Leaf-tailed Gecko

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 21, 2012145 views6 comments

When on a trip through Madagascar we visited Nosy Mangabe, a small uninhabited Island. It is famous for its wildlife, especially the Leaf-tailed Geckos. We camped on the Island to see this nocturnal species. (and tried to find the Aye-aye, but that didn't work out unfortunately)
This leaf-tailed Gecko had chosen a very small tree to sleep on. Normally they sleep during daytime on a big tree, where they are very hard to spot. They have the most amazing camouflage I have ever seen. They completely blend with the stem of the tree.

D300, Sigma105, 1/50, F5, +0,67, ISO800

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on January 21, 2012 at 8:26 AM

Ellen, a good image of this hard to see gecko! I like that it is a photo not showing the gecko clinging to a tree trunk. Fine detail in the head and foot. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on January 21, 2012 at 8:37 AM

Love the detail you captured here. Nice choice of DOF as well.

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on January 21, 2012 at 6:08 PM

Awesome ! its great to see every little detail on its head !

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on January 22, 2012 at 7:37 AM

Wow, the large version is a must to see! Excellent detail there Ellen. I particularly love those toes.

And indeed this shows well that they are masters of disguise.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on January 22, 2012 at 8:36 PM

Great detail and color. Fine image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Clinton Bauder on January 23, 2012 at 1:46 PM

Nice! Love these guys. The detail is great, especially the eye.

Their flat tails are cool too. Did you get any shots with the whole lizard?

Did you photograph any Day Geckos?

Clinton

Registered on December 8, 2009, 31 Posts, 231 Comments