Ode to Otto

[royden]

Otto was my first Chameleon. He arrived in the mail from Mike Monge at FlChams in May of 07. These are the first photos I have from him on the day he arrived. He was not easy to photograph...

He eventually became less camera shy and allowed for the odd portrait shot. Still no evidence of any particular attitude or personality, just a friendly little lizard.

Then he went through a rather ugly brown phase. Poor awkward teenage lizard.

Soon his true colors began to show. His bars became visible and his greens became more permanent.

And then his true colors began to show as he started to show some mean attitude.

 

[royden]

Finally Otto became an adult and his attitude became as hot as his yellow bars. What a gorgeous veiled!

And these shots are from his last night with me. I actually photographed him too late and he fell asleep.

He was headed off to be a part of Catherine Adam's beautiful collection. He would've never had the chance to breed in my care, but he will at his new home. Here's his first day meeting his new mate, Zora. He liked her!

Thanks Catherine for letting Otto go to such a great home! I hope to be able to photograph his hatchlings some day! I've been posting photos of this great little pet for the last year, and this will be the last for now as I transition to exploring panther care.

Thanks for the good times and the great avatar Otto!

 

[FOREVER ENDEAVOR]

beautiful animal.

 

[VerteX]

Beautiful story, chameleon and pictures. Thanks for sharing. Best of luck with the new guy/girl!

 

[Cainschams]

Great pics and cham. That is one nice veiled. Im glad he is getting to pass his genes on. Good luck with the panthers and one of Ottos offspring?

 

[Eyal]

Love your story and your beautiful chams! Way to go!

 

[BocaJan]

What a great story ~sniff~. I bet it was hard to part with him. I know Arnie has become a part of our family and I'm sure Otto was to yours.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

What a beautiful, beautiful animal. Perhaps when his offspring hatch we will have room for a new bloodline! Let Catherine know I'm interested. You offered us Otto in December, when we were a bit overwhelmed with putting our cham lab together. Now I am totally kicking myself for not accepting. Glad for Catherine, though, and she's SO great with her animals. You know he'll have a wonderful life.

 

[Justin Carl]

I'm on my way to Catherines house to steal Otto!

Very nice story with pictures.
Otto is a beautiful Veiled, and your artistic pictures show it.
You can also see how much you have improved as a photographer, too.
I love digging into some of my older threads to see my pictures.

Have funy with your new Panthers.
Justin

 

[topknot20]

Otto is an amazing Veiled!!! Your photos have shed light into Ottos life and has been very well done. Best of luck with the Panther project.

 

[SoCaliSon]

Royden,

You probaby have more self control than any cham keeper I have met. Most would say,"My Male is ready to breed...Let's Get a female!". Or "Lets get some Panthers also." Myself, I also went from Veileds to Panthers as well. But my problem is I couldn't decide which one I liked more... So now I keep several of both. Sigh... But I wouldn't have it any other way. I have really enjoyed all the pics of Otto, I know we will see more of him and his babies in the future. I am sure he thanks you for finding him some action if you know what I mean.

~Joe

 

[PardalisGirl]

I love Otto

I am super lucky to have Otto! But Royden knows that he can have him back if he ever gets to a point of being able to expand his collection. He can visit him any time he wants too. Or have an Otto Jr. in the future. Otto is just as good looking in person as he is in the photos. A very healthy boy too and obviously well cared for.

He really is interested in Zora. But, poor Otto will have to wait. She went gravid with infertile eggs the week before Otto came. She is in full gravid color and mood right now. So it will be awhile before his dreams come true. He seems to enjoy watching all the other chameleons in the room though. He sits on top of a Pothos topiary plant and surveys his new kingdom. And I'm sure he considers it his by now.

Thanks for posting the pictures of him when he was younger Royden. It really is an amazing tranformation Catherine

Gesang, your are welcome to have any Otto offspring you want

 

[royden]

Royden,

You probaby have more self control than any cham keeper I have met.

~Joe

No I don't Joe. I just have a wife that requires me to restrain myself. I'd be overrun with chams and broke if I was single right now.

Thanks for the comments all!

 

[SoCaliSon]

No I don't Joe. I just have a wife that requires me to restrain myself. I'd be overrun with chams and broke if I was single right now.

Thanks for the comments all!

HAHA I know the feeling... No wife YET, But I think we are getting close to common law. Once Julia started saying "No More!"...My next thought was..."Okay, how can I get her addicted..." Solution..."Hey Baby, Why don't you pick out or next Cham..." BINGO!

I can't wait to see more Panther shots from you..the ones you took of Catherines chams were awesome...

~Joe

 

[royden]

I've got another round of photos coming from a shoot I did with catherine's chams when I dropped off Otto. I'll post some fo those soon.

The other trick that works ,joe, is also letting her name the chameleon! Creates instant attachement! Ruth named Otto.

But I still have to admit that I have little space and little time. I have just enough time for one chameleon and one roach colony. I do a lot of freelance art and photography outside of my day job.

 

[Dankmeleon]

people don't realize how much goes into raising them to that size

 

[jannb]

Otto is one gorgeous chamaleon!!!! Your pictures were great as always! Although your story was sad. It brought tears to my eyes. Jann

 

[luckykarma]

A beautiful story and a beautiful Veil!

 

[Kat77]

Wow, he is so beautiful. Great story too!