Cleaning up the pond for the spring

[henk]

I was cleaning up the pond yesterday and was quite surprised to find these animals

 

[pamela]

Lucky you!

 

[joeri]

Not only has he beautifull animals in his pond, he takes nice pictures as well.

Thanks for sharing Henk
I've allways been an admirer of alpestris, but the coloration on that vulgaris' tail is breath taking!

 

[sergé]

The relatively warm weather the last weeks has already lead to amphibian migration in our regions (Netherlands/Belgium) but that they are in full breeding condition is a little bit surprising to me. Henk: are these pictures actually taken from the animals you saw or are they older pictures from the same species you have found in your pond? I also saw some animals in the pond of my parents in law (the same species actually) but they were not as ready as the ones on the pictures.
With writing "these animals" you indicate that they were actually the same animals, but perhaps Spring in your area's has even started earlier (you are living more to the coast and that could make the difference!).

 

[ana]

they are beautifull ... lucky u

 

[jennifer]

I think we all wish we had a pond like that! What is the newt in photo #2?

 

[henk]

Well these animals did come from the pond but I took them indoors for 2 days to make these shots. they were already in the mood , but during those days the crest of the vulgaris did grow a bit more (not much), the colors were like this.. I didn't have my pot waterresistent of paint with me

By the way the animal on the 2nd shot : I first thought she was a helveticus female , but now I would be inclined to think she is a vulgaris female... (since she bred with the males...).
Im' not the experton European newts ... hoping ot make some more interesting shots later with other alpestris and if al goes well I would like to extend this type of shots over other species too...

 

[henk]

 

[patrick]

Hi Henk,

that are really impressive pictures... here in southern Germany you can't find anything except a lot of snow and ice

best regards,

Patrick

 

[ben-lee]

V Nice pics there Henk i have a Smooth newt (Photo 3) and shes 3" including the tale is it a fully Aquatic Amphibian? i have land with a "pond" in the middle of my tank ... is that not the right way for it? i hope so put alot of hard work getting my "Forest" to grow...
this is the tank i had it in

this is the tank its in now

be like...

thats what i thought its natural habitat would

 

[william]

does that tank have a lid? if it doesn't i'd suggest you get one quickly because they can and will climb the side of the tank

 

[ben-lee]

sorry, yeah i have a lid for it its a blue one( one with lots of holes)

i just didnt have the lid on because i was showing the inside of my tank

 

[paul]

Hi Henk!
<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1>Henk Wallays wrote on Monday, 14 February, 2005 - 21:58 :</font>

" ...the 2nd shot : I first thought she was a helveticus female , but now I would be inclined to think she is a vulgaris female...(since she bred with the males...)."<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>
Let's see her belly!
I think, crossbreeding is possible.

Paul

 

[andy]

Henk, your photographs are beautiful to say the least! I'll be cleaning my pond this week ready for the oncoming amphibians,i'll be sure to post pictures of anything i find of interest(though i don't think they'll be of the same standard as yours!)