My friend Andy Switky and I walked right past this well-camouflaged fellow, who was lurking just a couple of feet away. Then he got annoyed and rattled a bit. For some reason, our wives were then reluctant to catch up to us.

This beautifully colored rattler was warming up in the morning on the side of the main north/south road through Joshua Tree National Park when we spotted it. We encouraged it off the road with my tripod's extended legs before taking its picture.

This handsome snake was at the side of the road as I drove near in the morning. I stopped and got out of the car with my camera, and it decided this would be a good time to leave, while keeping its eye on me the whole time.