Twiggy

Uploaded: June 10, 2005 07:32:18

Description

I promised some info on the chamaleon how it originated on our islands so here goes!!
The Mediterranean chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) is normally brownish as this image or greenish as the one below. It can brighten or darken these colours according to its habitat or if it is alarmed in any way. It will also enlarge its tummy and open the mouth to look larger. The female lays its eggs in a small hole she digs underneath a tree. It lays approximately 20 to 30 eggs and covers them back. She then retreats back into the tree.
It was first introduced to the Maltese islands by missionaries in the mid ninteeth century. They were brought from Northern Africa. These were left in a large garden in St. Julians. During the years they have become widespread all over the islands. They are a protected species.

Comments

Laurence Saliba level-classic June 10, 2005

Please enlarge both versions. #261230

Joy Rector June 10, 2005

Great imga. Wonderful story. #1454062

S J June 10, 2005

Great shots, Laurence!! I'm sure that we'll definitely see it in te winner's circle next month!! Great work!! #1454114

Kara L. Hendricks June 10, 2005

Well this little guy just blends right in... Wonderful close-up Laurence! #1454120

Boentara Prajitno June 10, 2005

sharp picture, love the details #1454185

Joline Frazier June 10, 2005

I enjoy your information on these wonderful creatures. Being an amatuer naturalist myself, I find it very interesting. The photos are great illustrations of these little guys. When I was a child, I remember some women wore chamaleons on a chain pinned to their jackets...I'm sure the chamaleons didn't enjoy it!!!! #1454203

Deb Holmes-Hatfield June 10, 2005

Laurence, Thanks for the info, it is always great to learn new things.
Excellent image of this little guy, wonderful detail! #1454209

Michelle R. Kovach June 10, 2005

Howdy Neighbor! Very cool Laurence! Nicely done & thanks for the info on the lizzie! #1454264

Alisha L. Ekstrom June 10, 2005

Great image Laurence. Thanks for the story. I love how these creatures can blend in with their environment. Great capture!!!:):) #1454285

Jenny Bosmans June 10, 2005

OOOH!!! Fabulous details and great title, Laurence! Very nice to have some info! It's a winner to me! #1454288

Carla Metzler June 10, 2005

Great shots of this very intereting little critter. Thanks for the info. Love the title, Laurence. #1454345

Sandy Landon June 10, 2005

Great photos. I love how the first one looks like he is doing the splits. #1454399

Jill Flynn June 10, 2005

This is an amazing shot Laurence - what a find! Great timing and capture here. He is "one" with the twigs. SO GOOD! #1454406

Tammy Scott June 10, 2005

Awesome shot and story, Laurence! #1454449

Anita Hogue June 10, 2005

Wow, Laurence, these are magnificient images!!! Thanks for your information. #1454479

Tom Andersen June 10, 2005

Not only do we get wonderful images from you, Laurence, but also an education! Great work, my friend! #1454488

Laurence Saliba level-classic June 10, 2005

Thanks Joy, Sanjay, Kara, Boentara, Joline, Deb, Michelle, Alisha, Jenny, Carla, Sandy, Jill, Tammy, Anita and Tom!!!!
Tom it's really my great pleasure!! #1454526

Kerby Pfrangle June 10, 2005

Laurence when I first glanced at this I thought oh that a twig.

LOL

Than I enlarged it and it is fantastic.

Incrediable how you captured this.

I love it.

Kerby #1454665

Jessica McCollam June 10, 2005

WOW! He really does blend in so well! Fabulous capture and story, Laurence! Thank you for all the cool info!:) #1454667

Olivia Navarro June 10, 2005

What a GREAT capture, Laurence! He blends in perfectly! #1454672

Shelly A. Van Camp level-classic June 10, 2005

Wow, super cool!!! Great job...I found this pretty moth today that was bright pink and yellow..Shelly #1454674

Melissa L. Zavadil June 10, 2005

Feeeeeed Meeeee! Oh that first one looks so hungry! What a great shot! Is that the same one in the second picture? Because boy if it is, he sure can puff up! Thanks for the information on this guy! I enjoyed reading that!! Great info!! #1454676

