Arizona Black Rattlesnake

[Akira]

I'm very happy to see such kinds of rattlesnakes in such an excellent image (or video) instead of meeting it in person!!!

Thanks for sharing!

[Ron Scubadiver]

And never turn over a rock in the desert to see what is underneath. 

I loved living out there.

Snake hunters look for things like rocks, boards or pieces of scrap sheet metal than can easily be turned over.  The chances of finding a snake in such places is very high.

[Erik Lund]

Very nice shot! I can almost hear the rattle,,,

[frankv]

As I'm living on the edge of the arctic, I've always loved looking at snakes and big spiders. Don't know how I would react having to live in close with them 
A great shot, with a little blur on it's rattle. I can easily imagine a staring contest between the camera and the rattler. But I would for sure keep my nose and fingers out of there...

A good story in this image, and that's what it's all about for me. I like it.

-frank-

[brent_e]

Great shot.  Impressive!  Now a question for you.  I'm planning some hiking trips in the Gila River Wilderness area in New Mexico, sometime later in the year, when the monsoon rolls in, to get dramatic sky shots.  How concerned should I be about running into one of these critters on the trail?  Snake bite on the hike several miles in from the trailhead is not something to take lightly.  I noticed you were 6,000 ft. plus in elevation.

Thanks.

Gene, Brownsville, Texas

a friend of mine lives in Phoenix and fishes and hunts in that range on the AZ side of the border frequently.  He's seen 1 in several years.  Don't take this as and apples to apples comparison, of course. 
I would be more worried about bears (bring bear spray).