WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY – ENCHANTED FOREST PARK, FL
- This photograph was taken at Enchanted Forest Park in North Miami, FL. The subject was shot with a Nikon D90 and a Tamron 28-300mm telephoto lens at a distance of approximately 20 feet on an extremely bright day with a polarizing filter.
Iguana Trivia:
Iguana is a genus of lizard native to tropical areas of Central and South America and the Caribbean. The genus was first described by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in his book Specimen Medicum, Exhibens Synopsin Reptilium Emendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena in 1768. The genus Iguana includes two species: the Green Iguana, which is widespread throughout its range and a popular pet, and the Lesser Antillean Iguana, which is endemic to the Lesser Antilles and endangered due to habitat destruction.
The two species of lizard within the genus Iguana possess a dewlap, a row of spines running down their back to their tail, and a third “eye” on their head. This eye is known as the parietal eye, visible as a pale scale on the top of the head. Behind their neck are small scales which resemble spikes, known as tuberculate scales. These scales may be a variety of colors and are not always visible from close distances. They have a large round scale on their cheek known as a subtympanic shield.
Iguanas have excellent vision and are able to see shapes, shadows, colors and movement at long distances. Iguanas use their eyes to navigate through crowded forests, as well as for finding food. They use visual signals to communicate with other members of the same species.
They respond to visual stimulus of colors such as orange, yellow, pink, and in rare cases blue as food substances.
An iguana’s ear is known as the tympanum. It is the iguana’s ear drum, and is located right above the subtympanic shield and behind the eye. Iguanas are often hard to spot, as they tend to blend into their surroundings. The color green helps as a mode of hiding from larger predators.
Subject Photo exif Data
Camera Make and Model NIKON D90
Photo taken on December 13, 2009, 12:10 am
Focal Length 60mm
Shutter Speed 1/125
Aperture @ƒ/8
Fabulous photo
Nice shot Alan!
awwww! I ♥ Iguanas
Charles, this Iguana was shot 5 minutes from my house, yet I never see them in the Everglades!
Sutton, they are remarkable critters. This one was about 3 feet long.
I used to have a pet iguana who got to be over 6 ft nose to tail.. very cool..the Florida version of squirrels.. ha ha
Got that right!! lol And word has it that they both taste like chicken! lol
It's always chicken. hahaha
Kwai Charles..Doni gedowiozin? The only animal I have ever eaten that tastes a little like chicken is alligator
What a fabulous critter!
JC, the iguana was photographed about 5 minutes from my home. The area is loaded with them in all sizes up to about 5 feet.
Wow, Great
I hope to see many wild animals..!
Thank you
i love me those iguanas! This one’s a beaut! his colors, bulging orange&black-circled cheeks and draped bib are amazing phenomena to see. Thank you.
Jules
Jules, where I live, they are everywhere!
Wow. That is quite a creature. Enjoying your photos.
Glad you like the photos!
Just read your post on Long Island crabbing. As an ex New Yorker I miss doing that! I am from Sheepshead Bay now living in Florida. There are blue claw here, but it’s just not the same! lol
How long have you been taking these photos?
I really dig them! Who could ever eat them is beyond me.
Masterpiece. Keep it up Alan.
Alan, you got talent!
Wow..very pretty!
That is one cool lookin lizard.
It was taken 5 minutes from my house!
It looks like a tiny dinosaur.
So colorful-So photogenic-
That is one cool pic! 🙂
Nice looking iguana, Alan
lovely