My Grandmother used to call these brown anoles “tiny dinosaurs”. It’s easy to see why. I photographed this one on the side of a tree in Florida last winter.
Rat Snake Hunting in the Trees
This Rat Snake had no problem making its way through the trees when I encountered it on a hike in Central Virginia.
Brown Anole Cave
This brown anole was basking in the sun on the rocks. There was a large gap in the rocks, a cave relative to the size of the lizard. It never strayed too far from the safety of its hideout there.
Rat Snake Resting on a Branch
The Rat Snake is quite a capable climber. This individual took to the trees when we met each other on a lakeside trail in Central Virginia. It seemed to be just as happy making its way through the branches as it was winding across the forest floor.
Perfect Camouflage
A tiny Cricket Frog sits still, assuming its nearly perfect camouflage will keep it safe. I never would have seen it had it not hopped right in front of me as I walked down the lakeside trail.
Five-Lined Skink 1
This Five-Lined Skink frequently hangs out near the gap in this brick wall. I see it quite regularly and was able to get close enough to take a few good photographs. Five-Lined Skinks are common in Central Virginia. You can usually find them on old logs or on rock piles. They never seem to stray far from good hiding places.
Don’t Come Any Closer
When I first saw this Rat Snake it was on the ground, just a few yard ahead of me on a small, little used, lakeside trail. I turned, took a few steps back, dropped my backback and got my camera ready. When I turned back around it was gone. In a matter of seconds it had disappeared into the forest. “Oh well,” I thought, “that’s how they survive.” Continue reading “Don’t Come Any Closer”
Three Amigos
These painted turtles remind me of three friends posing for a portrait. They were basking in the sun, soaking up some solar energy in the Great Dismal Swamp when I took this photo.
Painted Turtle 1
This painted turtle was sunning itself on a cool spring day which probably allowed me to get closer than I otherwise might have. There were a few other turtles nearby but I like the coloration of this one.
King of the Mud Puddle
Walking in a park near the James River on spring afternoon, I stopped to see if there might be anything interesting in a large puddle adjacent to a small pond. Sitting, quietly a few feet from the trail was this red toad. It remained so motionless as I photographed it, I began to think it might be a toy frog somebody put there as a joke.