Grass Snake Heaven

[wildmanofthewoods]

Yesterday/ Monday 2nd, I visited my favourite local site and had a very good day but was totally astonished at the number of Grass Snakes i saw.

I had at least 20 sightings and 13 of them at least, being different snakes.

I slowly walked through some marshy vegetation by the side of a large lake and started seeing them immediately, 2 of them basking together on a railway sleeper, anyway i saw seven then went to walk the meadows....after a few hours passed i went back, slowly approached the railway sleeper where i had seen 2 earlier, this time there were 6 unfortunately they sensed my approach and slithered into the vegetation.. I was not detered and set up my camera and seat and waited, after about half an hour a couple did visit the sleeper and i managed a couple of pics, plus some pics of others i found,

I think you'll agree a day for the Grassies

[NickCantle]

Sounds like a great day Wildman One thing though. Why aren't they in the Gallery?! Beautiful pictures!

Nick

[Meta menardi]

My comment would be, you lucky person, but I suspect you worked for these. They are great.

[demicav]

Brilliant photos. I've yet to see my first Grass snake. I've seen lots of Adders but I yearn to see a Grassie.

[Kayleigh]

Nice pics wildmanofthewoods..

[marvin]

great shots...well done.

what were the weather conditions and what time of day was it?

tim

[Vipera]

Great shots, i like the first one as it has a damselfly in the shot as well, i have only ever seen one grass snake in the open, all the others i find are under bits of refugia and they tend to slither away quickly when they are disturbed so i have to pick them up to take photos, anyone whos hanldes a grassy knows the lovely smell they make! trouble with my camera is i have to have the lens alomst right on top of whatever im taking a pic off, with the macro, and not all lizards and snakes will obligue by staying still, however occasionly i do get a decent pic of the reptile is brave or just likes having its picture taken!
Also its rather odd that i have only seena fully grown grass snake once and that was to quick to allow me to take a pic, apart from that all the grassies i have found have been about 2 ft or smaller, ide like to see a 5 footer! ive heared they can be 6ft but i think thats quite rare if its true

[wildmanofthewoods]

Thanks all for your comments.
I have spent alot of time trying to locate Grass snakes and most of the time a view of one slithering into the vegatation is the view i get but i have learnt to expect that they're there even if i can't see them. So this means a very stealthy approach no sudden movement as this is usually what alerts them. This doesn't always get you close but sometimes when you make eye contact with a Grass snake they sort of stare you out, waiting for your next move, as if they daren't move incase you notice them.

Weather was warm but cloudy so this is why i think they were on the railway sleeper, using its stored warmth. Noon onwards

[galanthus]

beautiful pics wildy. I've only ever seen one coiled and basking in sunshine and that was around 20 years ago

[deer boy]

A lovely set of pics there Wildmanofthewoods