My first Grass Snake of 2011

[JaySteel]

Thanks Rexer.

[Batfan]

What a brilliant photograph. I saw my first grass snake today too, the first I've ever found on my own. Was really pleased with my photo until I saw yours, it doesn't compare, but here goes anyway.

[JaySteel]

Hi Batfan. Thanks for your kind words. Snake photography is something I love and I've committed a lot of time to it over the last couple of years so I've had loads of practise. I practised first with captive-bred snakes owned by a local breeder who was kind enough to allow me to photograph his collection. Some can be found on his site here:

www.gmreptiles.co.uk

You'll see that my early photos weren't that great!

Your Grass Snake is cool. Thanks for sharing it. Congratulations on getting the shot at all. I still find it very hard to get close to Grass Snakes if I can find them. You did well!
Your Grass snake looks much larger and older than mine so the colours in my younger snake are much brighter. I like the light vertebral lines on your Grass Snake though. This is a feature that I haven't seen on a Grass Snake yet.

Best regards,
Jason

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by JaySteel

I like the light vertebral lines on your Grass Snake though. This is a feature that I haven't seen on a Grass Snake yet.

I noticed the lines as well, and have never seen the feature before.

Jim

[Mark_b]

Batfan, where abouts in the UK do you live?

That female grass snake isn't of British origin (Natrix natrix helvativa), it's from europe, possibly eastern Romania. There are a couple of populations of these snakes around the UK, they are the decendants of released pets.

I don't think you can get a better picture of grass snake actually basking in-situ, fair enough if you had an amazing camera it would look crisper but that's a lovely shot Batfan.

I'm still waiting to see some of your in-situ shots Jason

[wildsusy]

absolutely stunning creature.. great photo, thanks for sharing

[Batfan]

Thanks for your comments. There are some great looking snakes on that website Jason.
My picture was taken in West Yorkshire, near to a sewage works. On asking around, Mark, I think you’re right. Apparently some years ago snakes were found in (I think) grass that was imported for some part of the filtration process, and seemingly some escaped. So that explains their different appearance.

[Putorius]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Nice image.

I've noticed that they only start 'tongue flicking' when they've detected you.

Jim

True. The other time when natrix tongue flickers is when an animal has been captured, is then handled for a while until the animal calms, and then placed in an area of open grass for photographing. The animal will then often sit motionless for some time, (the animal of course percieves capture as attack and not being programmed to survive "attack" unharmed like this, the animal quite literally doesn`t know what else to do) and then once it regains confidence, the tongue flicking begins and the animal once again moves off into cover.

Batfan, your image looks far more like a genuine "in situ" image in my opinion (no offence Jaysteel) the positioning is entirely natural, and Mark B is precisely right, the animal that you photographed may have originated from Southern or Eastern Europe. Whereabouts in the country are you? Recently, (last year in fact) DNA gene sequences were taken from an atypical population of grass snakes in Yorkshire. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Yorkshire population had originated from Eastern Romania and was genetically distinct from native snakes.

[Putorius]

Originally Posted by Batfan

My picture was taken in West Yorkshire, near to a sewage works. On asking around, Mark, I think you’re right. Apparently some years ago snakes were found in (I think) grass that was imported for some part of the filtration process, and seemingly some escaped. So that explains their different appearance.

I take it that you were at Esholt Sewage Treatment facility, West Yorkshire? If so, then the very same site that I was referring to in my previous post.

[JaySteel]

Thanks for your comments and thanks to those that have looked at the images on my website.

Originally Posted by Putorius

True. The other time when natrix tongue flickers is when an animal has been captured, is then handled for a while until the animal calms, and then placed in an area of open grass for photographing. The animal will then often sit motionless for some time, (the animal of course percieves capture as attack and not being programmed to survive "attack" unharmed like this, the animal quite literally doesn`t know what else to do) and then once it regains confidence, the tongue flicking begins and the animal once again moves off into cover.

I took a few 'in-situ' shots of the Grass Snake. Unfortunately they were all aerial shots taken from above and the head was partially obscured. When I moved down to the snakes eye level it sensed me and moved. At this point I did pick up the snake and wait a couple of minutes for it to calm down. I then put it down in the same spot and took my photos which is what you're seeing in the photo above. Yes, Putorius is right. The snake did freeze for about 30 seconds. It then started flicking its tongue and turned and looked at me before very slowly slithering away into the nettles again. I would post the photos showing the exact location and you'd see where it was but that would reveal the location which is very recognisable and not something I'm prepared to do.
Much to the disapproval of many people on this site, I have handled many of the snakes that I've photographed and some give you the opportunity to get a few good shots and others don't stay still at all and cannot be photographed in this way.

Best regards,
Jason