Mountain Boomer!

[RGS]

This brilliantly colored fellow (yes it is the male) is the official Oklahoma State Reptile., but its very plain official name is the "Eastern Collared Lizard". But such a beautiful critter needs a more fitting name so, here in Oklahoma, we call it a "Mountain Boomer". Much more appropriate, doncha think?
This one was in the rocks overlooking Quannah Parker Lake in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge of SW Oklahoma. He was very kind to wait patiently while a grandson and I made several photographs of him.

By the way, if you live nearby and have not been to the Wichita Mountains, you are missing out. It's our little secret in Oklahoma.

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[cchuck]

That’s an amazing collection! Stunning lizard.

 

[Bill M]

Nice series great colors.

 

[Woodyg3]

Well photographed, and a cool looking subject!

 

[airestudiosmt]

Awesome photos!

 

[ButlerKid]

Superb images of a beautiful lizard! #1 and 2 are especially nice!

 

[KurtT]

This brilliantly colored fellow (yes it is the male) is the official Oklahoma State Reptile., but its very plain official name is the "Eastern Collared Lizard". But such a beautiful critter needs a more fitting name so, here in Oklahoma, we call it a "Mountain Boomer". Much more appropriate, doncha think?
This one was in the rocks overlooking Quannah Parker Lake in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge of SW Oklahoma. He was very kind to wait patiently while a grandson and I made several photographs of him.

By the way, if you live nearby and have not been to the Wichita Mountains, you are missing out. It's our little secret in Oklahoma.



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Lizard shots well done and very cool lizard, didn't know existed.

 

[Irap]

Great series, beautiful shots,

 

[Charles Loy]

SUPER and colorful.. photos are spot on! maybe they are here in Kansas too?
I've ridden to the Mt Scott a few times on a Harley, awesome scenic there

 

[ssheipel]

That's once gorgeous animal! Nice shots.

 

[cchuck]

I spent time in Wichita Mtns when I was stationed at Ft. Sill for 18 months (50 yrs ago!). Didn’t ever see that lizard while there, but wasn’t really looking for it. IIRC, road up Mt. Scott was unpaved then.

 

[RGS]

I spent time in Wichita Mtns when I was stationed at Ft. Sill for 18 months (50 yrs ago!). Didn’t ever see that lizard while there, but wasn’t really looking for it. IIRC, road up Mt. Scott was unpaved then.

They hang out in specific places. The area around Quannah Parker Lake - where this one was - is pretty good. The trail to the 40-foot hole is the most reliable place to find them. I spent time there as a kid but don't remember the roads - just the campgrounds and the lakes. I started photographing there (with a baby Crown Graphic!) in the late 70s. The Mt. Scott road was paved then. Here's a view from Mt. Scott in 1983 that was made with a Pentax MX and a brand new 200mm Pentax lens on Kodachrome 25.

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[cchuck]

They hang out in specific places. The area around Quannah Parker Lake - where this one was - is pretty good. The trail to the 40-foot hole is the most reliable place to find them. I spent time there as a kid but don't remember the roads - just the campgrounds and the lakes. I started photographing there (with a baby Crown Graphic!) in the late 70s. The Mt. Scott road was paved then. Here's a view from Mt. Scott in 1983 that was made with a Pentax MX and a brand new 200mm Pentax lens on Kodachrome 25.

Wonderful work of art! I was there in '70-'71. The top was usually crowded with shortwave radio folks.