Thursday, October 13, 2011

Bearded Dragon

Walking up the steep steps 
behind the township
of Noosa Heads this morning
I was bemoaning the fact 
that I never see 
critters on this walk
while they must be there in the trees, 
old logs and deep leafy carpet
on the forest floor


I found a bright little flower on the path
and the curious green flowers


of the macaranga tree
with the large parasol leaves


I began to make my way down hill
through a residential zone


and spotted a movement on a front lawn
he stopped very still
and as I cautiously approached
he scampered into the leafy camouflage
and I walked closer still


he's a Bearded dragon
with rows of spiny scales on his throat
which he can puff and expand if threatened


and also spines on the back of his head
He has a hand waving gesture
to indicate submission to other dragons
and a head bobbing action to show dominance


He's also able to change colour 
like a chameleon


The bearded dragon enjoys basking in the sun
in dry arid zones of Australia
but when the temperatures rise to 38'-50'C
he buries himself underground


He's an omnivore and also diurnal.
The Dragon can grow 45-60 cm
half of which is tail
and despite his angry appearance 
he makes a gentle pet...



13 comments:

  1. delwyn - one of my students brought a young one of these to school. it's a well-loved pet. i touched its body and was surprised at how dry and rough its skin was. i love that you saw this little guy out where he belongs, in among the beautiful flowers and leaves. steven

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  2. Steven
    I'm glad you told us that...people actually enjoy them as pets! I suppose they are low maintenance...just need some heat, insects, veges...the odd cockroach...

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  3. What beautiful flower photos! I love the cute little bearded dragon. We used to have a pair of Iguanas and they grew too big for us to keep so we had to give them away. Blessings!

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  4. I'm always incredulous at the sight of these little creatures in their suits of armour! Beautifully fierce looking!

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  5. Hello Delwyn

    Never saw a bearded dragon. Hope all is well with you!

    Have a great a week end.

    Best
    Tracy :)

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  6. Oh Delwyn, you're back! I'm so glad. I'll have to catch up.

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  7. Delwyn, His coat almost looks like jewels.

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  8. First of all, I love the name "Noosa" and secondly, how come I never meet a dragon on MY walks? However, I doubt I'd want to keep him as a pet. You took great portraits of him, though.

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  9. G'day; Nice shots :-) I photographed a similar dragon and found your site when trying to identify it. I'm no expert, but I think you've miss-identified it. Bearded Dragons have two rows of spines, one down each flank. This one, and mine, have one row of spines down the centre of the back. I've since found this to be an Australian Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii). Hope this helps. Cheers Brett

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    Replies
    1. thank you Brett
      I believe you are quite right. I took a look at more google pics...interestingly this one was up high on Noosa Hill, nowhere near water...
      thank you again for putting me right.

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    2. No prob's Delwyn. Glad to have helped :-)

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