Adder

Adder (female)
The only female to be seen on this site so far and three went into hibernation last October. This is how they look in Wyre Forest and you can't normally get near them. This was taken with a 300mm and monopod from about 16 feet away. Any nearer and they're gone. But they do get disturbed a lot in the busy areas.I reckon that cold Winter had more effect in this Forest than we realised.
Cheers
JohnR

Nice image John

I don't do snakes, they scare the bejesus out of me, this is a close as I want to get

Well done

You may be right, John. I was putting low reptile numbers in March down to a long, late winter, but even now things do not seem to be fully under way. I wonder if our reptiles took a big hit in the cold weather? Only time will tell.

David

Hello John.

nice record shot.

Interesting and I'm glad you posted this and said your numbers are down. I monitor the Adders in my local patch of the Chase and I have18 males and 9 females last year. I have now come across most of the males this year but only one female which I found last week.

Works fro me John

Still looking for Adders no luck so far

Excellent capture John, the colours of the Adder blend in so well with it's surroundings.

Andy...

2 (1:1) of a similar size out at one of my sites at the weekend John and this one looks like she's making the most of the sun with her body flattened as much as possible..

Quite the contrary to what a few of you are saying I've actually seen quite a lot already around here with at least 6 of my adders out in one visit back in late March.. And now an exceptional population of Slow-worm are showing themselves..

Brett

I'd say around here ( and we are a bit higher in elevation than most and had a good bit of deep snow over the moors ) the male adders started emerging mid-late march but the females have been a lot later this year with the past week finally seeing them show in numbers. ( we have had very warm weather for this time of year over the last week) On the whole and as an average I would say we are about 2 to 3 weeks off the pace.

Great capture, John.

Nicely captured John and I notice from a safe distance. Yours looks more how I expected an Adder to look like e.g. lighter colouring and a more distinctive pattern. It also looks a lot larger than mine as well. Mine was only about 8-10ins and I thought Adders were much bigger than that.

I'm glad you don't want to lose me. I suppose I am always good for a laugh

Maggie
It all depends when of if they have sloughed their skin. There is a marked difference just afterwards. The males are usually much more contrasty but it varies a lot too from site to site. The females have a marked "tail" as well it gets noticeably narrow at the end.
Cheers
John

a nice shot in habitat John and a nicely coloured female.

Matt

Nice capture and shows how well camoflagued these reptiles are. !!


Mark.G

Nice shot John, lovely detail, and like others this is as close as I want to get!!