Since my last "Hiking Series" post, I've gone on 2 hikes that I hadn't mentioned yet. The first, was a very short hike in a return to Mission Trails. Since it was a hike I'd done before, I didn't take many photos. I did take photos, however, of the creatures I encountered, which included a spider, and a croc.
Wolf Spider:

We encountered a croc! This one was patiently perched atop a fence post, waiting for someone to wander near enough for it to pounce on:

He was looking right at me...

The following week, I joined Laura, Mana and Scott on my first attempt of the very steep Cowles Mountain.

If you've read my blogs about Mt. San Jacinto or the Choquequirao hike in Peru, you know that I have a hard time with steep uphill hikes. This one qualifies. Since it was a tough climb for me, I didn't take many pictures. But, I managed to capture a few local inhabitants.


Needless to say, I was able to enjoy the scenery much more on the way down.