Spring & Slow-worms

Spring has suddenly sprung this week as we have enjoyed a burst of warm weather.  I keep an eye out at the time of year for emerging lizards and snakes.  Never easy to see unless you know where to look.  Earlier this week a large female grass snake (about two and a half feet long and thick as my thumb) surprised us while walking by swimming across a large puddle before vanishing into the undergrowth.  On the same day, I saw a small male grass snake with beautiful yellow and black head markings.  That one was coiled and small enough to fit in my palm but it was also warm enough to decide to quickly move off into the grass.  

Today at a spot of cover that I’ve watched for several years now I found a rather splendid slow-worm that was nearly 12” long warming itself.  I managed to get a good look and took a few photos with my iPhone before leaving it undisturbed. 

Seeing these lizards is a good sign that its warming up.  

Photographed with Apple iPhone 6S