Tag Archives: Gary Nafis

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Mark Hancock wrote, “My grandson Ollie and I stopped at the Vista Trail at the top of the Jenner Grade to give my dog Tasi her walk.  As we completed the loop we were thrilled to see a baby King Snake on the path.  I used to catch them regularly as a kid in Corte Madera, but hadn't seen one for decades up here on the coast.”

I sent Mark’s photo to herpetologist Gary Nafis. He wrote, “Yes, it's a Cal King. They don't seem to be as common on the north coast as they are elsewhere.”California King Snakes are non venomous.

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

After the rain of Sunday night into Monday - we received 0.37 inches at Rick's and my place, 61.93 season to date - sunshine and wind have ruled the day. Spring winds bring upwelling in the Pacific Ocean, igniting the entire food chain in the ocean.

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Mel Smith and Linda Bostwick are grandparents! Yes, the Ensatina Salamander eggs hatched in their water meter box in Point Arena.

Gary Nafis of californiaherps.com took a look at Mel’s photo. He wrote, “Look at all those cute little babies!” I asked Gary what to expect next. He wrote, “The young will probably stay there with the mother until it rains enough for the ground to be saturated as long as they don't have too much trouble climbing up the sides of the meter box. Maybe Linda and Mel can check back to find out.”

We think there are about one dozen little salamanders in the water meter box. And Linda and Mel will keep checking on them.

It's sunny and warm this afternoon with no wind. But the leading edge of the storm, the first clouds, are flowing in from the north. We have a chance for an early rainstorm tomorrow, and what a blessing that would be!

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Rick Denniston photographed this Bald Eagle eating what looks like a large lizard. The light wasn't good for the photo, Rick said.

I sent Rick's photo to reptile expert Gary Nafis. He wrote,

"I don't know what it is. I'm not sure it's a lizard, and I don't think it's the tail end of a snake. I can't see any legs and the light thing hanging down over the branch doesn't look like one. The largest lizards in your area are alligator lizards, but if an eagle's talons are two inches long as I've read, then it's too large to be an alligator lizard. If it is a lizard, it would have to be an escaped pet. If it's a rodent, I don't think the eagle would be eating the tail end. Raptors have been seen eating salamanders, too, but the tail is also wrong for a giant salamander."
Do you have any idea what the Bald Eagle is eating?
Thanks to Rick for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Ooo, we are having wild weather - rain, hail, sunshine, more rain hail, sunshine...a wait five minutes kind of day. We had a 1/2 inch of rain this morning in a short period of time. More coming in late this afternoon.

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Richard Custer photographed this Arboreal Salamander, Aneides Lugubris, sauntering across his deck in Anchor Bay. It's the first sighting of one since I've been writing my Mendonoma Sightings column in the Independent Coast Observer - over 12 years!

I queried Gary Nafis, the owner of the fabulous website http://www.californiaherps.com/

He confirmed the ID and expressed surprise it was found this far north. The little salamander looks very determined as he/she moves across Richard's deck! Thanks to Richard for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

We have a break between storms today - a chance to dry out a bit.

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Joan Hoffman found this salamander, a Northwestern Salamander, in the bottom of a bucket.

Stacey Lore found a juvenile Pacific Giant Salamander. My, what big eyes you have!

Rainy weather is what these amphibians love!If you are interested in learning more about California amphibians, Gary Nafis has a fabulous website: http://www.californiaherps.com/index.html

Thanks to Joan and Stacy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.