This Thanksgiving Day found me on one of the many hiking trails in Topanga State Park. Ahhh, I love hiking and haven't gone in far too long. I am a participant in a treasure hunting game called Geocaching, and today's subject was in the area where the cache was hidden.
I found several caches today, but this one wasn't one of them. That's really ok, because instead of finding the cache, I found this cutie. Ok, I happen to love reptiles. I mean just look at his lovely long toes and intricate scales. :-)
This lizard goes by many names: Western Fence Lizard, Blue Belly, and Swift.
He had a patch on his belly the same brilliant color as the blue/green spotting on his back. They also earned the name 'Swift' honestly, as they can be gone in a flash if you get near them. I was so surprised that he let me get about 2 feet from him. His hidey-hole was right behind him, so he knew he could scamper to safety quickly. At one point, the wrist strap of my camera fell out of my hand and he was gone in a blink. It must have looked like a snakey predator to him as it unfurled.
Today I am so thankful that I have health and mobility, which made today's hike possible.
What an amazing capture my dear! And I love your informative description. Fantastic close up and such amazing detail! I'm glad you had a lovely day!! It sounds like a great place to visit!
@kbalychev@bkbinthecity@georgews@lily@melissapike@grammyn@monkeykid@kathyladley
Thanks everyone!
I sent this pic and two others of the same subject to a friend and his response was that I should be up for an award for Most Improved Photographer. "You must have found the macro setting." LOL!
He and I used to take night drives in the desert looking for reptiles. He'd find them, sometimes catch them and I'd take (mostly) really crappy photos of them before he let them go.
If I only knew then what I know now. ;-)
@bardejov
Maybe southwestern lizards are more scaly? I love it because it looks like tiny mosaic tiles. Often I will zoom in after I download just to marvel at the intricacy of the patterns.
Thanks everyone!
I sent this pic and two others of the same subject to a friend and his response was that I should be up for an award for Most Improved Photographer. "You must have found the macro setting." LOL!
He and I used to take night drives in the desert looking for reptiles. He'd find them, sometimes catch them and I'd take (mostly) really crappy photos of them before he let them go.
If I only knew then what I know now. ;-)
Maybe southwestern lizards are more scaly? I love it because it looks like tiny mosaic tiles. Often I will zoom in after I download just to marvel at the intricacy of the patterns.
Thank you!