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Sand Lizard Male


Sand Lizard Male
Photo Information
Copyright: Vinny Blood (Vinster) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 21 W: 0 N: 118] (438)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-26
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon 400D Digital Rebel XTi, Canon 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 IS USM, CF Sandisk III 4GB
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reptiles of Europe [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-11 10:24
Viewed: 356
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Male Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis) in spring breeding colours. These beautiful reptiles live up to their name, living on sandy heaths and sand dunes. In the UK the Dorset/Hampshire area of Southern England is a stronghold for them, as it contains some of the largest areas of lowland heath remaining in Europe. Even so, huge swathes of this fragile habitat has been lost to building projects. The demise of heathland grazing has led to the encroachment of trees and shrubs, including species not native to the region such as pine and the dreaded Rhododendron ponticum. Fires are also a major threat.

Because of this vulnerability conservation groups have banded together to form a UK Sand Lizard Species Action Plan. One of them is the Herpetological Conservation Trust (www.herpconstrust.org.uk). They manage the Town Common site where this photo was taken. For a list of groups around the UK visit http://www.arg-uk.org.uk

April and early May is the best time of the year to capture shots of this species in the UK. The males are at their brightest, and there is less cover for them to hide in. You normally have to be VERY stealthy to get close enough to take good pictures. Sand Lizards have excellent eyesight and good hearing. Avoid sudden movement and tread gently. If you are lucky enough to find one on a cooler day it might be sluggish enough to get really close. However, please remember it is an offence under European law to handle or disturb these creatures in any way.

Note the two brown lumps above the shoulder of the foreleg. These are parasitic ticks - I have seen some individuals with over twenty attached to one shoulder. I have a website dedicated to the nature of Town Common which contains more images of Sand Lizards and other species to be found there.
vanderschelden, nglen, Juyona has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Well done, Vinny
Good composition. Beautiful Sand lizard in breeding colors..
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1895 W: 4 N: 5148] (19630)
  • [2008-06-11 11:17]

Hi Vinny. Great close up of the lizard.with good detail and colour in the markings. well done TFS. Good interesting notes
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1998 W: 6 N: 1948] (13031)
  • [2008-06-11 13:02]

Hola Vinny,
hermoso trabajo,
original colorido y detalles,
buen foco,
saludos

very nice shot! well focused, great detail, colours and pov!
tfs
Ilias

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