In this last couple of days we once again crossed the EU borders to visit our relatives, and of course to see as much wildlife as possible.
The nights in the steppe were cold, with freezing temperatures, but the days were nice and warm, around 20 degrees.
The amphibians were breeding and their calls filled the air.
Many Fire bellied toads - Bombina bombina:
Spade-foot Toads - Pelobates fuscus:
Lots of Marsh Frogs - Pelophylax ridibundus:
Big Green Toads - Bufo viridis:
And colorful Tree Frogs - Hyla arborea:
The reptiles were found basking in the tall grass, or hiding under rocks.
Here`s a family of Sand Lizards - Lacerta agilis:
The only snakes were a couple of young Grass Snakes - Natrix natrix, but it was a new species for our baby girls and that made us very happy:
Apart from herps we kept an eye open for mamals and birds. Some of them let us get close enough for a picture:
European ground squirrel - Spermophilus citellus:
And it`s eastern relative, the Speckled ground squirrel - Spermophilus suslicus:
I`ll leave you with my favorite creature of the trip, a long awaited lifer for me, the amazing Wryneck - Jynx torquilla. Photographed in our back yard, of all the strange places!
Thanks for reading!
Vlad