 |
|
|
"Blue" adders: |
| Author | Message |
|
Wolfgang Wuster Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 326  View other posts by Wolfgang Wuster |
Posted: 13 Mar 2004 Just wondering: are male adders starting to go "blue" for their spring shed in other parts of the UK yet? Saw one today on Anglesey that had very obvious blue eyes. Here are a couple of other shots taken today (despite showers and a howling gale): 
Male coiled up as found 
A posed shot 
The last thing a vole ever sees... Cheers, Wolfgang Wolfgang Wüster School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor http://sbsweb.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/ |
|
Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 13 Mar 2004 Adders in the 'blue' in N.Wales is early, mating at Cors Caron, mid-Wales is around 3rd or 4th week of April, more to do with altitude I guess, Sylia Sheldon's adders in the Wyre Forest Shropshire mate during the first 2 weeks of April. The male spring moult here in Dorset is first week in April but less syncronised than say ten years ago. I see that you are enjoying your camera Wolfgang is this with the 18-30mm lens that comes with the camera? or are you using one of the prime macro lenses? Had a grass snake that had obviously fed today at Studland. Tony |
|
Wolfgang Wuster Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 326 View other posts by Wolfgang Wuster |
Posted: 14 Mar 2004 Hi Tony, Yup, enjoying my camera immensely - a serious case of the "boys and toys" syndrome 
The shots were taken with 3 different lenses: the "coiled in situ" shot was taken with a 100-300 mm zoom, the "posed on moss" shot with the 18-50 mm lens supplied with the camera (35mm equivalent 28-80), and the close-up with a 100 mm macro. Cheers, Wolfgang Wolfgang Wüster School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor http://sbsweb.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/ |
|
Leigh Member Joined: 15 Jul 2003 No. of posts: 16 View other posts by Leigh |
Posted: 14 Mar 2004 Hi Tony/Wolfgang What are the approx temperatures that you are seeing these snakes in? The ones at the site at Allerthorpe seem to be very reluctant to show themselves (with the odd exception), or is Yorkshire getting the colder weather?? Leigh Photo and Digital Imaging http://www.leightovey.com |
|
Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 14 Mar 2004 Hi Leigh Here are some times and gen air temp and locations for lyin out Studland 8degC Tight coil two males together Corfe Castle 7degC Tight coil Corfe castle 9degC Loose flattened coil Durlston (Swanage) 8deg tight coil three males together Hartland 10degC Extended flattened coil Furzebrook 8degC Tight coil, coiled with Natrix male Studland 11degC Loose flattened coil I find that if it has rained during the night then sightings are usually Zero( exact opp of summer). Even if there is a cold wind snakes will lie out as long as it is sheltered. You will be surprisd how much warmer it is if you lie on the ground in adder fashion, get some strange looks but good way to take pics also. Tony |
|
Leigh Member Joined: 15 Jul 2003 No. of posts: 16 View other posts by Leigh |
Posted: 14 Mar 2004 Hi Tony Thanks for the info. The area at Allerthorpe is also extremely popular with dog-walkers, so that may possibly be another reason. (At weekends the place is inundated, so I try to make my visits during the week.) Cheers Leigh Photo and Digital Imaging http://www.leightovey.com |
- "Blue" adders |