Slow-worm

I don't often find slow-worms and when I do it's mostly just a glimpse of the tail, as they slither away into the grass. But this one, sitting in the middle of the footpath,  was more accommodating - perhaps it was still chilled after a cool night and was still warming itself up in the early morning sun. I think it is the most beautiful specimen I have ever found, maybe around 14 inches long. 

When it sensed my presence it looped back over itself and very slowly slithered towards the grassy verge.

As it moved it constantly flicked its blue tongue, using it to sense its surroundings.