Friday, June 21, 2019

Nahe valley

The Nahe is a river in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, Germany, a left tributary to the Rhine. The name Nahe is derived from the Latin word Nava, which is supposed to be based upon the Celtic origin for the wild river. So much for the small introduction with wikipedia support. But yes, talking about the wild river in Germany, I think it has earned the name. This river is one of the very last spots in Germany, where the Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata) occurs. In the Vineyards around the river lives another gem: the Western Green Lizard (Lacerta bilineata). I spent a nice day in the beautiful area near Bad Kreuznach.

The river Nahe
The river Nahe

Pelophylax ridibundus - Marsh Frog
Pelophylax ridibundus - Marsh Frog

Calopteryx splendens - Banded Demoiselle ♂
Calopteryx splendens - Banded Demoiselle ♂

Fulica atra - Eurasian Coot
Fulica atra - Eurasian Coot

Natrix tessellata - Dice Snake
Natrix tessellata - Dice Snake

Natrix tessellata - Dice Snake
Natrix tessellata - Dice Snake

Habitat close to the vineyards
Habitat close to the vineyards

Lacerta bilineata - Western Green Lizard, juvenile
Lacerta bilineata - Western Green Lizard, juvenile

Lacerta bilineata - Western Green Lizard
Lacerta bilineata - Western Green Lizard