Things started off cold and wet for Easter weekend. On Monday it was partly sunny (but it still rained) and in the upper 50s. I decided to herp the Santa Cruz Mountains and found 8 different types of herps.
The highlight of the day was this California Night Snake (a lifer) found under a branch by the side of the road.
This Pacific Gopher Snake was found under artificial cover. It looks like one of last year's babies.
Perhaps the largest Southern Alligator Lizard I've ever seen.
On Tuesday I went to Mount Hamilton. It was in the upper 40s when I got there. I flipped this California Whipsnake on my way up the mountain.
This well-marked Northern Pacific Rattlesnake was found as well.
On Wednesday I drove up the coast. I started at Santa Cruz and headed north.
I found my second "lifer" of the year near a creek - Coast Garter Snake:
I was pretty happy with the find and drove north for a few more miles, where I encountered this large female Santa Cruz Garter Snake.
The coolest find of the day was this "high red" Coast Garter - even its ventral surface had red markings.
On Friday I decided to revisit Mount Hamilton, with the idea that warmer, rainless weather would yield good results. At this point in time there were three days in a row of temperatures reaching 70 degrees.
The final snake of the trip was also the largest - a gigantic Pacific Gopher.
A total of 23 snakes were found - 7 Coast Garters, 6 Rattlesnakes, 4 Gophers, 4 Santa Cruz Garters, a Whipsnake and a Night Snake.
The highlight of the day was this California Night Snake (a lifer) found under a branch by the side of the road.
This Pacific Gopher Snake was found under artificial cover. It looks like one of last year's babies.
Perhaps the largest Southern Alligator Lizard I've ever seen.
On Tuesday I went to Mount Hamilton. It was in the upper 40s when I got there. I flipped this California Whipsnake on my way up the mountain.
This well-marked Northern Pacific Rattlesnake was found as well.
On Wednesday I drove up the coast. I started at Santa Cruz and headed north.
I found my second "lifer" of the year near a creek - Coast Garter Snake:
I was pretty happy with the find and drove north for a few more miles, where I encountered this large female Santa Cruz Garter Snake.
The coolest find of the day was this "high red" Coast Garter - even its ventral surface had red markings.
On Friday I decided to revisit Mount Hamilton, with the idea that warmer, rainless weather would yield good results. At this point in time there were three days in a row of temperatures reaching 70 degrees.
The final snake of the trip was also the largest - a gigantic Pacific Gopher.
A total of 23 snakes were found - 7 Coast Garters, 6 Rattlesnakes, 4 Gophers, 4 Santa Cruz Garters, a Whipsnake and a Night Snake.
