Reptiles in the UK

[JaySteel]

Hi everyone. I thought I'd share a couple of shots that I took last weekend of a Black Adder. I've only seen a few of these in the wild and I was thrilled to capture these shots of this beautiful snake. I'll post all my photos of wild British reptiles on this thread from now on.

Best regards,
Jason



http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/8173/blackadder3jasonsteel10.jpg



http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/6921/blackadder5jasonsteel80.jpg



As usual, larger versions can be seen on my website here:
Jason Steel Wildlife Photography (http://www.jasonsteelwildlifephotography.yolasite.com)



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[reptile65]

Wow. Those photos are really impressive. Great looking snake, too.

[ilovemypets1988]

where abouts in the uk are you as i used to catch adders where i used to live all the time - pembrey woods, in carmarhenshire, south wales

[JaySteel]

Thanks for your replies. These shots were taken in Kent

Best regards,
Jason

[ilovemypets1988]

Thanks for your replies. These shots were taken in Kent

Best regards,
Jason

not far from me then :) lol, good pics though either way

p.s. im in surrey

[SnakeyJay]

Really clear shots... Id love to go out field herping but I woudnt know where to start lol.

[stephanbakir]

Great looking snakes, love the Lord of the Rings eyes.

[JaySteel]

Thanks for your comments. Stephan you're the only person that has mentioned the 'Lord of the Rings' look about the eyes. That was my first thought when I started photographing Adders!

A found a couple of toads in the car park at work today so I thought I'd share them with you.


http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/6862/toad13jasonsteel1000.jpg



http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5885/toad12jasonsteel1000.jpg



http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/5474/toad11jasonsteel1000.jpg



http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3467/toad14jasonsteel1000.jpg



Best regards,
Jason

[sassy_snake_lady]

Great pics.

The Adder is stunning.

[JaySteel]

Thanks very much. One more Toad shot just to show the size:

http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/7107/toad15jasonsteel1000.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/848/toad15jasonsteel1000.jpg/)

Best regards,
Jason

[JaySteel]

And one more just because I like it!


http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/4853/toad16jasonsteel800.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/189/toad16jasonsteel800.jpg/)



Best regards,
Jason

[brxy7]

brilliant photos mate.
i will add a link to your website from mine.

nice one mate.

[JaySteel]

Thanks very much for your comments and your link to my site.
And that's a lovely looking snake you've got there!


Best regards,
Jason

[brxy7]

no problem attol
its in the link section

HOME - MORELIA CARPET PYTHONS (http://www.junglecarpetpython.webs.com)

thanks
Andy

[JaySteel]

I haven't posted posted any reptile photos in a while so here's a recent adder shot:


http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6967/adder69jasonsteel750.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/adder69jasonsteel750.jpg/)


Best regards,
Jason

[stephanbakir]

Fantastic shot!

[JaySteel]

Thanks Stephan.

[NennaMeerkat]

You have a talent for capturing these awesome shots. How far were you from the Adders to get them?

[JaySteel]

Thanks very much. I'm usually about 2ft away from the snakes I'm photographing but sometimes a little closer. I'm always just outside of their striking range.

[NennaMeerkat]

Figured you were really really close or had a hell of a zoom on your equipment LOL Good for those snakes being so cooperative.

[JaySteel]

One from yesterday:

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5910/adder71jasonsteel800.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/32/adder71jasonsteel800.jpg/)

[marvelfreak]

Cool pic...

[JaySteel]

Thanks. :)

[stephanbakir]

That eye is incredible.

[Kayla90]

Wow, those are such amazing pictures. I'll be sure to take a look at your site :D

[JaySteel]

Thank you both. This Adder is just about to slough so the eye scale has that blue tint. I also photographed this Adder back in the Spring just after it had sloughed and the snake had a green tint to it then. It's a shame that Adders don't retain these mating colours after the Spring as these dull shades of brown are not nearly as attractive.

Best regards,
Jason

[unknownclown]

Beautiful snake love the pics!

[JaySteel]

Thanks. :)

[.: Laura :.]

Where abouts in Kent are the pictures taken?

[JaySteel]

Hi Laura. I've photographed Adders in several places in Kent including: Dover, Folkestone, Gillingham, Dartford and Sevenoaks. They are present in many other places in Kent too.

Best regards,
Jason

[.: Laura :.]

So close to me :D

[jtfife]

Amazing pictures! Thanks for sharing.

[JaySteel]

Thanks jtfife.

[snake man12]

love the last one, almost doing the perryscope

[alessia55]

Jason, your website is phenomenal. I love that you put information about the adders between the photos. All of your work is commendable. Keep putting up more! :)

[JaySteel]

Thank you both. I really appreciate your kind words of encouragement. I'm always adding more photos to my website. The squirrels one were taken on Sunday. All the reptiles here are just about to start hibernating so I may not get to add any more snake photos until about March next year.

Jason

[JaySteel]

Hi everyone. I was out in the garden today picking up leaves and cutting back the brambles. Much of my garden is left for the frogs so it doesn't get too much maintenance. I found several frogs hoping around whilst picking up the leaves. This is not uncommon as I've always had frogs there for the last 27 years. Today though they looked distinctly different. My frogs are always green but these ones were pretty red in colour. I know red frogs are not rare in the UK but they are to my garden. The frog in the first photo was pretty huge for a common frog in the UK. It looked like it had come straight from the gym! lol


http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4320/frog4jasonsteel600.jpg


http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/9530/frog5jasonsteel600.jpg


http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2860/frog6jasonsteel600.jpg


http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/629/frog7jasonsteel600.jpg


http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4830/frog8jasonsteel600.jpg


http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/6902/frog9jasonsteel600.jpg


Jason

[millertime89]

are frogs capable of changing colors like chameleons?

[JaySteel]

No, not to the same degree. Some frogs including the European Common Frog above can lighten or darken their skin tones to match their surroundings but they can't actually change colour. The Common Toad in the UK does the same thing. When I find toads under logs or piles or debris they are often very dark in colour. Once disturbed they become active,their blood starts to flow around their bodies and their skin quickly changes to a much lighter shade and their colour is revealed.

Jason