Castle beach dive & Sand lizards

Castle beach

I did a shallow dive along castle beach on monday not really knowing what to expect, having done numerous rockpool studies there is was interesting to find what lied just that little bit further

a few days later my other great love in photography, reptiles came to my attention as i went looking at my sand lizard site to see how many i could find. it was incredible with over 12 different sitings showing a healthy population.

Male sand Lizard

Male Common Lizard

Hints -

- When doing a shallow dive buoyancy is key so you dont stir up the bottom (i'll be the first to admit mine isn't perfect!) the 'backscatter' can really hinder a otherwise great image

- Try to visualise what your going to find, in this case a fisheye lens wasn't the best choice as most of the subjects were quite small but i made do with what i had.

- Timing is key! the lizards are super charged with energy by midday however in the morning they are slow and more accommodating the photograph!

www.jackperksphotography.co.uk

Sand Lizard survey

Today i went in search with members of CRAG for sand lizards a quite rare lizard in the UK and only british reptile i hadn't seen. For conservation reasons i cant release the location of the survey but it was in Cornwall!

Possible sand lizard burrows in the sand

The only sand lizard of the trip a beautifully vibrant male they get their breeding colours around this time of year

NOTE: The sand lizard is strictly protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation (Natural habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended). Capturing, disturbing, injuring and killing sand lizards is prohibited, as is damaging or destroying their breeding sites and resting places.

Hints -

- Look for a south facing bank reptiles like to bask early in the morning
- if you require a licence to photograph something get one|! dont risk it you can look at fines up to £5000 and 6 months imprisonment.
- id recommend a long lens as they are very skittish and most attepts to get close will result in them running away.

www.jackperksphotography.co.uk
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Bissoe visit with CRAG & Cornwall wildlife trust

Getting in contact with local groups is incredibly beneficial to the nature photographer as theirs wealth of knowledge to be had with in them so acting on this i went to a reptile & amphibian survey day at Bissoe valley nature reserve in Cornwall not far from Truro and owned by Cornwall Wildlife Trust. The wildlife trust is a great organisation to get involved where ever you are in the country and would highly recommend getting involved with them! the other organisation there today was CRAG (Cornwall Reptile & Amphibian Group) who monitor the herptiles around Cornwall.

Duncan (centre) the warden for Bissoe taking us around the reserve and its many ponds home to Palmate newts, Grass snakes and  Toads.

Pete one of CRAG'S volunteers with a damsel fly

 One of the many Palmate newts found during the survey

 While the volunteers look for amphibian life this Common Toad sits by the pond with its tadpoles

After this herptile filled morning i then went to slow worm site not to far away to try my look for some legless lizards and found a healthy population basking in the april sunshine.

Hints -

- Get involved with the Wildlife Trusts! or other organisations like ARG, RSPB and The National Trust
- Know what species are likely to be in the area