Gail Vitikacs level-classic June 10, 2005

This is a coooool shot! Love it! Thanks for sharing! #1454693

Laura Clay-Ballard June 10, 2005

wow!!!!!!!!! I see winner on this one! fantastic. superb. excellent. #1454706

Jessica L. Richard June 10, 2005

great shots! thanks for sharing the info too, very educational! #1454712

Goshka G. June 10, 2005

What a wonderful macro capture, Laurence!!! Love your title too!! #1454735

Deborah Sandidge June 10, 2005

Great capture of this flexable little guy, Laurence! #1454744

Cathy Barrows June 10, 2005

now that is camoflauged...he should not have any predators #1454988

Dan Holm June 10, 2005

What a fabulous find, catch and capture, Laurence!! Beautifully done!! Excellent, as usual! #1455094

Danilo Piccioni June 10, 2005

This is just great! #1455102

Ermanno Radice June 10, 2005

Fantastic capture, this camaleonte is beautifulst, has not never seen any as this! Thanks for the information on the animal, are a lot interesting, Laurence! #1455168

Kate Jackson June 10, 2005

The best title Laurence for this winning image! Love all the info #1455271

Laurence Saliba level-classic June 10, 2005

Thanks Kerby, Jessica, Olivia, Shelly, Melissa, Gail, Laura, Jessica, Goshka, Deborah, Cathy, Dan, Danilo, Ermanno and Kate!!!! Truly wonderful comments!!! #1455293

Laurence Saliba level-classic June 10, 2005

A dear friend of mine asked me for a B/W version. Well here it is my friend!!! #1455529

Vicki Hunt June 10, 2005

This is so interesting...I am going to come back to re-read...love the tone of the image....Great work! #1455665

LISA L. HOWARD June 10, 2005

What a wonderful image. Love the title. #1455708

Judy S. Fung June 10, 2005

Wonderful detail, story and image, Laurence!! #1455810

Mata Patan June 10, 2005

Not only 3 great images but also a Scientific lesson!!!Very well done!!! #1455861

Kristian L. Stricklin June 10, 2005

Great images, Laurence! #1455901

Lori S. Aschbrenner June 10, 2005

I always enjoy your images, Laurence! Not only are they AWESOME (especially like the pic of the gymnast in the 1st image), but I always come away with some new bit of knowledge. Now you have me wondering why in the world missionaries would be travelling with chamaleons!?! Thank you, Laurence! #1455930

Kathryn (Love) Scheet level-classic June 10, 2005

fantastic capture of nature in the works Laurence! impressionante! #1455942

Lori Carlson June 10, 2005

Most excellent Laurence!! I love this. Wonderful comp, subject and so sharp!! Great job on the photo and educating us! :0) #1456113

Cathy Stancil June 10, 2005

This is the most perfect shot to demonstrate how good these little guys are with camoufage Laurence !! Great images and thank you for the infos ! #1456380

Steve Mescha June 10, 2005

Thank you Lawrence for brightening each and every day for me :-) You are as wonderful as your photographs! My very first thought about these guys was how "African" they look. Obviously an inspiration for art through the centuries. I'm glad they're protected in Malta! #1456387

Susan T. Evans level-classic June 10, 2005

Great capture Laurence, love the title and dof!!! #1456414

Susan T. Evans level-classic June 10, 2005

Wow, this is great Laurence, he blends right it, looks like a tree branch, love the dof! #1456419

Kathleen K. Parker level-deluxe June 10, 2005

What a cute little critter,and what a terrific shot,Laurence!
kathleen #1456651

Marsha S. Smith June 10, 2005

These little guys are so cute and I love the way you shot them, Laurence. The first one especially looks like he is really blending in. Reading your commentaries is just as great as seeing your images. #1456708

Laurence Saliba level-classic June 10, 2005

Thanks Vicki, Lisa, Judy, Mata, Kristian, Lori, Cathy, Steve, Susan, Kathleen and Marsha!!!!!
#1456782

Adilson F. Ferreira level-classic June 10, 2005

Wonderful image Laurence!!!
It is very interisting how this guy can mix with the environment and almost disappear!!! #1456861

Jennifer Rennison June 10, 2005

WOW, Laurence, super cool shot! Love the way he blends with the twig really makes you study him, fabulous detail and dof!! Outstanding image! #1456898

