Wednesday 6 July 2016

It didn't quite add up.

Had a trip up to Fontburn Reservoir on Sunday. I was going to walk out of Greenleighton Quarry, something i've done a couple of times but on arrival it was cold, windy and the clouds were very threatening. I spent 45 minutes in the area but then decided to head to the main car park and see how the weather was by then. I took my time calling off at a couple of spots on the way and by then it was looking a bit better. I had an enjoyable if quiet few hours around the reservoir, the nature reserve and above on the moors but the highlight by far was on my return.
I was only some 100 metres from my car when, as i approached a slight bend in the path a rabbit came out of the undergrowth, hopped across the path and into the tall grass on the opposite side. It was 11.15 and i thought to myself "Very strange at this time in the morning" as it was within 10 metres of a number of fishermen along the waters edge. Almost immediately i found out why the bunny had shown.


This Adder had obviously stumbled upon the rabbit which had sent it packing. It didn't seem to have a problem with my presence and i enjoyed its company for a good 5 minutes. As is always the case i wish i had had another shorter lens with me as i couldn't capture the full length of the snake, i had taken a couple of pics on my phone but they weren't the best. I did lay down to capture some shots but the 300mm lens i was using did mean i couldn't get too close so i was pretty much safe. It spent most of the time scenting the air so i reckoned it was still interested in which way its potential quarry had gone and it did head off into the grasses in the same direction. A brilliant encounter with an awesome creature.

4 comments:

  1. It looks badly injured John as if someone has stood on it. Its eye is popped...poor thing.

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    1. I thought that might be the case Stewart but wasn't sure. I didn't notice it at the time but on the pics. That's perhaps why it did hang about for five minutes or so. It did move off into the undergrowth i'm pleased to say. Lot's of fishermen about (obviously) so perhaps one of them at some stage had caught it out.

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  2. How lucky are you they are fantastic shots. I have never seen an Adder in England (I saw two on Mull) and I have gone out looking on numerous occasions.

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    1. First one for me in a couple of years Ron. I found out later apparently there are plenty around on the north side at Fontburn. Most of my previous sightings had been while out walking in the Cheviots. Only other time i had photographed one was 6/7 years back while on holiday in Wales & visiting Cors Carron, a large raised bog, and it appeared from under the board walk. They are stunning creaturesand i look forward to my next encounter. Hope you get to see & capture one soon. I'm sure you'll make a great job of it !!!I look forward to that.

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