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"EUROPEAN ANACONDA"


Photo Information
Copyright: Radomir Jaskula (cicindela) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 3103] (9226)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-08
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400, 35-105 mm 1:4,5-5,6, @ ISO 100
Exposure: f/5.5
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reptiles - Lizards, Chuckwallas, Agamas & Tegus 2, Reptiles of Europe, Reptiles (Reptilia), Karatash's other favorite -II- [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-06-15 6:16
Viewed: 8357
Points: 62
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Really this is not an anaconda, or even not a true snake (Serpentes) but just a normal Anguis fragilis (Anguidae). And really this is rather common and wide distributed lizard species in Europe. On the other hand here you can see it in very unusual habitat as for this typically terrestrial species. I really think that I was very lucky to observe it in the water because usually it can be found on the land, mainly in dry habitats, including sandy forest roads and similar places :>

As a lizard species A. fragilis is also interesting because of lack of legs, what is rather unusual in European lizards but typical in members of family Anguidae (there is only one more species from this family in Europe - Ophisaurus apodus).
It is a rather "long" species among European lizards, its size is up to 40-50cm.
It hunts mainly for small, usually slow invertebrates like snails and slugs, earthworms and spiders.

Specimen presented on this picture is typically coloured but from time to time individuals with blue spots can be observed.

This picture was taken in Biogradska Gora National Park where in the some habitat also Natrix natrix persa occurred. Both species are protected in Montenegro.
blakitan, meyerd, Kathleen, Bufo, angybone, eqshannon, XOTAELE, dew77, jmp, JORAPAVI, extramundi, Jamesp, Debz, ramthakur, cataclysta, septama, delic, marhowie, IulianGherghel has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To saguzar: lizard not snakecicindela 1 06-15 10:29
To pvs: lizard which can... swim :)cicindela 1 06-15 08:00
To Kathleen: polorisercicindela 1 06-15 07:50
To Bufo: swimming lizardcicindela 1 06-15 07:05
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Radomir,
Great shot, very nicely capturing this reptile.
Well composed picture.

BL

Hi Radomir.
Great moment to capture if its not often seen. Looking right at you adds interest. Like the way the water is just moving from the sides of him showing movement, colour and detail good, though here a poloriser would have helped the image to take the glare off the water.
Great image with notes.

Kathleen
New Zealand

  • Great 
  • Bufo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 404 W: 69 N: 951] (4247)
  • [2007-06-15 6:59]
  • [+]

Hi Radomir,
very odd. I have seen many slow worms, but never saw one swimming. It is great to see this picture. Did it swim a long distance?
Regards, Jacob

Wonderful view...interesting subject. The details on the skin are wonderful...the patterns are well contrasted and made visible. Good job.

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 254 N: 3161] (14464)
  • [2007-06-15 7:56]
  • [+]

Hi Radomir,

A nice inswim,well captured with good focus and exposure,I had no idea this slow worms could swim,anyway great camerawork and tfs

Paul

Ouch...although not a snake fancier, I like the way you have captured the menace in his eyes..Perhaps that is just the way he is... but what adds to the mystery is that he is partially buried into the water. A good lesson all around and very well taken.

Bob
Pacific Wilderness US

Hi Radomir,
Surely is the lesser brother of south america anaconda! he, he :)
Nice close-up very well done, you can notice taht is not a serpent but a lizzard. Excellent and concise note accompanied your image.
Regards
Hernán

  • Great 
  • ridvan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 498 W: 0 N: 1136] (5205)
  • [2007-06-15 12:14]

selam radomir; wow really excellent close up shot of this anaconda , very good details presented ,nice BG and POV well captured with nice colours TFS
regards
ridvan

Hola Radomir.
Un magnifico tiro, con bastante detalle y nitidez. Buenos efectos sobre el agua.
Saludos, JL.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2007-06-15 13:13]

Hello Radomir,
Very nice capture fake anaconda:)Details,sharpness,POV and framing are wonderful.
TFS..:-)

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1659 W: 95 N: 2273] (8415)
  • [2007-06-15 17:38]

Hi Radomir,
Excellent capture! I like composition of this so detailed lizard.
TFS, José M.

Bonjour,
Une belle photo avec un serpent qui semble nager dans de l'huile ! bien vu.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hola Radomir,
Excelente y poco habitual toma en TN, excelentes los detalles que nos muestras, bonita luz y fondo, muy completa la nota, Saludos
José Ramón

Hello Radomir.
Nice shot of this lizard, with good composition and great details. I like very much the texture of the water.
Best regards, have a nice weekend, MF.
BTW: Did you receive the shots of the gomphus I sent to you?

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2007-06-16 6:06]

Radomir, Yes it reminds me the movie. The color and the look is absolutely fantastic. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2007-06-16 7:39]

Hi Radomir

I missed this one - excellent shot of this slow worm. I have never seen one, so I am quite envious. Great action shot.

James

A wonderful capture from your trip to Montenegro in 2004, Radomir.
Your caption startled me at first glance; however, your note quelled all doubts.
The details and colours on this lizard you captured in water are exquisite. Surprised to realise that it has no legs and slithers like a snake.
Thanks for sharing this picture and the valuable info on it through your note.
Best regards.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2007-06-16 13:55]

Hi Radomir,
Splendid shot of this lizard. Very neat and sharp image with nice colours and fine focus. The sheen on its body is excellently captured and the intense eyes are just gorgeous and scary. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-06-16 22:44]

Hello Radomir

This is a strange animal,a lizard with out legs.Very good detail with excellent eye contact.The texture of the skin is well captured.Very good colour saturation.A most interesting post,TFS

Rob

I like the moment, the way it is watching at you. The composition is very good. Never seen an Anguis swiming like an Anaconda... Very original

Czesc Radziu
No anakonda jak to anakonda potworna mordercza to widac ten okrutny blysk w oku :-) Ujecie mi sie bardzo podoba tym barddziej ze nie widzialem nigdy padalca w wodzie
Pozdrowionka
Krzysiek

Hi Radomir,

Thought there is really an anaconda from Europe :), really unique creature, several times I saw a legless lizard but never see them swimming like this. Really great close up photo with nice eye contact from this beautiful model, love the detail of its scale also
TFS

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 440 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-06-17 17:12]

Hi Radomir,
Excellent portrait with eye contact. I was also fooled into thinking that this was a snake not seeing any feet. The smooth water surface provides a fine backdrop.
Best wishes,
Hakan

Hi Radomir,
Well composed headshot, excellent POV, with good detail & exposure.
I like the bit of reflection I see, and the title reels em' in nicely :)
Howard

Hi,
Wonderful shot!
I like this shot about "european anaconda", Anguis fragilis. is very expresive picture and the details are excelent.
Regards,
Iulian

  • Great 
  • GLEM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 540 W: 87 N: 750] (10)
  • [2007-06-25 7:46]

salut Radomir,
ahah amusant titre on pourrait presque y croire. Image intéressante dans sa composition, bonne diagonale et couleurs. La Dof est légèrement défayante sur la tête.

gl

nice pic, never saw this one in water, TFS Ori

Nice shot. Sharply focussed picture.

  • Great 
  • TicTac (36)
  • [2009-05-22 9:56]

Great picture, and if it is not an "european anaconda", I love it at all!

wonderful shot for this Anguis fragilis. In Italian we call it "Orbettino".
very nice specie nicely captured. I like the scene a lot
greetings
Matteo

An excellent and sharp capture.

SM

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