Finally a good adder pic

[Ukwildlifeo]

I've been trying and failing to get a good photo of an adder since I started this wildlife photography stuff and it took over a year to track one down at all, but a couple of weekends ago I helped out with a quick survey and this beauty turned up. It was placed somewhere photographable and just sat there for a bit so all the folks with us (many who had never seen one) could have a look. I went into 'HD' mode and got a few pics with my 100mm macro, this proabaly being the best.

[Farplace]

That's a beauty. I have yet to see an adder. hopefully next year!
jan

[Pete Collins]

Very nice, Ukwildlifeo!

I haven't seen an adder for years, but I used to come across them occasionally when I lived in Suffolk. Never got a photo, though.

[htcdude]

Another great shot!

Nige

[tigertom]

Cracking pic only once ever seen an adder my self but hope to see some next year has now I no the location of where to find both adders and grass snakes near to me and best thing is the site is owned by my angling club so very safe for them
MIKE

[JaySteel]

That's a lovely close-up shot of the adder. I use the Canon 100mm L IS for my adder shots too and I find getting enough depth of field in the shot to keep enough of the snake in focus means having to stop the lens down to about
f/8 - f/13. It would've been nice if you'd managed to keep the adder's nose in focus but it's a lovely clean shot with a very attractive background. Did you take any other similar shots from this angle? If so maybe one of those has the nose in focus and you could focus-stack the image?

Jason

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

I've been trying and failing to get a good photo of an adder since I started this wildlife photography stuff and it took over a year to track one down at all, but a couple of weekends ago I helped out with a quick survey and this beauty turned up. It was placed somewhere photographable and just sat there for a bit so all the folks with us (many who had never seen one) could have a look. I went into 'HD' mode and got a few pics with my 100mm macro, this proabaly being the best.

I'm confused here - why was the adder PLACED somewhere photographable, in fact, why was it disturbed/handled at all ?

Neil.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by fairplay

I'm confused here - why was the adder PLACED somewhere photographable, in fact, why was it disturbed/handled at all ?

Neil.

These adders are from a mitigation project and are being monitored. We needed a photo of the top of the head to ID the individual adder. We had a group of people doing an ecology degree and many had not seen an adder so we put it down where they could safely observe it.

[JaySteel]

I'm confused as to why anyone who handles a wild reptile or amphibian has to be accountable for their actions to certain people on this website. No crime has been committed as long as the creature is not harmed and people would do well to remember that fact before they start demanding explanations as to why the creature was disturbed.

Disturbing adders without good reason can cause them unnecessary stress and I can understand why people would try and discourage others from engaging in this practice. But it is not an offence and people shouldn't be treated as though they've committed the most heinous of crimes for doing so. Gentle persuasion would work much better if you feel it necessary to help them see the error of their ways.


Jason

[fairplay]

What on earth are you blathering on about Jason ?

You state disturbing adders without good reason can cause unnecessary stress, that is precisely why I asked the question, and Ukwildlifeo kindly gave a valid reason.

End of.

Neil.