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:
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:
Vipera berus (Kreuzotter) von Heiko Wehner auf Flickr
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