EISPIRATEN

We found this baby on the Heaton Not-Flat Trail.
Like a boss, it sat motionless in the middle of the trail and forced us to sidestep.

Quite dapper, eh? Great shot!

I was out for a ride in Topanga SP this afternoon. I had a narrow escape within minutes of leaving the trailhead, didn't see but I sprinted out of range. Saw 4 more along the way: 1) stretched across Temescal Road leisurely-like, 2) roadside coiled and ready, 3) on Backbone trailside at the tough rock garden step "SURPRISE!", and 4) a few turns south of Mulholland on Temescal. Don't know WTF happened today, but something was drawing them out. Weather and squirrels is my guess. Never seen more than 2 in one day before, and these were all fat and cranky.

Another too-cool-for-the-room rattlesnake, this time found in Rubio Canyon.

it's not surprising, sadly, we all know what happens to rattle snakes that give you a warning to back off.