Anolis gemmosus - a photo on Flickriver

Anolis gemmosus

O'Shaughnessy's Anole (Anolis gemmosus), female.

Mindo, Ecuador, 2008.

The thronging, though highly suspicious and elusive, anoles that peopled the environs of the hut within the cloud forest reserve of The Yellow House proved challenging to photograph. I had poor luck with them until one evening an epiphany arrived. I happened to see a particularly showy male - spangled, bejewelled, 'gemmed' brightly - preparing to bed down for the night. I noted the precise location, on a palm frond, and decided to rise early so that I could set up the tripod near his position before sunrise. When he opened his eyes next morning I was there. At first he eyed the looming intruder with unveiled suspicion; however, in time - perhaps two hours - he shrugged off any doubts and decided I was harmless. Thus began my relationship with Anton: Anton the Indifferent Anole. Henceforth, the groundwork laid, I found that I could obtrude myself into his daily regime without difficulty - he paid me the compliment of ignoring my presence, even as I shifted the tripod and discreetly clicked the shutter.

I observed Anton day in, day out - and with each passing day I gained better insight into the rhythms of his life; his 'responsibilities' and relationships. Anton defended a sizeable territory, flourishing his impressive dewlap (a sort of 'throat fan') much as a cock sparrow declares ownership of his thicket with song. Rival males were warned off with impressive displays, and if they failed to get the message were put to flight in a headlong rush. Females were courted via similar displays, and one day I was fortunate enough to capture the resulting engagement. Here we see Anton in proud full 'dewlap' (photographed purely in natural light), followed by an image taken moments later when the assignation began. Male anoles tend to grasp the nape of their mate in their jaws, as seen here. The third photo shows another female from Anton's extensive harem.

Images shot in early 2008 at Hacienda San Vicente, Mindo, Ecuador.

All images © James A. Christensen/PrimevalNature.com

Please read my profile before making any request for use.

Taken on: May 3, 2008

Tags:

Andean

Andean Anole

Anolis gemmosus

cloud forest

Day

Ecuador

female

Foto Natura

Full body

green

Hacienda San Vicente

horizontal

in situ

lizard

lizards

Nature

Neotropical

O'Shaughnessy's Anole

Outdoor

Polychrotidae

Polychrotinae

rain forest

Redevelop 2015

reptile

reptiles

Reptilia

Wildlife

Mindo

Pichincha « less

Camera: Nikon D300, f/11.0, 1/5 sec, 200mm (=300mm), ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D300
Lens:	AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4D IF-ED
Aperture:	f/11.0
Exposure Time:	0.2 sec (1/5)
Focal Length:	200mm (35mm equivalent: 300mm)
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Aperture 3.6
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