Vipera berus in northern Black Forest (Germany)
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Hey there,
just returned from my trip to the Black Forest.
I really made it, I managed to spot four V. berus during my stay (maybe with some rock-flipping it could have been more, but I was there hiking with my grilfriend, so I was restricted to check along the hiking trails).
The first specimen was a little one, dark brown, almost no pattern (in situ-photo will follow, I'm on the wrong computer
).
The second one was a (estimated 60cm) female, which was living in a stone wall near our camping-site. I went there on a daily base and watched her, but most of the time she was hiding in her crevice or laying in the high grass, retreating into bushes as soon as I came closer.
This is a portrait of the lady:
![Image](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7528327834_2b65cb4011_b.jpg)
Vipera berus (Kreuzotter) von Heiko Wehner auf Flickr
The third was a male (around 35cm), found him at the edge of a moor, lying in the sun:
![Image](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/7528333064_dc8e9e0448_b.jpg)
Vipera berus (Kreuzotter) von Heiko Wehner auf Flickr
![Image](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7528330568_ca4e59606b_b.jpg)
Vipera berus (Kreuzotter) von Heiko Wehner auf Flickr
Number four was a black specimen, around 20cm long. I found it near the hideout of the big female, but it disappeared in the grass before I could take a picture.
All in all I can say that I think I'm hooked to V. berus now - amazing to find and watch them in the nature. The next trip to their habitat is coming for sure, hopefully I'll get some more good shots then.
Regards,
Heiko
just returned from my trip to the Black Forest.
I really made it, I managed to spot four V. berus during my stay (maybe with some rock-flipping it could have been more, but I was there hiking with my grilfriend, so I was restricted to check along the hiking trails).
The first specimen was a little one, dark brown, almost no pattern (in situ-photo will follow, I'm on the wrong computer
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
The second one was a (estimated 60cm) female, which was living in a stone wall near our camping-site. I went there on a daily base and watched her, but most of the time she was hiding in her crevice or laying in the high grass, retreating into bushes as soon as I came closer.
This is a portrait of the lady:
![Image](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7528327834_2b65cb4011_b.jpg)
Vipera berus (Kreuzotter) von Heiko Wehner auf Flickr
The third was a male (around 35cm), found him at the edge of a moor, lying in the sun:
![Image](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/7528333064_dc8e9e0448_b.jpg)
Vipera berus (Kreuzotter) von Heiko Wehner auf Flickr
![Image](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7528330568_ca4e59606b_b.jpg)
Vipera berus (Kreuzotter) von Heiko Wehner auf Flickr
Number four was a black specimen, around 20cm long. I found it near the hideout of the big female, but it disappeared in the grass before I could take a picture.
All in all I can say that I think I'm hooked to V. berus now - amazing to find and watch them in the nature. The next trip to their habitat is coming for sure, hopefully I'll get some more good shots then.
Regards,
Heiko