One from Essex 2012

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   I hope everyone appreciates the effort I went to to get this in-situ shot complete with annoying bit of vegetation, kneeling in the brambles and hands on the stinging nettles:

Despite the weather being close to perfect, it was a slow start this morning with only three grass snakes showing, this one, an adult male and largish adult female. I think the light frost last night here in Essex slowed thing down and the site is more of an 'afternoon' site.

Recorded sixteen clumps of frog spawn, locally there is a bit of a lack of common frogs so it was nice to be at a site where there is a healthy population. I have to own up I only found one of the clumps myself, the site manager carried on looking when I had all but given up after finding the single clump along the sunniest bank. He found 15 more clumps in quite a shaded but shallow spot. We figured it was less prone to the ducks disturbing it but would catch the afternoon sun, clever frogs!

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
GemmaJF Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359	Post Options Post Reply Quote GemmaJF Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: One from Essex 2012 Posted: 22 Mar 2012 at 4:39pm
	I hope everyone appreciates the effort I went to to get this in-situ shot complete with annoying bit of vegetation, kneeling in the brambles and hands on the stinging nettles: Despite the weather being close to perfect, it was a slow start this morning with only three grass snakes showing, this one, an adult male and largish adult female. I think the light frost last night here in Essex slowed thing down and the site is more of an 'afternoon' site. Recorded sixteen clumps of frog spawn, locally there is a bit of a lack of common frogs so it was nice to be at a site where there is a healthy population. I have to own up I only found one of the clumps myself, the site manager carried on looking when I had all but given up after finding the single clump along the sunniest bank. He found 15 more clumps in quite a shaded but shallow spot. We figured it was less prone to the ducks disturbing it but would catch the afternoon sun, clever frogs!

tim hamlett Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1062	Post Options Post Reply Quote tim hamlett Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 2012 at 7:46pm
	in situ grassie shots really are the most difficult...nicely done! tim

Robert V Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1264	Post Options Post Reply Quote Robert V Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2012 at 5:54pm
	I do appreciate it Gemma, I know exactly what you mean. I had to wait 35 minutes for this grumpy girl to come back out (after one heavy foot fall sent her into hiding) and by which time I was busting for the loo!!!
	RobV

tim hamlett Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1062	Post Options Post Reply Quote tim hamlett Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2012 at 6:06pm
	lol well done rob tim

GemmaJF Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359	Post Options Post Reply Quote GemmaJF Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2012 at 10:31pm
	Lol Rob, you should have just peed yourself, not too much to ask is it? You sure though you were not holding on to that grassie's tail out of shot?? Seriously though that is a lovely picture, Maybe Chris could consider only using in-situ piccies on the new ID pages, they are way better and well worth the waiting and discomfort we go through to get them in my opinion.

Robert V Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1264	Post Options Post Reply Quote Robert V Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 2012 at 8:15am
	I totally agree with you Gemma and Tim. It takes lots more patience, sometimes with not very good results, to get a pic that is actually happening out there in the field. And lets face it, this is going to be the more restricated view that most people will see (if they're lucky), yes Chris, only use in situ shots R
	RobV

Robert V Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1264	Post Options Post Reply Quote Robert V Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 2012 at 8:18am
	And I have a bit of a problem now. I've got this new lens because the large 50 - 500 was just too unwieldy to use to get in situ shots. So I bought this 70-300 macro (sigma) but the problem???? I hear you ask.... Is that now when I pick up a Grassie etc, I can't stretch my arm out far enough for the damn thing to focus!!! AAAArrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh R
	RobV

AGILIS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1689	Post Options Post Reply Quote AGILIS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 2012 at 12:45pm
	When I see a grassie adder and smooth snakes all cuddled up basking with sand lizards I get a bit sus as to where in the wild it was taken Keith
	LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID