From Thessalia we drove north to the 3 countries corner Greece - Macedonia - Bulgaria to the lake Doirani
- landscape near lake Doirani
We arrived there at late afternoon, just at the time, when tortoises came out after the heat of the day.
- Testudo hermanni boettgeri at lake Doirani
- Testudo hermanni boettgeri baby, lake Doirani
At the late sun I was able to get a female Lacerta viridis. We have been astonished how small these lizards have been. We have seen some, but could get only this one. So we think, this is a fully grown female!
- Lacerta viridis female, dorsal view; lake Doirani
- Lacerta viridis female, ventral view; lake Doirani
... and one of the main interests from this spot
- Podarcis t. tauricus, lake Doirani
In the next morning we tried to find more Podarcis tauricus.
On our way we passed this very interesting foortball ground
- interesting football ground. a fence exatly at the middle line.
at the norteastern end of the lake there is a large forested, swampy area
- swampy area at the northeastern end of lake Doirani
and a last Podarcis tauricus male
- Podarcis t. tauricus male; lake Doirani
From Doirani we drove to Thessaloniki to pick up Christoph Riegler, who came down by plane to join the last days with us.
After we went east to the Volvi lake.
Near the western edge of the lake there is a huge Grey Heron breeding colony in an old Platanus tree
During the next morning we visited the north and eastern surroundings of lake Volvi.
But the day started not in that matter, we would like it
- road killed Eryx jaculus turcicus near lake Volvi
But we could find also some live reptiles
- Dolichophis caspius, preshedding stage; lake Volvi
- Typhlops vermicularis, lake Volvi
- Testudo graeca ibera baby, dorsal view; lake Volvi
- Testudo graeca ibera baby, ventral view; lake Volvi
A small river flows from the eastern end of the lake eastwards to the sea. The area is very humid with dense vegetation.
- Habitat of Vipera ammodytes meridionalis, Testudo hermanni and Pseudopus apodus east of lake Volvi
- Vipera ammodytes meridionalis male; east of lake Volvi
The next day we went westward to the Mikri Prespa lake.
- first view to Mikri Prespa lake
We have been woundering on the cows they should have there. But coudn´t find one of this morph.
- interesting cows they have in the area - with large Greek flags on body side!
The first day there a little bit around close to the lake.
- Lacerta viridis female in situ; Varnous mountain
- Lacerta viridis female; Varnous mountain
When you have the time in the field to watch, you may see Podarcis erhardi riveti just when a male meets a woman and start mating!
... go to part III (last)
Mario
