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Viper


Viper
Photo Information
Copyright: Matt Berry (rodosranger) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 80 W: 0 N: 347] (2101)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-04
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 30d
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2010-05-01 9:24
Viewed: 3390
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Adder (Vipera berus)

And now for some facts and folklore about these amazing creatures!

Female Adders swallow their young to protect them?

Old natural history books often tell how female Adders swallow their young to protect them from danger. This myth is even perpetuated by some countrymen who have spent their lives amongst Adders. This story suggests a degree of parental care which is sadly lacking in Adders. If she did attempt to swallow her own young the strong stomach acids would digest them. In all probability, this story originated when a gravid female Adder was killed with well developed young inside her.

The Adder in Arthurian legend...

One of the significant events attributed to the Adder in folklore appears in Arthurian legend. The Adder is said to have caused the start of the Battle of Camlan, the battle in which King Arthur was killed (in 537 AD). As the armies of King Arthur and Mordred (Arthur’s illegitimate son) faced each other an Adder emerged suddenly. One of Arthur’s men drew his sword to kill the animal, but Mordred believed this to be a sign of attack, prompting the battle to begin.

The Adder and the Anglo Saxons...

The Anglo-Saxons believed it was only necessary to say the word "Faul" to overcome the effects of Adder bite.

Faul; a word used as a charm against the bite of an adder:-Sume án word wið nædran bíte lǽraþ to cweðenne, ðæt is, Faul some teach us against bite of adder to speak one word, that is, Faul, L. M. 1, 45; Lchdm. ii. 114, 2.

Since almost everyone would survive Adder bite - albeit suffering some discomfort, this belief probably seemed to work quite well !

Notes taken from:
http://www.crislis.co.uk/adder/folklore.htm
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 358 W: 7 N: 1237] (7593)
  • [2010-05-01 9:44]

hi matt,
good one !!!
very nice details . good pov
TFS

nice closeup, TFS Ori

That's a killer image, Matt! Fantastic dept of field, powerful colors and brilliant sharpness! Not too bad indeed!
Regards,
George Veltchev

yeah man, make me even more jealous!!!
Well done
J

  • Great 
  • falke Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 153 W: 18 N: 479] (1863)
  • [2010-05-01 12:23]

Wow this is spectacular! Perfect technique and beautiful treatment! Thank you!

Hello Mat,
Wonderful close-up taken with good details, vivid colors and beautiful blurred BG. Well done!
Regards,
Mircea

impressive close up portrait
very good sharpness
i like the red eye and the tongue..

  • Great 
  • fthsm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 172 W: 56 N: 512] (3689)
  • [2010-05-02 7:06]

Woow, awesome. One of the best photos that I've ever seen on TN. TFS.

Hy Matt
Wow!!! It is a stunning image with a dangerous creature! Excellent image:comosition, pov, focus!
Regards,
Oana

absolutely superb

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