One of the things I miss the most about California is the abundance of nature. In particular, one charming creature that has made its way to the top rung of invertebrate political ladder - the banana slug.
Also known as the state mollusk, these large, slimy, yellow slugs are a charming denizen of Northern California's forests. I used to enjoy hiking through the Bay Area and competing with my wife be seeing who could spot the most slugs on each hike.
This picture was taken by me on a hike in Big Basin State Park. They are amazing creatures and I hope I will get to see them again in the future.