Project365-4

Project365-4
Originally uploaded by CrazyDave53

Yesterday I visited South Shields Roman Fort where they had a snakes day. This is the Royal Python they had on display.


Python regius (Royal Python) is a non-venomous python species found in Africa. This is the smallest of the African pythons and is popular in the pet trade. No subspecies are currently recognized.

The name royal python (from the Latin "regius") is based in part on the story that Cleopatra supposedly wore the snake around her wrist.

This species is particularly revered in the traditional religion of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is considered symbolic of the earth, being an animal that travels so close to the ground. Even among many Christian Igbos, these pythons are treated with great care whenever they happen to wander into a village or onto someone's property; they are allowed to roam freely or are very gently picked up and placed out in a forest or field away from any homes. If one is accidentally killed, many communities in Igboland will still build a coffin for the snake's remains and give it a short funeral.

up close and personal

up close and personal
Originally uploaded by CrazyDave53

What a day I had trying to capture this little beauty. I originally came down into South Shields to go and capture some images at The Armed Forces Day in Bents Park after scooting around taking photos of bikes and anything else of interest I headed over to Marine Park. I had notice on the way down that the gardeners had redone all the flower beds, so perfect for a couple of Macro shots. As I got to the end of the park I noticed this bee flying around gathering pollen, and I thought OK lets try and capture it. If anybody has ever sat and watched a bee buzzing from flower to flower will understand this next part. I was literally jumping from flower to flower following this bee around snapping away in the hope of getting the perfect shot. I'm not sure what other people thought, who was gazing over at some amusement at such a spectacle that was been played in front of their very eyes. Approximately 20 shots later after both the bee and myself were totally exhausted, I checked my camera to find I had done it :)

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