Hey fellow NEers, I took a short visit to Cali, and thought I'd share some of my finds:

Hi guys, I just wanted to thank you all for your kind words and advice on my earlier post. Unfortunately, my family and lack of car prevented me from meeting up with anyone (or actually traveling anywhere), but I think I did ok anyway

First, slender salamanders (Batrachoseps attenuatus). These things were everywhere, and during one hour in a community park, I found 126.







In fact, some logs had over 10 individuals!







In addition, I was blown away by the incredible polymorphism in this species.







I also found one up in a redwood forest, but only one. Instead, I found mostly ensatinas! Unfortunately, my phone died shortly after finding this one:



However, other herps were found later in the week. This rough-skinned newt was amazing, so much larger than our eastern newts.







I also found a baby fence lizard:



A few arboreal salamanders:





And a garter snake that made me shit my pants.



Could it BE?????



hmmmm....



....



Darn. Oh well, so it isn't a tetrataenia, but it was still a gorgeous Thamnophis elegans terrestris.


Overall, I was really happy with the trip, even though I wasn't able to spend much time herping.