A Summer Hike: Encounters with Deer, Hawks, and a Rare California King Snake

Today, I went hiking at the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve. It was summer, so the grass was mostly dead and dry. I was not expecting to see many mammals. After hiking up the hill next to Arastradero lake, I encountered a mother deer with two babies. They must have been born late spring. On a tree, I also saw a red-shouldered hawk gazing at a group of baby quails rolling in the dirt. Quail roll in the dirt to get rid of old skin and other debris. When walking back, next to the lake, I found tons of frogs and toads on the road, and when I looked up, there where six to seven owls flying in the sky. My guess is that they were hunting the toads. I also saw a California King Snake along the trail hunting toads. It was getting dark, so I continued on my path. I really enjoyed this hike especially because of the diversity of all the wildlife. Snakes are my favorite animals, and considering I have only seen a California King Snake four times in my life, it was especially fun. I hope you see something on your next hike.