Lizards.

[elaine]

I am not sure if any of you remember, but last year, I posted some
Lizard pictures. It was the first time I had ever seen one, I went back the next week, and to my horror, all the area I had seen them, had been decimated. Apparently, the area had to be cleared as a regular management process.

I'd raged, complained that these innocent Lizards had been killed, as there was nothing left, trees gone, shrubs cut down, and the whole area wiped out. I was in tears. Just tyre tread marks of those destructive diggers.

I couldn't face going there as it was heartbreaking.

BUT......

Today, We retuned, to the same spot, and guess what?

The old bits of tree had been left, and look what we found in the sunshine.









It was such a lovely sight to see, I couldn't stop smiling, it was like Christmas. So they returned to their home, and to the area.

You could see it's little feet, and its heart beating too.

I crept up, and stayed quiet and still with camera to the ready. We were there ages, and spotted lots more, ad a bigger parent one too.


Don't you just love happy stories of wildlife?....I definitely do ;D

[mikkel]

Lovely! I will have to locate my photo's from a couple of years back, then post them on here.

[whisker2]

that was brilliant, elaine! they probable knew how to climb into crevices where they could hide while the place was being cleared. You have so much wild-life in your area!

[elaine]

Whisker, we went back yesterday, Lizard watching, and saw lots as it was sunny. Most were babies, and by the size of them, they had not been born long. Also saw what we thought were pregnant adults.

Got the camera, and crept up on them and sat still in the grass. as soon as the sun came out, there they were, all basking in the sun, on a few logs.

They lived in a crack in an old fallen log, ideal for them, as it provided shelter, plus a place to hide from birds and us humans.

We found it fascinating watching them, noting there skin patterns, and noticing, just how fast, those little lizards, could move, when we made a rustling sound, or got too close. It is a secret where they are, as I don't want humans to disturb them, so I have kept secret as to where they are LOL.

Nothing gives me more pleasure than to be able to just sit, watch and admire. Something as simple as watching them, brought so many laughs and smiles, and gasps of " Don't move...loooook?" I will be back next week, to check on their progress.

I will upload later as have to go out in a bit to get errands done.

[whisker2]

What a great opportunity to be able to see something so rare!

[elaine]

We were watching in two places, one place saw pregnant adult and 5 smaller ones, and the other place, two babies only, as soon as the sun went in, they got cold, and went in side the old tree, as lizards are cold blooded, and need the warmth of the sun, to keep them active.

I was thinking,it must be very hard to survive, for a baby Lizard, as there are so may predators, like birds, and voles, that I am sure would eat them. No wonder they can move like a lightening flash.

Daft I know but I got up thinking of those little babies and the adults , but as wildlife, they have to take their own chances, and we cannot protect all as we would like. If I could walk there, I would, but it is a bit of a long drive.

[elaine]

They live in the middle of this mossy hole in a tree.



The top pic is another lot we found, these were larger and fatter, maybe pregant?

[mikkel]

Unfortunately, I can't find my photo's. I'm not giving up either.

[whisker2]

That is so-o-o exciting, elaine!

for the wonderful pics

[elaine]

Don't worry Mikkel, I am sure you will find them, there is no rush.

This is a pregant one for sure.



I hope all those little ones survive. It was lovely to see them all in the sun, funny how something so simple gives the greatest pleasure I will return, as they say

[whisker2]

do you know which species they are? I don't think we have any of those in Ireland. St. Patrick is supposed to have banned all the snakes. Maybe he banned the lizards too!