Wildlife pictures from our vacation ;)
Our recent roadtrip through Kentucky and Tennessee gave us the opportunity to view one of our favorite species in it's natural habitat. Spring is when the cones really start to come out in large numbers, and we weren't disappointed.
Notice how this cone has darkened itself to be less conspicuous - this is probably a Chameleon Cone.
You have to be careful when driving through areas with a lot of cones - they will often attach themselves to your vehicle without your knowing it (kind of like the zebra mussels you have to look for when you bring your boat out of the lake).
Now this makes me mad - this person is lucky enough to own 2 really lovely Bengal cones (note the characteristic reflective stripes), and yet has just left them rattling around loose in the bed of his/her truck.
(As some of you may remember, my own little Patagonian Whiffle Cone, Conan, is always safely buckled in my van!)
Now this always worries me, when cones are attempting to cross a busy roadway - I ALWAYS brake for cones!
I can't believe how close this cone came to our truck! Usually the mountain cones are very shy, but since this was a national park, he's probably used to being around people and cars.
Another Bengal sunning himself in a grassy field (oh, to be a wild cone):
