Lizards invade Seattle!
Well, not quite. However, consider the common perception that a) lizards most like places that are hot and sunny and b) Seattle is pretty much the exact opposite of hot and sunny – and you can picture my surprise when one of my kids picked up a rock and out popped a lizard!
This particular lizard was found in the backyard of a property Nelya was listing. We all travelled to a small town called Olalla in Kitsap County to take pictures of the listing. The weather was great, but unfortunately the property was not clean enough to take pictures. Bummer.
However, since it was a nice day we decided to take photos of the outside at least, and my kids were playing in the backyard when they happened across this little guy (or gal).
This particular lizard is called a Northern Alligator Lizard. It is one of the very few lizards that actually doesn’t mind our climate and is specific to the left coast. It ranges up to parts of BC and is considered Canada’s largest lizard.
Although we didn’t bug it enough, this lizard is capable of removing its tail to distract a predator. Also, they supposedly like to live in groups, so the next time I see one I will be sure to watch out for friends.
Luckily, when I found this little critter I had my full camera bag with me. Unluckily, I don’t really have a good macro lens for these types of critters. I do have an MP-E 65, but the magnification is too much for things this large. I had to think of something and think fast.
It then occurred to me that my TS-E 24 II has pretty decent magnification. Would it let me get that close? I threw the lens on my Canon 7D – in order to benefit from the crop factor, and tried it.
Oops. I need to remember to watch my aperture! Actually, I kind of liked this shot so I kept it. The little lizard was very kind to sit still and allowed me to get very close for the shots above.
All in all it was a nice day, despite the fact that we failed in our original task (to photograph the house). Sometimes some of the more interesting moments in life come where you’re not expecting them. You just have to make the best of what you have and once in awhile you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
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Tags: herp, lizard, macro, northern alligator lizard, northwest, reptile