MOUNT HAMILTON
The following day I decided to head up to this mountain.

Southern Alligator Lizards can be found there on a reliable basis.

What was remarkable to me was the Ensatinas. As many as a dozen could be seen on a relatively short hike.

California Newts were a bit harder to come by in this location though - here's one of them from the area.

I found my first False Tarantula last year and it was cool to come across one again this year.

As you might imagine, Fence Lizards were around as well, though not seen in the numbers seen during warmer, drier conditions.

This Pacific Gopher Snake was the longest snake found on the trip.

Purple Nightshade (Blue Witch).

I have yet to see any wild snakes this year in my home state of Ohio, so Ringnecks were welcome encounters.

Another Pacific Ringneck Snake photo.

Close-up of a Northern Pacific Rattlesnake.

Blue flowers.

It's been a few years since I've seen a Sharptail Snake, so this one really added some extra enjoyment to the mountain hike.

Sierran Treefrogs were the most frequently seen anuran on the trip. The colder examples tended to be dark brown. Those found when the weather warmed up were usually green.

California Toad.

Black Widow Spider.