Some months ago I stumbled across a chameleon in a nearby thicket, and after taking several snapshots using my camera phone, I thought of a plan to photograph the little creatures in my backyard and surrounding areas.
So here is a little sample wildlife that inhabit my backyard and surrounding areas …
The chameleon – a very distinctive and well-known species of lizard, due to the large eyes, curled tail and ability to change their skin coloration. As a young kid I remember chameleons being so common but nowadays I rarely come across any, so it was an incredible stroke of luck to come across this guy.
Chameleons are not the only lizard species that reside in my backyard ….
Imagine my excitement when I came across these guys, a species of parrots known as Fischer’s love birds. According to Wikipedia the species are found in the Serengeti in Tanzania, interesting to spot them in the midst of the concrete jungle that is Nairobi.
not the best shot since I had to zoom from afar, could not risk getting close and missing the magical opportunity.
Tiny, pugnacious, and jewel-like, hummingbirds are very common. Hummingbirds are able to perch and will do so at feeders regularly. Because they fly so much, they have poorly developed feet. They can barely walk at all. The hummingbird is much more comfortable in flight.
She finally comes down and I’m able to take a better shot …
A shiny black humming bird, I don’t know whether it’s a different species or a male (in the bird world males happen to be more colorful)
These little red birds are also very common, I happened to capture what seems to be a grooming session
A strange bird of prey, looks like a falcon …
A raven perched on a traffic light
Relaxing in the shade ….
Enough with the birds lets check some insects. I was able to capture close shots of this butterfly with it’s feeding tubes (proboscises) fully extended …
A honey bee doing it’s thing …
Another huge one that looks like a cross between a bee and a wasp …
Are these tiny things ladybirds?
looks like some type of mosquito
Slimy slugs very common during the rainy season
Take a closer look ….
a spider
And the sun finally sets …..
So you’ve seen a sample of wildlife in my backyard. Tell me what you think … What wildlife do you have in your backyard ?
This week Safari 254 links up with;
1. Reflections enroute #wkendtravelinspiration
2. Noel Morata’s Travel Photo Mondays
Please visit the sites for more wonderful photos and posts.
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11 Comments
Wowee! I don’t have anywhere near that kind of backyard with the exception of some birds. Oh, and a neighborhood raccoon which roams around late at night. In a residential area! I found that he lives in a storm drain directly across the street from me. I’ve seen him come across the street for a few years now and just recently started to come up my walkway until we were startled by each other and ran in opposite directions lol! Raccoons are cute in pictures but nothing to mess with. My favorite of your pictures was that butterfly!! LOVED your photos as always, Rachael and have a great day! 🙂
I love that the Gecko was regrowing his tail. I used to keep Love Birds – they are so pretty. Wow, I’ve never seen those red birds and I love that they are common for you to see. Your chameleon shot is great and the car shot is a winner.
Wow! You have quite the colorful yard!!! I hate insects and bugs and lizards, so you know whenever l go back home, l am always anxious 🙂 . In L.A, hills, l had a frigging deer in my yard, made a home under my deck, and it took forever to get rid of him. I always saw coyotes and deer too. In Texas, we had snakes (yuck), all sorts of bugs. Now, we only have flies..lol..and some green parrots that are native to Malaga. Great pictures!!!!
I’m impressed with your ability to capture these creatures. I always seem to have trouble getting photos of insects, so I know how hard it can be. That butterfly with the proboscis is terrific. I also never new that hummingbirds turned themselves upside down.
I love this idea for a post although I scrolled really quickly past the spider – lol. You have such a variety of wildlife in your backyard, and it makes me wonder exactly what I’d find in mine.
What delightful life in your backyard. Gorgeous shots.
I actually love this post,is it lady bird or lady bug? I remember catching them when younger and watching them as they strolled on our palms. As for the chameleons, yes Westlands was abound..are they going extinct?
You got some amazing close ups there! What a wonderful idea, a safari on your doorstep. Being in little old England the only wildlife in my garden is the neighbouring cat that torments my dog and some birds which sit outside my window.
I want to live here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! How wonderful must it be to have a backyard visited by so many amazing animals! What is a backyard and everyday to you is a completely exotic place to someone like me. We don’t get a whole lot of visitors, except for turkeys and chipmunks, and those don’t really like to be photographed (they either fly away or scurry away so fast I don’t get a chance to take a photo).
Beautiful collection of photos! Wow, my kids would have a field day in your backyard. Some of these wildlife are amazing especially the chameleon and lizards. How neat is that to see. I get a lot of spiders, snails and hummingbirds but that’s about it. Sometimes, you don’t have to travel far to find the most interesting things.