Posted by John Robinson on April 13, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Not a portrait as such but this is how we find them here. They never do the classic "head in a coil" pose , unless they are cornered sometimes, but are always partly obscured by vegetation. Even if you tidy the spot up after they,ve gone they always seem tocome back and find that awkward twig or something.Still never mind this is how they are so .. From Saturday.
Standard lens
D200
500 ISO 180th @f11Cheers
JohnR
(PS I know they are protected and I have a survey licence.)
Posted by Lewis Thomson on April 13, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Hi John,
Really like this, nice and natural with lots of interest.
I love this John - very different to recent shots. I've seen my first live UK adder recently and tried to get a few snaps but 'mine' was in a clump of grass. You mention a survey license - I'd be grateful if you could clarify the legal position with regard to photography and adders or tell me where to look.
Cheers
Tim
Posted by John Robinson on April 13, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Thanks both. Appreciated.
Tim
I am sure Brett can give you the full details
Have a look at this
http://www.naturenet.net/law/herps.html
The protection thing as usual is a bit complicated . It revolves around selling, killing or willfully disturbing them or their hibernation places etc. They may also be covered locally under local BAP plans.(Biodiversity Action Plans) It is not an offence to keep them.
You are OK photographing them unless I suppose splitting hairs you could disturb them so much that they could move which you would have to do a lot of. Considering that they get a lot of their energy from basking it makes sense that every time one clears off it is losing valuable "sun" time ! You should be OK.
My and my wifes licence is for doing a survey using refuges ( sheets ) on a National Nature Reserve.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
JohnR
Posted by Brett Lewis on April 13, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Really nice shot John and just as I would expect to find them. Indeed I have a number of shots just like this so agree withh all that has been said.
In terms of legislation you are partly right where the selling, advertising for sale, killing or injuring is concerned but not the disturbance part. However, you are bound by any such terms of a license granted to carry out work on any private land or reserve such as LNR, NNR, SSSI, CWS etc.. Each wildlife agency might have their own interpretation but as long as you take note of the schedule in the W&C Act 1981 and subsequent amendments you will find yourself on the right side of the law.
You do not require a license to survey these animals and 'disturbance' does not fulfill the criteria listed under the act. But, as I said, you are subject to the statutory obligations of the reserve the animals are found on which is why you require a license to do so. This is moreover because of the Countryside Right of Way Act and dictates how people should behave within wildlife sensitive areas.
In short, if you are carrying out surveys or going off the beaten track to observe/photograph wildlife you should seek the necessary permission from the land owner/wildlife organisation to whom are responsible.
Anymore questions please do not hesitate to 'PM' me and I'll do my best to help answer your questions. I hope that helps.
A great image of the Adder in its enviroment.
I am going to a reserve where Adders are present in the coming weeks so the information provided is useful
Lee
Posted by Adam Seward on April 14, 2009 at 7:02 AM
Lovely, natural photo John. Really like it.
Posted by John Robinson on April 14, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Thanks all.
I went up to one of our "hotspots " last week and there were at least 5 snappers roaming around the area. Not a reptile in sight all day. It's getting silly. They were just stomping around because some one had told them there were adders there . These people tackle the job without the slightest idea of how to approach such an animal and with no concern for it's basking needs whatso ever.
How things have changed.
JR
Discussion
9 repliesStandard lens
D200
500 ISO 180th @f11Cheers
JohnR
(PS I know they are protected and I have a survey licence.)
Hi John,
Really like this, nice and natural with lots of interest.
Cheers,
Lewis.
Cheers
Tim
Tim
I am sure Brett can give you the full details
Have a look at this
http://www.naturenet.net/law/herps.html
The protection thing as usual is a bit complicated . It revolves around selling, killing or willfully disturbing them or their hibernation places etc. They may also be covered locally under local BAP plans.(Biodiversity Action Plans) It is not an offence to keep them.
You are OK photographing them unless I suppose splitting hairs you could disturb them so much that they could move which you would have to do a lot of. Considering that they get a lot of their energy from basking it makes sense that every time one clears off it is losing valuable "sun" time ! You should be OK.
My and my wifes licence is for doing a survey using refuges ( sheets ) on a National Nature Reserve.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
JohnR
In terms of legislation you are partly right where the selling, advertising for sale, killing or injuring is concerned but not the disturbance part. However, you are bound by any such terms of a license granted to carry out work on any private land or reserve such as LNR, NNR, SSSI, CWS etc.. Each wildlife agency might have their own interpretation but as long as you take note of the schedule in the W&C Act 1981 and subsequent amendments you will find yourself on the right side of the law.
You do not require a license to survey these animals and 'disturbance' does not fulfill the criteria listed under the act. But, as I said, you are subject to the statutory obligations of the reserve the animals are found on which is why you require a license to do so. This is moreover because of the Countryside Right of Way Act and dictates how people should behave within wildlife sensitive areas.
In short, if you are carrying out surveys or going off the beaten track to observe/photograph wildlife you should seek the necessary permission from the land owner/wildlife organisation to whom are responsible.
Anymore questions please do not hesitate to 'PM' me and I'll do my best to help answer your questions. I hope that helps.
Kind regards,
Brett
Tim
I like this shot. Imo the vegetattion and twig(s) does not bother me. It's there environment. Nothing wrong with it.
I am going to a reserve where Adders are present in the coming weeks so the information provided is useful
Lee
I went up to one of our "hotspots " last week and there were at least 5 snappers roaming around the area. Not a reptile in sight all day. It's getting silly. They were just stomping around because some one had told them there were adders there . These people tackle the job without the slightest idea of how to approach such an animal and with no concern for it's basking needs whatso ever.
How things have changed.
JR