I also stopped at birding spots along the way. This lizard was in the middle of one of the side roads. Even when the car came close it did not move so I went around it – stopped – and took photos out the window. I would guess it was about 600mm or 2 feet in length and I think it is possibly a small goanna. I hope someone will correct this if it is wrong.
Thanks to Denis for his suggestion that this lizard did not look like a goanna. I consulted a local expert this morning (Yes, I should have done this before posting!) and Denis was also right that this is a Frilled-neck Lizard. According to the books we consulted these have been found as far south as Brisbane. However, the habitat where I saw it is not where it is usually found - so very interesting indeed!While looking for birds in the trees this beautiful butterfly came past. I looked at on-line photos of butterflies and I think it is an Orchard Swallowtail. At least I came home with a few interesting photos.
When I saw the title of this post I was kinda of sad for a moment. What, no more birds. But other aspects of Nature seems to have found you instead.
ReplyDeleteHi NM. I think there are only a couple of other posts where I have had no photos of birds! They'll be back for sure!
ReplyDeleteIt's really great to see your wildlife Mick - lovely lizards and beautiful butterflies.
ReplyDeleteEspecially good when we had snow overnight here!
Thanks Tricia. It does get a bit hot here at times but I think I can manage that easier than the cold weather you get.
ReplyDeleteHi Mick
ReplyDeleteYour Lizard does not seem to fit with a Goanna. The pose looks unusual for them. Also rough scales around face do not seem right.
Also, by lightening the image considerably, it appears there is a large flap of skin along the neck. It make me wonder if it was a Frilled-neck Lizard - the true Northern Territory type, not a Bearded Dragon. In which case it might possibly be an escapee.
If you can lighten your image, and have a look, see what I mean. Failing that, email me, via my blog profile site, and I will reply with image for you to examine.
Cheers
Denis
I can't help with the lizard ID but I wanted to comment on some very nice photo's. Very well captured! I went birding the other day and although I didnt turn up much in the way of birds I managed to find several green and gold frogs and a copperhead snake which made up for the lack of birds :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Denis, thanks for looking so carefully at my photo and I did lighten the photo and can indeed now see what appears to be an extra fold of skin on the neck. That is very interesting. I must do some more research about it.
ReplyDeleteHi James, thanks for your comments. When there are birds around I tend not to even look for other things - but of course they are interesting when I do see them.
ReplyDeleteHi Mick, the lizard is a nice one, I was going to suggest the frill-necked too but didn't get around to it, been a bit preoccupied for the past fortnight. Have a good new year up there in paradise.
ReplyDeleteThanks Duncan, but this is a bit too hot right now for paradise! Rather more like the entrance to the other place :-)
ReplyDelete