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)
long-tailed lizard
a beautiful long tail
UC Irvine
2010
Western Fence Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, IGUANA FAMILY
lizard
dead on sidewalk
RSM
2008.1.7
lizard
dorsal view
RSM
2008.1.7
lizard
a tree climber
UC Irvine
2010.2.13
lizard
RSM
2010.4.9
lizard
This lizard blends in well
with the stump.
2010.4.23
lizard
doing pushups
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
The lizard in this row
has a skin condition
or injury behind its
left front leg.
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
close-up of tail stump
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.23
lizard
2010.4.9
lizard
blue spots across back
2010.4.9
lizard
2010.5.27
lizard
2010.5.27
lizard
2010.5.27
lizard
2010.6.10
lizard
Looks like this lizard
has regrown its tail.
2010.7.23
lizard
See the color difference
at the joint.
2010.7.23
lizard
2010.7.23
lizard
hopping after a moth
San Diego Creek Bike Trail
2010.9.24
lizard
"Huh? Who are you?"
San Diego Creek Bike Trail
2010.9.24
lizard
pattern of paired dark
and light brown stripes
San Diego Creek Bike Trail
2010.9.24
lizard
The pattern on its head
looks like a false face.
San Diego Creek Bike Trail
2010.9.24


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.
lizard
2011.1.28
lizard
2011.1.28
lizard
basking in the sun
2011.2.4
lizard
missing a tail
2011.3.7
lizard
looking for insects to eat
2011.3.7
lizard
splashes of yellow around
eyes, ears, and armpits;
aqua blue belly
2011.3.7
lizard
giving me the eye
2011.3.7
lizard
blinking
2011.3.7
lizard
2011.3.10
lizard
2011.3.10
lizard
2011.3.11
lizard
2011.3.11
lizard
aqua green spots
dot the tail
2011.3.15
lizard
bottom of hind legs
are yellow
2011.3.15
lizard
light blue throat patch
2011.3.15
lizard
2011.3.15
lizard
2011.3.17
lizard
Yellow coloring can be seen
beneath its front and hind legs.
2011.3.17
lizard
dark blue throat patch
2011.4.4
lizard
2011.4.4
lizard
2011.4.4
lizard
2011.4.4
lizard
2011.4.4
lizard
close-up on trunk
2011.4.4
lizard
2011.4.4
lizard
2011.4.4
lizard
2011.4.4
lizard
2011.4.4
lizard
2011.4.4
lizard
2011.4.11
lizard
2011.4.11
lizard
2011.4.21
lizard
2011.4.21
lizard
2011.4.21
lizard
close-up on patterned hand
2011.4.21
lizard
lizard pair
2011.4.21