Big Viper
All summer we were scouting for vipers, but without any luck, just until mid September. I discovered this huge viper hiding and sunning in the bushes. This was one of the first of many photographs taken, but I remember very the shaking when taking these shots and in the mean while trying to contact a friend photographer about this discovery.
Large vipers tend to use a sunbathing place for several years, so when temperatures go up again next year, many pictures are likely to follow...
This specimen was at least 70cm long and beautifully colored.
''Vipera berus'', the common European adder or common European viper, is a venomous viper species that is extremely widespread and can be found throughout most of Western Europe and all the way to Far East Asia. Known by a host of common names including ''Common adder'' and ''Common viper'', adders have been the subject of much folklore in Britain and other European countries. They are not regarded as highly dangerous; the snake is not aggressive and usually only bites when alarmed or disturbed... more