Walter Graziano June 11, 2005

Great shots Laurence, and I really enjoy when someone takes the time to give a history of certain things! (They really are ugly animals though!) #1457452

Cathy Barrows June 11, 2005

boy these guys are amazing #1457629

Brian Cassar June 11, 2005

Amazing sharpness Laurence. And wonderful info as usual. Well done! #1457819

Jane Summa June 11, 2005

First, I have to say that I really think we'll be seeing this one again! Excellent shot, Laurence....every aspect of the image is excellent!! (great catch on his position, too!)
Second..thanks for the info :-).......guess they don't bite ;-)! #1459013

Sharon Day June 11, 2005

Fantastic image, Laurence!!! Wonderful detail and BG! The thing looks just like part of the tree! Great job here! #1459675

June 11, 2005

Great image and a wonderful detail, and I willnever understand how they change their colors like that. #1459804

Amanda Price June 17, 2005

Fantastic shot, Laurence! #1484090

Laurence Saliba level-classic June 17, 2005

Thanks so much Adilson, Jennifer, Wally, Cathy, Brian, Jane, Sharon, Opal and Amanda!!! #1484279

Laurence Saliba level-classic September 06, 2005

Resubmitted 6th September 05. #1806733

Sherry Stricklin Boles level-classic September 06, 2005

Fantastic capture, Laurence!!! I real like his pose and the way he just blends! Absolutely wonderful!! #1806847

Shelly A. Van Camp level-classic September 06, 2005

Wow, how cool is this? Thanks for the info as well...My daughter loves lizards....I have a couple I did in Barbabdo's..this is a great shot!!!! :) #1807097

Ermanno Radice September 06, 2005

I enjoy your information, wonderful image, Laurence! #1807106

Sylvia Rossler September 06, 2005

Oh my gosh ...Laurence you will never stop to amaze me ! This is superbe,amazing wonderful! This cameleon picture is a winner for me !!!
Love his position and your framing ! #1807490

Roxanne M. Bubar September 06, 2005

WOW Fantastic image and thanks for the story that went along with it. #1807533

Silvia Nunes September 06, 2005

Beautiful shot Laurence !Wonderful!
Ilove the first one! Thanks for the info. #1807554

Jamil Saliba September 06, 2005

Vey unique Chameleon capture Lourence , we have the same kind of chameleon just thist kind but we have one problem the cats all the time hunt them and it is realy in danger to disapear #1807729

Jenny Bosmans September 06, 2005

I still love your 'Twiggy's' as much as before, Laurence!! Fantastic images and story!! #1807950

Mata Patan September 06, 2005

Most important thing is to beleive until the end that certain shots are good! Well done resubmission! #1807980

Deborah Sandidge September 06, 2005

I love his pose and how he blends beautifully with surroundings - great capture, Laurence! #1808125

April Riggs September 06, 2005

Great information and a wonderful shot #1808133

Marsha S. Smith September 06, 2005

Great shots, Laurence. I love it when you go all educational on us. Hey, we should enter you into the monthly category. You are sure to win!!! :) #1808199

Debra Booth September 06, 2005

Great capture of this incredible creature, Laurence!! #1808504

Roger Bernabo September 07, 2005

wonderful shot and the info was very good too #1811528

Noel Baebler September 08, 2005

Simply a wonderful shot, Laurence! #1815752

Noel Baebler September 08, 2005

Simply a wonderful shot, Laurence! #1815753

Barbara Helgason September 09, 2005

Incredible details Laurence, I am so glad I stopped by your gallery and enlarged this picture. It just has to be seen full size to be truly appreciated. #1818869

Jill Flynn September 09, 2005

He is "ONE WITH THAT STICK" Laurence! OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!! #1819551

Laurence Saliba level-classic September 10, 2005

Thanks so very much for all the wonderful comments!!!!! #1820440

Terry L. Ellis level-classic September 11, 2005

Fascinating captures, Laurence! Wonderful framing on them both! Great job and wonderful lesson! Thank you! #1825158

