Category: wildlife

Posted in wildlife

Hunting lizards

Posted on by William Douthwaite

After spending the night with us, my eight-year-old grandson couldn’t wait to get up this morning to hunt for lizards in our yard. He put together a small habitat for them by putting soil, rocks, a stick, and a bottle cap full of water into a used plastic cashew container. He punched a few holes in the lid and was ready to start rounding them up.

Plenty of lizards were up early to catch some sun on our fence, garden wall, and backyard trees. But catching them was tough. They are fast. If you happen to get a tail between your fingers, it often breaks off as the lizard escapes.

He had much better luck with a red solo cup. Sneaking up to a green species, he quickly covered it, slid a piece of cardboard between the cup and the fence, and had his first catch of the day. He placed the cup over the opening of the jar and pulled away the cardboard, introducing the reptile to his new home. Once the top was screwed on, it was time to figure out what to feed this guy.

My grandson said, “Now I have to find some bugs to feed him.”

I said, “That’s going to be tough. Maybe he would eat some lettuce. I’ll get you some.”

He snuck a piece of green leaf lettuce into the container, and we sat down to watch. By this time, the lizard, sitting on the soil, had turned brown. “Cool, a chameleon!” I don’t know if this was actually a chameleon, but he was good at blending into his environment.

I cautioned, “Make sure you leave the container in the shade.” It was already a warm day, and I knew direct sunlight would be too warm. We found a shady spot in a planter near the house.

Occasionally, we would go back out and look at him. He would look back at us. We think he took a bite of the lettuce leaf.

After my grandson went home, I took the lid off the container. I don’t know when he’ll be back. I figured if the lizard likes it there, he can stay. Or he can roam around the yard and return home at night. Or he can just go free. We can always catch another one.

Both my grandchildren and my dogs love to hunt lizards. I guess the word hasn’t gotten out that our yard isn’t a safe place to hang out.

Posted in wildlife

I’m watching them, and they’re watching me

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Two hawks were screeching in the tree right above our back patio. One flew off while one remained on a branch about twenty feet up. On any given day I’ll see them circling in the sky, riding the updrafts. Some days they may be sitting right on a fence post, just a few feet from the back door.

They’re watching. Watching the grass for snakes. I’ve seen them swoop in and grab an unsuspecting snake. Never saw him or her coming. Still wriggling in the talons as the hawk flies away.

Watching for bunnies. Plenty of those around. The bunnies who sit out front and think that if they are still enough, I won’t notice them. Right after I notice more bunnies than usual out in the yard, usually munching on garden plants, they disappear. Pretty easy targets for the hawk dropping in from the sky.

Watching out for other birds. The crows will sometimes gang up on them and loudly chase them away. I guess it’s not worth the fight when there are plenty of other trees around.

Watching me. I’m not a threat, but if I take a step too close, the hawk flies off. If I stand and watch too long, they leave. I’m not really a threat, but they aren’t taking any chances.

I love catching sight of the wildlife in our neighborhood. Sadly, more houses means fewer wooded lots. I think most of the deer have left. My neighbors in the sky are still around though.