Basking in the sun

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I see these skinks often recently now that it has gotten warmer.  Often is perhaps too weak a word for it.  They are all over the place.  Well, perhaps that was too strong a phrase.

I found this lizard sticking out its upper body out of the small cracks of rocks, basking in the sun, right in front of the house.  If I approach it carelessly it will hide in the crack immediately, but if I approach it slowly and not startle it it just stays there.  Must be really warm in the spring sun.  I want to do the same, but if I bask in the sun the day will be over before I know it.  Being a mammal, I cannot quite live like the reptiles.  Unfortunate.

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Found just in front of the house.  It may be slightly difficult to see in the picture.  It is a Japanese five-lined skink (Eumeces latiscutatus), though this particular individual seem to have lost the five-lines.  Apparently the lines are more distinct when they are still young, which means this one is rather mature.  It was larger than most skinks I have seen so far.  

It stayed still even though I was just staring at it.  I went inside the house to grab a camera, and it was still there in the same spot when I came back.  Even though it was sunny, the air was still chilly and this lizard probably needed to sun-bath before it could move well.  Until then, it's safety depends on the camouflage and being still.  

I guess the fact that this lizard is out of hibernation means the Spring is here.  Even though it snowed only two days ago...