In the desert, patience, and the ability to be absolutely motionless, pays off. This Collared Lizard, in the the heart of the Petrified Forest, has learned that lesson well. Perching completely motionless on this piece of petrified wood, he waits. And waits. And waits. And waits.He is so still that he blends right into the background and even when you are looking right at him, well, he just fades away from your sight. Even his bright yellow feet do not give him away, for those just meld perfectly into the petrified wood he is on. And he continues to wait.Which is good for me, really, for it gave me a wonderful opportunity to get close enough for this shot. I really liked the way he was perched, with his head cocked just so--he was looking at me, but not at me, and although he knew I was there, I, apparently, posed no threat at all to him. The sun continued to beat down on us both, but he didn’t flinch.After a time, he decided (I suppose) that a different piece of wood would provide a better vantage point and without a sound nor whisper he was gone. But the picture of him? That remains. Petrified in time.