Birding has been rather slow lately, as many of the winter residents have moved on and the spring migrants haven’t arrived yet. The local nesters, like this Spotted Towhee are becoming more active and vocal.
A remnant of last autumn’s rut, this “buck rub,” where the local Black-tailed Deer used these small trees to polish their antlers, is in Cooper Mountain Nature Park.
Also at Cooper Mountain was this Western Skink basking in the sun. This was a lifer herp for me.
Here’s another Western Skink that emerged from a burrow in a rocky hillside.
Also enjoying the morning sunshine was this California Ground Squirrel at Fernhill Wetlands.
Long-toed Salamanders are the only species of salamander I have seen so far this year, but they are everywhere.
This Pacific Treefrog was hiding under a small board. It might be from the bright sunlight, but this frog’s golden eyes were intriguing.
Warmer weather is coming soon, so I am anxious to see what creatures arrive with it.
Happy Spring
John Rakestraw 