Dance of the adders

I have thought long and hard about posting this shot. Technically I know it is not great, although I have seen far worse pictures of the behaviour published. An adder dance is basically a combat between two males over mating rights with a female.

Last April I was on a heath in Surrey when I found a female adder. Just as I spotted her I became aware of movement to my left, and it was these two guys coming towards me locked in combat. With three adders within a couple of feet of me, at least two extremely pumped up with testosterone, taking pictures was not my only thought at the time. They totally ignored me, however, although they approached very close indeed. After watching the behaviour for several minutes one skulked off, and I assumed he was the loser. When I returned to the spot at the end of my survey the victor was laying curled up with the female.

Conditions were not good for photography, I was shooting into the light and sufficient depth of field to get enough of the snakes in focus has also brought in a lot of clutter, which I have tried to control with gaussian blur. Nevertheless, I have eventually decided that it is worth sharing, if only because it is a sight I have seen only once in my life.

David

Nikon D200, 150mm Sigma, 1/160th @ f8, 200iso

Excuses, excuses, excuses, you should have posted it earlier, I think its great. Something I have never seen in the wild, I'm envious.

Very nice David I may be brave and post mine one day .

Phil.

Ps a link to my adder images

http://www.wildsnaps.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/new_page_17%20adders.htm

well I also think its great David something I would have loved to have seen but probably never will so well done on capturing the moment one you will remember

As you say,technically not great,but still an interesting image and I'm glad you posted.I've seen this once before,when I lived in Hampshire,but I didn't have a camera.There goes my chance!

Phil.

David, I think this is great too. You have been fortunate to witness behaviour that the vast majority of people are not aware of, let alone have witnessed. With regards to the technical issues you refer to, I take my hat off to you in that you did not go out armed with a net and gloves and showed the adders the respect that they deserve!

Interesting behaviour to witness and capture - a true natural history photograph. Sometimes you have to make the most of what is on offer.

Cheers,
Chris

Well done David
I've seen it several times(once in the garden) but never got anything as good as this.
Not easy by any means. As you say separating them from the background is the hardest bit.
JR

A sight I have yet to see well caught

You've got more than I have David and believe me I've put in the hours in the field.. I've seen it at times but on occasions when I don't have a camera..! Simple NH image and sometimes that's all it needs to be..

Brett

Well caught David - whatever the technical deficiences this is a behavioural image well worthy of posting and shows something that I and many others have never seen. Thanks for sharing

Hi David well captured I have never actually seen it.

Dale

Sometimes you just gotta take what you can David. Good behavioural shot - one not often seen.

Regards,

Des

Well caught David. Not easy to get a clear shot of Adders(without interference). You have captured these really well. Something I have never witnessed but would love to see.