Laurence Saliba level-classic September 11, 2005

Thanks Terry!!!!! #1825746

Joy E. Cobb October 21, 2005

Congratulations once again, Laurence! :) #1977071

Carla Metzler October 21, 2005

Congratulations again, Laurence!! #1977724

Sylvia Rossler October 21, 2005

Congrats on my favourite of your finalists :o) #1977967

Laurence Saliba level-classic October 21, 2005

Thanks so much every one!!!! #1978314

Lucia De Giovanni October 21, 2005

Big Congratulations from Colorado!!! #1978511

Ermanno Radice October 21, 2005

Many congratulations on your wonderful finalist, my favorite of the four, Laurence!!! #1978930

Jamil Saliba October 21, 2005

Congratulations laurence !!!! will done #1979091

Laurence Saliba level-classic October 21, 2005

Thanks Lucia, Ermanno and Jamil!!! #1979234

Jill Flynn October 21, 2005

Yeah! Congratulations on ANOTHER terrific finalist Laurence! #1980393

Terry L. Ellis level-classic October 21, 2005

Congratulations, Laurence, on another wonderful finalist! #1980975

Marsha S. Smith October 21, 2005

Congratulations again, Laurence. He is soooo cute! #1981478

Deb Holmes-Hatfield October 21, 2005

Congrats to you again Laurence, on another well deserved finalist! #1981551

KHAWLA Haddad October 21, 2005


Congratulations on this terrific finalist!!!!!!! #1981796

Melissa L. Zavadil October 22, 2005

I am so glad I got to see this one again!! This is wonderful!!! CONGRATS!! #1982426

Stanley J. Contrades October 23, 2005

Terrific, Laurence, and CONGRATULATIONS once again!!
Much Aloha,
Stan #1986638

Laurence Saliba level-classic October 23, 2005

A big thank you to all of you!!! #1986817

Lori Carlson November 18, 2005

Still adore Twiggy!! Congrats Laurence!! :0) #2093135

Laurence Saliba level-classic January 15, 2006

Resubmitted 15th January 2006 for Monthly theme 'Transform'. I entered this again because I think that this is one of the most capable animals in the wild that can transform itself into twigs or leaves to hide itself from prey or predators. #2290057

Darryl Wilkinson February 21, 2006

Congratulations, Laurence, the "transformation" trick worked! What a fascinating image, WOW!!! BRAVO!!! #2444004

Jill Flynn February 21, 2006

Congratulations on your finalist Laurence! #2445817

Life Expressions February 21, 2006

Congrats Laurence!!! #2446066

Deborah Sandidge February 21, 2006

Outstanding Laurence, congratulations on your fantastic finalists! #2446526

Laurence Saliba level-classic February 21, 2006

Thanks everyone!!!! #2446550

Cathy M. Gromball February 21, 2006

Congratulations on this wonderful finalist, Laurence!

Cathy :) #2446995

Carla Metzler February 21, 2006

Oh how I love this image!!!! Congratulations, Laruence!! :D #2447057

Laurence Saliba level-classic February 21, 2006

Thanks!!! This will most probably stay one of my all time favourites!!! #2447438

Sylvia Rossler February 21, 2006

Mine too !! Just love this and I hope this time is the right ;o) Big congrats again Laurence :O) #2447812

Noel Baebler February 21, 2006

Huzzah, Laurence! #2448636

Pat Gamwell February 21, 2006

CONGRATS, Laurence! Well deserved! #2449188

Corinne M. Thompson February 21, 2006

Congrats on this stunning capture receiving Finalist :) #2450712

Laurence Saliba level-classic February 21, 2006

Thanks everyone!!! I appreciate this so much. Thanks. #2450802

Milan Banik February 22, 2006

Laurence congratulations on wild finalist! #2453733

Stanley J. Contrades February 22, 2006

CONGRATULATIONS and good luck to you in the next round, Laurence!!
Much Aloha,
Stan #2454963

Laurence Saliba level-classic February 23, 2006

Thanks Milan, thanks Stan!!! #2460319

Cindy Paquette February 24, 2006

Way to go Stan!!! #2463120

C A July 07, 2007

Hi Laurence,
Just had a look at your gallery and I don't understand why you think living on island is a handicap.. The coastal shots, wildlife, sunsets, plants they appeal to a lot of people. Your island is a popular destination to spend a holiday! People like al these things and more.. You are capturing the island very well I think. Keep up the good work! BW Corné #4480984

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