The following photo essay covers some of the reptiles and amphibians I encountered while herping California from April 2-12, 2009. The weather was mostly cool (mid 40s - mid-60s), windy and rainy. Despite less-than-ideal conditions, 16 snakes were found, consisting of: Pacific Gophers (5), Santa Cruz Garters (3), Sharptailed Snake (1), Yellowbelley Racer (1) and Pacific Ringneck Snakes (6).
This Pacific Gopher Snake was the first herp I found on the trip - and in 2009.
The best looking Northern Alligator Lizard I've ever seen.
When the sun was out and it wasn't too windy, you could count on finding Fence Lizards.
I was lucky enough to find a pair of the single-striped variety of Santa Cruz Garters (male in photo below).
The large size of adult Arboreal Salamanders make them fun to find.
A large, relatively fat, Sharp-tail Snake.
I witnessed my first California Newt migration, seeing 88 crossing a dirt path in a half mile stretch.
This newt had no eyes, but appeared to otherwise be healthy.
One of last year's Pacific Gopher Snakes.
An adult pair of Gophers was found under artificial cover.
Male:
Female:
Ensatinas were a relatively common sight.
We found a spot in San Francisco that had an abundance of Pacific Ringnecks:
This Western Toad was somewhat colorful.
The only Racer found on the trip was so cold that it made a good photography subject.
Pacific Chorus Frogs were seen under cover in the daytime and calling at night.
And last, but certainly not least, this Santa Cruz Black Salamander was a "lifer" for me.
