Yellow-Spotted Monitor (large goanna)

[hotspur]

Went out into a very untidy piece of dry woodland paddock-its was difficult to get around as no real vehicle tracks.I rarely go to this paddock even though its close to home.Did not see very much,except a pair of Yellow Spotted Monitors- (Varanus panoptes panoptes).

Do not see these all the time,usually see many dozens of the Lace Monitors,but these yellow spotted monitors feed mainly on insects,frogs and small birds.They are never seen on our trail cams over looking carcasses-the lace monitors are a carrion feeder,these ones are not.Unfortunately the yellow monitors,eat cane toads thinking they are frogs,and quickly die.Which is such a shame.So may impact on there numbers.

The large one here is the biggest I have ever seen of this species,it was approx 1.5 m.Note how well they blend into surrounds.

Hope these may be of interest-comments and critique welcomed-I might get a print done of the first image-so may re PP.

Gear used Canon 450D and 17-55 F2.8 Lens,in manual mode,around F 7.1 1/200 iso 320

Thanks for looking.

[Dennis]

Hi Chris

Nice images, he/she is quite an impressive looking beat. The only suggestion is to crouch or lie down for a set of low level shots and shoot at an aperture that blurs the background so the creature is isolated from the BG.

Cheers

Dennis

[Derek Klepp]

Thanks Chris definitely quite different to the Lace Monitors that eat all the chook eggs down here.

[Larryp]

It looks much bigger than a lace monitor-great shots. We used to have a lace monitor turn up every summer for a few years. Our cat got quite friendly with it, and they used to lie together in the sun on the pool patio.