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As the weather has taken a drastic turn for the worse here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I do not see any harm in reporting my latest find. I guess it is true that these snakes have a short window of opportunity to be found surface active.



A group of us Bay Area herpers hit the field this weekend in hopes of seeing some interesting species, with the San Francisco Gartersnake and Mountain Kingsnake being our top targets.



In the early AM, I met up with Norm and Jared and tried our luck for an SF Garter. We saw nothing! Giving up, we decided to head to a different location that would be a guarantee for seeing a snake. By late morning, we were knee deep in Santa Cruz Gartersnakes (Thamnophis atratus atratus). Jared spotted a dead Rattlesnake spread out across the trail with its head in a hole. Very odd. A live Rattler was seen right by the pond, as well.



I failed to take any decent photos for the above, so maybe Jared or Norm can chime in?



Jared and I parted ways with Norm and decided to take a break from the extreme heat, deciding that pints of beer were better than sunburns and heat strokes.



Talltree met us up and we decided to give it another go, as the temperatures fell to a more comfortable state.



We hiked up to an area that was studded with rock outcroppings.



10 minutes in I found an awkward looking rock...







As I lifted the rock, a flash of red/white/black caught my eye. Making a quick grab, I held up this living gem:









I couldn't believe it. I think Jared and Luke, especially Luke, couldn't believe it either.















Two zonata within a week. I still can't get over it.



Sorry, Luke! You will get one next time!

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