I've never actually been herping, but I am always looking for critters when I'm out and about.
The first photo is of an adult Pacific Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus), the only one I've ever seen. I have seen juveniles a few times at the bottom of deep holes in creeks. I came across him while hunting for Chanterelles about five miles from my house. The Pacific Giant is the world's largest (heaviest) terrestrial salamander, this guy was just over twelve inches long and chunky!
The next photo is of a terrestrial phase Rough-Skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa).
The first lizard is a Western Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus).
I believe the last photo is of a Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea), but I'm not 100% sure.
