SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
The beginning of the trip was sunny and dry, coming after a period of intense rain.

One of the fastest snakes in the land - a young Yellowbelly Racer.

Although not particularly warm, it was a pretty good week for rattlesnakes.

A Northern Pacific Rattlesnake.

There were a fair number of Southern Alligator Lizards to be found.

The damp conditions were suitable for Jerusalem Crickets.

A Santa Cruz Garter Snake.

Yellowbelly Racer.

Pacific Ringneck Snakes were easy to come by.

Breakfast in America - at Connie's favorite place to eat - Santa Cruz Diner.

I found a couple of Sharp-tailed Snakes at a Christmas Tree Farm - here's one of them.

A misty mountain Fence Lizard, these were the most commonly encountered reptiles on the trip.

The road is out - literally.

A young Arboreal Salamander.

Coast Garter Snakes were the most frequently encountered serpents.

A young Fence Lizard that probably hatched last year.

A Santa Cruz Garter Snake.

It was decent weather for finding Western Skinks.

Mule Deer were seen on a number of my travels.

We came across a few Pacific Gopher Snakes, like this one.