My Tokay Gecko image is the most viewed image in my portfolio.  I never realized how many people are doing Google searches for this animal.  The shooting of this image was entirely by chance.

In November I help the church sell Christmas trees.  During the setup process one of the church members arrived with a trailer full of tree stand supplies that were stored on his property all year.  To our surprise when we were unloading plywood, this little guy jumped out with some serious attitude.  Seeing a photo opportunity I quickly grabbed my camera backpack from my truck and recruited a friend to help me shoot some images.

The steps of the setup was simple, all the while making sure that the gecko would not be injured:

• Catch the gecko (it's scared, don't get bit)
• Place the gecko on pallets (while it tries to run away, don't get bit)
• Keep the gecko from running away (don't drop camera while not getting bit)
• Pose the gecko (it's angry now, don't get bit)
• Photograph the gecko

We were able to quickly catch the gecko in a bucket and put it on a pallet.  I was able to pose the animal and keep it in place by having a friend place his gloved hand in front of it's nose.  The gecko immediately went into a defensive position with it's mouth open to ward off the presumed attacker.  At no time was the gecko touched.  I placed my camera (Canon 50D) on the pallet and began shooting in "Live Mode" with flash.  I shot about a dozen images from different positions until I got the one I liked best.

After about ten minutes of shooting we moved the gecko back into the bucket and released it in the field behind the Christmas tree stand.  I learned to always have my camera equipment nearby.  I never know what opportunity may present itself.

If you like my gecko, let me know.

Enjoy and remember,

"Moments in time are lived once. Images of those moments live forever."

Ed H.