Blue lizard - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

04/28/2007 07:00:41 PM · #1

I took this photo yesterday; Friday 27-4-2007, while hiking. When one of my children howled at me saying that he had spotted a blue lizard, and asked me to hike back 100m to photograph it, I did not feel like going back to do so because the hike was 18.5 km, and I did not want to add another 200 meters on top of that total; so I yelled back saying: you must be wrong son, there is no such thing as a blue lizard, and kept on walking (nothing to do with JW I do not drink); however, less than 500 meters ahead, and to my total astonishment, I suddenly came across TWO blue lizards; suddenly again, I am thinking to myself, why but why did I leave the 300mm lens home? How am I going to get this shot? Ahhhh.
One of the two Lizards was very illusive and disappeared really quick, while the other just stood there waiting for me to take a picture, I started clicking frames when I was about 10 meters away until I was less than 1 meter from the thing, and the nice blue eight inch lizard just waited there, allowing me to take more than 10 great shots in RAW format, from which I am sharing this with you.
Now, is this color for a Lizard common? I am not very interested in photographing animals, especially reptile; so, if someone has a clue to the rarity of this creature, please tell me, or tell me it is a very common lizard, but I need to know either way.

Many thanks to you all.

And here is the photo.

Message edited by author 2007-04-28 19:01:16.

kandykarml

Nikon D80

04/28/2007 07:18:09 PM · #2

That is wild... I'd love to find out what this lizard is... I've never ever ever heard of this or have I seen it before.. It's like you found a little treasure.. Next time, if the kid says he see's a blue lizard, HE SEE'S A BLUE LIZARD.. lol..

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

04/29/2007 02:32:02 AM · #3

Any one!
Someone must know!

Katmystiry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/29/2007 02:43:42 AM · #4

Try this site .. it seems as close as it can be Blue Lizard

aliqui

Nikon D300s

04/29/2007 02:49:07 AM · #5

Originally posted by mystopia:

Try this site .. it seems as close as it can be Blue Lizard

Someone always beats me! heh

Greetmir

Nikon D60

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Nikon

04/29/2007 05:08:03 AM · #6

I found one almost IDENTICAL taken in Petra, Jordon ...

//www.traveljournals.net/pictures/40676.html

He gets around! ... LOL

Canon EF 35-135mm f/4-5.6 USM

04/29/2007 06:34:00 AM · #7

Originally posted by Greetmir:

I found one almost IDENTICAL taken in Petra, Jordon ...

//www.traveljournals.net/pictures/40676.html

He gets around! ... LOL

I first thought you were kidding with me when you said Petra, Jordan because you knew I was a Jordanian; but when I went and checked the link you provided, the funny feeling I had turned into a very pleasant surprise, very nice site there.
The photo of the Lizard was taken in Wadi Numaira, about 80km north of Petra. The wadi (valley) starts south west of the city of Karak; 5km to the west of Kings Highway and trails 18.5 km all the way down to the Dead Sea; with an elevation deference going from 850 meters above sea level to -416 meters (below sea level).
I'd like to share two other photos with you; and you are most welcome to freely use them in the site if you like; both were taken in the Siq to Petra.

Thanks and good luck.
Tareq

Trinity_12_12

Canon EOS-30D

04/29/2007 07:25:29 AM · #8

This 'lizard' has me fascinated and I Googled and Yahooed and AOLed and could not find anything similar. As the previous Blue Lizard link suggested, it seems to be a type of Rock Agama, but as Agama's change colour rapidly according to temperature, mood, etc., it is difficult to know if this is the 'normal' colour of the Agama. The males also adopt bright colours during the breeding season, which complicates things even further. This is a really good shot and I cannot help but imagine what you would have got with your 300! Maybe a re-visit to this spot would pay off with some fantastic shots that it seems, cannot be found anywhere else on the internet.

Greetmir

Nikon D60

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Nikon

04/29/2007 07:27:06 AM · #9

Erm I did not know you were from Jordon ... I thought Arizona USA ... dunno why ...

... and that is not my site ... when I said I found one the same as yours I meant photo ... not lizard ... LOL

Those other two shots are great too! ... Maybe the guy that owns the site would love to have them posted there ...

Message edited by author 2007-04-29 07:30:07.

Greetmir

Nikon D60

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Nikon

04/29/2007 07:28:18 AM · #10

Originally posted by Trinity_12_12:

Try Mamma.com ... it is the only Meta Search Engine that I use these days ... that is where I found the link I put above ... :)

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/29/2007 08:15:13 AM · #11

Originally posted by TIHadi:

Yours looks like a Middle Eastern cousin of this guy called a Common Collared Lizard found in the United States. This one I photographed in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona USA.

Like you I found mine while hiking. I did not have a telephoto lens either. I chased it around for about an hour to get pictures of it. It could run very fast on its hind legs. For this picture I actually took it at the high end of a weak macro and was about 1/2 meters away at the time. This lizard is the second largest in Arizona. This one was about 1/3rd of a meter in length.

Message edited by author 2007-04-29 08:21:56.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

04/29/2007 08:55:39 AM · #12

Originally posted by Trinity_12_12:

We will be doing hiking through June. But there are so many valleys to hike; hopefully I will find another one elsewhere.
Here is a close-up from a different shot.

Thanks

Message edited by author 2007-04-29 08:56:10.

cryan

Nikon D700

04/29/2007 08:58:18 AM · #13

HE looks like a kind of bearded dragon. He is beautiiful.

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/29/2007 09:15:41 AM · #14

In the case of the Arizona USA lizard just the male gets the striking blue color and only during mating season to attract females. That could be true of your Jordanian lizard as well.

Message edited by author 2007-04-29 09:17:36.

downtherabbithole

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/29/2007 10:03:42 AM · #15

have you looked into the rainbow lizard? I'm a nerd and watch that special every sunday night on discovery called planet earth, and a couple weeks ago they should randow lizards, they have flatter stomachs and live in arid places eating insects. they were really cool. I might have the name wrong, but it's a place to start.

liberty

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/29/2007 10:54:13 AM · #16

This looks to be a blue-headed agama, might be a female also, because males are more vivid in color through the mid section, the scientific name is : agama atricollis
I do have pictures in my portfolio of a Dragon Agama, same family: "Agamidae" Hope that helps in your search to pin point what this little blue fellow is. BTW, Beautiful shot!

edit for pic

Message edited by author 2007-04-29 10:57:58.