Despite predicted rain (which never manifested), it has been like Spring around here this week. The reptiles, including Alligator lizards, Western Skinks, Western Fence lizards, Garter snakes, and Ringneck snakes, have been out in force. Lots of amphibians too. Pictured here is a Garter snake investigating its surroundings with a flick of its tongue.
I tried something new on the night hike this week. Last weekend, I bought a black light pen (which was supposed to be used for writing and reading "invisible" messages) to replace the portable black light that broke last season. On the night hike, I turned it on and played the beam across the trail as we walked. The millipedes, which reflect black light like scorpions do (they glow a jade green color) stood out from their surroundings like little, many-legged, greenish stars. We didn't see any scorpions though. Maybe next week.
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