Adders

JaySteel · #21 (**permalink**) 04-01-2011, 07:52 PM

Thanks for checking out my site. The colours of the peacocks feathers are amazing when the sun hits them.

camo · #22 (**permalink**) 06-01-2011, 11:18 PM

Minsmere is good for melanistic Adders and particularly on heatl and on way to the mer hide (I think it is called the mere hide, but it is the one past the Bittern hide!)

nightshade · #23 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 06:52 AM

Really, really, good, you obviously know and importantly love your subject.
superb photos (reminds me of the time I found myself sat by one!)

Mark_b · #24 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 10:26 PM

Very nice photographs, adders eyes are so stunning!

Quote:

Originally Posted by camo

Your main subject, is this a completly wild shot? as several of your subjects look to be taken on mowed grass.

Yea you don't normally find adders on mown grass?! I always take pictures of adders in situ, where I find them, compared with grass snakes they dont tend to move off unless you disturb them heavily. I can usually get some nice macro shots and the background of the vegetation structure really frames the photograph.

Flywaver · #25 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camo

Minsmere is good for melanistic Adders and particularly on heatl and on way to the mer hide (I think it is called the mere hide, but it is the one past the Bittern hide!)

I had a crack at herping along there. Is it definately along that stretch? The Mere Hide is in the reed beds? Were Adders more abundant woodland side or on the heathier part?

Flywaver · #26 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 09:15 AM

Question... Its supposed to warm up above 10c later in the week in Anglia. Are reptiles such as Adders known to stir earlier from hibernation? Anyone here know Cavenheath heath well? Im edging my bets for photos there....

Mark_b · #27 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 12:08 PM

Adders and common lizards are known to pop out for a quick bask during the winter if it is warm enough and the sun is shining.

A friend of mine (who is also on this forum) once saw an adder with common lizards basking around it with snow on the ground one winter!

camo · #28 (**permalink**) 10-01-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flywaver

I had a crack at herping along there. Is it definately along that stretch? The Mere Hide is in the reed beds? Were Adders more abundant woodland side or on the heathier part?

When you walk between Bittern hide and Mere hide there is some heathland to right, lots of Rabbits and some good dense cover, The area to right (slightly raised) just before you get to Mere Hide is a good area, it is also good for Weasels and Stoats.

I have chacked and it is the gorund betwen the Island Mere and Canopy hide.

Roy

James-K · #29 (**permalink**) 19-01-2011, 12:28 PM

Wow, fantastic pictures! I've never seen an Adder up close before, beautiful snakes.

Dogghound · #30 (**permalink**) 19-01-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flywaver

Are reptiles such as Adders known to stir earlier from hibernation?

They generally start to become active in late February in the south getting slightly later the further north you go. They dont usually emerge until we have a period of prolonged warm weather (temperature). They do sometimes show limited activity through winter and do move within a hibernaculum. It would be unsusual for one to be out in the open through winter unless it had been disturbed, this could be quite dangerous to the snake.