NorCal Herping in the First Week of April

[tspuckler]

From what I've heard, it's rained pretty much for the last three weeks of March in Northern California, essentially pushing back spring a bit. The forecast for the first week of April called for sunny skies most of the time and daytime temperatures in the 60s. After arriving at SFO airport, I took Skyline Drive down to my friend's house in Los Gatos and did some herping along the way.

I took finding a Rubber Boa on the first day of the trip as a good omen of things to come.

Baby Northern Pacific Rattlesnake.

Ringneck Snakes were very common in certain areas.

There were a few of last year's Pacific Gopher Snakes to be found as well.

Some of the newts were so fat that they looked like they were going to explode.

Although I've read about the vocal abilities of Arboreal Salamanders and found a few over the years, this was the first one that I ever encountered which squeaked like a mouse.

On Sunday my friend's kids were intent on doing some herping. And although it was only in the upper 40s on the mountain we were on that day, we were undeterred by the temperature in our search for reptiles and amphibians.

Ensatina

We flipped this Yellowbelly Racer.

A young Gopher Snake turned up.

But the highlight of the day was finding this California Red-sided Garter.

 

[tspuckler]

Skinks seemed to favor the relatively damp weather.

A young Santa Cruz Garter "on the crawl."

I was glad to see the first Sharptail Snake of the year.

California Red-legged Frog.

Coast Garter Snake.

Elephant Seals aren't herps, but they can be amusing at times.

This young Yellowbelly Racer was actively patrolling the edge of the walking path.

Has there ever been a herp that has been on your wish list for a long time? Something you've spent years trying to find in the wild and then one day you find it? If so, then you have some idea what it was like to find "lifer" #3 of the trip.

Here's a closer look at a San Francisco Garter.

Here's something that you don't see everyday - a Rattlesnake sticking its head out of a hole in a barn.

To see more pics from this trip, visit my website and click the "Herping USA" icon at the bottom of the page.

 

[BloodyRed567]

Awesome pics. I plan to go Herping more toward the summer.

 

[Outcast]

That rubber boa is beautiful, as are all the animals you found... I hope to one day find a rubber boa.. Though I can tell you I would be hard pressed not to keep it...LOL

 

[taxman123]

Wow I am going to go up north the san francisco garter snake is awesome I fell in love with them after reading a article about them. Where did you see that guy at? I would love to see one in person and check out there awesome colors. Great finds Tim.

 

[AliCat37]

Wow! I wish we had a nice variety of snakes here You are so lucky! That San Francisco garter is BEAUTIFUL! I am hoping to find a few rattlers this year for photos.