MEET MR. GRUMPY!

This is my entry for #animalsunday hosted by @homeartpictures

I was enjoying taking snaps at one of my favourite places in town called, The Roma Street Gardens ( situated in the heart of Brisbane city) when I noticed an Eastern Water Dragon emerging from the lagoon in the centre of the gardens. I'd been focusing more on taking landscape and floral images so it was time to get a few lizard shots. The Roma Street gardens represent a veritable green oasis for me as they flourish amidst the concrete jungle of skyscrapers, bitumen and the ever present flow of irritated drivers trying to beat the traffic lights at every opportunity. I was in my happy zone with my trusty camera in my hand so I slowly walked towards my target. Well! "If looks could kill." He hissed and frowned at me in a most unfriendly manner. "Someone got out of bed on the wrong side of the rock this morning," I told him, hoping to crack a smile.

It didn't work. The frown got deeper. I decided to ignore the frown and introduce myself. I said I was a keen amateur photographer and my camera was full of inanimate objects and I desperately needed some animate subjects to add to my fauna collection. Mr. Grumpy hissed and growled and mumbled something under his breath that I didn't quite catch. I took no notice because his expression was too good to miss. I held up my camera. And then I nearly dropped it in the water when he shouted, "I said, NO PHOTOS!"

"Ok, Ok" I said, stepping back a little. "I get the picture".........(well, not yet technically, although my finger did accidentally press the shutter button a couple of times when I thought he was suitably preoccupied) "Keep your scales on."

Obviously my direct approach had failed so I decided to see if a little charm might work. "I've seen a lot of lizards in my time but never have I seen one quite as handsome as you before." A lame overworked cliché , I know, but I wasn't prepared to go home and miss my best photo opportunity of the day.

His expression softened and after a bit more chit chat I promised him that if he allowed me to take a few photos I'd use them only to educate, enlighten and entertain people. And I hope I did with this post. I thanked him profusely when he relented and posed sweetly, presenting me with his best side profile. Then, as I prepared to walk away he winked at me and blew me a kiss. Moral of the story? When all else fails, try a little charm. It worked with Mr. Grumpy.