A colorful visitor
Aug 17, 2016 11:50:32 #
This guy was waiting for me in my driveway this morning when I returned from my early morning walk. Notice how the early morning light enhances its muted colors. Common name is glass snake (genus Ophisaurus) not a snake at all, it's a lizard. If his whole body were colored like his under jaw, he would have been almost invisible.
Aug 17, 2016 12:38:04 #
Aug 17, 2016 13:05:40 #
Snap Shot wrote:
Jim, I'm not much for the slimy side of things, but it's a great photo! 
Thanks Bill, what is it you say? "look for things that others don't shoot or something like that?" I really appreciate the visit, the comment, and the thumbsup my friend.
Aug 17, 2016 13:13:23 #
Aug 17, 2016 13:33:47 #
Aug 17, 2016 13:40:23 #
Interesting.... learned something new today, thanks Jim!! Great shot of the reptile!!
Aug 17, 2016 14:07:10 #
Unusual and very interesting, Jim. But if it walks like a snake, and it talks like a snake, and it graduated from law school, it's a snake.
Aug 17, 2016 14:07:42 #
rlaugh wrote:
Who would have thought!!..good one!!
Thank you Bob, really appreciate the visit and the comment my friend.
Aug 17, 2016 14:10:01 #
pfrancke wrote:
I never knew about these things - very cool
High Piet, they are quite amazing little critters, and depending on size they can even capture and eat small rodents, but their ability to catch bigger prey like a mouse is hampered by the fact they do not have an unhinged jaw like a snake. Now you probably know more about glass snakes than you ever wanted to. Thanks very much for the visit and the very cool comment.
Aug 17, 2016 14:11:00 #
angela k wrote:
Interesting.... learned something new today, thanks Jim!! Great shot of the reptile!!
Thanks so much Angela, and you know our motto, never go to sleep without learning something new (or is that my motto? LOL) thanks again my friend.
Aug 17, 2016 14:13:17 #
Blast it all Randy, I knew I forgot to check something; yep his pedigree is from the Harvard-Shire School of Glass Law; yep you're obviously correct. LOL and thanks my friend.
Aug 17, 2016 16:16:08 #
He is certainly a very attractive snake/lizard Jim, excellent shot.
Aug 17, 2016 16:57:06 #
Sylvias wrote:
He is certainly a very attractive snake/lizard Jim, excellent shot.
Thank you Sylvia, they are very interesting critters and a real bonus to have in the lawn. Thanks again my friend for the nice comment and the thumbsup.
Aug 17, 2016 20:10:19 #
Jim, that's a gorgeous animal, iridescent. Like most, I'd never heard of them so I immediately looked them up. If anyone wants to know more here's a link to the U of F website on these specific critters (that are not slimy, by the way, just beautifully shine-eee). Even though they look like snakes, part of the difference is that they have moveable eyelids and external ear openings, and as Jim said they cannot unhinge their jaws.
Aug 17, 2016 20:52:30 #
Thanks Chuck for delving further into this beautiful creature and supplying the link for others to look into it if they wish. This forum is providing fun and education beyond even that envisioned by Bob Yankle. We are a collective group of photographers that not only enjoy our hobby and wish to get better at it but also a group that in general loves learning and the camaraderie that this new forum provides. Good on you my friend.
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