Category

Land Animal

Location

Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve, Essex

Gear

Nikon D500, Nikon 300 F4 PF ED VR, Nikon TC-14E III 1.4

Description

I have been observing adders at my local spot for 8 years now and have found out so much, simply by watching them. This particular individual was one of the first males to emerge from hibernation at one area of the site. It had a favourite basking spot, in a little leafy alcove just outside its hibernaculum. Adders will find areas in the sun to bask where they can quickly retreat into a bush or areas of vegetation. This means that they can often be tricky to photograph as they are very rarely in a photogenic spot, free from obstructions. If you spend enough time observing from a respectful distance, patience is rewarded every now and then. This was one of those moments where I instantly knew what type of shot I wanted to take, even down to the black and white aesthetic, and it was entirely dictated by the position the adder had coiled into. Using a long lens I was able to capture a frame filling overhead shot whilst still keeping a safe distance, causing no disturbance to the snake. By deciding to make this a black and white image I hoped that it would draw attention to this animal's incredible patterning. Nikon D500, Nikon 300 F4 PF ED VR, Nikon TC-14E III 1.4 F5.6, 1/640th, ISO 1800 Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve, Essex, UK

Photographer

Andrew Neal

Social Media

Instagram: @andynealphoto

Website: www.andrewneal.gallery

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