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.

Praying for Reptiles (Vipers)

Actually the main goal of this trip was to observe vipers... unfortunately that did not work.

Anyway it was nice to find some Reptiles and a lot of Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa).

This Stone Wall is the perfect habitat for reptiles, especially for the Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis brongniardii). These lizards can be very curious, so with a little patience portraits like this are possible. 

It was the first time I saw mating European mantis. I don't know if the male Mantis survived this...

The most beautiful observation of this trip was this little Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca). Not the viper I was hoping to find, but still an amazing snake!