First Adder

[Za]

Today I found my first Adder....YAY!!! It was dead....BOO!! I thought it was basking in the sun,but as I approached it, I saw bluebottles and realised that it had either been run over, or fallen off its bicycle.
The only good point is that at least I now know that there are Adders where I suspected there might be.
But after another couple of hours looking around, I couldnt find a live one


I also saw this beetle, which I had never seen before, and after looking through the galleries, seems to be a lily beetle, a lovely bright red (but not too good a picture)

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Za

Shame about the Adder but at least you can get a close look.

2nd pic could well be a Lilly Beetle.

[werdnal]

Trouble is Adders sometimes play dead when they are faced with insurmountable danger - hence playing dead in front of a car and becoming just that!

We found a baby one last year. We were out walking (sadly didn't have my camera), and a car came along a quiet country lane. After it passed my son pointed and actually went to pick it up, but luckily I stopped him in time - not sure at what stage they become venomous! It was only about 2 inches long and was so still we were almost convinced he was dead. Just in case, I found a twig and managed to hook him up and put him in the hedge out of harms way. We marked the spot for our return, and when we checked he was gone, so obviously was still alive!