A chameleon’s tongue can be one and a half to two times its body length. The strike for prey happens so fast that it’s hard to get a picture (usually about 0.07 seconds). In my three weeks in Madagascar, I only had two opportunities to see and catch a tongue shot. This is one of them.
Yikes! isn’t this the lizard that drinks Budweiser? Regardless, that tongue looks like a leg, yuck. But he’ quite handsome. I think I’d like to have a beer with him 😉
I’d be fascinated to hear how you got this – good timing, presumably, not a trigger? And flash to help freeze it? Looks from the shadows like a ring flash?
Amazing picture – as I’ve come to expect from the picture of the day!
Not a ring, but two off camera flash units on a flash bracket, one positioned directly above the camera and one to the left of frame (this was taken back in 2005 and I think it was the Nikon SB-800 flash units that I was using back then).
No trigger, just trying to anticipate that tongue. My guide had captured a cricket of some sort and placed it on branch in front of the chameleon, so I knew it was just a matter of time before the tongue shot out.
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 A chameleon’s tongue can be one and a half to two times its body length. The strike for prey happens so fast that it’s hard to get a picture (usually about 0.07 seconds). In my three weeks in Madagascar, I only had two opportunities to see and catch a tongue shot. This is one of them.
That is just way too cool! Your work is an inspiration! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I am constantly amazed at the amount of patience it must take to get these incredibly rare shots. Bravo,Sean!
I can’t believe you got that shot.
FANTASTIC! And wow the colors on him are amazing!!! Just beautiful! Thanks again for brightening my day first thing!
Yikes! isn’t this the lizard that drinks Budweiser? Regardless, that tongue looks like a leg, yuck. But he’ quite handsome. I think I’d like to have a beer with him 😉
Wow!
I’d be fascinated to hear how you got this – good timing, presumably, not a trigger? And flash to help freeze it? Looks from the shadows like a ring flash?
Amazing picture – as I’ve come to expect from the picture of the day!
Actually, not ring flash, off camera and elevated to the left…
Hey Nick,
Not a ring, but two off camera flash units on a flash bracket, one positioned directly above the camera and one to the left of frame (this was taken back in 2005 and I think it was the Nikon SB-800 flash units that I was using back then).
No trigger, just trying to anticipate that tongue. My guide had captured a cricket of some sort and placed it on branch in front of the chameleon, so I knew it was just a matter of time before the tongue shot out.
Thanks. Amazing reactions to get the shot then, even if you could anticipate!
Wow, what a cool shot of this beautiful chamaleon!
I hope one day I’ll be able to photograph in all kinds of situations like you do. 😉