Thanks - occationally I get a few good pics up close, when the
lighting is right,and the flash doesn't wash them out to much. Digital
cameras enable people like me to come up with a few really nice
pictures every once in a while. I just have to delete 2 washed out or
out of focus pics for every good one.
I only have one melleri - he's going great. He's about 9 months old,
think. Go thim from Kristina Francis, owner of the melleri discovery
website(www.melleridiscovery.com). She's hatched out a bunch of
them and has a ton of info about them. He's not too friendly now, to
me anyway. He's not bad, he just doens't like it when I position him
for a picture - hates cameras like you wouldn't believe. Interestingly
enough, the shots of him showin ghis teeth, and him relaxed were
right after one another. I showed him his reflection in a mirror, and
he calmed down, and relaxed within seconds of seeing his reflection,
despite the fact that the camera (and myself) were right in his face!
They do well in groups, and seem to thrive when at least in visual
contact with another of their kind. We're still learning.
The other two are Deremensis, Usambara giant three-horned
chameleons. One female and one small male. Nice, calm animals in
general - though I believe Carlton had a rare evil one. All of mine
have been very friendly, not just calm. Very personable, and would
often come to the front of the cage when I was in the room. Very
hard to find in well planted cages, despite them being the largest
horned species (aside from melleri). Only time they ever got nasty
was when one male was in breeding mode - red lips and very
active. Stabbed me with his horns and broke my skin.
They're the best chameleon to photograph I think. Males have three
big horns, and both sexes have a high dorsal crest. Most
importantly, I can get close enough with a camera on macro and still
capture them in a relaxed state. You just cannot get a calyptratus
closeup without the thing gaped, puffed and excited... I can't do it
with my veiled - he shoots his tongue at the lens or my fingernails
when I get within 20" of him. Taking closeups of him is requires a
"hit and run" tactic...
