Hiking Companion Photo

Photographer’s Note

I couldn't resist posting this photo of a small lizard I encountered while shooting scenes in the watershed land below Mount Tamalpais. When I'm hiking in this region I encounter these critters often, typically sunning themselves on a rock.

This particular fence attracted many lizards, but this was the only one who didn't scurry away when I approached with camera in hand. Of course, I had to walk VERY slowly. This is a rather privileged location as well...the fence encloses a parking lot that serves a private golf course called the Meadows. I'll post a photo of the Meadows in the near future so you can get a sense of what playing golf is like in northern California. For now you can appreciate my hiking companion.

Cool-ice, Rinie_Hoff, GrahamB, Oldtree, avigur_11, michel_r, glitch has marked this note useful

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SophieL (6026) 2004-11-11 2:12

You're lucky to have caught that little guy, and you must have been very careful! They are so shy...
Very good diagonal composition, straight lines of the fence soften by the curves of the lizard's body. The node (knot? I'm not sure it's the right word) in the wood is perfectly positionned to add a little change in the wood patterns. The texture in the wood is fine, but it seemed the back of the lizard is slightly out of focus. You likely privileged speed over depth-of-field for that picture (I probably would have done the same!).

kozerog (1115) 2004-11-11 2:38

Very good diagonal composition and also I like that it's head & tale turned opposite. It's slightly out of focus.

Cool-ice (5289) 2004-11-11 3:02

We can feel the textures here.
And the hole over the head of the lizard i just perfectly placed in the composition to breach the monotony of the wood.
My hat off you can take this one because every time I see a lizard, it is away before I only have time to approach it !

GrahamB (939) 2004-11-11 6:29

Nicely captured and a good diagonal composition. Great texture in the old wood. I agree it's back is a little soft but you have the head sharp which is the main focal point.

Rinie_Hoff (9332) 2004-11-11 8:40

Hi Curtis, Like Yves says, we can feel the texture. It reminds me of your two birds at Stinson beach. I liked the fine detailed feathers on those birds, as much as I like the texture of this little lizard. The back is indeed bit out of focus, but that does not bother me at all.
You framed the little critter very well, nice composition and great DoF.
Nice of him/her to be you companion. ;-) I suppose now that it's getting colder, they are getting slower as well, and have to stay in the sun longer to warm up. Not that I doubt your very slow approach. ;-)

Oldtree (2457) 2004-11-11 11:18

Excellent shot, Curtis. I am delighted by the combination of the wood (pattern) and this animal. They seem to fit very well. Also beautiful the curve the body of this reptil forms. Very well seen.

wilkinsonsg (8644) 2004-11-11 13:01

Very nice image - well captured :)

Hanssie (9133) 2004-11-11 13:48

A funny composition with also the whole.
Good shot, it seems, if we can touch the wood and the...lizard....ooops, gone, too quick!
I also try to "catch" them, the quick-ones, there are some of mine on TL.
Nice photo, Curtis !

avigur_11 (21271) 2004-11-11 15:31

There i a lot of Olli in this shot, Curtis, and it is wonderful. This is a hard-to-capture shot, but you managed the composition very well with the diagonal orientaion of the wooden bar.
The focus is a bit too soft, and the background is a bit too bright, so I made a WS for you. Still, this is a very good shot, I like it very much.

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michel_r (1114) 2004-11-11 16:32

Hello Curtis,
it is very difficult to catch these lizards so i am sure you have walked quite carefully. The hole is just where it should be and if definitely adds to the picture. the wood feels very dry. a very good one.

glitch (759) 2004-11-11 20:15

Nice photo Curtis!
Very sharp and good central composition, filling the frame and adding the diagonal log is an interesting choice.
Well done!