Mediterranean Chamaleon (Chamaleo chamaleon)

Mata de Montegordo (Algarve), Portugal

Nikon D3s + Nikon 10.5mm f2.8 + 4x Nikon SB-26
iso 500, 1/250, f/14

In the beggining of autumm, a chameleon feeds on a grasshoper. It accumulates reserves for a short hibernation, which will extend threough the winter months.

Horseshoe Whip Snake (Coluber hippocrepis)

Serra do Caramulo, Portugal

Nikon D3s + Nikon 60mm f2.8 AFS + reflector
iso 800, 1/125, f/20

On a May evening, a Horseshoe Whip Snake takes advantage from a few sun rays to warm. The large granite boulders. atop Caramulo Mountains, preserve the heat that has warmed them during the day, until a bit later.

Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepida)

Castro Laboreiro, Peneda-Gerês NP, Portugal

An Ocellated Lizard profits from the last hours of a day in August to bask in the sunshine. Soon it will go back to its burrow under some rock, where it will spend the night.

Nikon D300 + Nikon 10.5mm f2.8 + 2x Nikon SB-26

iso 200, 1/250, f/11

Iberian Rock Lizard (Lacerta monticola)
Cântaro Magro, Serra da Estrela, Portugal

Last summer I dedicated some time to photograph this reptile. I sent two das chasing these likeable beasts, which are scarcely frightened by human presence. In Portugal they are only found in the higher regions of the Serra da Estrela, where they are abundant. The pattern diversity of this lizard and the mountain vegetation allows for many different compositions.

Nikon D300 + Nikon 60mm f2.8 AFS
iso 200, 1/1250, f5

Mediterranean Turtle (Mauremys leprosa)
Tejo Internacional, Portugal

On a cold, wet spring day, a Mediterranean Turtle roams the slabs on the bottom of a rivulet, in the Segura region.

Nikon D300 + Nikon 14-24 mmf2.8 (22mm) + Lee filter ND .6 (hard) + 2 x Nikon SB-28
iso 320, 1/80, f7.1, -1.3 Ev

Horseshoe Whip Snake (Coluber hippocrepis)

Serra do Caramulo, Portugal

When photographing reptiles and amphibians, the use of close-up (macro) lenses is quite common. The use of wide angle lenses like the fisheye lens I used to capture this beautiful Horseshoe Whip Snake, is much less so. Besides the aesthetic qualities, which I personally enjoy, it has the possibility of showing the habitat where the animal lives.

Nikon D300 + Nikon 10.5mm f2.8 + 2 x Nikon SB-26
iso 400, 1/60, f9

Common Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon)

Cacela Velha, Ria Formosa NP, Algarve, Portugal

I roamed the Algarve these days, photographing the Common Chameleon. Although it is autumn already, the mild temperatures seem to please this species and I spotted several active specimens. Amongst other things, I aimed at photographing the animals feeding. I tried to introduce some dynamics to the moment when the Chameleon attacks the Grasshopper and for that purpose I worked with reasonably low velocities, balancing artificial light with some daylight. I also decided on backgrounds strongly out of focus, using a telephoto lens.

Nikon D3s + Nikon 300mm f4 + 4x Nikon SB-26
iso 640, 1/40, f10

Iberian Viper (Vipera seoanei)

Castro Laboreiro, Peneda-Gerês NP, Portugal

Only after more than 20 days of field work, along three different visits looking for the melanistic form of the rarest Viper occurring in Portugal, did I manage to find this specimen. The Iberian Viper occurs only in two small areas of the Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês – Castro Laboreiro and Pitões das Júnias – and in Paredes de Coura. At the Parque Nacional, it lives in valleys and high mountain morasses.

Nikon D300 + Nikon 10.5mm f2.8 + 2x Nikon SB-26
iso 200, 1/200, f11