Name: Emanuele Biggi
Picture title: Namib’s Gaze
Category: Animals
Nationality: Italian
Occupation: Naturalist and conservation photographer, Italian tv presenter

Emanuele says:
‘Finding the Peringuey’s adder (Bitis peringueyi) in its sandy habitat in the Namib Desert isn’t easy. I followed its tracks in the sand during the early morning and eventually found one under a small shrub with its eyes poking out. This adder is very small – the diameter of each eye is about 2-3mm, so even though I knew it was there, it was still hard to spot!

This species relies on camouflage to hunt and uses a sit-and-wait technique, leaving its nostrils and eyes above ground for breathing and scanning around. When prey comes near, the snake strikes and delivers a venomous bite.’

Technical information:
Nikon D810
Nikon AF-S 60mm macro
ISO 100
f/16
1/250 sec
Accessories: Flash bracket and flashes with custom made diffusers.
Post processing: Lightroom, light cropping of image.

Website: www.anura.it
Instagram: emanuele_biggi
Twitter: EmanueleBiggi
Facebook: EmanueleBiggiPhotographer

Read more: Close-up with Emanuele Biggi – Photography and Conservation