Adders (1 Viewer)

[AlexWinser]

I have found a local area that seems to be well populated with Adders and I have been trying to get some photo's of them. My best efforts so far are attached but does anyone have any advice on how to get closer and how to get better shots?

Thanks in advance.

Alex

 

[scampo]

I would stay away for fear of frightening the basking snakes, myself and use a zoom lens to foreshorten the distance instead of trying to get closer in.

The top photo is excellent - well done. They are often so well camouflaged I have found not to be very photogenic.

When you add photos to posts, btw, I think it's probably better to add them as an attachment rather than paste them into the post.

 

[Isurus]

I would stay away for fear of frightening the basking snakes, myself and use a zoom lens to foreshorten the distance instead of trying to get closer in.

The top photo is excellent - well done. They are often so well camouflaged I have found not to be very photogenic.

When you add photos to posts, btw, I think it's probably better to add them as an attachment rather than paste them into the post.

I really like the top photo too. attaching photos seems to be the convention here as scampo says (although personally I'd prefer people to paste them - thats just my preference :-C ). Going out early doors may help as the snakes may not be as warm and active and so less inclined to bolt. When you find a photogenically placed one I'd start taking pics using zoom and then move a little closer very slowly and repeat until you're in macro range. With time you can get very close to reptiles this way - The attached skink bumped his nose on the lens when he turned round!

 

[scampo]

I really like the top photo too. attaching photos seems to be the convention here as scampo says (although personally I'd prefer people to paste them - thats just my preference :-C ). Going out early doors may help as the snakes may not be as warm and active and so less inclined to bolt. When you find a photogenically placed one I'd start taking pics using zoom and then move a little closer very slowly and repeat until you're in macro range. With time you can get very close to reptiles this way - The attached skink bumped his nose on the lens when he turned round!

As fascinating as they are, I'm not sure I'd want to be close enough to an adder to use a macro setting! I suspect it would be rather foolhardy.

I think the idea of attaching photo images is something to do with keeping the web page as small as possible to help quick loading.

 

[AlexWinser]

Thanks all for the info. I will try to remember to attach the files next time rather than link them.

I have a 70-200mm lens but it only focuses from 6' back and I often want to get closer for a frame filling shot. The first shot was taken using a 90mm macro lens which get's me VERY close, maybe too close.

Alex

 

[scampo]

Thanks all for the info. I will try to remember to attach the files next time rather than link them.

I have a 70-200mm lens but it only focuses from 6' back and I often want to get closer for a frame filling shot. The first shot was taken using a 90mm macro lens which get's me VERY close, maybe too close.

Alex

I wish I had your access to them. There are areas up here that are supposed to have good numbers of adders but they always keep away from me! My best sightings have been in Northumberland.

 

[mrpjdavis]

I have a 70-200mm lens but it only focuses from 6' back and I often want to get closer for a frame filling shot. The first shot was taken using a 90mm macro lens which get's me VERY close, maybe too close.
Alex

Have you tried fitting an extension ring between the zoom lens and the camera body? You need the correct type in order to keep the linkages between the body and lens. A search on eBay will probably turn one up.

Cheers
Pete