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A View to a Kill

By teocali
A Male wild Adder (Vipera berus), taken yesterday on the South Downs near Brighton. A near full frame capture(just a little cropped on RHS to remove disturbing vegetation), taken handheld from a distance of 15 inches away.

The male is around 60cm long, and the female is approx 75cm, found throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Can be seen from March to October. During the winter adders hibernate underground. The young are usually born around August.
Adders are normally found on heathland or sand dunes. They can often be seen warming up their bodies (basking) in the sunshine. They feed on mice, voles and lizards.
Sometimes called the 'viper', of the three types of snake found in Britain, the adder is the only one which is venomous. They can be recognised by the dark zig-zag pattern running down the length of their back, and by the dark V-shaped marking on the back of their head.

Many thanks for your generous support of my last upload, with a special thank you to Julia (NaturesHaven) for the GEA and to Zoran(Bzox), Trev(Trev_B) and Stace (Stace) for their User Awards - all very much appreciated and valued Smile

Tags: Wild Snake Male Reptile Kill South downs Adder Poisonous Vipera berus Venomous Wildlife and nature

Voters: ColleenA, annie2020, Bzox and 63 more


Uploaded:
10 May 2013 11:19AM
Camera:
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Lens:
EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Shutter Speed:
1/500s
Aperture:
f/5.6
ISO:
800
Focal Length:
100.0 mm taken 15 inches from subject, handheld
More EXIF

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Comments


ColleenA Plus
8 471 7 Australia
10 May 2013 11:22AM
Oh wow...and you were HOW CLOSE???? a very brave lady....an amazing captureGrinGrinGrinGrin
Danny1970 Plus
7 92 United Kingdom
10 May 2013 11:26AM
Great shot, he looks very menacing.
gary_d 13 576 13 Wales
10 May 2013 11:29AM
15 inches, Tooo close, a fantastic image. - gary
Greyheron 18 282 7 England
10 May 2013 11:33AM
Glad you made the day Sylvia - a superb image and I'm sure you have many more to come - outstanding...

Mike
almiles 11 38 102 United Kingdom
10 May 2013 12:03PM
Beautifully sharp, great tongue position, well done Sylvia!
RonnieAG Plus
11 154 119 Scotland
10 May 2013 12:26PM
An excellent shot of this find in it's natural setting, Sylvia: doubt I'd have chanced moving in so close, partly from ignorance about your subject, so thanks for that detailed narrative up top.
Ronnie.
Daisymaye Plus
12 23 18 Canada
10 May 2013 2:17PM
Weren't you afraid of being bitten? A great sharp image.......Sandy
Geofferz 12 1 United Kingdom
10 May 2013 2:19PM
Brilliant capture. Geoff
teocali Plus
12 442 18 England
10 May 2013 2:35PM

Quote:Weren't you afraid of being bitten? A great sharp image.......Sandy


Not at all, Sandy - he was concentrating on my guide! Wink They also will not normally attack if you keep very still, even if you are within striking distance. I only got this shot because I was out with an expert who knows his snakes!
Goodley 11 United Kingdom
10 May 2013 2:55PM
just love it sylvia,cracking detail,and a great background,
kev.
ali63 9 790 1 United Kingdom
10 May 2013 3:29PM
An excellent image, you are much braver than I am,

Ali
chalkhillblue Plus
12 170 2 United Kingdom
10 May 2013 4:26PM
1st class Sylvia.
David
MalcolmM Plus
15 1.6k 5 Scotland
10 May 2013 4:31PM
Superb image - well done.
Malcolm
tomcat 15 6.4k 15 United Kingdom
10 May 2013 5:21PM
Superb in every way Sylvia

Adrian
Trev_B 14 151 68 England
10 May 2013 5:51PM
Wonderful Sylvia and very brave of youWink

Trev
rogerdoger 9 18
10 May 2013 7:06PM
Great Shot Sylvia,looks like you had a great day.
Regards Roger
Maiwand 14 3 73 England
10 May 2013 7:24PM
Top quality from every angle Sylvia. Great shot.
Ron
mauriceegan 8 3 Ireland
10 May 2013 8:32PM
Excellent image Sylvia
Maurice
MossyOak 9 22 15 England
10 May 2013 9:12PM
This is bloody brilliant Sylvia
Richard
Glostopcat 14 255 2 England
11 May 2013 1:02AM
An image of exceptional quality Sylvia, you were brave to get so close. I'm most impressed with the clarity and detail
Glostopcat 14 255 2 England
11 May 2013 1:05AM

Quote:15 inches, Tooo close, a fantastic image. - gary
If this were an amphibian Gary you'd have been running down the frog and toad at a speed quicker than Usain Bolt!Tongue
johnjo58 10 2 5 United Kingdom
11 May 2013 5:35PM
Wonderful animal superbly photographed Sylvia, love this image
David
bricurtis Plus
15 2.4k 50 England
12 May 2013 3:18PM
Superbly captured with the flicking of the tongue - immaculately detailed - and a killer bg. Well deserving of all the UAs Sylvia.
Brian.
PhilSingleton 8 4 United Kingdom
13 May 2013 11:02AM
Wonderful image Sylvia. Great timing with the tongue - he certainly looks dangerous !!

Phil.
DonMc 12 4 United Kingdom
14 May 2013 8:36PM
Sylvia, I am so jealous of this amazing image!SmileSmileSmile
Don
ninpo135 7 United Kingdom
15 May 2013 7:09PM
Lovely shot Sylvia.

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