Lizards

Working at our herp array at Lake Perris we caught some interesting specimens. Here is a Western Banded Gecko and a Orange-throated Whiptail.

Herbarium

I am creating a plant collection representing the plant diversity of the Santa Ana river watershed. I collect them, ID them, put them in a plant press and let them dry for a few weeks. Later I will mount them on nice sheets so that kids and adults on field trips can view the collection. I usually do my collecting on days when there is not much else planned. I got volunteered for this since I spent the past 16 years working in the horticulture industry :).

Black Skimmer

While searching for Tern nests I found two Black Skimmer nests. These chicks are so well hidden they are very hard to see from above. They shower themselves with sand so predators cannot see them. I included a picture of one of the adults.

Coachwhip-Red Racer Snake

Was surprised when I found this guy curled up under a bird bath in one our cowbird cages. I figure he was about 6ft. long. Scared the heck out of me since they can be agressive, but not poisonous. He was eventually coaxed out of the cage and went on his way. If allowed to stay in the cage he would have eaten all of the birds.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

We got a treat at work today. A rehabilitation group brought out a Yellow-billed Cuckoo to release into our woods. This is one of the most endangered birds in CA., and most biologists here never get a chance to see one. They have been absent from the Prado Basin Riparian woods for many years. We suspect that an ocassional bird must pass through the area once in awhile, and its hoped this bird returns next year and meets up with one of these migrants.....we can always hope.

Coyotes and Tree Swallow

Stumbled upon this young Coyote running along the road ahead of my truck. He/she seemed unconcerned about my presence and ran along the road for quite awhile before finally jumping into the woods. Part of my job involves me checking Tree Swallow boxes. This young guy spotted me approaching. The fact that he is at the top of the box indicates that the nestlings are about 20 days old and ready to leave the box at any moment. Its usually wise not to open the box at this stage as the young will many times get scared and jump out of the box prematurely.

Santiago Creek near Irvine Lake

The Cicadas were very loud to the point of being obnoxious. I caught this guy before he flew away. Its nerve wracking trying to pinpoint their location in the shrubs. Also found these tracks along a streambed. They were large enough to be a very large dog or......kitty.

Mule Deer and Marijuana farming

A marijuana farm was found close to my office (about 5 min.). Was a little disturbing since I am often working this part of the forest. This photo shows a Sheriffs Dept. helicopter moving cut marijuana plants out of the forest and into waiting trucks. Later in the day I found these two mule deer bucks watching us watching them in Chino Hills State Park.