For this reason and a few others, we have barely traveled this year and have not been out of Europe at all. So I / we mainly spent the time checking some local areas.
Besides for an 1 hour excursion, all the pictures were taken in spots within a driving range of 5 - 30 minutes.
In early spring I missed the sneaky short mating meeting of the Common Frogs. I just saw a few individuals, but not the dozens during their time in the water.
It is always way easier with the Common Toads, so here I was more successful.
- Rana temporaria - Common Frog
- Salamandra s. terrestris - Barred Fire Salamander
- Bufo bufo - Common Toad
- upcoming wrestling fight
- Ichthyosaura alpestris - Alpine Newt, male
- Ichthyosaura alpestris - Alpine Newt, larva
- Ichthyosaura alpestris - Alpine Newt, female
With the sunshine, the Common Wall Lizards are out. Close to the Rhine are some good spots to take pictures of them... high numbers and not shy.
- Podarcis muralis - Common Wall Lizard
- fancy firebug scarf
Some pictures taken during spring / summer:
- Anguis fragilis - Slow Worm
- Natrix natrix - Grass Snake
- Zootoca vivipara - Viviparous lizard
- Coronella austriaca - Smooth Snake
- Zootoca vivipara - Viviparous lizard
- Natrix natrix - Grass Snake
- Lacerta agilis - Sand Lizard
- Platycnemis pennipes - White-legged Damselfly
- Natrix tessellata - Dice Snake
- Very nicely coloured Slow Worm
This summer I visited a nice habitat 1 hour away from my home for the first time. A little late and dry, but I found some cool critters.
- Hyla arborea - European Tree Frog, freshly metamorphosed
- Argiope bruennichi - Wasp Spider
- Bombina variegata - Yellow-bellied Toad
I am very fortunate to live in the center of one of Germanys Aesculapian Snake populations. This year I observed many of these amazing reptiles.
- Zamenis longissimus - Aesculapian Snake
Fire Salamanders usually finish the season
Merry Christmas!
