Axolotl by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
In Prague, I found myself intrigued by the bearded dragons that lived at the Golden Sickle. That particular hostel is now under new management and as a partial result of that, the lizards are gone. I'm now in Chicago (for not too long, I hope) and well...bearded dragons aren't exactly in my circle of intimate friends here. I have, however, come into the acquaintance of a particularly charming resident of the Lincoln Park Zoo. As expected, he lives in the Reptile and Amphibian house and is largely ignored by the throngs of loud and distinctly gregarious social mammals out for the spectacle of strange and alien animals. I was glad of that today. I was given a few moments with this little critter.
The interesting thing about these creatures is the fact that even as adults, they retain their "larval" gill structure. It's an extravagance that can occur only in nature...usually among birds. I'm glad that amphibious creatures also possess a bit of sartorial panache.
I plan to take more pictures of this creature in the near future, and as always, thank you for viewing and reading and commenting. Hopefully everyone's having a great weekend.

Comments (18)
I swear he's smiling at you---great shot of this guy!!
There's something to be learned here, maybe about retaining part of one's childlike nature into adulthood, one's curiosity and joy gills, so to speak.
Great capture
takes me back to Mad Magazine days; thanks, Chip!
What a strange and wonderful creature! Great shot, Chip!
The only bearded dragons in Chicago are of the human kind. :o) This strange creature looks ancient and intriguing.And curious about you. CC
Im glad my granduther dident see hem she would wont to take hem home. great shot.
I think he likes you. :) The frilly bits he's got going there are pretty nice! I'm glad you've found a friend in Chicago. ;)
I've been so busy lately I've barely had time to post any pictures, much less comment on anybody else's. I like this very much and keep thinking it's an exotic fish of some kind even though I was with you in the Reptile House at Lincoln Park Zoo when you made it and wasn't even aware of the thing. I think it's funny how two people can shoot pictures in the same place and get such different results! You seem to have a real feeling for exotic creatures( you were once married to me after all), as our first pet was an Asian cockroach affectionately dubbed "Foo-Quan". As ever, another wonderful and fascinating Chip shot!
Love ly shot (pure quality) Under water picture not easy... Well done
I´ve just seen my first ones before some weeks. Fantastic shot.
This is really gorgeous and very expressive image !!! 5* Hugs Karin :)
Wonderful shot!And that guy seems to love you.He is looking so sweet to you...(lol)
He does look like something left over from a previous geological age - the quirks of history. But that doesn't mean he hasn't evolved (like alligators) for he seems to be a very inquisitive when a true connoisseur comes to visit. That hostile in Prague sound a little like an old New Orleans hotel favoured by Ernest Hemingway except it catered to the local stray cats as opposed to lizards.
This is a really nice capture, He is interesting. Great shot.
Just wow!
Very cool shot. I really like how you caught him looking directly back at you. Fascinating creature.
all your animal and insect (and nature) shots have been wonderful, but since I can't comment on all of them—at least this session!—I'll pick one or two. This is a delightful shot because you caught the creature as if he's sunning on his porch, and just enjoying the sights (ie, us). And the light, that underwater yellow, is caught beautifully; as is the underwater shadow, in some places rich & deep and nearly pitch black. Nice little kingdom he has, isn't it...I haven't been to the zoo (or aquarium) in ages, but this makes me want to go back. Beautiful capture, and as always your descriptions are a delight.