One lizard ... or two?
Two.
These two fence lizards were cuddled up atop the horizontal remains of the Horsey Swing turkey oak as I dashed out to the JEEP for my BubbaKeg. As soon as I saw them, I dashed back to the porch for my camera and interrupted their triassic trysting for a few photos.
My presence caused them to scoot down the side of the log ... still together.
I'm not sure how long this gentle embracing lasts, but you can only stand around shooting pictures of romancing reptiles for so long, so after a dozen or so shots, I let them be.
A little close-up that shows both a great example of sexual dimorphism and cryptic coloration.
Seeing this cozy couple reminded me of a lizard incident years ago in my classroom. A seventh grader had brought in a mystery egg that he had dug up while helping his folks weed a flower bed. It was about an inch long and kind of dark. He wanted to know what it was so I looked it over and decreed that it seemed to be a reptile egg, either lizard or small snake, but the darkness made me think it might have gone bad.
He accepted that explanation and set the egg in the pencil groove atop his desk. We continued with our lesson.
About 15 minutes later the egg popped open and out sprang a tiny fence lizard, a perfect miniature of the two above.
It was the supreme teachable moment.
We dropped the lesson I had planned and switched gears to a discussion of lizards.
Carpe Saura, Carpe Diem, y'all.
15 comments:
This is as loverly a post as any I've seen this week- and that blue belly is downright hot. I wish I had ever found a lizard egg and seen it hatch- that must have been an excellent class.
Latin gets me: Does this say, "Seize Sara, seize the day"?
Nicely caught by you, FC.
Dang. I was just going to turn out the lights cause I've got to get up early and now I've got all this new vocabulary and some interesting images swimming around in my consciousness. Dang.
(That story about the desk-hatching is precious)
I've had some luck getting close enuf to northern fence lizards to get some decent pix, but I hadn't encountered this kind of scenario before.
I think that indigo color on the male is one of my favorites in nature. Maybe I was a female eastern fence lizard in a prior life.
Nice lizards. Our troop of cats (owned and strays) has severely reduced the population of lizards around the house. I would never tell my wife, but I prefer the lizards.
Carpe Cracker!
I feel so dirty after looking at these pictures. I've never been the voyeur type. ;)
What a beautiful pair, and that blue is just stunning. Nice moment here, and a great lesson in the classroom, too.
I thought Pure Florida was a family channel. You'll probably hear from the reverend Coombs and Citizens Against the Red Menace.
Vicki,
Just one of those chalkdust moments that stays with you.
Hoss,
Well, that has possibilities ...
Cathy,
I had some business today that caused my tardiness. Enjoy the new words, I always do.
Pablo,
They are so confident in their camo that getting close is pretty easy. These two were very close :)
RCW,
Can you cling to oak trees and blend in?
Mark,
Don't tell your wife, but I prefer lizards too.
Hal,
LOL.
POP,
I know, soon I'll have to issue parental warnings for my posts.
Robin,
Like your lady bugs!
Scott,
We only show ectothermic romance here.
very neat. lizards are cool.
in other reptile news, a turtle was crossing the street the other day on my way to work. it was a fairly good sized one - about 10" across the shell. i was late and went by, then the guilt struck and i turned around and went back. turns out lots of people did the same thing - there were 5 cars of people ready to escort ms. turtle across the street by the time i got her over to the ditch. i like it when people care.
I saved a lizard on Monday - I was walking into the outside door of my job when a basilisk lizard (runs on it's hind legs and has a triangular thing behind it's head)ran right over my feet and into the door - and down the hall. I ran to head him off so he'd go back outside, but he stopped right on my foot in confusion at one point. I just scooped him up - I've never picked up that big a lizard before and it was SO awesome. I took him right back outside and let him go in some bushes where he'd be safe. I just wish I'd had my camera with me - I could have gotten close-ups.....oh well.
Ericka,
Good for you and for the other folks who stopped to help her. I would have stopped too.
Suze,
Well THAT is pretty unusual. You must be in South FL if you have those running around.
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