Tag Archives: Lizards

Red Horny Toad

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Jack Elliott

Out for a walk with Larrold. An unremarkable lesser ridge among the rumpled hills. Chapparal, pine, gravel and grit. Then a flash of tiny red life running cumbersome from the fringe of the trail. Startling in its ochre hue and … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Adventure, backcountry, Hiking, Horny Toad, Lizards, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Horny Toad

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Jack Elliott

“It was a rough land that bred a tough man.” —Louis L’Amour, Utah Blaine (1984) The observer may glean some insight into the nature of the land by looking at its native inhabitants. When you’re wearing a helmet of horns and shrouded … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Adventure, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Lizards, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Pics, San Rafael Wilderness, Santa Barbara, Wildlife | 6 Comments

Western Fence Lizard (blue-belly)

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Jack Elliott

A blue-belly lizard on a fallen log atop Pine Mountain in the Sespe Wilderness. Blue-belly lizards always interested me as a boy. Sort of like a cat attracted to movement, they naturally captured my attention when they scurried around on … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Backpacking, Blue Belly Lizard, Camping, Hiking, Lizards, Nature, Photography, Photos, Pics, Science, Western Fence Lizard | 6 Comments

Ticks, Lizards and Lyme Disease

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Jack Elliott

A blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) questing with legs reaching as it waits for a host to pass by. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Hikers beware. According to the latest April 2012 issue of Veterinary Practice News, we may be … Continue reading →