Flat out like a lizard... Sunning!

I have written about lizards before, but I thought it appropriate to show a couple sunning themselves! Each work day, I walk under the Story Bridge, and in the heat of the day during summer you can literally see up to 20 lizards in the space of about 50 metres. The path runs behind the Medina Hotel. These two were about mid size, and you could almost consider them domesticated as I was able to get quite close without them running off!

These lizards are of the Australian Water Dragon variety, or Physignathus lesueurii. They often will be on rock walls, or in some instances they will block your path on many of the walkways around the city. Including their tails, which comprise about two-thirds of their total length, adult females grow to about 2 feet long while adult males can grow slightly longer than 3 feet. You're far less likely to see them during winter, when they go through their hibernating phase.


During Summer this is one of those constants that I have in life. I know that as I walk under the bridge, I'm going to have to try not to stand on one. The babies, in particular, have a habit of sunning on the warm path, and then darting off as you get near with a scurrying sound as they dart off into the undergrowth. There are definitely days I wish I could scurry off with them!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Lizards

In the various parks and gardens of the city at this time of year you will often find lizards out and about in the morning and afternoon sun. They range in size from your little titchers, geckos, blue tongues and various sized water dragons. The often will be on rock walls, or in some instances they will block your path on many of the walkways around the city.

This little beauty happened to be in the City Botanic Gardens. He is what is considered an Australian Water Dragon, or Physignathus lesueurii. At this time of year you will find several as you navigate the garden's pathways particularly around the ponds.

I came across this one on a pathway near the ornamental ponds. At around one and half feet, I assumed it was a he, but I have no idea about determining the sex of lizards! He was sunning himself in the middle of the walkway, but as I came up trying to get as close as possible, he darted off into the relative cover of the undergrowth. I pursued him, and managed to get this shot of him watching me watching him. I'm sure if he could talk he would have said "Nick Off!".

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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