The unmistakable diamond-back pattern of the adder is a wonderful thing to behold. But even if you're a fan of these reptiles, when you see one there's still a part of your brain that remembers with a jolt: 'that thing's poisonous!'.
With it being the only member of the viper family in the UK, and among very few venomous creatures in the British Isles, it presents an unusual encounter for most of us.
However, they are very unlikely to strike a human unless harassed so when I saw one the other day, after moment's pause (and with no intention of harassment), I could happily just look and think 'that's so cool'.
Kevin Sawford of RSPB-images.com has done a great job here of capturing this adult adder in its favoured heathland habitat.
Why not have a browse of our online image archive and soak up some other great wildlife moments.