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Plumed Basilisk - for Bayram


Plumed Basilisk - for Bayram
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04-14
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds MkII, Canon EF 300mm f2.8 USM IS
Exposure: f/4, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Dedications to Bayram, Reptiles - Lizards, Chuckwallas, Agamas & Tegus 4, Bayram's Favorites-2, TN Favourites [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-08-09 1:43
Viewed: 11309
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello again

Thanks for all the welcome back messages - I am going to try to reply to everyone - in time :)

I took this shot woth my 300mm 2.8 + 1.4x converter at quite a high speed (it was dark at the edge of the waterways where these lizards rest on roots and low branches). It was also handheld in a boat (so fairly typical for me then)!

The plumed basilisk, Basiliscus plumifrons, also called a green basilisk or Double crested basilisk, is a species of lizard native to Latin America. Its natural range covers a swath from Mexico to Ecuador.

The basilisk sometimes runs as a biped. Basilisks have the unique ability to "walk" on water and, because of this, they have been dubbed as "The Jesus Lizard" or "The Jesus Christ Lizard" in reference to the biblical passage of Matthew 14:22-34. On water, the basilisk can run at a velocity of 1.5 meters (4.8 feet) per second for approximately 4.5 meters (14.75 feet) before sinking on all fours and swimming. Flaps between their toes help support the basilisk, creating a larger surface and a pocket of air. They can also sustain themselves on all fours while "water-walking" to increase time above the surface by about 4.25 feet.

Plumed basilisk males have three crests: one on the head, one on their back, and one on the tail. The females, however, only have one crest, on the head.

Plumed basilisks are omnivorous and eat insects, small mammals (such as rodents), smaller species of lizards, fruits and flowers. Their predators include raptors, opossums and snakes.

The females of this species lay five to fifteen eggs at a time in warm, damp sand or soil. The eggs hatch after eight to ten weeks, at which point the young emerge as fully independent lizards.

The plumed basilisk's generic name basiliscus is taken from the creature of Greek mythology made up of parts of a rooster, snake, and lion which could turn a man to stone by its gaze: the Basilisk. This name derives from the Greek basilískos meaning "little king". This epithet was given in Carolus Linnaeus' 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

TORTUGUERO

Tortuguero National Park is a National Park within the Tortuguero Conservation Area. The reserve is also included in the Humedal Caribe Noreste, a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The park is located in the Limón Province of northeastern Costa Rica. It is the third-most visited park in Costa Rica, despite the fact that it can only be reached by airplane or boat.

The park has incredible biological variety, due to the existence within the reserve of eleven different habitats, including rainforest, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. It is located in a tropical climate, is very humid, and receives up to 250 inches (6,300 mm) of rain a year.

The park is located on the Caribbean coast, and its beaches are key nesting ground for endangered sea turtles, such as Hawksbill, Loggerheads, Green and Leatherbacks. The rivers within the park are home to sensitive populations of manatees, as well as caimans, crocodiles, and Tropical Gar, which is considered a living fossil. The forests are home to jaguars, three-toed sloths, and three of Costa Rica's four species of monkey: (Geoffroy's Spider Monkey, the Mantled Howler, and the White-headed Capuchin). Basilisk lizards and poisonous frogs also inhabit the area, along with 375 species of birds including kingfishers, toucans, blue herons, peacocks, and parrots. There are more than 400 species of trees and approximately 2,200 species of plants.
parasbhalla, boreocypriensis, cataclysta, sandpiper2, flashpoint, cypturk, xTauruSx, yasemin, goatman04, caspian, zulfu, bahadir, jaycee, Luis52, MMM, goldyrs, uleko, Dis. Ac., Argus, siggi, horia, NinaM, septama has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Good Morning, James!

Wow, what a marvellous shot of a Double crested Basilisk! I am happy to know that this picture is dedicated to our friend, Bayram!

I like the ficusing in this shot, the sharpness and POV are perfectly chosen. The colors are so vivid. The details are great. I love the eyes of this basilisk. Wonderfully composed shot!

thanks and regards,
Paras Bhalla

Hello James
Beautiful green monster from Costa Rica. Good sharp image wioth nicely blured background and good composition I am glad to see new photos in your gallery
Best wishes
Krzysztof

Hi and Good Mormnin My Brother James:)

A great surprise for me indeed. Thank you very much!.
A honour and privilege to receive this wonderful dedication.
It is also significant for me because it is coming from an esteemed and well appreciated photographer such as yourself.
On your shot is 1st class quality as usual. The way which you photographed this cute Basilisk also wonderful. Great details on its head and body scalation, nice exposure and wonderful colours as well.
Thanks once more my brother! I wish you all the best!
Have a great day!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hi Paul

Yes, they're an amazing animal in real life, you can't help but look at them. Good capture considering you've in a boat! Good composition and sharpness.

