Dragon Salad
Mmmm, greens …
*Click the pictures to fill the screen with one, will look so much better.
Didn’t have the gear for a full body shot, about 50cm long, tip to tail.
Full head shot, including the ear on left, and armour behind it.
Eye spy, from 2 inches away. She didn’t mind, though I was ready to withdraw my hand the camera was first in line.
The other eye, left side, down where the turkeys went.
Ear armour, not to be taken lightly by a would-be attacker – dogs for instance, or turkeys.
Belly armour, from the side.
Belly armour from above.
Hind leg, she is well protected.
Manicure madam? Where we get our sci-fi creatures from …
Tip of the tail, modular structure, dispensable.
My eye was on the two bush turkeys running ahead, disturbed by my approaching form. So I nearly missed the dragon sitting motionless at my feet.
The afternoon sun was hot at my back and the area sheltered by trees from any wind, great spot for a cold blooded animal to warm up.
She sat on the dry track, still and unmoved – not a flicker of recognition I was there – with a little greenery hanging out her mouth.
We are just moving into late spring/early summer proper and the cold creatures are waking up to a new year.
The season is picking up a pace, though still cool enough from winter’s recess to enjoy the contrast.
One of the simple pleasures of being alive in nature, the sense of it, in the space of it.
© Mark Berkery ……. Click on those pictures for a closer look
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Nature's Place 
Great shots
Thanks David.
exotic enchantment
Mark, these pictures of the critter make the critter seem scary to me. Eeks! I know it is beautiful and all but scary.
Hi Slukwago. Not so scary when they are treated with the respect they deserve. Respect dislodges fear.
thank you for the detailed glimpses
they are amazing and awe inspiring to consider
such an amazing dragon
Thanks Tammie.
I was hoping, when I read your title, that this would be the subject. Great studies–and they certainly deserve the name!
Thanks K … It was a bit bigger than my usual insect but the lighting wasn’t too bad – being set up for much smaller.
Awesome!
:-)
What a cool creature! I really enjoyed these images, Mark. I’m glad she’s so well protected, as the cold-bloodeds seem especially vulnerable to predation until they get the fluids flowing. Her feet certainly bring to mind those of my chickens, and the link between those families of animals.
The protection would account for her calm. She didn’t even inflate as they do when threatened, to give the appearance of ‘bigger’ – an uncomfortable mouthful.
Successful design does get repeated it seems.
Incredible detailed look at one of these lovely creatures. How did you know it was a female Mark?
I chose … :-)
Incredible. And caught munching. Excellent, Mark.
Thanks Jane.
Fantastic. Good treatment of a magnificent creature.
Thanks Mark.
Wowie!! The picture of her claws is my favorite. Such a beautiful combination of delicate and deadly.
Deadly elegant …
Thanks Lunar.
Wow!!! Stunner! How did you go with the Bush Turkeys? I found them very uncooperative when I was trying to get some shots.
Bush turkeys are not macro subjects, down my way anyway.
Thanks Mac …
Amazing…. : ))
Incredible creatures … :-)
Some really great shots Mark. I especially like the close up of the claw (next to last). The belly armor from the side looks very similar to shark teeth and the covering on the claw and tail is very similar in looks to shark skin. I guess it just makes sense to share a good design.
Thanks David. Good design on fundamental structure, we are not so dissimilar from animals as ??? would have it.
Incredible
Amazing little forms of life …