Saturday, February 27, 2010

Hole in the Wall

Gila Monster 04

Yes, we saw a Gila Monster today!  It is a large venomous lizard native to the Southwest US and Mexico.  They are becoming more rare and are protected by state laws.  It is illegal to "harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect the Gila Monster."

The last time I saw one, I was able to get more pictures.  Click here to see the Gila Monster at De Grazia Gallery.

Update:  I checked the hole in the wall a couple of days later and the Gila Monster was gone.

at

20 comments:

  1. Jannie FunsterFebruary 27, 2010 at 6:00 PM

    I'm so glad there is a movement and legislation to protect them!

    Cute looking little gig. Or gal.

    Nice to be back here, seeing your desert beauty again!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brenda's ArizonaFebruary 27, 2010 at 6:09 PM

    What caused you to walk over to the 'hole in the wall'? Did you notice movement? Great "discovery", and I'm glad you had your camera to share this with us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Diane AZFebruary 27, 2010 at 6:32 PM

    Brenda, I was checking out some subtle colors on the wall, possibly lichens. I was just lucky to notice the lizard, it didn't move at all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. TesFebruary 27, 2010 at 7:33 PM

    What a sighting! Who would think such a cute looking creature is venomous. Good to know there is a move to protect it. Good capture, Diane! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. betchaiFebruary 27, 2010 at 8:51 PM

    gosh, beautiful capture Diane, i love its eyes and how it is hiding in that hole in the wall.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Betsy Banks AdamsFebruary 27, 2010 at 9:25 PM

    Hi Diane, Looks like that Gila Monster has a nice home there.... He probably didn't appreciate the photos... ha

    Great pictures.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  7. GaelynFebruary 27, 2010 at 9:44 PM

    Wow, that is SO awesome. I've never seen a gila monster. Sure glad AZ protects them. Beautiful and colorful creature.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownFebruary 27, 2010 at 10:45 PM

    Eww, how scary! I'm so afraid of reptiles that I'd be screaming :( - an irrational phobia...

    ReplyDelete
  9. StephanieFebruary 28, 2010 at 12:44 AM

    'gila' in Malay (our national language) means crazy. So crazy monster? This makes the lizard even more scary!

    ReplyDelete
  10. JoFebruary 28, 2010 at 12:50 AM

    I'm so glad they're protected, Diane. Glorious creature.

    ReplyDelete
  11. rainfield61February 28, 2010 at 1:25 AM

    You have soptted the monster!!

    This is your luck, but how about its?

    It maybe lucky since you have not done one of those in the list.

    By the way, "gila" means mad in Malaysia.

    ReplyDelete
  12. cieldequimperFebruary 28, 2010 at 3:02 AM

    What a great build up! I have a problem with snakes though... Shivers are running down my spine. Give me spiders any day.

    ReplyDelete
  13. EzhilanFebruary 28, 2010 at 4:44 AM

    It's interesting to see the Gila Monster in it's natural habitat. I have never seen it's photo before. I like the gradual closeup of the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  14. •°°• IcyBC •°°•February 28, 2010 at 6:01 AM

    Wow..what a great capture, Diane! His/her skin is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. EbieFebruary 28, 2010 at 1:47 PM

    Was it scary? But the monster does look like very harmless!

    What a great find!

    ReplyDelete
  16. DoanLegacyFebruary 28, 2010 at 3:03 PM

    That's amazing find..You have good eyes..

    ReplyDelete
  17. ruthiFebruary 28, 2010 at 5:09 PM

    OMG... I didn't see it coming. I gave me some goosebumps. Nice one.

    ReplyDelete
  18. LindyFebruary 28, 2010 at 10:01 PM

    EXCELLENT!! I have never seen one in the wild, but my hubby has.

    ReplyDelete
  19. JenMarch 1, 2010 at 9:09 AM

    Yikes!
    Great find.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AyieMarch 3, 2010 at 7:55 PM

    ooops, scary!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting. :)