Nature’s wonders are often hiding in plain sight, and local nature-lover Colin Formosa has just reminded us of that with some of his recent photos.

Armed with patience and skill, Colin managed to photograph a gecko up close, revealing stunning details that most of us would never notice with the naked eye. From its textured skin to its striking eyes, the photos capture the beauty of this often-overlooked creature in extraordinary detail.

Malta is home to two native and protected species of geckos: the Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) and the Turkish Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus). Both are nocturnal, harmless to humans, and play a beneficial role in controlling insect populations. The Moorish Gecko is a robust, flat-bodied gecko found in dry, warm areas like rubble walls and cliffs, while the Turkish Gecko is a smaller, more slender gecko found in urban areas, gardens, and sometimes homes. 

Colin shared his shots with the popular Facebook group Birds and Nature in Malta, where fellow nature lovers regularly post snapshots celebrating the islands’ flora and fauna. It’s a gentle reminder that even the tiniest of Malta’s wild residents can leave us in awe, if we only take a moment to look closer!

Have you ever spotted a gecko in the wild (or at home)?