Tuesday 8 November 2011

Aye, there be dragons!


Sheath your sword; do not smote this beast. 'Tis no mythic fire-breathing devil-substitute from the Middle Ages, but a simple Australian Water Dragon. On the fight-flight axis, it is most certainly the latter that he will employ if you take one step closer. He will lift himself high onto four legs and scarper comically through the underbrush where he camouflages excellently.


Australian Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii), found on the east coast of Australia from Victoria north to Queensland. They are fast runners and strong climbers. When threatened, they seek cover in thick vegetation, or drop from an overhanging branch into water. They are able to swim totally submerged, and rest on the bottom of shallow creeks for up to 90 minutes, to avoid detection.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Very cool! Great images of this fellow.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that this dragon hung around and gave you so many great poses. Cool that they can stay under water so long. I didn't expect that!

Sharon said...

Handsome fellow!

Breathtaking said...

Hi Julie
These are fantastic shots of the Water Dragon.What a versatile fellow!

lewi14@gmail.com said...

Wonderful shots of these little dragons.

Mary Ann said...

Fantastic! We have little lizards scampering all around Beirut. I'd love to get a good picture someday. They move so fast it can be difficult to catch them.

Kay L. Davies said...

Isn't he gorgeous in his own way, Julie? He looks a little like the marine iguanas we saw in the Galapagos, only this fellow is much handsomer, and not related.
Fabulous shots, my friend!

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Anonymous said...

We saw one at a Blue Mountains lookout. It appeared unafraid and hanging around for a reason, which might have been food, but I don't know what tourists would have on their persons to feed a Water Dragon.

freefalling said...

Oh what a beauty!!!
First shot is great.
Love the tilt of the head.

Bruce Caspersonn said...

My spirits are always lifted after seaching your blog. Well done Julie. I love the harbour shots too.

Ann said...

You've got the focus spot on in the first one. I have lens envy.

Jilly said...

What a beauty. Super shots. Love that glimpse of red tummy.

Bergson said...

so funny the first

Joan Elizabeth said...

The first shot if fab ... I like the way we get to have a close look at his/her 'hands' and lovely skin.

diane b said...

Great shots especially the first one. I didn't know that they could stay under for so long. We have a family of them in the garden.

Anonymous said...

He clearly loves having his photo taken!

Jim said...

Awesome.

Unknown said...

Fantastic captures of a beautiful animal!