Another interesting inhabitant of the Wichita Mountains (southwest Oklahoma) is the Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris). During my recent visit, I saw several male lizards, but no females. Makes me think the females may be busy nesting right now.
These creatures are cold-blooded, staying in their dens on colder days. During my visit, it was cooler than normal, but some still made their way out to sun on rocks. Here are a few of my favorite images I captured of some male Eastern Collared Lizards as they sunned:
An interesting behavior of these lizards is their ability to run about, on their hind legs. I’ve only seen this behavior a few times, but they look like miniature dinosaurs running about whenever they do! And I’ve never been able to photograph this unique behavior … maybe someday! :o)
Photographic Equipment Used:
- Canon 7D body
- Canon EF100mm-400mm, f/4.5-f/5.6, IS lens, shot at 400mm
- Handheld, with IS “On”
- ISO 200
- Aperture f/18 and f/5.6
- Shutter 1/320 sec. and 1/800 sec.