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Locations
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Species Summary 
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Pressure and temps were sinking fast, while humidity and cloud cover were rising in the western Mojave so Mike issued the "Call to Duty". He suggested we meet earlier than normal at 6:30PM, then on second thought called back to advance our arrangement to 5:30PM. A two hour drive brought me to our meeting spot from where we quickly got underway on a long dirt road skirting desert hillsides as the low sun and high clouds painted stark and glorious contrasts across the expansive landscape. We soon entered our target area, sharpening our focus on the road and shoulders ahead. Shortly thereafter Mike slowed the truck, turning hard left while stating that the little draw in front of us should be a good spot for a short hike as he'd found boas there before. No sooner had the words left his lips than a thick, shiny form appeared laid-out exactly where Mike had intended to park! #1
Holy cow, that was easy. We jumped out of the truck to observe and photograph the snake and in the heat of the moment, Mike kept presence of mind to scan up the draw, and so spotted another boa just 15 yards from the first!
#1 bottom, #2 top
#2 After some "in situ" shots we determined that this second snake was a male and likely intent on tracking down the first, a female, which although late for the season, was likely laying a scent trail to advertise for a mate. We placed the smaller male adjacent to her and he immediately responded by rubbing his nose on her body while advancing along her length, confirming our suspicions.
#1, #2 The female lead him up a short bank and into a rodent burrow where they appeared to sequester. Sensing this was prime time for activity we resumed our search up canyon then returned to find them still visible within the burrow. We hastily hit the road intending to return on the next pass to check in. Upon return I noticed the female's head and neck protruding from a small burrow which was obviously connected to the first. It would have made a sweet photo but she spooked promptly to withdraw out of sight. Assuming there might be more males approaching we searched the immediate area and Mike soon noticed yet another male suspended in some low brush, albeit mostly obscured. For Mike to have seen this one was testament to his keen hunter instincts. I was somewhat dismayed that I had walked by it but too impressed by events to let that linger. We searched the burrow again to be sure that this was a second male and two tails visible in the recess confirmed that we'd found a total of three boas, all in about 20 minutes, and all within 15 yards circle.
#3
#3 Very few in their life will ever claim a boa "three-fer" and this memory will certainly remain as one of my all time best field experiences. Good job Mike, that was flamin' AWESOME! :) |
