Remarkable Encounter ( 1 of 4)
Normally shy, adders (Vipera berus) in the breeding season will sometimes appear oblivious to human presence, presumably distracted by the mating urge. But this one (male? - hard to tell being melanistic) was well aware of my presence. Instead of fleeing - the normal response - or hissing at me, he slowly and deliberately raised himself to the camera. I wonder if he saw his own reflection and was wondering whether to indulge in combat with it? At any rate, he allowed a very close approach (never within striking distance, of course) allowing a series of very close up in situ shots. Eventually he slowly retreated into the gorse. A very nice type of melanistic adder, with orange highlights on many of the scales, too - what a privilege once again from the realm of the adder!
Remarkable Encounter ( 1 of 4)
Normally shy, adders (Vipera berus) in the breeding season will sometimes appear oblivious to human presence, presumably distracted by the mating urge. But this one (male? - hard to tell being melanistic) was well aware of my presence. Instead of fleeing - the normal response - or hissing at me, he slowly and deliberately raised himself to the camera. I wonder if he saw his own reflection and was wondering whether to indulge in combat with it? At any rate, he allowed a very close approach (never within striking distance, of course) allowing a series of very close up in situ shots. Eventually he slowly retreated into the gorse. A very nice type of melanistic adder, with orange highlights on many of the scales, too - what a privilege once again from the realm of the adder!