Newts, by night and day

[Red Robin]

As already said, newts are masters at concealing themselves and especially in a pond with sufficient vegetation and hiding places.

I have found that my Palmate Newts can only be spotted during the day when it's grey and overcast but are much more active in the water at night. I have spotted one 'moon-bathing' on a pondside rock at night and staying very motionless:



^ Early April (2011).



^ Spotted daytime, off to chill in the underwater Star Dome bar!



^ Late May (2011).

I have plenty photos taken of as many as 5 together in the water at night:



^ Nearly all that blanket weed has now been gobbled up by an army of Great Pond Snails. Nature finds its own balance given half a chance.

[vole-woman]

Oh, lovely photos! The distinctive back feet are very obvious when you get a good look.

Glanced in my my pond at midday yesterday and saw three smooth newts, so they are obviously just messing with my head.

[GCN lova]

wonderful pics!

[Red Robin]

^^^^
Thanks for the compliments on my pics and hence encouragement

I only use a compact digital and none of my pics have the pin-sharp quality of some folks on WAB! But... I've always got the camera in my pocket (I've now bust the pockets on two pairs of trousers) and like to capture an atmosphere and environs.

I like to use photos to illustrate text and am currently compiling a full lifecycle 'photo essay' of a damselfly to post on WAB.

The biggest thing I think I can share with new WABers is to demonstrate that you can attract a lot of wildlife even with a small pond.