The cycle of life

I've posted in the past about the lizards we find everywhere around here. The most striking is probably Agama agama, and in particular the male of the species, with its orange head. One important point I want to make right away: it came to my notice a while ago that some people believe them to be poisonous. It seems to be a rather common misconception in West and Central Africa. I've looked it up quite extensively and there is absolutely nothing to corroborate it. 

Now to my main point: Yesterday I discovered a female laying eggs in a hole. Although I knew how they did it in theory, it was my first time witnessing it. Although they don't lay a lot of eggs (only 5-7), it seems to be quite a long process. The female was 'frozen' in place for a while.

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Fly away

I'm sure by now my readers have figured out I like weavers. Their colours, their chatter, and their nests are sources of daily wonder. I took these pictures of Village weaver / Ploceus cucculatus / Tisserin gendarme (male and females/juveniles) in Agbodrafo, Togo.

A male, looking down on the action in a nearby tree, seemingly oblivious of the Rainbow lizard / Agama agama / Margouillat watching it.

I don't know for sure whether the one below is a female or a juvenile. They look very much the same, but this one looks fully grown and therefore I think it's a female. Please feel free to set me right if I'm wrong and to share tips to know one from the other. Thanks!

This is my very first almost decent picture of a flying bird. It is a tiny bit blurry and probably doesn't look much technically or in terms of action, but it makes me happy.

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Rainbow lizard

I never thought it could be interesting to some to see pictures of such a common sight as a rainbow lizard. Then I remembered what is common here may not be common everywhere. And this Rainbow lizard / Agama agama / Margouillat is rather striking! I learnt something too: I always assumed the male was colourful and the female drabber, but I read today that the male becomes colourful only in the breeding season. I'll assume that the following are actually female (ladies first!) and male, since it wouldn't make a lot of sense to me if all males didn't experience breeding season more or less at the same time. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!

A friendly reminder: please contact me if you want to use any materials posted on this blog. It's polite, and it will keep you on the right side of the law. Thank you!