Snakes in the grass

Spring equinox, so time to look for adders.  But it was a big surprise to find that the last time I was there was five years ago, just before lockdown.  The forecast was for a cold sunny morning which would have been ideal but it turned out misty and hazy and the sun barely showed.  Still, the adders did come out in the hope of soaking up some warmth.

They lay on the bank, facing where the sun should have been.  To start with I had trouble finding one - they are camouflaged after all - but once I got my eye in it was easier.

I think most I of those I saw were males but it isn't easy (for me) to tell males from females before they shed their skins after emerging from hibernation.  Females are larger and brown/dark brown while the males are smaller and will eventually be silver and black.  I think this is a male.

And this might be a female.

The snakes regularly adjust their position to try to absorb more warmth.

There are two snakes here, coiled together.

These are well arranged to maximise heat absorption although it can be difficult to tell which end is which.

If I get the chance I may go back next month after their first moult, although the vegetation grows up quickly so they can be even more difficult to see.