Frustration!

Isnt it funny...i had the same issue with a frog last night! And no matter how I tell myself that a slow worm is a lizard, I still shudder at the thought of them...even though I love Lizards! :)

Compost Cam?!☺

Oh Stera what a shame, you'll just have to creep up on your compost bin more often, its typical though, times I've missed out on a good shot because I've not had my camera or mobile with me, very frustrating and I could kick myself.. Have to be honest with you though, as you already know I am a wuss at times, would probably have run very fast if I actually saw one in my compost bin, like Karen I am shuddering at even the thought of that happening...lol..

Did you put the lid back down before going for the camera? When Victoria was at Parc slip reserve she found putting the corrugated sheets down while she got her camera out usually meant those and the adders stayed put. they didn't get squashed either. She'd prepare the right lens to the correct sort of focussing distance to give herself a fighting chance. many images were blurred but she did get lucky on several occasions.

I wish we had slow worms. or at least evidence of them.

Did you leave the lid off Sue? We have many stealthy flyers here spying me from the trees looking for an easy meal. They could have been breakfast for somebody.

I put the lid back very gently. I had another look later in the afternoon but there was only the female. They like it best when the sun's on the bin so I will try again soon.
Paul we don't get birds of prey in the garden. The biggest birds we usually get are rooks. But a larger bird would not have been able to fit into the bin as its a 'dalek' shaped one and only half full..
Sbg I did find a slow worm and a grass snake under a corrugated plastic sheet once but didn't have a camera handy.

Lincs I like the idea of creeping up on the bin!

Karen if you see them comparatively often the creepiness wears off, it does honestly.

I'll get them eventually, see if I don't...

Darren I'll pass on that one...

Hi Sue, I've only seen a slow worm once in my life, and that was on holiday in Pembrokeshire when I was 11 years old, I also saw loads of Lizards, which I hadn't seen in my area, it was 50 years later, whilst I was taking down a dry stone wall in the garden, that I saw a family of them, and I've not seen any since, [there was also a family of mice, the parents ran off, the young got decapitated], I don't expect to see any lizards or slow worms, any time soon, but you never know, Derek.

I'd never seen one before we came here Derek, and not seen a lizard here either..What a surprise to find them in a stone wall! How horrible to decapitate the mice. I did for some once when I was removing low turf wall and there was a family of baby ones in it. I felt dreadful but there was nothing to be done. Up there in 1000feet up Sheffield it was too cold for lizards (and for me too much of the time!)

I put it jokingly but small security cameras with motion sensors & infra red LED lights are really cheap these days. Not 'big camera' quality images but capable of good snaps & video. If you can connect it to your WiFi, the cam's waterproof & you have a decent viewing/recording app then you have a good nature camera

I bought a really cheap one and sadly it was a complete waste of money.

Oh, Stera, I do feel for you! How very frustrating! Still one day you will probably be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time with your camera & you'll get the best shot ever!!! :)

My best pictures are serendipitous. Most are throw-aways. Can anybody recommend a good camera for night time photography? I'm currently using Canon SureShot. New York City and the lunar eclipse are beyond its capabilities- it's total rubbish.

hubby still uses film and infra red film for night shots of wildlife.
I have a lumix and get good images, though you get better pictures at night with a longer shutter speed and the camera on a tripod to stop camera shake. ideal for lunar shots and flowers at night. for wildlife a ring flash that gives a wider flash works well for the daughter and me when I can get my hands on it. Not cheap though.