Earlier this week I took a long walk on the Osmanthus Trail at First Landing State Park. The day was eerily warm, and I was not the only one enjoying the bright sunshine. I saw dozens of Little Brown Skinks (which are also called Ground Skinks.)
All along the trail glittering flashes of brown slipped into cover as I approached. If I stopped and stood very still, they emerged again.
Sometimes they emerged in pairs and scuffles broke out. Or resumed.
I wondered if these were mating displays or true battles for territory.
The skinks were so entertaining that I kept my camera focused on the ground for much of my walk. Even so, I caught a single frame of a curious Hermit Thrush.
And I never pass up an opportunity to photograph Hooded Mergansers.
I missed photos of woodpeckers and chickadees and an unfamiliar warbler, but I don’t regret the day’s lizard fixation. I’m delighted to add Little Brown Skinks to the archive, because there is always room for life. My archive will never be full, and I will never tire of trying to fill it.
Rae Spencer 
I have never seen skinks before, Rae. So thank you for sharing, and the lovely photos of thrush and merganser ducks! Hope you are well. XO
VERY NICE PHOTOS BUT
I LIKE THE DUCKS BETTER 🙂
One word, Rae Spencer: BOOK!
🙂
I felt such an idiot one day when gardening we found a family of brown skinks. I’d never heard of legless lizards so decided that where a lot of baby brown snakes were there must be others. I rang the wildlife people to come and remove my brown snakes only to be told by the snake catcher when he could catch his breath from laughing “These are ‘armless, no legless brown skinks.” Your photos reminded me of that incident.
I’ve never seen a legless lizard, except in captivity. I’m sure I would think they were snakes, too!