Smack–That Was Gooood!

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Tina

A while back, I spied a Carolina Anole, Anolis carolinensis, skulking about in a Star Jasmine Vine, Trachelospermum jasminoides. He was trying to avoid notice by me and it looked like he had something in his mouth.

Yup, that’s a beetle or some other small prey, lodged in the smacking maw of the Anole.

It’s not clear from the photo exactly what he was eating, but partaking in a meal was definitely happening with this dude. Whatever he ate must have been tasty, judging from the look on his face. He looks content and happy.

He’s probably still hunting prey in my garden, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind being part of Wildlife Wednesday, celebrated on the first Wednesday of each month by garden bloggers who love attracting and observing wild critters in their gardens. Please join in on Wednesday, May 6 to share your photos and stories about wildlife in your gardens.

Anoles Abound

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Tina

They’re baaaaack! Lovers of the warm seasons in the southern United States, my resident Carolina anole, Anolis carolinensis, lizards have emerged from winter dormancy.

I rescued this guy from my boy cat, Nuri,

…who’s (thankfully) is not much of a hunter, instead preferring to carry anoles around in his mouth, yowling all the while. It’s quite a trick caterwauling while transporting frightened lizards between his teeth and I’m not altogether sure how he creates those sounds while holding onto his little captives. Nuri typically drops the not-really-doomed reptiles as soon as he sees that I’ve spotted him with his gift. Of course, I have to compliment Nuri with a Good kitty! as I scoop up the panting prey to relocate to a safer, cat-free spot.

This smaller anole is brown-er on the trunk of a tree,

…but transforms to green before my eyes.

He skittered off to an unknown hiding spot shortly afterward to complete his greening-up.

They would both like to remind gardeners to keep domestic cats indoors and to appreciate and foster a safe place for garden wildlife and on April 1st, no foolin’–get ready for Wildlife Wednesday. Please post about wild happenings in your gardens to celebrate wildlife who need the gardens that we gardeners love.

Good wildlife gardening!!

Decisions, Decisions

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Tina

Resting on a cushion of snowy white Frostweed blooms, this Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis, can’t decide:

…should I be green?

…or brown-ish?

Noticeable in his rather mottled confirmation, he should skedaddle to someplace safe where he won’t become a morsel for some passing bird. Or cat.

Even in this indecisive state, I’m certain that he’d want to remind that Wildlife Wednesday is next Wednesday, November 5th. My gardens enjoy lots of wildness and I’m sure your garden does too. Please join in posting about the wild garden visitors for November Wildlife Wednesday. Share the rare or mundane, funny or fascinating, beneficial or harmful critters you encounter. When you comment on my post, please remember to leave a link to your Wildlife Wednesday post so we can enjoy a variety of garden wildlife observations.

Happy Wildlife Wednesday and good wildlife gardening!