbnail i thought it is your work..

 A real masterpiece of nature and your PP it. Interesting hand/legs? looks realy like human hands.. The BG color vs, the reptil's one! and yellow dots. What can I say?... 

This is terrific, Gordon. Really appreciate the care you took.

At very first sight, it reminds me of those strong backlit images that seem almost a negative, that popped up in my biology books in school; especially the contrast around the legs and hands, and the reflections in the water around the tail make it seem such a 'scientific' shot.

And the rest of the photo is in complete contrast with that - which is a fascinating effect, mesmerising.