Western Fence Lizard

[dancinec]

Looking for beasts this morning along the estuary I spotted several of these Western Fence Lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis). A very common lizard found from the coast to the eastern slopes of mountains of Southern California. This lizard will reach lengths up to eight inches (20 cm). Look closely on the head crop and you can see the third eye ( a white spot on top center of the head) of lizards (pineal eye) which helps them to adjust their time spent in the sun (thermoregulation).

[KarinaB1970]

OMG I could hardly find him in the photo! He camoflauges sooo well! Awesome find and capture! Heck, I woulda stepped on the thing LOL

[Mitcon]

lol Same here Karina, well done on this shot Dennis. Shows how well the lizard blends with it's environment really well.

[webbo]

what lizard Dennis LoL



Nice one just shows how well camouflaged they are

[revert]

Very cool information. I didn't know that about the third eye, ours out here don't have those (atleast I don't think). Must be why yours are so much harder to get close to.

[cfcRebel]

Very funny. Now where's the lizard?

Great capture. :)

[dancinec]

OMG I could hardly find him in the photo! He camoflauges sooo well! Awesome find and capture! Heck, I woulda stepped on the thing LOLHe didn't move thinking I would not see him. Thanks for the comments.

[dancinec]

lol Same here Karina, well done on this shot Dennis. Shows how well the lizard blends with it's environment really well.Thanks Mitcon for the comments.

[dancinec]

what lizard Dennis LoL

Nice one just shows how well camouflaged they areThanks for the comments.

[dancinec]

Very cool information. I didn't know that about the third eye, ours out here don't have those (atleast I don't think). Must be why yours are so much harder to get close to.It doesn't give vision, it is a way to collection how long they have spent in the sun. If you were to paint it over the lizard would cook itself.

[dancinec]

Very funny. Now where's the lizard?

Great capture. :)Thanks for the comments.

[wolverinesr1]

he does blend in so well.i think i would've missed him.nice photos of him.thanks for sharing

[revert]

Oh gosh. I need to learn how to read. haha. Still very cool.

[RockOne]

Nice shot. Well camoflagued lizard.!. Not sure if he'd let you get any closer, but the Jacky Lizards here in oz that are really well camoflagued will not move, even if you touch them - a macro lizard shot perhaps (just have to find one again :-) ).

[Stephen Stephen]

Good shots Dennis. These just show you how wonderful natural camoflage can be.

[Bald Eagle]

Great shot of the lizard and great info on them as well, Fantastic to have spotted this one, Must be all that Macro training. :D ;) ;) :D

[dancinec]

he does blend in so well.i think i would've missed him.nice photos of him.thanks for sharingThanks for the comments.

[dancinec]

Nice shot. Well camoflagued lizard.!. Not sure if he'd let you get any closer, but the Jacky Lizards here in oz that are really well camoflagued will not move, even if you touch them - a macro lizard shot perhaps (just have to find one again :-) ).They sound neat. Like to see a picture if possible.

[dancinec]

Good shots Dennis. These just show you how wonderful natural camoflage can be.Thanks for the comment.

[dancinec]

Great shot of the lizard and great info on them as well, Fantastic to have spotted this one, Must be all that Macro training. :D ;) ;) :DIt moved! Thats how I spotted it. Thanks Bald Eagle for your comments.

[Paul A]

Nice shots Dennis.

[TammieO]

Very cool shot! Do all lizards have that third eye?

[dancinec]

Nice shots Dennis.Thanks Paul for the comment.

[dancinec]

Very cool shot! Do all lizards have that third eye?No, not exposed as in the Iguanids; although terrestrial vertebrates have a pineal body in the brain. We have one and it is where we store our photoperiod information, which sets our biological clock.