2018

With befriended herpers Niklas and Theresa, Laura and I went out to one of our favourite places to look for Adders (Vipera berus) in Munich. We were in luck as we found several beautiful black individuals!

Laura and I visited several beautiful lakes in the German Alps and thoroughly enjoyed the sunny weather. Herping was a little slow but one evening we could first observe two Beavers (Castor fiber) swimming calmly in the crystal clear waters, and later on several big Common Toads (Bufo bufo).

Tradition dictates that every year around our anniversary, Laura and I set out to one of our favourite places in the Alps. Great scenery, interesting herps, beetles and plants and a great place for swimming. Also this year. As usual we found several herps most notably Alpine Salamander (Salamandra atra). We took an in-situ shot of two individuals from under a log. When we looked back at the picture one year later we were in shock. There is also a Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra) hidden on that picture! For some time we have been trying to find the contact zone between the two species and (not knowingly) we found it that day!

Together with herping buddies Dominik and Michael, Laura and I tried our luck for early reptiles. With the sunny conditions we found several species making the most of this weather such as Adder (Vipera berus), Grass Snake (Natrix natrix), Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis), Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis) and even some early amphibians such as Water Frogs (Pelophylax spec.) and Common Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris).