Favoritos de loarie

The only shell-dwelling Verrill's I saw today, despite seeing about a dozen on previous summer days at same locality. This individual was noticeably less active as well. After taking this photo I placed it with shell opening flat on ground, swam off, only to return 30 mins later and the hermit crab hadn't moved from where I left it. Not as mobile/active as I've seen it in the summer. Similarly, I only spotted two individuals inside tube shells.

PLEASE READ FOR ID.
Just killed by Coyote. The coyote was joined by its juvenile pup and then the male. She chased the male away to have the meal to herself and let the juvenile watch.

Edit: Note I saw species in same area three years ago: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54302918

This is not a gopher snake, contrary to what I IDed it as to start. I thought it was a weird "morph" but due to range; it was the only species that made sense. Zoom in and look closely; it does not have the correct barred markings. ID credit goes to herpetologist Robert Hanson. He also IDs it as female. This is a Sierra Gartersnake - Thamnophis couchii https://californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/t.couchii.html. Though east of its range it is possible that it came here via humans either released after tiring of it or by accident via produce box from the orchards in Tehachapi area or camping gear from someone camping at Brite Lake. It was caught in habitat where it would thrive due to lakes filled with fish and toads and plenty of tall grass, cattails, and other plants for mice and the snake to hide in.

Same Black Bear sow and cub that I photographed on 2022/09/24 in www.inaturalist.org/observations/137359360. This photo is from two weeks earlier and a few miles further to the southeast, and was taken by a rancher's trail camera placed at a rural water hole; both Bears are cooling off IN the water hole basin. Private Property - No Public Access.