Wildlife photographers have shared some of the most striking photos of this spring so far.
When Phil Groves captured a sparrowhawk hunting low along the River Kent in Kendal last week, he admitted it was a matter of “right time, right place”.
Stephen Durham saw the “rare sight” of a viper attacking and killing a Eurasian water shrew, one of only two venomous mammals in the UK, at Bolliehope on Durham Heath.
Paul Murdoch said he “couldn’t believe” he had the privilege of witnessing a “lovers’ quarrel” between two Dippers in Whitehaven.
Durham, from Middlesbrough, described seeing the viper attacking the water shrew as a “special moment… it doesn’t happen very often”.
He said he was walking into a wooded area and happened upon the viper “basking in the morning sun” at the exact moment the unfortunate shrew bumped into it.
Stephen Durham describes seeing a viper attacking a Eurasian water shrew as a “rare sight” – and the snake being the luckier of the two [Stephen Durham]
“I would say within 15 seconds, the snake’s venom kicked in and the shrew was paralyzed.
“Then the snake grabbed it in its mouth and went into a patch of long grass next to a stone wall,” he said.
Durham said it was a “rare sight”, adding it was “ironic” that the water shrew was one of only two venomous mammals in the UK.
Water shrews are known for their venomous saliva, which is toxic enough to paralyze prey such as fish, frogs and salamanders, according to the Woodland Trust.
Paul Murdock says he ‘couldn’t believe’ he was so lucky to witness ‘lovers’ quarrel’ between two Dippers [Paul Murdock]
In Whitehaven, Paul Murdoch has a “lovers’ quarrel” between two Dippers.
“I must have been sitting in one place for three hours and once they trusted me, they became very close – that’s when the action happened,” he said.
“One minute they were feeding their young and the next they were 10 feet away fighting in the water.
Murdoch said his “heart was racing” and he “fired a barrage of shots.”
“I can’t believe I got to witness such behavior and it will stay with me for a long time,” he said.
Tarquin Pentecaster says watching a mother badger playing with her cubs is ‘soothing to the soul’ [Tarquin Pentecast]
Tarquin Pentecaster said he had been observing badgers in the Western Lakes for many years.
“It was a beautiful evening watching these playful animals,” he said, adding that seeing them waddling on the grass was “soothing to the soul.”
Dan Haley took this photo during a break in showers on the Farne Islands [NE Photography]
Dan Haley arrives at one of the Farne Islands during a “heavy rain”.
“I made the most of my alone time with the puffins while everyone was hiding to take these photos.
“I like the sky in the photo where the rain has stopped,” he said.
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