Posted by David Sewell on August 3, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Rather like my smooth snake pictures, sand lizards are a work in progress for me. As part of my job I have to survey 6-8 sites where they may be found on a regular basis, but they are the reptile species most likely to elude not only me, but also my fellow surveyors.
However, when you do find them they do have the nice habit of freezing on the spot, which was exactly what this female did. The camouflage means that you are almost right on top of them before you see them. It also means that they blend into the background very easily, so I have employed a little gaussian blur here.
That has not worked too well with the foot, but that area is also interesting for another reason. If you look where the leg joins the body you can see that she is infested with several ticks. Apparently this is not unusual with the species.
Thanks for looking.
David
Nikon D200, 150mm Sigma, Aperture priority, f11, 320 iso
Posted by David Taylor on August 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I've not seen a wild one of these for at least 50 years. It was at Ainsdale when I was 13. Nice to see its colouration against the vegetation. The ticks are a bonus (but I suppose not for the lizard ).
Posted by Lewis Thomson on August 3, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Hi David,
Nice shot, really like the setting and the interest of the ticks. A little more time in PS would improve it no end IMO. The blur looks like it has encroached on much of the underside of the head and neck as well as the leg you mention.
Posted by David Kjaer on August 4, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Hi David
I like the image as it shows the camouflage well but also nice and sharp to give it just enough seperation from the BG. Interesting to see ticks on a reptile!
Discussion
7 repliesHowever, when you do find them they do have the nice habit of freezing on the spot, which was exactly what this female did. The camouflage means that you are almost right on top of them before you see them. It also means that they blend into the background very easily, so I have employed a little gaussian blur here.
That has not worked too well with the foot, but that area is also interesting for another reason. If you look where the leg joins the body you can see that she is infested with several ticks. Apparently this is not unusual with the species.
Thanks for looking.
David
Nikon D200, 150mm Sigma, Aperture priority, f11, 320 iso
Nice shot, really like the setting and the interest of the ticks. A little more time in PS would improve it no end IMO. The blur looks like it has encroached on much of the underside of the head and neck as well as the leg you mention.
Cheers,
Lewis.
Phil.
I like the image as it shows the camouflage well but also nice and sharp to give it just enough seperation from the BG. Interesting to see ticks on a reptile!
David