Common by name…

I was out photographing butterflies today, concentrating on the common blues. These are among the smaller and prettiest of our butterflies. They were flitting about in quite good numbers, occasionally settling long enough to be photographed. They seem to like the semi thick undergrowth between woodland and fields.

There were plenty of grasshoppers about, and it was while I was looking for them I came across some sacking (modern plastic variety) hidden in the long grass. It was what was on top of it that caught my eye.
Common Lizard

Discounting one previous sighting (of a lizard half consumed by a kestrel), this is my first photo of this native species. As you can see I had less than a clear shot at it, and it slid away before I could manage a second. It's an interesting sighting though, and another reason to head for that particular spot in the future.
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro lens.

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This Post Has 14 Comments

  1. gdare

    24 Jul 2009

    There were a lot of lizzards in my old neighbourhood, near the train rails and stones around them. They liked to stay there, warming themselves in the summer sun. They would never let us come too close, but if I knew how to work with camera back then, there would not be a problem to make a plenty of photos. Now that area is restricted by a fence.
    nice photos of butterfly :up:

  2. Ukwildlife

    24 Jul 2009

    great butterfly pics. Have really only seen common lizards twice?

  3. SittingFox

    24 Jul 2009

    I hoped you'd caught a common blue when I saw that subject line! So pretty.

    I've only ever seen one lizard in my local neighbourhood.

  4. Words

    24 Jul 2009

    Darko, we don't have enough sun to get the lizards out too much. I knew we had them, but they're one of the creatures that people don't see very often.

  5. Words

    24 Jul 2009

    Neil, well after today I've caught up with you. I saw a young one in the same spot at lunchtime. 🙂 The blues are abundant at the moment so I'm getting plenty of practice with them.

  6. Words

    24 Jul 2009

    Adele, the butterflies are certainly doing well this year, and I like the way that you get a few days or weeks where one species dominates, and then a change. The speckled woods are also out in good numbers at the moment.

    If it hadn't been for the sacking I doubt I'd have seen the lizard, and even then it was a close run thing.

  7. studio41

    25 Jul 2009

    these blue is so vibrant, very attractive flutterby! 🙂

  8. bugscout

    25 Jul 2009

    beautiful :yes:

  9. Words

    26 Jul 2009

    Thanks Walter!

  10. Words

    26 Jul 2009

    Thanks Jill!

  11. Flying Red Fox Blog

    26 Jul 2009

    Wow beautiful Butterfly :yes: Nice to catch the Lizard too well done! 😀

  12. Words

    26 Jul 2009

    Thanks Mark!

  13. anonymous

    4 Aug 2009

    Anonymous writes:

    Nice pic – they are very hard to get close to! That one's a male. They favour a particular spot, so you're likely to find him there again, with the right weather conditions. If you see him, and he darts away, sit tight for a while; he may well return after a few minutes if you are quiet and don't move.

  14. Words

    4 Aug 2009

    Thanks Anon. I did go back the following day and see a young one (much smaller). I must get back there soon, if the weather improves.

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