Snake Overload

So I went hiking in El Dorado county in a last ditch effort to get out and find some California Mountain Kingsnakes while spring weather was still in effect. Again I failed to turn up any zonata which is a real bummer since I know I was in the right place at the right time. However, I still enjoyed hiking around and I did have some luck overall in the snake department.

I got to my spot about 6:30am and within three rocks I flipped this nice boa.

Right under that middle rock.

Cute.

This snake appeared to be missing an eye.

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Close-up.

Under another rock I found this boa shed.

Nice wildflowers everywhere.

Sceloporus were abundant as usual.

Close-up.

One of two under the same rock.

Two of two under the same rock.

Together as found.

And a nice young Sierra alligator lizard.

The colors were vivid on this guy.

And just when I was about to give up, I walked up on this beautiful Crotalus.

My guess is male.

Very active.

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Cloe-up.

One the move.

Below are some iPhone vids.

 

 

 

Another common lizard.

After the rattle-snake I decided to call it a day. It was about 11:30 and having been up since 3:45am I was feeling pretty wiped. So I made my way down the hill and stumbled right upon a den full of sunning snakes!   I left my hook in the T4R and I wanted to pull out some of those babies for photos, so I ran back down to the truck.

One the way down, right in front of me, I walked up to this gorgeous Coral-bellied Ring-necked Snake on the move.

I've seen plenty of the Pacific variety but this was my first in the Sierras.

Awesome colors...

...pretty little head...

...and some wicked strong musk!

So I grab my hook outta the truck and make my way back up to the den. On the way I find yet another NorPac.

This one looked to be another adult male.

Very warm and making lots of noise.

Quite a few buttons on this one.

Another iPhone video. I need a GoPro really.
 

Lizards everywhere, likely what that Ringneck was out to find.

Back up at the den I made a quick video.

 

Mama sunning just outside the large crevice.

I pulled mama out for some better photos.

Several babies under there. I wonder how many snakes in total den in this location? I also wonder for how many years, decades or centuries have snakes been living here under this very rock?

Youngin'

Thick mama snake and baby.

After some photos and vids I sent mama back into her crack.

A few more baby pics.

Such vivid banding on the young ones.

The T4R.

A view of the wilderness.  So nice with all the water.

Same day, back home in Reno, I cruised after sunset with Linda and Luigi. Another success! This guy was smack in the middle of the road waiting for someone to squish. Lucky it was me.

And then my first Washoe County rattle-snake!!  Again, saved from certain death! Look how tiny and cute! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!