"Braveheart" heartthrob Russell Crowe took time out from celebrity life to spend quality time with his children. He took them snake spotting.

Crowe and his sons, Charles, 6 and Tennyson, 3, took a trek into the bushes at home in Australia to see if they could spot any slithery reptiles.

The Australian actor Crowe tweeted: "Walking in the bush today w/- Charlie and Tenny pointing out places snakes like to hang. They are getting big now, T nearly walked all the way (sic)."

After months of touring the world with his movie "Robin Hood" which was a super success, Crowe is enjoying the down time with his family.

He wrote on his Twitter page at the weekend: "Spectacular clear skies in Perth, Western Australia. it was less than zero early this morning, but the day is waking up nicely."

Crowe's wife Danielle recently revealed that her husband is a "softie" with their children, despite the reputation he holds as a tough guy.

The singer said: "I don't think I've tamed Russell, I just think there's a natural progression when you become a parent - you're relaxed and happier. There's a pretty big shift in your focus when you have children. You can't really be selfish anymore, and I think that's a good shift.

"Having children is grounding and very humbling. But I'm the tough one with them, let me put it that way. He's the softie."