Bavarian Alps, part I

Samira and I actually had different travel plans, but because of COVID-19 all flights were canceled and borders were closed, so we decided to explore a bit of the southernmost part of Germany: the Bavarian Alps. 

The first days we stayed in a small town called Mittenwald, very close to the Lautersee and Ferchensee. So right after our arrival from the 6 hour drive, we checked these beautiful lakes.

Lautersee

Bufo bufo - Common Toad

Ferchensee

A raised bog is the perfect habitat for Amphibians & Reptiles... So the first full day of our trip we went to the Murnauer Moos. We saw several Grass Snakes and an entire Common Frog Kindergarten rising from a small pond. Also after quite some hiking, we found some Yellow-bellied Toads enjoying their life in a cozy puddle.

Habitat of Grass Snakes

Natrix natrix - Grass Snake

Habitat of tiny froglets and juvenile Grass Snakes hunting them

Rana temporaria - Common Frog, juvenile

Natrix natrix - Grass Snake, juvenile

Habitat of Yellow-bellied Toads

Bombina variegata - Yellow-bellied Toad

Bombina variegata - Yellow-bellied Toad

German spring - Amphibians

I spent another winter in Costa Rica, so I was able to flee from the cold and enjoy the tropical flora and fauna. Back in Germany, I also appreciate the European species. The timing is perfect, since Amphibians are by far most active during spring time.

Unfortunately I missed the annual meeting of dozens of Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) in their breeding pools, but I was lucky enough to find a single one sitting on a meadow close to a pond. The Common Toads (Bufo bufo) arrive a little bit later at the ponds and also they stay much longer in the water before they go back to the forest, so I was able to watch many of them. 

Rana temporaria - Common Frog

Bufo bufo - Common Toad

Bufo bufo - Common Toads, mating

Last year I showed a picture of an adult Barred Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra terrestris) at the Amphibious welcome in Germany So now it is time for a picture of a cute Salamander Larva. 

Salamandra salamandra terrestris - Barred Fire Salamander, Larva

You can tell the Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus) is a male by the webbed hind feet and a low, smooth crest along the back that continues into a slightly higher crest on the tail, ending in a thread-like tip.

Lissotriton helveticus - Palmate Newt, male 

Samira and I were super happy to find a beautiful and rare European Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates fuscus). We named this little cutie "Klumpi". The Pool Frog (Pelophylax lessonae) is way more common, but still very pretty.

Pelobates fuscus - European Spadefoot Toad, "Klumpi"

Pelophylax lessonae - Pool Frog