Walking through the dunes today (29 April 2023), I was pleasantly surprised to come across this beautiful Western Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor mormon). It was curled up below a shrub and eventually turned and moved off in the other direction, but I managed a few photos for the record. I don't see racers that often on Bodega Head, so it was a highlight on a cool day at the coast. Here's a close-up showing the scales (and a reflection of me in its eye!).
I posted about racers way back in 2012, so if you'd like to read a little more about them (and see a photo of a juvenile), see "Color shift" on 15 October 2012.
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