Heceta Head Lighthouse, OR (Hobbit Beach)
Irvine Regional Park, California
It seems like I average one encounter each visit these days. Today, I saw this ~5 footer and then a much smaller one later.
Head close-up (5/16/2026)
Rattlesnakes are "pit vipers" which means they have heat sensing organs in the pit between the nostril and eye. They're like little infrared cameras that "see" thermal radiation.
Close-up of rattle segments.
The number of segments don't actually indicate an age of the snake. They grow and shed them throughout their lives.
(5/16/2026)
I couldn't resist to post a closeup. They have such fascinating and colorful eyes. It appears that you can see the photographer in its eyes. (the reflection of me, that is 😂)
It appears that this one is ready to drop a couple of dried out rattle segments.
Canon R5, 100-500mm x 1.4
Handheld
Turkey Vulture (1/5/2026)
(1/5/2026)
This is how they deposit the eggs. They remain attached and the female is dipped into the water to release them.