Chris

hello James!
impressive cleaning and timing in this beautiful portrait of basiliscus plumifrons
really good posture......
compliments and tfs sERGIO

Hello James,
Excellent shot of this elegant looking Basilisk lizard.
Very impressive sharpness and lovely colours.
Tfs and regards,
cypturk

Hello and Welcome back James,
An elegant lizard and its great capture with wonderful composition. Great dedication too.
Regards, Deniz

Hi James.
Welcome back with this very good catch, nice composition as usual.... Well done and tfs.
Regards..
Leyla

Hello James,

this a great shot with such vivid colors, sharpness & fine details. Well done & TFS.

Regards

Umar

Hi James,

A very special type of reptile laudable been fantastic and an excellent shot. Super quality for this very nice gift hocamız Bayramı was shot Thanks for sharing.

Best Regards.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 685 W: 0 N: 2] (43)
  • [2009-08-09 6:10]

Superb shot of this green bipedes lizard with excellent details James. Well-fit dedication too.
TFS and G's,
Mehmet

Great shot in all aspects of this lovely lizard James.
Wondeful dedication too.
Bahadır

Hi James,
I love the eye of this lizard. Its as if it can looks straight through you. The details and colors in the lizard are most wonderful. Your signature technique paid off perfectly again. I think most of us will end up with blurry shot, but you got that technique trained to the best.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2009-08-09 11:00]

Hello James,
Wonderful photo of this basilisk. Perfect sharpness and details. Splendid clear and contrasting colours. Great dark BG. Excellent POV and composition.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2009-08-09 16:34]

Hi James,

There couldn't be a more perfect dedication to Bayram than this Lizard. I have never seen a Basilisk before - what an amazing looking creature he is. Love the pose showing off his magnificent face and skin. The eye is amazing - the details and textures are outstanding. I love the green and light blue. The black background sets him off beautifully.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
  • [2009-08-09 16:37]

Hola James.
Exelente imagen lograda aqui. La nitidez y colorido de la Iguana son de alto nivel, y la imagen muy bien presentada en este encuadre.
Me agrada la pose y el fondo que ademas le da un valor adicional a la presentacion.
Como siempre. Exelente fotografia James.
Saluos. Un abrazo.
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2009-08-10 10:07]

Hi James
Excellent closed up.Razor sharp image with great skin detail.I like the match of a dark BG with the green colors of the subject.Welcome back & TFS Michel

Pray, how did you find this one, peter?
Simply outstanding a shot!
Bravo!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2009-08-10 10:33]

Hello James,
What a superb close view of this fabulous Basilisk! I think they're so beautiful and this one looks happy too!! A very fine composition showing sharp details and lovely colours.
Many thanks and kind regards, Ulla

Hi James,

That's a long time ago!
How are you?
Very nice presentation from this animal.
Fine colours.

Gert

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2009-08-11 7:56]

Hello James,
A belated welcome back!
A fine capture of this green Plumed Basilisk Lizard. The dark Bg provides a perfect contrast to the sharpl taken front part of this lizard.
Thanks for posting what must be a first for TN and that makes a fine tribute to our 'resident' herpetologist, Bayram.
Kind regards,
Ivan

hello James
great composition with nice BG.
and very good sharpness
beautiful colours
i hope to see more picture's of costa rica
greeting lou

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2009-08-11 12:37]

Hello James,
It is great. I like composition and perfect OOF background. Sharpness and contrast is also very good. Great dedication for Bayram.
Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2009-08-11 14:42]

Hello my dear friend and nice to see you here again :)
I was wondering what had happened to you (with your absence and all) but i also thought you were away in some nice location again :)

This is a lovely shot - despite the difficult conditions - that depicts the very interesting and extremely beautiful characteristics of this species - the plumed basilisk.
The details and sharpness you managed to get on the head are excellent but it's also nice to see its long and colorful crest and body, too.
As usual with your posts, the ever present elaborate note is a pleasure, too and completes this nice post.

In hope you are doing great with only best wishes
Warm regards
Horia

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer [C: 773 W: 3 N: 1157] (4077)
  • [2009-08-11 19:58]

It is a beautiful animal, James, beautiful and so sharp! Also, welcome back! What a pleasure to see a picture from you, with all those travels and places that make me dreams. I really like lizards but never see any up here. Your dedication to Bayram is also very kind. Thank you James and I am glad you came back!

francine

great shot of one of my favorite reptile, the color so vivid with nice detailed scale, the blur background more highlight the object, the white-blue kind of stuff in the down right edges is a bit distracting but overall this image is well composed, TFS

amazing lizard, TFS Ori

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