A sunbaking day

A touch of warm weather brought out one of our Lace Monitor lizards for an early season sunbake. This is the first sighting for this season of one of our younger residents, who has spent the winter season in a hollow log that is in our pool garden area. This one is probably the least timid and will generally stay put, as long as you don't make sudden movements. I was reasonably close for the photo and it was generally unconcerned, but at one point it did give a warning hiss. (not really a hiss more the sound you make if you close your throat and breath out)

As you can see the skin is bright and clear after last season's had been shed and the coloured patterns showing good contrast. I cropped  for a close-up of the face and the markings around the eye.