Euro Jaunty boys trip to Romania/Bulgaria

[Paul Lambourne]

]I was fortunate last week to participate in a herping trip with a team of Dutch and Brits, to Romania and Bulgaria.

It is late in the season, but although we did not see all our targets, I achieved a life time tick in the form of the steppe runner.. something I have wanted to see since I got my first herp book as a small child..( just after WW1)

Considering its mid October we managed to see a fair number of herps, including 8 ammodytes.. as well as some great amphibians...

Huge thanks as always to the usual suspects.. Bobby for his superb organisation and Gert Jan for his driving skills..thanks also to Ronald, Trev and Sean for the photography advice and making me laugh..intentionally or otherwise

Bobby and Gert Jan will producing their normal slick reports, but I thought I would post a few shaky offerings of my own... firstly some snakes..

Firstly a lovely almost axanthic longissimus

An angry malpolon that bit Boobby (the snake looked sicker than Bobby)

A very cute caspius, a very common snake in both countries

Given the lateness of the season we were very lucky to see a fair few ammos..

Finally a few natrix

[Ronald Zimmerman]

You did a great job with the Malpolon photo!
It was a great trip, with a great atmosphere and I think 11 new ticks for me.
I will post my photos later.

[Mario Schweiger]

Well done, Paul
The ammo female photo looks great. Still gravid or just well fed?

[Bobby Bok]

Pleasure is totally mine! Love that Malpie shot! A great trip with two amazing destinations, sadly not all of our desiderata were found but who cares with so many other great species

For more pictures and a report of the trip see my website:
http://www.herpsafari.nl/tripreports-eu ... -bulgaria/

The ammodytes had just fed, by the size of the prey I am guessing a small mammal...

[Guillaume Gomard]

Nice results for 6 days! I think that the deception of the DOR Elaphe sauromates should be compensated by all the rest, including the longissimus (funny video by the way), the black Natrix, etc. The grass snake preying on Agile Frog is a really cool shot, congrats to Trevor!

" three European Pond Terrapins (Emys orbicularis) that fell into a deep hole were saved by GJ." : What a nice guy

[Jürgen Gebhart]

Dear Paula, your pics getting better and better congrats on that!

Now I know why GJ prefers this Trip more than Oman – Pyiama-parties with Bobby!

[GertJan Verspui]

Paul, nice!

[Peter Oefinger]

Great shots, Paul - but did you only find snakes or also some real herps?
Bobby: cool report - but no police this time?
Damn - I'm already fantasizing of going back to that area.
Thanks for sharing.

[Ilian Velikov]

Paul and Bobby, thank you both for these reports. Some great shots from both of you. I'm glad you had a nice time in Bulgaria and neighbouring Romania. Good number of species too! Congrats

[Ronald Zimmerman]

I am working on the photos for my own report. It will take some time. For now I have one photo to contribute.

Eastern Tree Frog (Hyla orientalis)