Northern Pacific rattlesnake photo: Lisa Robinson

Curious About … Liking Snakes?

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

Herpetologist Torsten Watkins explains how to tell rattlesnakes and gopher snakes apart. Continue Reading →

This adult Western Skink has a dull colored tail compared to the bright blue tails younger individuals have. The reason the tail is dull is to make their tail less distracting as the importance of the tail as an energy storage system increases.

Curious About … Western Skink?

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

Western Skink are common lizards in North Central Washington. These active little lizards are often characterized by their vibrantly colored blue tail, but this beautiful coloration is partly temporary and fades with age Continue Reading →

Announcing the Wenatchee Area Field Guide

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Susan Ballinger

The Wenatchee Area Field Guide is light-weight, waterproof, and fits into your pocket. Use to help identify common native plants and animals Continue Reading →

Marine iguanas are common throughout the Galapagos Islands...

Ecuador beckons

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Susan Ballinger

Wenatchee Valley’s March color palette of mostly browns triggers me to dream of tropical places awash in color – like Ecuador! Next August, my brother-in-law, John Winnie Jr., is leaded Continue Reading →

Desert Night Snake Discovered at Saddle Rock

Posted on October 7, 2017 by Susan Ballinger

Budding herpetologist*, Torsten Watkins, is a 6th grader at Orchard Middle School and he likes to spend his free time seeking out native reptiles and amphibians. He and his Dad Continue Reading →

August field notes: A month of reptile sightings

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Susan Ballinger

For me, late summer turned into a season of surprising reptile sightings. Here’s a snapshot of my close-up encounters with several of our native snakes and lizards. Many of us Continue Reading →