One of, if not Arizona's exclusive contender for the most beautiful lizard. It's tough to compare to the colors of an Eastern Collared Lizard. When I first encountered him, this collared lizard was basking in a far less flattering perch. Following my approach, he actually ran closer, choosing this lovely little vista.
Tonto Nat Forest, AZ. Prints of this image are not currently available for sale. Please check back for future availability!
The stunning Eastern Collared Lizard surrounded by his beautiful home. When I first encountered him, this collared lizard was basking in a far less flattering perch. Following my approach, he actually ran closer, choosing this lovely little vista.
Tonto National Forest, AZ.
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While cruising along at 60mph toward the White Mountains, I noticed an indistinct bright shape on a rock 20 feet off the road. Driving another couple miles, I finally found a safe place to turn around. Upon returning, I found this stunning Eastern Collared Lizard completely adorned in his finest courtship attire. Since living here, I've met very few of these brilliant lizards, and they have always been evasive, dashing for cover at the first sign of me. As I approached, this fellow, however, actually moved a few feet away to a much more exposed rock surrounded by wildflowers. He posed without a care in the world as cars zipped by and I crept within a foot, snapping pictures. Yet another magical nature experience!
An extremely common, yet (due to their small size and nocturnal habits) rarely encountered lizard, the banded is Arizona's only native gecko. This beauty was resting under a piece of trash in my sandy shed. Picture Rocks, AZ, USA.
A greater earless lizard assumes the perfect pose to have his picture taken. These lavish lizards seem right at home in rocky habitats above the desert valleys.
Photo taken at Rockhound State Park, NM, USA.
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Madrean alligator lizards spend their time scouring the forest floor in search of delicious bugs to munch on. They rarely sit still. With this in mind, you can imagine my excitement at coming upon one just relaxing along the trail. These tiny gators are always a delightful encounter when exploring Arizona's Sky Islands. Southern AZ.
The profile of a beautiful Yarrow's Spiny Lizard. These common high-elevation lizards change their colors to absorb more/less heat and for camouflage. As the sky quickly became overcast, I watched this particular lizard immediately darken in response. Madera Canyon, AZ.
The head of female desert spiny lizards flare up a bright crimson when they're ready to breed. This lady is either just getting into the mood, or still has traces from her last round. Tucson, AZ.
Desert spiny lizards are nearly exclusive to the hot, desert valley and yarrow's seem to favor forested mid-high elevations. Clark's spiny lizards (the most stunning in my oh so humble opinion) occupy the gap between, overlapping into habitats for both the desert and yarrow's variety. Saguaro National Park West, AZ.
These spectacular showboats are sometimes absurdly skittish, disappearing beneath a rock when approached within 30 feet. Other individuals are almost docile, allowing a big human moving calmly to approach within an arm's length, seemingly unconcerned. Saguaro National Park East, AZ.
Of the many gigantic canyon spotted whiptails I've encountered, this fellow was by far the prettiest. My jaw literally dropped upon seeing him resting beside the unseasonal, monsoon-charged stream. Saguaro Nat Park East, AZ. Prints of this image are not currently available for sale. Please check back for future availability!
This enormous zebra-tailed lizard had an even bigger ego. Upon my approach for a close shot, rather than fleeing, he decided to run toward me, making a brazen territorial display. He looks rather human in this shot. Saguaro NP East, AZ.
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In the Sonoran Desert, many lizards will display bright coloration when ready to mate. Not unlike a woman dressing in crimson red for a bar night, this invites the boys to approach. Even when sporting such stunning colors, female lizards (such as this zebra-tail) tend to be less colorful than horny males. Saguaro National Park, AZ.
This Slevin's bunchgrass lizard looks rather dapper in black/white, don't you think? Cave Creek Canyon, AZ.
Meet the largest whiptail in Arizona! Like other whiptails, the canyon spotted spends life on the ground, foraging in search of insects and spiders to consume. On this overcast, monsoon season day, I was captivated to encounter this bright, big fellow basking along a normally-dry wash bed. What spectacular colors! Saguaro National Park East, AZ.
These tiger whiptails were having a heated territorial dispute when I happened upon them. Tiger whiptails are extremely common in / around Tucson.
Abundance aside, they're hard to snap mediocre pictures of, thanks to long, lanky bodies, and some of the worst ADHD among any reptiles!
Tucson, AZ, USA.
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This Mediterranean house gecko was one of several regularly encountered in my backyard, a bit far from his / her native homeland. These tiny geckos have successfully established themselves in Phoenix, Tucson, and a number of other metropolitan areas in warmer parts of America. Interestingly enough, this area's climate is pretty similar to that of their home range, making for an ideal match. Despite their success, this species doesn't appear to be having a negative impact on native species. Picture Rocks, AZ.
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In the early morning, a male spiny lizard sits atop a long-deceased fishhook barrel cactus. Saguaro NP East, AZ.
Unlike many desert lizards, the side-blotched seems to have an aversion to intense heat. During the warmer months, these small, colorful lizards tend to limit their conspicuous activity to the early morning. Saguaro NP West, AZ.
Using his / her tail as a stilt, this desert iguana manages to balance in the lower creosote branches. Well worth the effort is a favorite dish, the creosote's delicious flowers. Saguaro NP West, AZ.
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