When hiking along So Cal creeks, be prepared to meet this guy (Southern Pacific Rattlesnake). He and I had a short eyeball today.

That's fairly camouflaged. When I was a kid, I almost stepped on a snake that looked exactly like that. If you're hiking and that sucker is on the trail, it's highly unlikely that you'll see it until you're right over it. In fact, when I was hiking, the two guys in front of me stepped over the rattler, and the snake decided to wake up as I came up on it... scary feeling.

Did you shoot it? If, what type of gun and ammo did you use?

We parted on friendly terms. He didn't bother me, so I didn't bother him.

It always freaks me out a little bit when this happens. Suddenly your level of alertness goes up about 10 fold and your speed of travel goes down to about 1/10th what it was.

I often carry my Benjamin Sheridan .22 CO2 pellet pistol on these kinds of hikes. There's homes within a mile of this spot.

Hey Sotto,That looks like Cross Creek Cyn. in Malibu,Am I close?

Ha ha. You are close! ;-) A little bit further south of there.

You know I was gonna' say Tuna cyn.1st,lol!

Wow! Glad you didn't step on it.

By the way - that pellet gun looks similar to my 22/45 bull barrel.

Wow he's a big one. And here I thought it was too cold for them to be out on days like today. Crap, gotta remind myself to be more careful. Thanks for the photos.

I'm also guessing You were looking for Crawdads,To be used as feeders for Tiger Oscars/Red Devils/Red-throat Tetras,etc. Crosscreek & Malibu Cyn up near Tapia Park,Has lots of Crawdads!

It's the Model EB22. Very similar to your 22/45 rimfire without the noise (or the horsepower). And very rust resistant.

Cool. I should let my friend from Louisiana know in case he wants to do a crayfish boil.

No where near the #'s for a boil,I don't recommend you bring a Dragnet,of which is how it is done usually, in Louisiana!You could do that in The Irrigation canals in Buttonwillow/Bakersfield,But I would check with Fish&Game 1st.That Blue pole laying next to your Pellet gun/water bottle,Isn't a Pool cleaning net?

Ha ha. Nope. It's my El Cheapo Brand telescoping mop handle/hiking stick. It does have a threaded end, though. ;-)

Good for you getting along with our no-shoulder friends. I like the re-purposed walking stick and canteen. Very practical.

My impression: Awww ... that's so cute. Like a speckled pup with fangs and poison. A speckled pup you're obliged to respect and avoid stepping on.

Everyone will do well to watch where they step, walking sticks are handy, treat wildlife with respect, and avoid doing anything stupid. Everyone gets along.

This is the first large-ish rattler I've seen in this particular area. Ordinarily, I see what appear to be pygmy rattlers, or juvi's, which I never spot until I'm standing within a foot or two them. They've always been coiled up(3-4 inches across) in the sand or duff, and appear to be asleep. They don't move even when I've put the tip of mop handle/hiking stick right in front of their noses.

Those "canteens" are getting so thin anymore that the slightest crinkle will open up a crack and then create a leak. That's why the bottle's upside down in the pic. It's one thing to wet your pants almost stepping on a rattler, and another thing to have your leaky water bottle do it for you. ;-)