Moving into April... the 2nd and the 7th.

It is still very cool in these here parts. We've still seen no proof of salamander movement. But just like us, the critters are itching to get out and about. Sunday the 2nd, the temps were in the 50s and it was sunny so we figured we'd see a snake or two at our local dens, and we did, even though we didn't get out until about 2:30 PM. (Gig the night before.)

As we often do, we started off with a nice circle of a Redback.

The Valley had some Garter action a'happenin'.

Over at the Cottonwood Dens, another Garter noggin was showing.

This youngster (possibly last year's model... he was small but long) was strewn out in the sun.

We didn't stay out long and headed back after the Rock Wall Dens that didn't produce anything. This Red-bellied Woodpecker gave Andrea a come hither look.

I flipped over a log and we found our First of Year Spring Peeper resting under it. I don't think he ever knew we were there, even when I moved him to put the log back. I'm like that sometimes.

Our last find was another nice flipped Redback.

The following Friday, it was only 46° and windy but Andrea wanted to visit the dens on her lunchbreak. Who am I to say no? So, we headed over for a quick walk. Our first flip would have been hard to top... a triple Red/Leadback score!

This next guy was massive, pushing 4 inches long. (Well, massive for the species, anyway.)

The Valley still had some sun-bathers, despite the cool temps. This neatly folded Garter is a real beauty.

In the back of the Valley, Andrea spied this wee fella grabbing some rays. His head is the size of a neonate but he was about 10" long. Gorgeous.

Heading back out towards the path, the Valley had sprung to life while we were admiring the youngster. Two more Garters were out poking around.

We headed up the path and stopped at an unnamed den area, one where a fellow hiker had said "snakes were spilling out the side" once. Well, we rarely see anything there, much less a snake-spill, but we did see a dusty Garter there this time.

Might as well name it the Spilling Den.

I checked the log as we walked by... the Peeper was there. It's obviously his place.

Out at the Cottonwood Dens, we saw yet another Garter.

So, its apparent that snakes haven't moved too far from their hibernaculums. The weather is supposed to start being much milder starting Monday (of course) and hopefully we can get out to do some proper hikes next weekend. Still, the amazing Redbacks and Garters at our local spot keep us very happy while we await other species.