On my Belly for Snakes, Oil and Wild Tigers!

A good day today, a saturday and the sun is shining, usual shop then out with the camera.  first stop trying to photograph my Grass Snakes mating.  So arrived at the spot set the tripod up got comfortable waited for half an hour, nothing not even a rustle in the grass.  However, a common shrew made an appearance as did a big Dog Fox that made me jump as it sneaked up on me to take a look at what I was doing.  However perseverance paid off as a big female grass snake appeared with a smallish male in tow.  I estimate the female at 4 going on 5 foot in length whilst the male might have made 18 inch to 2 foot.   However they refused to get in a good position for photographing. The best I could do is what you see,  the back of the female and the male sidled up by the side of her.  At least the photograph gives an impression of the relative sizes of the two snakes.  The little lad likes a big lady so to speak.  

Not the most exciting of photographs but shows two grass snakes making sweet music, Nottinghamshire April 2013. 

I also include a photograph taken on the same day of a nice little snake posing for the camera. This one was like a big bootlace, about 18 inch in length. 

Not the best photographs I have ever taken. Once I got home about 12ish I realised that my camera settings had been altered. I almost always photograph using aperture priority.  These were taken on some preset, probably landscape!  Note had to lie on my belly to get this shot. 

After a quick sandwich and adrink I wanted to make the most of the good spring weather so a trip to Budby Heath up sherwood way was in order.  The target, a yearly trip to see Oil Beetles, Meloe proscarabeus, My wife found them there a bout 3 years ago.  Below are a group of photographs showing a rather large female digging a hole in which to lay her eggs.  And guess what, I was lying on my belly again this time in the middle of a public footpath. Still I'm reasonably happy with photographs. 

Finally you can't go on Budby Heath in April or May without looking for one of my all time favourites, the Tiger Beetle, Cicindela campestris. Look for bare sand along the main paths, watch for insects flying up in front of you and follow the until they land.  Sneak up on them they're probably a Tiger Beetle avoiding your foot.  Also shown is a Tiger Beetle Larva, these bad boys eat ants that stray into their hole.  Fantastically designed, the head acts as a stopper.  To get them out I wiggle a bit of dried grass in the entrance to their hole, they can't resist coming to have a look. And guess what, I was on my belly when Photographing this larva. 

Tiger Beetle Larva, Budby Heath April 2013 

Adult Tiger Beetle, Budby Heath April 20th 2013

Grass Snakes - Natrix natrix

At last I can get out and about.  Clear blue sky this morning in my part of Nottinghamshire. So after the weekly shop out with the camera.  I do a yearly search for one of my favourite animals the Grass snake, Natrix natrix.  If you look on the NBN network you'd be forgiven into thinking that these chaps are all over the place judging by the number of filled in grid references.  However here in Notts I'm not convinced they are that common as I know of only one or two spots that I could go and look for them with confidence.  Anyhow armed with camera I set off hoping I could find one basking in the early morning sun warming itself and still docile enough for me to get close enough to without it skidding off at speed never to be seen again. When looking for snakes they usually, 9 times out of 10, have clocked you before you eye them.  You usually hear the slither and then catch a glimpse of the tail disappearing.  Knowing where they are does give you the edge, you can creep up on them (sometimes) and fire away a few shots.  Well today I was in luck, spotted 4 including one rather large old girl that did scoot off rather fast.  These two in the photograph played ball, I settled down about 6 ft away from a warm spot and waited.  Sure enough a couple turned up oblivious to my presence.  Must have spent a good hour watching them do very little, kept me happy.  Also had the pleasure of a peacock butterfly settle in front of me photo attached. On the snake photo see if you can see both snakes.  There are definitely two there although one is a lot easier to spot then the other.  Other snake photographs from previous years are on my flickr site accessible from this blog.  

Two grass snakes taking in the rays - Nottinghamshire 13th April 2013.

Peacock Butterfly sunning itself Saturday 13th April 2013 - Spring at last 

Know that the weather is hopefully picking up I'll be out and about a lot more. Thanks for looking and please add a comment if you have found anything interesting or wish to add a little more to each blog.