Camera Critters #206

By this time of the year in the past, I have been able to photograph lizards sunning on the heat retaining lava rocks of the area.

But for the last couple of years, March weather hasn’t been that good and the lizards, along with most non-mammalian critters, haven’t appeared until late April, and in some cases, early May. And this March is looking to be similar to the Marches of the last couple of years, with bad weather predicted to the end of the month.

This image of a Great Basin Fence Lizard was taken four years ago. It is possible this lizard is a Western Fence Lizard. However, range maps show the subspecies Great Basin Fence Lizard in this area, which is a fatter, and darker lizard. This individual was found along the walls of the dry canyon in town. In an area where there is a lot of rock from the slowly eroding basaltic columns, three species of lizards live.

One can also find Side-blotched Lizards and Sagebrush Lizards living among the rocks of the canyon.

I really had no interest in photographing lizard when I imaged my first one. However, after taking a couple photographs and seeing what great subjects they are, I can not pass by and ignore one.

Considering the weather I will have for a couple of weeks, I’ll dig into my archives of past images and hopefully show everyone a lizard shot they haven’t seen before.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critter #104

Last week, I introduced everyone to the local lizards known as the Common Side-blotched Lizard. This week, it's the Great Basin Fence Lizard, a subspecies of the Western Fence Lizard.

This was the species of lizard which got me interested in them. Every time I wandered the badlands in the area of the airport looking for 'other critters,' I would see these little guys and one day, I took a good look at one and you know what? I liked what I saw.

All of these lizards (including the one's from last week) were photographed along the Dry Canyon Trail. It's a popular place for people to walk and enjoy nature. I meet a lot of people during the walks and sometimes I get into conversations. On a safari walk a couple of weeks ago, I ran into a gentleman who noticed I was photographing the Side-blotched Lizards. As we talked, he mentioned that I needed to be careful around 'those lizards' as they are dangerous. He went on to tell me they were baby Gila Monsters (see last week's post here). I tried to explain what they really were, but he insisted since he had lived in Arizona and saw them all the time.

Well, if the Side-blotch Lizard is Gila Monster, then the Great Basin Fence Lizard must be a baby Komodo Dragon...at least that's the joke I have going with the wonderful host of this meme. Just look at the critter in the image above. He could easily pass as a dragon!

But the best thing going for the fence lizards is their undersides. The males (and to a lesser extent, the females) have a wonderful blue color on their throats and bellies. When I saw this gal peek over the top of a nearby rock, I mumbled, "Raise up and show me your throat."

Well, as can be seen in the next photo, she did just that. The color isn't as gorgeous as that of a male, but it still looks nice.

And then I my wait brought me this fellow shown below. This critter slowly crawled up the side of the rock, noticed me, stopped, evidently decided I was no threat and came out in the open and posed for this image.

There is another species of lizard common to my area and someday soon, I'll do my best to get some images of them. They are known as Sagebrush Lizards. They resemble the fence lizards, but are marked in a different way making them easy to tell from the other lizards here. They are also a lot more skittish.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters from all over the world. Go to the homepage here, then join the fun and post your own critter.

Camera Critters #58

I love shooting the local reptile population. I'd probably love shooting these critters anywhere I was, but at least on the high desert, I know I can find them and I know they love having their photo taken...most of the time. 8v)

Moments after this photo was taken, this Great Basin Fence Lizard dove for the cover of a hole somewhere...which happens often after I a get a shot or two. I didn't notice it at the time, but he actually waved bye to me before disappearing.


If you would like to see more Camera Critters, just drop by the website here run by Misty Dawn and then join in the fun with an entry of your own.

Camera Critter Time Again

It's Camera Critter Sunday time of the week again. And keeping with the prehistoric look theme, may I present a Western Fence Lizard.

Not only do I love this image, but most folks who have seen it, love it also. I found this little fella in the badland areas near the old golf course in Redmond. I first saw him on top of a tree stump and as I approached him, he disappeared down the side. I have a lot of shots of these common lizards, but none showing the underside which is a gorgeous blue color. So I approached the stump slowly and moved around the side of it even slower until I saw the lizard. He was in perfect position for the shot, so I took a couple, moved a little more, took a couple more, moved a little more and he disappeared.

But I got what I wanted. I hope you all like it.