There at the base of the tree was an Eastern Fence Lizard that must have been basking on the path in the early morning sun. Rather than disappear into the leaves, it had started up the tree trunk. It was probably the flash of its blue belly that drew my attention.
Otherwise it blended perfectly into the tree trunk less than a foot above the ground. I stood still for a long time. 
It became more comfortable or, perhaps, less threatened by my presence and moved around the trunk of the tree.
Apparently defying gravity, it posed upside-down.Click on an image to view a larger image
Identification resources:
- Lizards of Georgia and South Carolina: Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulates)
5 comments:
What a gorgeous blue tummy! The camouflage is impressive - maybe that's why I've never seen one of these lizards. I looked up its range in Texas, and apparently they're here. Cool!
I have only seen them a few times - and close enough to get a photo. Any time I hear scurrying rustling near the base of a tree now, I figure it's one of these guys.
They are quite difficult to photograph!
They normally don't stay around for a photo-op. It may be that it is mating season and this guy was guarding his territory and a little braver than usual.
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