You Can't See Me

I've been meaning to post this picture of a masterful camouflage job for all you reptile lovers out there. One of my crew members took this shot of a flat-tail horned lizard while we were in the field in the Yuha Desert in Imperial County. The state of California lists these guys as a "Species of Special Concern" and the BLM and Forest Service list this as a "sensitive species". Not listed as an Endangered Species yet, but the US Fish and Wildlife Service is considering it for listing, I believe.

My photographer said the critter's camouflage was so good she almost stepped on it. Glad she didn't.