August 16th, 2006
Munch Crunch
Roaches for dinner.
This week I’m still working on turning over my mulch pile. I have to take it slow because even at dusk the temperatures are hovering at 100. Tonight I noticed the large lizard that I’ve seen before hanging out around the mulch. When I exposed a rather dried out section of the pile scores of beetles and roaches ran for shelter. That lizard was on them like a duck on june bug.
We were both smiling after his meal. (Anything that will eat cockroaches has my seal of approval.)
I think the lizard’s a Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus). He’s too fast for me to get a photo or even a good look. But he does race up a tree if he thinks I’m threatening him and he blends well against the color of the tree trunks. And he’s quite big–easily 6 to 8 inches long.
by M Sinclair Stevens
August 16th, 2006
Ah. Roaches for someone *else’s* dinner. Much better.
Does this mean I’m getting better at writing teasers? Did you think that with my cook gone for the week that I’d fallen into a “state of despair, typically one that results in rash or extreme behavior” (definition of desperation)? — mss
August 18th, 2006
I wish I could draw more wildlife to my garden. Unfortunately, the only time I see a cool animal in my back yard is when my dog excitedly brings me one that she’s just killed.
I find it amazing that you can garden at all with your dogs. What a challenge that must be. The longer my garden has been pesticide free the more toads and snakes and lizards have made it their home. Hmmm. A witch’s garden. — mss