Reptiles

Just a quick post tonight with a couple of mobile phone pictures taken at the zoo last week.

I don't have much to say about these images, I can't remember what species the lizard is. The python is an impressive specimen, over 20ft long.

Predators

Today I am posting a couple of shots of wildlife in the New Forest and I know that lots of people won't be too keen and some may be surprised that I have even posted them. If you are squeamish then look away now. Alternatively scroll down, you have been warned...

So both of these shots were taken during my first afternoon away in the forest. I had gone for a short walk and first of all spotted this female slow worm crossing my path. It really is a beauty and I couldn't resist taking a closer look. It was a bit tricky to get the shot because I had to hold the lizard in one hand and take the shot one handed. I think I did alright.

The second image is of a Labyrinth Spider. I had gone over to look at the massive web which was spread out over the grass and bracken and I spotted a grasshopper trigger the web and this spider pounced from it's funnel at the base of a plant. On this occasion it wasn't quick enough to catch its prey and he didn't hang around very long before scurrying back into his hideaway.

Colour Change Master

This little beauty is a Green Crested Lizard (Bronchocela cristatella) from South East Asia.

There are no prizes for guessing how it gets its name, after all it is a lizard, it is green and it has a nifty little crest. 

Reptiles are really fascinating creatures. I can recall seeing a lizard in the grip of a cat shedding its tail and making its escape while the cat was mesmerised by the still flapping tail left behind. Chameleons have the ability to rotate their eyes through crazy angles and of course they're known for their incredible ability to change colour to blend in with their environment.

Well chameleons don't have the monopoly on colour changing tricks as the Crested Green Lizard can also change from green to brown to signal when it is distressed or feeling threatened. Fortunately, as you can see from this shot this little specimen was totally at ease with me as he posed for this portrait.

Mid-day moon

Today's  pictures are few a random  shots taken on day ten of our road trip.

OK, it wasn't mid day it was 1.45 but I was slightly surprised to see the moon so clearly while it was so sunny and warm.  Anyway having driven along the Route Napoleon my son and I stopped to take a walk in Saint Vallier de Thiey and I was able to take the first of today's pictures, obviously this image is cropped from the original picture which was taken using my 70 - 300mm lens.

There were hundreds of small lizards rushing around in the leaf litter and basking in the early afternoon sun and after trying unsuccessfully to catch one I took a photo instead.

The final picture is a sign we saw a fair way along the trail, warning that in order to protect their flocks from wild dogs, wolves and lynx the shepherds use guard dogs and advising walkers to take extra care.  We could see a flock of sheep on the hillside and we could hear the goat bells as they were being herded along a mountain trail.  Seeing the sign my son decided that it was time to turn back, not because he was worried about the prospect of coming across a wolf or a lynx but because he was worried about the guard dog... Hmmm!

Creeping things

Both of these pictures were taken while out with my youngest son, the lizard was in the Forest of Dean and the beetle I think was on Bickerton Hill in Cheshire.

As I was selecting today's pictures my son recalled the occasion when I was taking the photo of the lizard.  It was on a post at the side of a footpath towards Symonds Yat Rock, it was a hot day and the little critter was basking in the sun.  As we were watching it sitting there the peace was shattered by the loud voice of a large man who emerged from the bushes close by swearing and cursing at the top of his voice.  The language was very colourful and we couldn't work out who or what he was angry at.  Thankfully he marched off and left us in peace.

I like the colours of the lizard and I also love the shimmering blue of the beetle.  These images remind me that there is lots of beauty to be seen we just have to keep our eyes open.