Alfean was on the same kayak as me and as we clipped the sides of a fallen tree trunk taking a bend, the kayak tipped and he went for a swim while I managed to quickly upright the kayak and got back in. While I went to retrieve a startled Alfean who by which time has been swept further downstream; Azmi went to retrieve the paddle.
When I managed to ‘retrieve’ Alfean, Azmi was already back on the sandy river banks and he has not only rescued the kayak paddle but also a gecko who was stranded on a rock face. The gecko must have been grateful to have been rescued as it allowed me and ducky to get so close to it. Meanwhile Ducky’s guardian, Georgette is safely hiding behind some kayaks!
Now, if only I can get up close and personal with the dolphins! Swimming with them? That would be a blast!
So, which and what’s the closest you’ve ever got to a creature in the wild?
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Such a handsome looking gecko!!Wouldn’t mind having it in my backyard.
the gecko must be scared shitless next to that gigantic creature that traverse the river up & down stream everyday!
When I was out backpacking in the Oregon woods in my high school days I had a chipmunk scurry right up next to me while I was sitting on a log and try to steal some of my lunch.
I wound up giving it some anyway.
I’ve also been camping (another backpacking trip in the Oregon woods) when a pair of deer more or less made themselves at home in the campsite. They must have been used to hikers…or knew little about humans…because they weren’t afraid of us at all.
Maybe the gecko let you come so close because he thought he was hiding?
I must thank Alfean for sending the pics of me with the gecko. Marilyn took the pictures using Alfean’s camera while Alfean was catching his breathe after the swim!
Thank you Alfean and Marilyn and Georgette for signing the model release form for Ducky!
ok ok.. I take all my words back about Gette ducky pics..
now, can I please have Gette’s pics instead!
(Run Robin Run)
did u finally kiss the gecko?
p/s: the signature ducky is cuteee..
BTW, this is a Crested Tree Lizard not gecko..
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/verts/changeable_lizard.htm
Robin’s right its no gecko. Looks like a green tree lizard. Fits in with the fella falling out the tree.
Were you thinking ‘Cicak Hijau Goreng Bidin Belachan’? when you were tasting it? or were you kissing it?
Congrats on the link on the STB Mate!
chen - no lah! didn’t know where it dipped its tail in last!
robin - hmmm could be but what’s the difference between a lizard n a gecko? gotta check this out.
pesut - u guys r probably right. but it sure was a beautiful creature.
Unker…no wonder you said you’ve got a tale of a gekco. what an encounter.i should link this entry to my blog…hehhe
When I was in fourth or fifth grade, my family was in northern California. Yosemite National Park was a favorite vacation destination for us & I remember walking up to a doe & petting her. She just kept grazing as though this was quite normal.
Gecko, mmm no, but nice lizard. Lots of geckos in Hawaii - cute, but poop everywhere and leave eggs in places like light switch boxes. Fiji has geckos too, but they are big and fat and really ugly.
anyway, nice pics of unker, ducky, and lizard.
There’s rubber duckie; and there’s rubber lizzie - the latter, leave them in the wild, please.
Great blog you have got here. You’ll find me browsing your stuff often. Bookmarked!