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I am still around


I am still around
Photo Information
Copyright: Anna Eksteen (Miss_Piggy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2285 W: 5 N: 5300] (18714)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-10-17
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC H9, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 15x Optical zoom, Digital ISO 100
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2013-11-24 7:01
Viewed: 3176
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Tawny Plated Lizard / Gerrhosaurus major major

Due to lack of time and other responsibilities, it is nearly 2 months since I have done my previous posting, and I can assure you that I really miss the interaction with fellow members as well as all the beautiful images that passes me by, without me seeing them.

I have such a lot of photos that I would love to share, but unfortunately it is true that duty comes before pleasure. I will however try to visit more often. Do not for one moment think that I have left the site, as just as this Tawny Plated Lizard gives you the eye in this image, I will also come and give an eye every now and again when I can.

This image is from my 2010 archives and was taken during our holiday in the Kruger National Park in the Pretoriuskop area.

Description
Also known as the Rough-scaled Plated Lizard, the Sudan Plated Lizard or the Great Plated Lizard. They are fairly large lizards; adult size is 45–70cm, whereof the tail is less than half the length. They are somewhat squat with moderately broad tails. Being the most heavily plated of the Gerrhosaururidae, the species is easily recognised on the armour. The body and tail is covered in transverse bands of more or less square plate like scales, and head shields are fused to the skull. The armour makes the animals look a bit like the common perception of Mesozoic reptiles. Coloration is greyish brown, males being larger than females with bright-coloured throat.

Distribution
Limited to the northern and eastern parts of Southern Africa. Widely distributed throughout Africa south of the Sahara.

Ecology
Their natural habitat range from mountain and highveld grasslands to savanna, bushveld and coastal forest where they inhabit rocky outcrops, holes or termitaria.

Behaviour
They are diurnal reptiles. This means they are active mostly during the day and sleep at night. They can be seen basking on termite mounds in which they commonly live. When threatened, they will run for cover and wedge themselves in rocky crevices. Their heavy armour makes them almost invulnerable to predators. Recent research suggests that they have a complex social structure and they are able to recognize their kin and show a degree of parental care.

Food
They are omnivores, living from a wide range of vegetable matter, insects and on occasion small vertebrates like other lizards and rodents.

Reproduction
They lay small clutches of 2-8 soft-shelled eggs, which are usually laid in a crevice and are then covered with soil. Newly hatched young are recorded throughout summer. They take 5 years to reach adult size.

Conservation status
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (Listed as Protected Game in the South African Red Data Book for Reptiles and Amphibians).

Information extracted from A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa by Graham Alexander & Johan Marais, Struik Publishers and from a stub in Wikipedia.

I hope you enjoyed looking at this photo as much as I took pleasure in taking it.
imageme, KOMSIS, Chiza, Hormon_Manyer, marius-secan, CeltickRanger has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To nanreh: Thanks to youMiss_Piggy 1 11-25 23:08
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Critiques [Translate]

halloAnna
GREAT sharpness and good details
nice composition with beautiful colours
i like this picture
thanks greeting lou

Hello Anna,
Well captured this Lizard.Very good focus on subject and well detailed.Natural colour too.
Very good NOTE too,
Thanks for sharing,
Regards and have a nice time,
Srikumar

Hello Anna,
This is a very unusual, for me, image and a very interesting one together with your revealing note. And it is so good to see you back here. I really do not think the other website that so many members seem to have run to is a good idea. Whatever, have a good evening and, by the way, I will never forget that you were the first to critique my very first upload here. Geniet wat oor is van die naweek.
Neels

I liked it...

