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. ;-)