Hi everyone. I was out again today trying to photograph Adders. I only managed to see one male Adder but I wasn't able to get close enough for a shot before it disappeared. I did see a couple of Viviparous Lizards and a few Slow Worms as well. Here are a few shots of other wildlife that I was able to photograph.



I tried to photograph a Bee as it entered a flower collecting nectar. Unfortunately for the Bee this flower was to be its last.
As soon as the Bee settled this Crab Spider pounced. Grabbing the Bee with its front legs and injecting a lethal dose of venom. The Bee didn't even have time to struggle. The Crab Spider sat there holding the Bee until it was sure that it was dead and then it dragged the dead Bee away.






I also found a few of these Millipedes when I turned over a log. I didn't have a Millipede photo so I thought "why not?".





I saw six different butterflies today but was only able to get a decent photo of two of them. Here's the Speckled Wood Butterfly:





And last but not least: Whilst trying to photograph butterflies in a field I had the distinct feeling that someone was watching me! This handsome moggy was in the bushes on the prowl. I got a quick shot before he disappeared.




I hope you like them. Best regards,
Jason


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Absolutely stunning shots!! what equipment are you using?

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Life's too short to sit around "planning" to do things...................it's a waste if all you can say is I was planning to do that, but...."
Carpe diem, sieze the day..................

Nice work Jason

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Thanks very much for your comments. All these were taken using my Canon 40D and Canon 100mm Macro 2.8L IS lens and I was using natural lighting except for the millipede where I had to add a little flash.

Best regards,
Jason

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Really nice,love that first shot.

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Beautiful pics as always

Thanks very much for your kind comments.
Best regards,
Jason

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That crab spider is amazing! That mmust have been an amazing thing to see. Some really good shots there, well done!

A quick tip: if you see an Adder disappear into the undergrowth, wait around quietly for a few minutes; they almost always come back to bask near the same spot quite quickly (although I guess this only applies if you haven't tried to corner or chase it).

After a short while you'll hear a rustling in the undergrowth and the snake will come out and curl up where it was before... this can make photographing them even easier as you have a rough idea where they will come out and can set up your equipment for the best shot.

Regards,
Francis

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"There is a pleasure, sure, in being mad, which none but mad men know"
John Dryden, "The Spanish Friar"

Thanks for your comments Francis. I've had quite different experiences with Adders that I've tried to photograph. I have photographed quite a few last year but many disappeared before I got anywhere near them. Even after sitting silently and waiting patiently I've yet to see one return after it's spotted me and slithered off. I guess it all depends if the adder has basked long enough and warmed up enough to manage without having to resurface and face a potential predator.

Best regards,
Jason

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Here's some from today: Unfortunately I failed to spot and photograph any Adders today as I didn't get to the site until about 3pm which was far too late to catch them after such a beautiful sunny morning. I did however see a couple of Viviparous Lizards basking in the sun so at least it wasn't a wasted trip.










I then went back to see if that Crab Spider was there again today. It had to do a little searching but found her just a few inches away from the same spot as last time. I did a little reading about Crab Spiders after my last encounter and read that the male is much smaller than the powerful and aggressive female and many males risk being injured or eaten by the female when attempting to mate.

It's no wonder then that this male Crab Spider waited until the female had her hands (legs) full before jumping up and seizing this opportunity!










Best regards,
Jason


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