Rattles and Stripes - Snakes

Summer is here and so are the snakes. This quote from a local snake expert is perfect. "Tis the season for snakes!" In one week, we saw 4 of these Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes on various trails. That's more than we saw in total for the last 2 1/2 years. Hearing one of them shake their rattles is quite impressive and memorable! You definitely want to avoid stepping on one of these venomous snakes!

The most beautiful snake in the mountains here is the San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake. Unlike the Coral Snake which looks pretty similar, this snake is nonvenomous.

Another nonvenomous snake I recently encountered was the California Striped Racer snake. It lived up to its name. When it decided to leave, it disappeared in a flash.

 For us, the season of the snakes began late May with this Speckled Rattlesnake. It was hanging out on the edge of a hiking trail in Palm Desert. In all of our encounters, we kept our distance. Thanks to the zoom on the camera, we could capture them up close.

Finally, this is not a snake but its long tail might fool you! This is a Whiptail Lizard. Pretty neat to see as well! Keep your eyes on the trails.

Fishing at Lake Skinner

Lake Skinner is located in a county park in the middle of wine country in Temecula.

Fishing is pretty popular here. We had a great time watching the "locals" fish this weekend.

This White-faced Ibis probed along constantly until he nailed this crustacean. A Great-tailed Grackle was hanging by his side waiting for scraps.

The shorebirds and waterfowl we watched all have their own fishing techniques. While the White-faced Ibis was constantly probing, the Great Egret and Great Blue Heron take a different approach. If they walk, it is with carefully placed slow steps but mostly, they are motionless waiting for the ultimate moment to stab with their deadly spear-like beaks.

 In contrast, the Greater Yellowlegs was in constant motion racing and bobbing.

 The Western Grebes were the most abundant. Their fishing techniques are hidden underwater.

Lake Skinner was a great surprise in the middle of Temecula.