First Shingleback of the Spring
The weather picked up a bit last week. It was bit warmer, there was blossom on all the fruit trees and many birds are well into breeding mode. And there hasn't been a frost for a while. All enough to encourage the reptiles to come out from their snug winter quarters under logs, rocks and sheds. Enough for this shingleback to take a wander through the woodlands.
I always stop to chat to these lovely lizards when I meet one. They are so harmless, quiet and sort of trusting that we won't hurt them, as they are too slow to escape. I just hope that more people do the same and don't bother them by picking them up and stressing them. Take a good look at them, get to know them, share the bush with them.
I particularly like how the scales around their eyes fit together so well. The dust highlights this one's features and it's eye is intensely focused on the camera lens - a big eye from its perspective.
It is obvious how they gained their name, shingleback, the scales along their back fit together like shingles on a roof, and they are just as efficient at casting water. But that dust does tend to get into all the cracks.
No comments:
Post a Comment