Hyla meridionalisAnura – Hylidae – Hylinae Shot in reeds next to a canal in the south of France. This species is close to the European tree frog, the 2 essential differences being: the shorter dark brown spot behind the eye and the hing legs practically not webbed.Aren’t they as cute and attractive as apple candy?!! […]
Tag: France
The Water Rail
Rallus aquaticus Gruiformes – Rallidae These birds are monogamous and very territorial; however, on sites which suit them best but are regrettably becoming scarce, a pair can nest at 20 meters from each other. The birds are very affectionate toone another; the male chooses the location of the nest and builds it elevated according to […]
Grass Snake
Natrix natrixSquamata -Natricidae I will never stress enough that not all snakes are dangerous. This one is perfectly harmless; It can live up to 25 to 28 years of age and lives close to water dams and swamps where it finds small fish, frogs and small mammals. I found this one on the 27th of […]
The Song Thrush
Turdus philomelos Passeriformes – Turdidae From the same family as the Blackbird its flutters in the same way. Its diet: worms, insects and their larvae, snails, berries and small fruits. The northern populations in Europe migrate southward but in France it is sedentary. This species is not endangered but it is unfortunately still hunted. This […]
The Bluethroat
Luscinia svecica – Passeriformes – Muscicapidae – not an easy bird to see nor photograph. These pictures were taken in Spain in the region of Lerida. These lovely birds remain there year round where in France they nest only along the Atlantic coast.Here is a young male presenting a white spot in its blue “bib”. […]
The Greater Flamingo
Pont de Gau is a 60 hectares bird sanctuary set in Camargue, south of France, where a breeding colony of several thousands of these flamingos remain year round, among which about 200 hundred individuals have rings. Close to the american version, it is the largest. They have a very long lifespan easily reaching over 60 […]
The Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusPasseriformes – Acrocephalidae The Reed Warbler is a small bird, as dull but smaller than the nightingale. It lives in paludal vegetation; It isinsectivorous but will eventually eat berries. This species is one of which the Common Cuckoo parasites as it lays an egg in other birds nests. The species is monogamous even though […]
Large marsh grasshopper
Stethophyma grossum – Orthoptera – Acrididae. This species occurs in wet lands and peatbogs and is in fast decline. Usually vivid greenish yellow or olive brown, it can show a wide variety of colors but mostly females show this superb pink coloring. The size is quite variable: Males measure between 12 and 25mm and females […]