Definitely not a nice camping spot, but I was so tired I didn't care. I just needed to
get some damn sleep as I had another full day of herping and driving ahead of me.
Here is a shot of the spot from the morning. I quickly packed up my site before the
"landlord" of the RV park found I was there. I didn't want to pay for this piece of crap
camping spot. The highway is RIGHT behind the trees in this photo.
So I was up by 6:00am and on my way by 6:20. I got some coffee and more Gatorade
from a local Raleys and then jumped on 101 again north towards my destination. I wasn't
meeting up with Mike until 9:00am, so I got started myself. Nothing much in the first hour,
but I did flip this pretty adult Skilton's Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus).
The poison oak, now fully grown. Some of the bushes were as tall or taller than me.
This stuff is nasty.
These huge flying insects were all over also. Thankfully they were not the kind of bugs
that bug people as they were about an inch in size and resembled giant mosquitos.
The first snake of the day was a nice adult rattlesnake found by Anthony.
Fangs. No, that is not my hand. I do not feel the need to do (risk doing) this. Although it does
make for a cool photo.
My first snake of the day was this tiny Pacific Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus amabilis).
Almost in the same spot, Mike flipped a nice Mountain Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans elegans)
At our next spot, I had some awesome luck. I flipped two awesome adult gopher snakes
back to back under a board and an old wheel barrel. Score! Then, a few minutes later
down the hill, I found this pissed off but awesome Northern Pacific Rattlesnake.
This was my first time handling a rattlesnake on my own. Its really not as sketchy as you
would think. Of all of the four rattlesnakes I have seen in the last couple weeks, not a single
one ever struck at any of us. Truth be told (lol), I do not think these animals want to bite us.
Obviously, if you jack with one and act stupid, you will probably get bit, but as long as you are
careful and aware, there is really no danger. Its sad that so many people kill these snakes
(any snake for that matter) on sight when it is completely unnecessary. Just look at this
gorgeous creature! Ten full buttons on that rattle!
Another cool shot with some tongue, my favorite of the day!
Cool wild flower.
The road.
Mike and his roommate, Cory.
I did my best with the A620 here.
Poison Oak growing rampant.
Me with my two gophers!! (Shots by Anthony)
One of the gophers was under here.
And that concludes another fine weekend spent outside in the open air!
Awesome.
ReplyDeleteeeep snakes!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm going shed hunting in a couple weeks at the blue mountains in oregon. I hope I don't run into any snakes. I don't think they have anything poisonous where I'm going. I afraid of the ticks that will be all over though.
Shed hunting? You mean antlers? I find a lot of mule deer antlers out here. And yeah, I hate ticks. You should see Linda's reaction when we find ticks on CeCe or on us. :) I think you guys have Rattlesnakes up there, just not sure how far north they range...
ReplyDeleteyep looking for elk antlers. I've never done it but my dad has always wanted us to go with him. He said in the area we will be at wont have any rattlesnakes but he could be lying so that my mom will go....
ReplyDeletelol, I would love to see Linda's face when she finds a tick.
Does your dad make art out of the anters? Like lamps and stuff? Next time I find some, I'll keep em for you. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I wouldn't worry about snakes. Unless you purposefully molest one or accidentally step on or put your hand on one, you will be ok. Just watch were you place your feet and hands when hiking around. Snakes are cool. Gotta love em.
He has never really gone shed hunting before but has found them on his fishing trips. He usually will just put them on wall mounts and give them to his friends. He found a matching pair once and left them on the floor by the pellet stove so I can trip on them every night. This time he decided to get a trip planned out so we'll see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, take pictures! There is absolutely nothing better than spending the whole day outside hiking and looking for stuff, whatever it might be!! Watch out for poison oak too. IMO, that is the biggest threat to me when I'm outside...
ReplyDeleteOMFG so many snakes O_O!
ReplyDeleteYoure right there some very pretty too!
The pic of abandoned car is awesome!!!
Abandoned cars RULE!
ReplyDeleteSecond it!
ReplyDeleteAnything abandoned rocks XD!
(Speaking of abandoned stuff, I dunno if you know this communtity: http://community.livejournal.com/urban_decay/ - love to watch it)
I'll check it, thanks!
ReplyDelete