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2752 W: 280 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2013-11-24 12:02]

Hello Anna,
I completely understand your reason for not being as active as you would like to be. I too post less frequently now-a-days only because I spend a lot of time with the grandkids, still work full time and am really busy with Church activities.
Your little lizard seems to be a bit shy, but still wants to know what is going on in the world. From what we can see, it looks to be quite handsome and would love to come out in full view, but isn't sure it is completely safe to do so.
A perfectly captured specimen showing exceptional detail and beautiful natural colors. As always, a pleasure to view one of your many beautiful shots from the region of the South Africa.
God Bless, and have a great "Holiday Season"
Ron

Ciao Anna, great portrait of fantastic lizard, excellent sharpness, fine details, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6507 W: 89 N: 15620] (65341)
  • [2013-11-24 12:52]

Hi Anna,no problem if haven't time for TN,we are always there waiting you when is possible for you...ehehe...and you come back whit a very very nice and a bit funny pic,the title is perfect for a pic like your,a great capture of this lizard head between the rocks,perfect DOF for the best details,i like it! Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano

Hello Anna
Wonderful shot.
Great natural ambiance with perfect colour and sharpness.
best wishes,
Samiran
Thank you for visiting my post.

Anna Eksteen and Ferran Lloret are two known from my early days in TN that I miss a lot. Myself, I was a 'disappeared' for quite some time, frustrated in my case for not having a camera that would allow me to capture what I wanted.
That's why my joy, Anna, is overwhelming to see loom as the head of this beautiful lizard. And I hear your reasons though, I would advise my 53 years, I'm starting to give advice :). My advice is: "DO NOT ALLOW", steal time from sleep, escape to the toilet with a netbook or tablet, you cheat, cheat, lie, be a little irresponsible, but ...! "DO NOT ALLOW." - Your spirit must rebel against reality and transform it. Take time for the soul to express itself, do not let your "DON" (artistic skill that our GOD / ALLAH / YAHWEH / MANITU has given you) is not wasted.


With apologies for my Argentine passion, and a great satisfaction
to hear from you ...
Hernán Bortondello

Hi Anna, Another pleasant image of a lizard's head extending out from his cave. I like the natural colours of this picture. We have to be true to natures. That is what nature colour suppose to be. Good use of lights and great POV too. Thank for sharing
Anna

  • Great 
  • KOMSIS Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 821 W: 0 N: 2415] (10650)
  • [2013-11-27 9:10]

Hallo Anna,
Lovely capture of this Tawny Plated Lizard ..
Superb sharp details and a lovely composition.
Best wishes,
Seyfi

Hello Anna,
Perfectly focused,well exposed and well balanced composition.
Regards,
Joy

Beautiful photo Anna! Interesting subject, good composition, wonderful colours and very good sharpness.
Regards,
Christodoulos

  • Great 
  • Chiza Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 133 W: 0 N: 474] (5351)
  • [2013-11-29 18:51]

Hola Anna, que belleza de foto la de este Lizard con una composición excepcional; me encanta ese entorno natural y poder ver donde se desarrolla la especie; excelente manejo de luz y color además...saludos.

Hi Anna,
All of us have to deal with less pleasant issues than TrekNature sometimes, so I absolutely understand you can't be here everyday. I also used to have breaks: sometimes a week, sometimes even a month or more. But about your photo: seems simple composition-wise, but excellent! Perfect timing - you captured the moment when the lizard just pushed his / her head out of the hole. Pleasant composition with the lizardhead in the left third and negative space in front of him / her. Tack sharp in the subject. Color tones probably got a little, but truly a very little blue overcast, otherwise an excellent shot, something to be truly proud of. Good job.
Best regards, László

  • Great 
  • iti Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 577 W: 0 N: 650] (7939)
  • [2013-12-07 0:14]

Hi Anna,
Excellent detail and perfectly sharp photo in nice colours.
Perfect the eye's contact (watching you).
Have a good weekend
Regards Jiri.

Hello Anna,
what a lovely picture.
Well done.

Hello Anna,
I mist some of your photos.....Brilliant capture of a very interesting specie of lizard. Excellent colors, good details and sharpness.
HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR IN 2014 TO YOU TOO AND YOUR FAMILY!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Marius.

Hi Anna
I also wish you such opportunities only for photography.
Thank you very much for new year wishes. I also wish you and your loved ones good health, joy and prosperity in 2014.
Best regards
Biswarup

Hello Anna

WOW ! great portrait shot of this lizard in the photo with his environment,
with very fine POV and framing, beautiful light, excellent focus, sharpness, details, TFS

Asbed

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