| Updated April 17, 2011. The scurrying of a lizard into the brush used to startle me. Now I search for them on the nature paths I walk, trying to get a better picture than the last one I took. Most of the lizards in the area where I live and work are Western Fence Lizards, so I've identified them as such. There may be some Sagebrush Lizards (Sceloporus graciosus) and Side-blotched Lizards (Uta stansburiana) mixed into the group. They're difficult to distinguish apart without more detailed photographs. An interesting territorial and courtship behavior of the Western Fence Lizard is to make itself appear bigger and fiercer by doing pushups or head bobbing. From my observations, lizards appear to do pushups after any type of physical exertion, and I wonder if the pumping isn't sometimes equivalent to a dog panting. lizards scattter / into the trembling / of dry leaves K. Avila 2011.2.23 Reference: National Audubon Society, Field Guide to California. Peter Alden et al. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1998. Photos copyright © 2008-2011 Kat Avila Location: Most of the lizard photos were taken at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, unless otherwise specified. Cameras: HP Photosmart M415 (2008), Canon SD1000 (2008-09), SD780 IS (2009-11) |
 a beautiful long tail UC Irvine 2010 | |||
| Western Fence Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, IGUANA FAMILY | ||||
 dead on sidewalk RSM 2008.1.7 |
 dorsal view RSM 2008.1.7 |
 a tree climber UC Irvine 2010.2.13 |
 RSM 2010.4.9 |
 This lizard blends in well with the stump. 2010.4.23 |
 doing pushups 2010.4.23 |
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| The lizard in this row has a skin condition or injury behind its left front leg. |
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 close-up of tail stump 2010.4.23 |
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 blue spots across back 2010.4.9 |
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 Looks like this lizard has regrown its tail. 2010.7.23 |
 See the color difference at the joint. 2010.7.23 |
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 hopping after a moth San Diego Creek Bike Trail 2010.9.24 |
 "Huh? Who are you?" San Diego Creek Bike Trail 2010.9.24 |
 pattern of paired dark and light brown stripes San Diego Creek Bike Trail 2010.9.24 |
 The pattern on its head looks like a false face. San Diego Creek Bike Trail 2010.9.24 |
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| This lizard was the 1st lizard I saw in 2011. This macho ran in front of me, scooted up a bush, and did some pushups while keeping an eye on me. Someone said maybe it climbed to match my height. |
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 basking in the sun 2011.2.4 |
 missing a tail 2011.3.7 |
 looking for insects to eat 2011.3.7 |
 splashes of yellow around eyes, ears, and armpits; aqua blue belly 2011.3.7 |
 giving me the eye 2011.3.7 |
 blinking 2011.3.7 |
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 aqua green spots dot the tail 2011.3.15 |
 bottom of hind legs are yellow 2011.3.15 |
 light blue throat patch 2011.3.15 |
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 Yellow coloring can be seen beneath its front and hind legs. 2011.3.17 |
 dark blue throat patch 2011.4.4 |
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 close-up on trunk 2011.4.4 |
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 close-up on patterned hand 2011.4.21 |
 lizard pair 2011.4.21 |
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