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Lookout
Photo Information
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper2) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1845 W: 109 N: 4262] (14141)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-03-13
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Pentax K100D Super, Sigma 70-300 DG Macro, Digital ISO 200, Matin 58mm UV
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reptiles - Lizards, Chuckwallas, Agamas & Tegus 4 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-07-05 21:38
Viewed: 400
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Common Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana), is a common, highly variable lizard found throughout much of the western United States and northern Mexico. It is one of the most abundant lizards in the semi-arid and arid regions of its range, where it inhabits areas of sandy or rocky soil containing scattered brush or trees. This lizard is primarily a ground dweller that may remain active year-round in warm southern regions. This one appears to be from the subspecies (U.s.uniformis)which I found in Arches National Park.

A small (up to 64 mm or 2.5" from snout to vent), orange-tan to grey-brown lizard. A dark blue-gray to black blotch marks each lower side of the body just behind the forelimb. Markings are variable and can include brown chevron-shaped blotches, light dorsolateral stripes, no pattern, and speckles. The lips and sides of the throat are sometimes marked with alternating orange and grey to blue-grey stripes. The remainder of the underside is plain pale grey. Males often have bright turquoise blue speckling on the tail, back, and upper surfaces of the hind limbs. Females lack blue speckling and usually have light dorsolateral stripes. The scales on the body are small and mildly keeled. The scales on the tail are larger and more strongly keeled. The belly scales are smooth and flat and the scales on the top of the head are large and smooth. Its single side blotch distinguishes this lizard from our other small lizards. External ear openings further distinguish it from the similar looking lizards.

They eat small invertebrates such as beetles, grasshoppers, ants, spiders, scorpions and ticks.

Reference: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Reptiles of Arizona
boreocypriensis, Argus, thor68, Juyona, roges, siggi, CatherineD, red45, tuslaw, amanengone has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi and Good Morning MF Chris,
An awesome capture of this beautiful Uta species while sunbathing on a boulder from wonderful POV with neat details and fine composition.
TFS and cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2009-07-05 22:20]

Hello Chris,
A fine capture of a Side-blotched Lizard. The camouflage colours with the sandstone(?) is striking and yet the lizard is sharply seen thanks to your fine camera work and the composition adds to the appeal of this image.
Interesting that the generic name is Uta.
Nice one from your travels,
Thanks,
Ivan

haha, nice, had to look twice to see the pretty lizard, great example of camouflage. well composed with great details and
some wonderful earthy red tones. well done & best wishes, thor.

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2398 W: 94 N: 5543] (17640)
  • [2009-07-06 3:49]

Hello Chris,
Excellent photo of this beautiful camouflaged lizard. Great sharpness and a very good diagonal composition. Good POV.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2264 W: 10 N: 2633] (15577)
  • [2009-07-06 5:40]

Hola Chris,
preciosa captura de mimético colorido.
exquisito encuadre y foco.
saludos amigo.

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 613 W: 0 N: 546] (3180)
  • [2009-07-06 9:37]

Hi Chris,

An excellent macro in a beautiful landscape you propose us today!
I love creating and playing the pictures.
Have a beautiful day,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1380 W: 56 N: 4759] (16364)
  • [2009-07-06 9:55]

Hello Chris,
Excellent compostion, great DOF. The colors and light are super. Thank you for the wonderful information you added.
Best regards Siggi

Hello Chris,
Very impressive camouflage for this beautiful specimen, very well captured. Light and sharpness are excellent. Best regards,
Catherine

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2009-07-06 11:13]

Hi Chris!

This is superb picture. Real heart and soul of desert. It could be taken on Mars :-) I love colours, diversity of rocks' shapes and perfectly camouflaged lizard. I bet it was very hot day!

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 511 W: 20 N: 1392] (4861)
  • [2009-07-06 20:01]

Hello Chris,
Talk about camouflage, this guy has it all!! What a great shot showing this little lizard in his natural habitat. Beautiful colors, excellent detail and very good DOF!! TFS.
Ron

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-07-08 1:58]

Hi Chris,the fantastic sharpness your pic it's surely decisive for the this wonderful result!The camouflage of this lizard is perfect...i'ts a very interesting situation to take!My best compliments,have a nice day,Luciano.

Hello Chris.

Thank you for that picture of this lizard.

The composition of the picture is attractive and gives us an exact idea on the lizard. The sharpness is very good, and gives us many details from it. The depth of field is perfect, showing us in the same moment, the lizard on the top and the rocky desert on the background. Added to the realistic colors as well as the contrast, you give us an exact representation on the warmness of the instant.

Congratulation for this picture.

I hope to see another time on treknature.

All the best.

Philippe.

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