Little Skink by Leeco

Photography • Macro • posted on Sep 09, 2008

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Description

Nikon 7900 pocket camera, hand-held image. I found this little guy amongst some leaf litter as I was doing a bit of yard clean-up. This is a Coal Skink (Eumeces anthracinus pluvialis). The species is scattered in isolated clusters that range from NE Texas to the Eastern Canadian border. Most Skinks are darn fast so it is no easy matter to catch one, lol. Luckily, this one was very young and I had created some debris free areas with the leaf rake. He ran into one of these debris free areas and I managed to catch him. The next trick involves knowing how to calm him down so I can get a few shots. As a country boy in good standing, I have known (since I was a kid) that all you have to do to calm down a lizard is to rub his belly, lol. I swear it is true. You hold them on their back and rub their abdomen and they will go into a sleep like trance. It works on every lizard I ever tried it on. Since a skink is just a lizard with short legs, I tried it on him and sure enough, within a short time, he was limp and had his eyes closed. I put him on my finger, focused the camera and waited a short time until he 'revived'. Soon enough, he opened his eyes, lifted his weight onto his legs, and I snapped the shot. Then he jumped off my finger and I had to start over, lol. This is a newly identified species for me. Thanks to those who take the time to comment. Lee

Comments (19)

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mbz2662

12:11AM | Tue, 09 September 2008

Nice shot... oh Lizard Whisperer, errrr, Petter :)

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bigmama1972

1:05AM | Tue, 09 September 2008

outstanding shot!!! what a little one!!!

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CHK2033

1:13AM | Tue, 09 September 2008

Very good shot. great eyes also..I would have never seen that tiny thing!

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praep

1:56AM | Tue, 09 September 2008

Beautyful little guy.

Liam.

2:54AM | Tue, 09 September 2008

Sweet little thing

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durleybeachbum

3:08AM | Tue, 09 September 2008

I have this marvellous image in my mind of you doing your skink-charming! It has produced another fantastic pic!

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Raindroptheelf

3:31AM | Tue, 09 September 2008

We shall call you know the Lizzard whisperer lol. Great wonderful shot of this lil guy.

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GBCalls

5:54AM | Tue, 09 September 2008

Great shot Lee! We have tiny little critters like that I call salamanders or nute. Wonder if they are one and the same.

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skyla824

5:54AM | Tue, 09 September 2008

AWESOME LITTLE FELLOW... WELL DONE

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MrsRatbag

9:09AM | Tue, 09 September 2008

Great shot!

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RobyHermida

5:34PM | Tue, 09 September 2008

Gorgeous Image! ROBY ;O)

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bpclarke

6:20PM | Tue, 09 September 2008

He's a cutie! We used to catch horned toads when I was a kid. Excellent shot. Bunny

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tizjezzme

8:46PM | Tue, 09 September 2008

what a cute little fella ... nice find and capture lee.

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_Bee

12:09AM | Wed, 10 September 2008

Precious shot! But I have to wonder which way around it is. Giant's hand, dwarfing skink!?! And we can read your finger print! Just the secret agent coming out in me :0) And I need to be silly. It's been a heady day!

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JeffG7BRJ

7:33AM | Wed, 10 September 2008

The same trick is supposed to work on chickens Lee, I have seen it done but never got the knack of it myself. I will say you have a lot of patience and understanding, a lot of people would take no notice of the little critter. Excellent capture. Bravo!!!!!

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