Mr. Hoyer,
No, I have not had success with laying down artifical cover--when I did so myself (placing it), it was removed by the next week. And searching the reservoirs shows that the East Bay Parks employees are fastidious in their upkeep of the areas. Apparently, people are taking better care of their unused land and what used to be junky areas.

I am certainly flipping over any and all things I come across, manmade or otherwise. If I can lift it, I flip it--and then put it back.

I've found numerous slender salamanders, banana slugs, beetles, centipedes/milipedes, etc., but no boas. I take pictures of the salamanders (and kestrels or other raptors if possible), but still feel frustrated.

I am constrained by my available time--as a working mother of 2 youngish kids (9 and 3), my time to go herping is Tuesday, from 9am to about 1pm. I know no one else to go with, and although I am set to go to the local herp meeting, that doesn't take place until April. My husband is willing to stay with the kids some weekend days, but again, it's a matter of hours, and my ability to go farther to search more likely areas is constrained. Not an excuse, merely an explanation.

I bring up the solitary herping because as a petite woman, I am (understandably) wary of my location, and try to make sure there is little opportunity for me to come to harm, either from another human, or due to a mishap in an environment.

I am frustrated, but still keeping on truckin'.

To give myself more of a chance of feeling somewhat successful, I've added some more species to my lifer list: Cal king, Western toad, rosy boa, and tiger salamander.
Anyway, my searching has certainly expanded my knowledge of my local area, and given me much more exercise--two pretty greqt things.

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