Keeled Indian Skink

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

A Keeled Indian Skink (Mabuya carinata or Eutropis carinata), photographed in Karnala. One of our commonest skinks, found mainly in leaf litter. Feeds on insects, earthworms and the likes.
This one was engaged in a fight (probably territorial) with another skink a few moments earlier... couldn't capture that though, due to dense vegetation getting in the way.

Canon 500D, Canon 100mm Macro USM
SS 1/200
Av 16
ISO 800
Built-in flash fired
Full frame clicked at nearly 1:1
Cloned a dust spot. I don't generally use flash as it causes the iridescence-like effect on smooth surfaces (scales here), but had no other choice as the light was too bad.
Wish I had avoided the brown blur behind the skink. :(

Thanks, C&C welcome.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I agree that direct flash is not the best option especially for subjects that have shiny skin. Raising yourself a bit up would have helped in hiding that brown patch behind the head. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Mrudul Godbole]

Lovely eye contact. Nice details. Sharp. Thanks for sharing the detailed information.

[Joshi Bhavya]

Nice close up... Nice details also.. I think you also try to make.., some diffuser.. .