lizards, 2010 -part 2

Here’s the second half of 2010’s lizard shots.  The first half is in the preceding post.  Some specimens are shown more than once.

Later in the summer, I was able to sneak the closest I’ve ever gotten to an adult leopard lizard.  Here I’ll include four shots here from that sunny early-September photo session.  Also, got my first shots of just-hatched great basin collared and desert horned neonates.

late Aug 2010, desert horned liz (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), subadult female, facing, Deep Creek Mtns foothills, Tooele Co, UT

So far I have only encountered about 8 specimens of this species, but this subadult was the only one to open its mouth in order to look more threatening.  At least, that’s my interpretation of its intent.

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Different shot of same specimen above:

late Aug 2010, desert horned liz (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), subadult female, dorsal, Deep Creek Mtns foothills, Tooele Co, UT

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late Aug 2010, western fence liz (Sceloporus occidentalis), female, Deep Creek Mtns, Tooele Co, UT

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late Aug 2010, western fence liz (Sceloporus occidentalis), male, Deep Creek Mtns, Tooele Co, UT

I am unsure how often these lizards rest in these small pines in partial shade like this.  But when one on the ground seeks shelter away from you, then sometimes it climbs a tree.

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late Aug 2010, western fence liz (Sceloporus occidentalis), neonate, Deep Creek Mtns, Tooele Co, UT

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late Aug 02010--3 neonates' comparison: (TOP) sagebrush liz (Sceloporus graciosus); (MIDDLE) western fence liz (Sceloporus occidentalis); & (BOTTOM) sideblotch liz (Uta stansburiana); all from E Deep Ck Mtns, Juab & Tooele Cos, UT

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Different shot of same specimens above:

late Aug 02010--3 neonates' comparison: (LEFT) sagebrush liz (Sceloporus graciosus); (MIDDLE) western fence liz (Sceloporus occidentalis); & (RIGHT) sideblotch liz (Uta stansburiana); all from E Deep Ck Mtns, Juab & Tooele Cos, UT

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early Sept 2010, sideblotch liz (Uta stansburiana), male, S House Range foothills, Millard Co, UT

This is rather drab coloration for an adult male, but maybe that is a consequence of the season.  Perhaps in the spring he was more colorful, as they can be.

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early Sept 2010, leopard liz (Gambelia wislizenii), facing, S House Range foothills, Millard Co, UT

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Different shot of same specimen:

early Sept 2010, leopard liz (Gambelia wislizenii), shrub-shade, S House Range foothills, Millard Co, UT

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Different shot of same specimen:

early Sept 2010, leopard liz (Gambelia wislizenii), dorsal, S House Range foothills, Millard Co, UT

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Different shot of same specimen:

early Sept 2010, leopard liz (Gambelia wislizenii), lookout pose, S House Range foothills, Millard Co, UT

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early Sept 2010, great basin collared liz (Crotaphytus bicintores), neonate, posing, S House Range foothills, Millard Co, UT

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Different shot of same specimen above:

early Sept 2010, great basin collared liz (Crotaphytus bicintores), neonate, S House Range foothills, Millard Co, UT

This lizard was in very barren habitat.  When I stopped to photo it, it repeatedly sought shelter & shade underneath my leg or at the edge of my pack.

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early Sept 2010, desert horned liz (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), neonate, S House Range foothills, Millard Co, UT

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Different shot of same specimen above:

early Sept 2010, desert horned liz (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), neonate, fingers' comparison, S House Range foothills, Millard Co, UT

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early Sept 2010, eastern fence liz (Sceloporus undulatus), patternless, S of Vernal, Uintah Co, UT

The reddish & less patterned appearance of these, that live around the red sandstone outcrops of E Utah, is much different than the grayer & more patterned appearance of populations in Utah farther W that live around gray-colored rocks.

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