Saturday, June 18, 2016

Lizards at Elephant Butte

This is just a quick post to show you some of the lizards at South Monitcello Point Campground (SoMoPo) in Elephant Butte State Park in New Mexico.   I'm not a lizard researcher, I just like to see them all, so I didn't check to see what kinds of lizards they are.

This first guy was just beautiful in the sunshine.  I've never seen one so colorful.  




This next guy was kind of exciting to see, too, because I think he's a Horned Lizard.  I've never seen one of these.  He's a little fatty and has horns.  He wasn't moving very fast, just went a little way, stopped and rested, moved again, etc.  These are the best photos I could get:


Can you see his little horns?


Here's another lizard - he was a good size guy with super long toes:


This lizard has pretty distinct markings:


And a very long tail when compared to the others:


And a final lizard - he had pretty markings, but I couldn't get his face.  Those aren't eyes on the top of his head, I think he's wearing goggles:


They are all a little different.  Most had some colors, but it wasn't obvious unless they were in the sunlight.  They had different feet, faces, tails, etc.  Interesting creatures.

Katie has always gone nuts over lizards - she gets so excited when she sees one.  She'll try to chase them with her tail wagging like mad, of course she's on a leash so she can't chase too far, poor baby.   Lately, though, she doesn't seem to see them like she used to.  I saw all these before she did.  The movement isn't registering, so I'm wondering if shes starting to lose her eyesight, or her peripheral vision.  I hope not.  She's only ten, which isn't that old for a small dog.

That's it on the lizards.  I love to photograph them.

From me and Katie, have a great Father's Day tomorrow to all you fathers.  And for everyone out there, well, we have Fathers - whether they are still with us, or with us in our hearts - and we can remember them tomorrow with love.  :)