Tag Archives: palm trees

See yah later alligator

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On the Pinellas Trail as it passes through downtown Clearwater is a very large alligator with a gold crown and a very spikey collar.

large alligator in a mural, greenish blue colour, with gold crown, large spikey collar around its neck

The alligator is not alone.  Holding onto the leash is a young woman who is also carrying a long stick.  Perhaps they are about to walk away?  “See yah later” as they go….

large mural by joshua the lawyer and m j lindo, of an alligator on a leash, young woman is holding the leash, alligator is saying see yah later

The mural was painted by Joshua the Lawyer and MJ Lindo.

part of a mural, palm trees, a sign that says gators must be leashed

low white building beside street, with mural along the wall, railway tracks, bike trail,

See you in a while, crocodile!

Photos taken March 2024

ROA Horned Toad

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This downtown Vegas mural was painted by Belgian artist known as ROA in 2014.

giant treet art mural on the side of a building, in grey tones, a giant horned lizard, with 6 skinny palm trees in front as well as some cars parked in front

It is a type of lizard known as a Horned Toad (or Horntoad, Horn Lizard). If you want to get scientific, they are of the genus Phrynosoma. These reptiles are native to western North America where they prefer desert or sandy semi-desert areas.  The mural is painted in bluish grey tones but these lizards are actually brown so they are well camouflaged in sand and dirt. 

close up of head on ROA street art mural of a giant horned lizard. open eye, spikes on head, blunt nose,

If there is a predator nearby, the lizard puffs itself up to look bigger and harder to swallow. At least five species of horned toads can also squirt a stream of blood at the predator. The blood comes from tiny blood vessels near their eyes. Apparently it doesn’t taste very good and some predators have second thoughts about eating the lizard. 

close up of scales and horns on ROA street art mural of a giant horned lizard

Photos taken April 2023

More ROA murals as seen on Instagram