Gopher snake and some other wildlife
This time of year is pretty busy for me, as a biologist. I'm out hiking my monitoring areas most of the day. Most of my work is monitoring bird species, but I also take note of the other animals I see, including reptiles. The usual species I see are fence lizards, side-blotched lizards, coachwhipes, gopher snakes, California whipsnakes, and California kingsnakes, depending on the area I'm in. If I'm lucky and my timing is right I sometimes see other species.
So today I was in a local wildlife area. Lots of birds out and about, including a juvenile bald eagle. Also had my first of the season sightings for Yellow-headed Blackbirds, among the common riparian and marsh species I typically see. On my way out, I got to see this guy, a San Diego gopher snake. He was basking on the road, and a pretty good size, I estimate about 4 foot long. I took my picture from the car, then hopped out to get him off the road. I didn't actually pick him up, but I was able to put my hands on him before he decided to move away. Wasn't in too much of a hurry to get away, so I was able to get some real good looks. I like the snakes I keep in my home, but it really is a different feeling to having a wild snake, that has to fight to survive every day, in your hands.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...psa078674c.jpg
Here's the bald eagle. Not a great picture, but you can kind of see it on the rock sticking up from the hillside.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...psb51da4de.jpg
I just wanted to share. :)
