Reptiles

Locate, Observe, Wait…Click

Diamond Python – trying to find its way back to native bush and cover. It was on a pedestrian/cycling path at the time so potentially at some risk. It kept trying to climb up the wall but wasn’t able to, until it was given a helping hand back to safety by kindly NSW National Parks and Wildlife Officers. Photo taken in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – Photos above and below taken in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney.

Eastern Water Dragon – unusually, this juvenile was perched on the top of a lantana shrub. Normally these lizards relax on tree branches, logs, or on the ground sunning themselves. It seemed to be inquisitive and watched me watching it. Suddenly, it lunged at a flower and greedily chewed it up. I had never seen them eat flowers before!

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – having its portrait taken. I was on my belly less than 1m away. Photo taken in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – making itself comfortable on a picnic table in the national park. Photo taken in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – “chilling out” on a 32 deg C and humid afternoon. Photo taken in lane Cove National park, Sydney.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – juvenile showing off its red chest and belly. Photo taken in lane Cove National park, Sydney.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – resting its chin on a twig while lying in the sunshine. Photo taken in Lane Cove National park, Sydney.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – relaxing in the sun.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – basking partly in the sun and shade.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – perhaps suggesting I shouldn’t get any closer.

Eastern Water Dragons (Australian) – seemingly being amorous due to camera position.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – it stood its ground for 15 mins so I was able to take many photos.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – posing on a warm rock.

Eastern Water Dragon (Australian) – juvenile showing off it’s red chest.

Eastern Water Dragons (Australian)

Goanna (Lace Monitor) – basking in the sun on a fallen tree. Photos above and below taken in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney.

Goanna – The largest goanna I have seen here – 2m length and very muscular – crashed out of the undergrowth and thankfully ignored me…

…ambled up the track and then suddenly decided to lay down in the sun for 5 minutes. It owned the track and nobody wanted to pass!

Goanna – I stepped carefully backwards down the track to stay well clear of this large goanna’s brisk advance and huge claws.

Goanna – let large, sleeping goannas lie… I did not attempt to get much closer.

Goanna – this is why I don’t get too close to goannas.

Goanna – I nearly stepped on this large goanna while walking the track as it was so well camouflaged. Just over the cliff was another even larger goanna.

Goanna – resting in a rather uncomfortable looking position, half on the ground, half on the tree.

Goanna – This beautifully marked juvenile had just devoured a small bird (…bulge in its throat?)

Goanna – Photo taken in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney. This juvenile was wary of me and climbed the tree. Photo is angled but the tree was vertical.

I heard the commotion from 300m away. I rushed to the tree. A dozen aggressive, raucous cockatoos were harassing a sun-baking young goanna until it was driven from its 10m high tree branch. Tongue flicking, tailed curled behind, the goanna crept over a tree hole where I had seen a pair of King Parrots just an hour before. It quickly climbed head-first down the tree trunk to the ground where it lay in the sun for a few minutes before ambling off into the dense undergrowth to hunt for another day, ego bruised as an apex predator but otherwise unscathed.

Common Garden Skinks – photo taken in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney.

Common Garden Skink – photo taken on Venteman’s Reach track, Lane Cove River, Sydney.

Common Garden Skink – photo taken at Tambourine Bay, Riverview, Sydney.

Common Garden Skink – photo taken on Venteman’s Reach track, Lane Cove River, Sydney.

Shingleback Lizard – photo taken on open ground whilst visiting Dubbo Zoo, NSW.

Bearded Dragon (tbc) – photo taken on open ground whilst visiting Dubbo Zoo, NSW.

Diamond Python – curled up…but very aware! I observed this snake for a few minutes and it was regularly moving. Photo taken in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney.

Diamond Python – who needs steps when you are a snake? This scene startled as I rounded a corner while walking briskly along one of my favourite bush tracks! Photo taken in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney.