Slithering into November. 11-6th & 7th

 I never like to visit the local dens before November. We did OK out on the trails throughout October and since there was a frost in early November, we felt justified to go check 'em out. Saturday the 6th was supposed to be cloudy and cool, but it turned out to be sunny instead. After doing some errands, there was still a little sunlight so we headed over.

Sun wasn't hitting too many of the hills that we know are den-sites but checking the spots where it was hitting, we finally spotted a Garter grabbing the last rays.

Leaving from that hill, I almost stepped on another sunbather.

The cooler weather doesn't bother the Redbacks yet.

Sly's hill hasn't been too active for a couple of years but this time, there was a sneaky Garter basking. Andrea spied it from above... it was all but unseen from the Valley.

While photographing that one, I saw another not too far away.

The sun was rapidly going down, so we didn't push our luck. We knew we'd been very lucky already. On the way out, we saw a few more Redbacks. That second flip was a four-pack! Not too shabby!

That was a bonus day and it was quite a bonus indeed! And it never hit 50°.

Sunday was sunnier, as promised. It still was barely 50°, but it was pleasant in the sun. We'd left earlier to get more sun time and since we'd set the clocks back, we have to get used to everything all over again. On the way to the dens, we encountered a Redback, always a good opener.

We hit Robles' Den first but there was nothin' doin'. Down to the Valley we went and right away saw a pair of Garters on Sly's Den, with their tails almost touching a good sized Water Snake gal. You can see a tail in her portrait.

The Valley was a happenin' spot. Yes, it appears everyone made it back to their hibernaculum area this year. Garters were slithering to the beat.

We headed back to the Cottonwood Den and were very surprised to see a This-Year's Model Milk Snake coiled up. He was in the shade; obviously the sun had just moved on him.

Since we hadn't seen any Milks in October, this was an extra treat.

So, that's what our November is like so far. We don't expect much, so seeing 4 species over the weekend is a treasure. We never know when our last sighting of any of these animals will be. So, we'll just enjoy every one we see.