brakesforsnakes's Identifications

Note the substrate. This juvenile chuck was in a log crack along the main trail running up lower Borrego Palm Canyon. Quite close to the campground, we had just started the walk. The canyon has plenty of massive, creviced rock but this lizard was pretty far from that stuff. Location is approximate, I logged this obs after I got home, using my wife's photo. Incidentally the canyon was in lovely bloom, and the creek was running strong all the way to the campground. At least. Honestly I was kind of surprised to see (I assume) a 2022 baby, given how bad the drought had been.