Creepy crawlies and fuzzy wuzzies

I have been having trouble getting to sleep the last few nights and my creative juices are not flowing fast enough to recount the cowboy stories, so in the meantime, here are some other weird creatures I have encountered here.

(Speaking of creepy, as I write this, Bob-the-supervolunteer is currently skinning a 41-inch dead gopher snake. Just another lazy Tuesday afternoon with a razor blade, a snake in the freezer, and time to kill.)



Lizards!

Spiny lizard

Alligator lizard

Sexy blue spiny lizard underbelly for attracting the ladies!

I came across this beauty on my daily hike. A mountain king snake! Very similar to a very poisonous snake out here (scarlet king snake), but this one is harmless. Remember: red on black, friend of Jack / Red on yellow, you're a dead fellow. Or is it the other way??? In any case, I didn't take my chances and let it be.





We found this lovely thing (Sphingidae Moth - namesake of one of Chris' much-missed kitties) flapping on the ground. Probably on her last legs (or whatever you call them). A nice opportunity to see it up close.

This cutie (screech owl) makes you think he's got his eyes closed, but he sees you! He's very little. Maybe half a foot:



A Vireo mom in her nest:

There is a Black Phoebe that nests in the eaves of the guest rooms. Here are her little puffballs of cuteness:



Speaking of the wee ones, we got to see these bobcat babies (bobkittens!) in the garage of the volunteer coordinator. And no, unfortunately we can't take them home...:



The other day I found this praying mantis on my boot. Just before it got in my boot. Probably running from a post-copulative angry female or something...

They're creepy. They turn their heads and look at you. Shudder.



And check this out! A very rare find at this time of year:







This fuzzy thing is the only proof that I saw a scorpion after lifting a rock while helping Kate with her stream experiments. It's very tiny:


It's the only of the really dangerous creatures here that I have seen. Meet the others:

How reasuring! A whole book about venemous creatures on my doorstep!

But the weirdest creatures of all are still to come...

The Roommates!!!

Meg, me, Kate, and Chris. Giggling.