I was just wondering what I could blog about next, when inspiration arrived in the garden in the form of a large snail! As it was a sunny day, it cast a shadow for the Shadow Hunter’s Contest. The shadow stretched across the ground in a nice, curved shape that mirrored the snail’s shell. Thank you snail!

This is my entry to the Shadow Hunter's #SMASh Contest - Round 428. Thank you to @melinda010100 and the team for running the contest.

I was concerned s/he might be trodden on by my neighbours, who share the communal garden. After a quick photoshoot, I tapped on its shell, which usually makes them retreat and unstick themselves from the ground. Unfortunately, this one only withdrew slightly and remained firmly stuck to the floor. I didn’t want to stress the snail out, so I decided to leave it be. It was 5 pm, and my neighbours only come out to take their rubbish out or hang washing out in the communal space. I thought they wouldn't bother at that time, so I was sure the snail would be safe.

There's one thing, when your subject is a snail, you have plenty of time to take photographs!

I did pop down later and the snail had gone. Not a squashed snail in sight!