Sunshine and Lizards

As soon as the sun comes out, the Common Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis) will do the same thing. Early in spring, even if it's still quite cold and many reptiles are hiding, these lizards show up to take a sunbath. I always like to walk along the old stone walls close to the Rhine, watching these reptiles. In some areas they are used to people walking by so they are not shy at all.

Here are a couple of the pictures I took. Very often they are just sneaking out of their "houses", offering perfect opportunities for portrait shots. Some lizards really seem to pose for the picture... one was even wearing a fancy firebug scarf.

March of the herps

This March was mainly very cold and grey in Germany. After the sun finally showed up, we went for a hike in the area and found some herps. First find was a Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis). A very handsome Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) took a sunbath on a mossy wooden log. Common Toads (Bufo bufo) were active in the pond we came across.