In reply to rlines:
> Great that you saw one of these fantastic creatures!
> I'd hate to think that any animal was put in the position that it felt it necessary to waste its precious venom (the only means it has to hunt and eat) as defence against a camera. I commend the interest, please take as many photos as you can - but please don't harm or stress these creatures unnecessarily.
> But I'd love to see the photo, if you can post it..
My pleasure, Just uploaded it:
http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.php?id=244023
I have great respect for the countryside I live in and especially it's wildlife. I hope it goes without saying but I'd never do anything to bring an adder to harm. I remember one time when I was riding over the Cheviot, I set my bike down to have a rest and a drink. Little did I know that the rock I rested my bike on was already occupied by a snoozing adder. I sat on the rock, sucking on my water bottle and thinking it was making an odd sort of sound. The hissing wasn't coming from my bottle! Once I spotted the snake, I stood up and it slithered off into the long grass. I realised it was pretty stressed but it was the last thing I expected to see sitting next to me.
On the occasion at Peel, I clocked it as I was racking up. I was stood pretty close to it and it didn't seem to be that bothered. I noticed it was waving its tongue at me so it was aware of my presence and yet it wasn't making a run for it. Holding my phone in front of it didn't appear to be causing it any stress, though in hindsight, why wouldn't it?
Jay