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Many types of wildlife have been spotted on or around Hidden Lake Ranch. Since I am no expert I have not formally identified most of the wildlife that has be seen. But here's a description of what has been noted on the ranch....
Mammals:
Deer are plentiful on the ranch. Quite often they use the lake as a source for water and bed down on the ranch nightly. In addition we have viewed Coyotes, Grey Foxes, Grey Squirrels, and Chipmunks. One area of the ranch is a haven for Black Tailed Hares. Brown Bats patrol the evening sky and are a welcome ranch resident. Our neighbor saw a Black Bear and a Mountain Lion crossing the ranch but we have yet to see either one. Unfortunately on one occasion a skunk let us know he was in the near vicinity.
Fish and amphibians:
Currently the lake is stocked with Largemouth Bass, Green Sunfish, Blue Gill, Red Eared Sunfish, Bullhead Catfish and Gambusia (mosquito fish) . Frogs are abundantly present including bull frogs, leopard frogs, and several other types of frogs that I have yet to identify.
Reptiles:
We have encountered several varities of snake on the ranch including the California King Snake and the Gopher Snake. Fortunately as of yet we have not stumbled upon a Rattle Snake. Lizards are plentiful the most commonly sighted one seems to be Western Fence Lizards (aka Bluebellies). Recently we were also excitied to find that we have two American Pond Turtles that have taken up residence in the lake.
Birds:
Birds are plentyful. Around the lake we have geese (including migratory Canada Geese), and several varities of ducks. Woodpeckers can be heard in the surrounding trees. We also see Red Tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures and on rare occasions an Eagle. Wild Turkeys are frequent visitors to the ranch as well. The lake also draws Great Egrets and Lessor Mountain Herons both of which actively consume both frogs and fish. Several Owls inhabit the ranch and make their presence know in during the night. There are a great many other birds that I have not identified.
Click on the thumbnail picture below to view a larger image....
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