Forum Index > Trip Reports > Finally! 6-24-19
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Bootpathguy
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Bootpathguy
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PostWed Jun 26, 2019 7:57 pm 
Have always wanted to see one. I did some research and read they become active around dusk as they are nocturnal hunters. I'm also now residing close to their habitat so this is a perfect opportunity to go find one. No long drive, and a full day spent searching for one. So, I saddled up on the new mountain bike and off I went into the Roslyn Community Forest in search of this elusive and rarely seen creature Chugged uphill approximately 4 miles paying close attention to my surroundings and completely focused on my intended target. Arrived at the ridge where I said I'd turn if I didn't encounter it. Bummer! No luck! About halfway down I noticed something on the trail in front of me that looked out of place. As I got closer, my excitement escalated. Finally! A Rubber Boa! A snake you'd associate with the tropics & jungles. But here it is. In a climate you'd never expect a boa to live Probably sounds stupid to some, but I have always wanted to see one. I geek out over stuff like this. At the top of my list! What a cool snake! So docile and absolutely beautiful! I hope to encounter more.

Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
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awilsondc
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awilsondc
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PostWed Jun 26, 2019 7:59 pm 
rocker.gif party.gif up.gif up.gif up.gif

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ChrisSJI
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ChrisSJI
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PostWed Jun 26, 2019 8:28 pm 
Beautiful snake!

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fourteen410
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fourteen410
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PostWed Jun 26, 2019 8:51 pm 
Yikes! Not a fan of nope ropes eek.gif

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BigBrunyon
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PostWed Jun 26, 2019 11:19 pm 
The snake goes from flight to fight to give up on that pic sequence

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DigitalJanitor
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PostThu Jun 27, 2019 11:59 am 
Isn't that new climbing trail a hoot? dance.gif I've seen quite a few rubber boas over the years, including on the Coal Mines trail and last year coming down De Roux of all places. The other day I was riding the ridge and had a lil bitty fence lizard scoot down the trail in front of me. Some days there will be multiples skittering from my front wheel into the brush.

~Mom jeans on wheels
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olderthanIusedtobe
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PostThu Jun 27, 2019 1:03 pm 
up.gif

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iron
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iron
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PostThu Jun 27, 2019 1:21 pm 
no thanks!

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neek
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neek
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PostThu Jun 27, 2019 1:49 pm 
"nope ropes", I like it... but according to rubberboas.com (seriously), they are "incredibly docile snakes and are ideal for handling by children and those trying to overcome a fear of snakes".

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DigitalJanitor
Dirt hippie



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PostThu Jun 27, 2019 7:20 pm 
This is absolutely true, rubber boas are *incredibly* mellow. Their scale pattern is unusual also... Extremely tight and smooth. Another fun fact: they often sport scars on their strange blunt tail, where mice have tried to fight from becoming a meal. I'm very partial to reptiles in general. Even the crabby ones (bull snakes, I'm looking at you!) have their charm. I had a day in May where I found a blue tailed skink in my flower bed, a garter snake eating a sculpin in the Yak, and wrapped it up with a rattler on the IHT while we were pedaling home... Pretty cool!

~Mom jeans on wheels
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Bootpathguy
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Bootpathguy
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PostThu Jun 27, 2019 7:47 pm 
DigitalJanitor wrote:
I'm very partial to reptiles in general. Even the crabby ones (bull snakes, I'm looking at you!) have their charm. I had a day in May where I found a blue tailed skink in my flower bed, a garter snake eating a sculpin in the Yak, and wrapped it up with a rattler on the IHT while we were pedaling home... Pretty cool!
Me too! Hiking Baldy out of the Yakima Canyon I'm constantly flipping rocks looking for scorpions. I've caught several horned lizards in the Sedona area, but have still yet to see our Washington horned lizard. Another critter I like to look for in Eastern Washington at night around bright street lights or other bright lights this time of year is the Praying Mantis. A really cool insect. Only place I've caught them is in ( of all places ) downtown Chelan

Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
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DigitalJanitor
Dirt hippie



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PostFri Jun 28, 2019 9:21 am 
Too funny... when my daughter was a toddler stumbling around the front yard one day, we found a GIANT praying mantis just hitching a ride on her arm while she was totally oblivious. I find their casks all over our place and one year my husband caught one hatching out, he said the babies were like tiny animated grains of rice. Best places to look for the horned lizards IMO are Skyline/Umtanum-ish sagebrush and that big chunk north of Vantage.

~Mom jeans on wheels
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olderthanIusedtobe
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PostFri Jun 28, 2019 11:36 am 
I saw a couple of adorable baby horned lizards at Snow Mountain Ranch a few years ago.

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Dante
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PostFri Jun 28, 2019 12:07 pm 
So cool! I've wanted too see one of those ever since I learned they live in Washington. Congratulations on making it happen! up.gif

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Pyrites
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PostFri Jun 28, 2019 6:47 pm 
Neat that you could search for one successfully. The only one I’ve ever seen was in Dupont, off the Sequalitchew Ck trail. Middle of the day. Best.

Keep Calm and Carry On? Heck No. Stay Excited and Get Outside!
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