The beginning of the trip had rainy conditions, the Santa Cruz Mountains were covered in mist.
A number of wildflowers were in bloom, such as this Blue-eyed Grass.
Fence Lizards were often encountered.
And there was a profusion of Boxelder Bugs.
A couple of young Ringneck Snakes.
A male Western Skink.
The conditions were ideal for Rubber Boas.
This tiny one was posed on a Holly leaf to show its size.
This one had a nice olive coloration.
Yellow Monkey Flower.
Yellowbelly Racer.
Despite the misty conditions, I saw this Northern Pacific Rattlesnake "basking" on a hillside.
Carrion Beetle larva.
A view of the surrounding landscape.
A young Western Fence Lizard.
Pacific Ringneck Snakes were pretty easy to find in the mountains.
Sierran Treefrog.
I always enjoy encountering Coast Garter Snakes and was not disappointed on this trip.
Western Skink.
There was no shortage of California Slender Salamanders.
On orange striped version of a Coast Garter Snake.
Southern Alligator Lizard.
Yellowbelly Racer.
I found my first California Night-stalking Tiger Beetle ever.
One rainy evening I took a trip to this mountain.
I brought along my herping buddy, Connie for backup; we found several Pacific Gopher Snakes.
Close-up of one of the Gopher Snakes.
We also found this soggy Bobcat.
Big Millipede.
A couple of Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes.
Yellow-eyed Ensatina.
A nicely patterned yearling California Kingsnake.
Connie found the only California Toad seen on the trip.
Sharptail Snake.
Newts were extremely common when it was overcast and misty.
Southern Alligator Lizard.
Banana Slug.
On the following day I headed to Santa Cruz County and found this Striped California Racer.
It was a great find, but there were many more creatures to be encountered.
California Firefly - they do not luminesce.
Ponderosa Pine.
Coastal Mountain Kingsnake.
Snail-eating Beetle.
Pacific Gopher Snake.
Southern Alligator Lizard.
A Pacific Rattlesnake that looks like it are something quite large.
Sign of the times.
A Coast Garter Snake sporting a lot of red.
I decided to check out what was going on near the ocean.
A Fence Lizard doing what it does best - hanging out on a fence.
Rufous-sided Towhee
San Francisco Garter Snake.
Sleepy Elephant Seals.
Sourgrass (aka Bermuda Buttercup).
On the following day I did some herping with Zach in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which were still quite misty.
Pacific Ringneck Snake.
A yearling California Kingsnake.
Muddy Northwest Forest Scorpion.
Northern Pacific Rattlesnake.
The nest day I continued to herp the Santa Cruz Mountains and the sun finally burned away the fog.
A couple of "in situ" Santa Cruz Garter Snakes.
Santa Cruz Garter up close.
Robberfly.
Southern Alligator Lizard.
A centipede sporting a bit of blue.
Newt.
Juvenile Yellowbelly Racer.
I ended the trip with herping the Bay Area.
Aquatic Intergrade Garter Snake.
Oceanside Cows.
A White-crowned Sparrow wearing a lot of ankle bracelets.
California Poppies seemed to be in bloom more than usual.
Checkerspot Butterfly.
Tule Elk.
A tiny Sierran Treefrog.
Otter.
I closed out the trip with this fine looking California Red-sided Garter Snake.
A Week in Norcal - April 8-16
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: A Week in Norcal - April 8-16
Hi Tim, yeah, interesting week with the cold and the mist and the rain. 80F today.
This guy looks like a Northern:
Oh, and your carrion beetle larva is a ground beetle (Scaphinotus) larva.
This guy looks like a Northern:
Oh, and your carrion beetle larva is a ground beetle (Scaphinotus) larva.
- Fieldherper
- Posts: 252
- Joined: June 11th, 2010, 10:46 am
Re: A Week in Norcal - April 8-16
Awesome. I'd say you've mastered the SC Mtns. I've enjoyed your annual posts from CA over the years. The area is near where I grew up and learned to love herps and the outdoors in general. Very pretty zonata. Can't wait to get out there again someday.
Thanks!
FH
Thanks!
FH
Re: A Week in Norcal - April 8-16
Wonderful post with great pics. Makes me miss CA herping. Never did get to herp the S.C. area so seeing these pics is great.
Re: A Week in Norcal - April 8-16
I'd have to agree about you're having mastered the S.C. Mountains. You saw some things I still haven't seen yet this year, and I've had a bit more than a week to spend looking. The tiny boa in the Coast Live Oak leaf is fantastic.
JimM
JimM
Re: A Week in Norcal - April 8-16
Nice! Thanks for sharing
Kai
Kai
- Calfirecap
- Posts: 638
- Joined: June 16th, 2010, 8:09 am
- Location: Santa Cruz Co. California
- Contact:
Re: A Week in Norcal - April 8-16
Amazing finds and photos. I've never seen a River Otter in the SC Mountains and I live there!
Well done and great post.
Well done and great post.
Re: A Week in Norcal - April 8-16
Great stuff. Love the photos. That is the best photo of a slender salamander I have ever seen.
Dave
Dave
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: March 17th, 2016, 10:03 pm
Re: A Week in Norcal - April 8-16
Really cool finds. The Ensatinas and Slenders are tons of fun.
Re: A Week in Norcal - April 8-16
Great herping with you, Tim! A yearly tradition it is!
Great pics, especially of the red coast garter! Lovely sonata- so jealous!
Great pics, especially of the red coast garter! Lovely sonata- so jealous!