Farnboro John
Well-known member
The other day I was near Farnborough Airfield with half an eye on the planes but most of my attention on a small Adder that was periodically emerging from the edge of the long grass to bask. I have to admit it usually went back in as I shifted to photograph aircraft, but where I was is the only spot that gives a clear view over the chainlink fence - which doesn't improve one's photos, so the viewing bank is popular with spotters.
Anyway, having watched it go in and out several times I began to stake it out, and as it came out again I prepared to try and photograph it.
My approach to keeping my distance with Adders has always been based on the rule of thumb that a snake can only strike forward about a third of its body length. This Adder was about a foot long, ergo, about four inches.
This time it didn't slow down and coil up at the edge of the grass but took a decision to head for the steep South-facing bank dropping away behind me, and came straight for my left foot. I waited as long as my nerve lasted and then jumped smartly to the right. The snake promptly doubled back on itself, and as its head slid past its tail on the way back to the grass, braced said tail and launched itself like a javelin into cover, travelling about two body-lengths in a heartbeat. A fairly pounding heartbeat, once I realised what I'd just seen!
So, rule of thumb out of the window. I shall take a slightly different approach to photographing Adders in future, though I still think this projective ability only applies to horizontal, rather than vertical travel. No more moving shortish lenses slowly up towards coiled snakes down to a few inches.
John
Anyway, having watched it go in and out several times I began to stake it out, and as it came out again I prepared to try and photograph it.
My approach to keeping my distance with Adders has always been based on the rule of thumb that a snake can only strike forward about a third of its body length. This Adder was about a foot long, ergo, about four inches.
This time it didn't slow down and coil up at the edge of the grass but took a decision to head for the steep South-facing bank dropping away behind me, and came straight for my left foot. I waited as long as my nerve lasted and then jumped smartly to the right. The snake promptly doubled back on itself, and as its head slid past its tail on the way back to the grass, braced said tail and launched itself like a javelin into cover, travelling about two body-lengths in a heartbeat. A fairly pounding heartbeat, once I realised what I'd just seen!
So, rule of thumb out of the window. I shall take a slightly different approach to photographing Adders in future, though I still think this projective ability only applies to horizontal, rather than vertical travel. No more moving shortish lenses slowly up towards coiled snakes down to a few inches.
John
