One of my favorite places to run is the Embudito Canyon below the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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If you thought that first photo was pretty, check out this one.

Each time I run Embudito, I look for rattlesnakes.  I don’t look OUT for them, I look FOR them, on the trails, in the cactus shade, under rocks, in holes and crevices.  I’ve only seen one, but I keep looking.  Rattlers are so old, so very old, ancient and primeval.  I feel blessed whenever I come across one in the wild.

No Old Man Rattler today, but I did spend a few moments with this handsome fellow, about 5 feet long and in no hurry.

Anybody know what species this is?