A recent trip into the mountain of Monnegre and on the back road to the village I was ordered to stop suddenly and there within a few feet of the car was an Ocellated Lizard - not large but of a decent size basking in the sun inches from the shade of a bush on the roadside,
I peered over the bonnet and Bryan leant out and took these two photos. it was not as colourful as some library shots indicate but the markings are clear. It is also called a Jewelled Lizard although this one was not as bright as some photos give it. The young should be appearing about now and next time we may look harder. On a morning with no mammals, butterflies or snakes this lizard made up for one that we don't often see.
This morning a little green visitor not more than 4 cm long had come to our property.
They are common in Iberia although mostly overlooked and unseen. It is classified as the European Dwarf Mantis. We try and make all visitors welcome.
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