LEAPIN' LIZARDS...It's Hot !

Leapin' Lizards ! It's May 11th and it's hot. We live just south of Tampa and even though Florida is known for its heat and humidity, it's still HOT ! The temperature on our front porch, in the shade, registers over 90 degrees. On the back patio, in the shade, the thermometer now reads 103 !!!

Even this little lizard, clinging to our patio screen, seems to be trying to stretch himself out to cool off. I think he looks a bit like a dancer in these positions.

And a one-two, cha-cha-cha. Turn, point, cha-cha-cha.

Speed Racer...

On the loose in our house is a little lizard. Nothing really strange about that. This is Florida and many a lizard has found its way into the cool interior of our air conditioned abode.
Now if our newly acquired resident is a lizard extraordinaire I am hesitant to say. Unlike little Cameron, who was brilliant green with yellow lipstick, and who was able to change coloration, this small critter seems far more subdued and sports a skin of pinkish brown. Perhaps one would consider him mauve ? Also, unlike standard lizards, this little guy has tiny pads on each of his toes much like a chameleon or a gecko and he seems closer to the ground. I would have described him as squat to the ground, but that usually congers up images of slow, lethargic creatures and this wee fellow is anything but. I should know, I've been chasing him for several days now with little success. Not even remotely close to capturing him.
Yesterday I went to put away some freshly laundered towels and noticed a peculiar tail protruding from beneath the pile of linens in our linen cabinet. Carefully I lifted and remove the linens and, quick as lightening, Whizzie darted to the back of the cabinet. He turned around, looked directly at me and realized I was blocking his means of escape. With scarcely a moments pause he charged straight towards me, if he would have spoken, or if I could have understood him, I'm sure he probably yelled out something like; "Geronimo !" or "Die sucker, die !". Before I had an opportunity to blink he was flying through the air at me, shot over my right shoulder, landed on the floor behind me and darted out of the room to the safety of who-knows-where.
So we have a lizard loose in our house and I'm sure he has a black belt in one of the martial arts...perhaps he's a ninja lizard ?

Cameron the Chameleon

Another deviation, or detour if you prefer, from beads and jewelry.

A few weeks ago I noticed an unusual lizard that showed up at our back patio. All other lizards in the area were the drab gray-brown variety, this lizard was green...vivid, bright lime green. I soon discovered that he could also change coloration and was fairly certain we had a little chameleon in our midst. It didn't take him long to get used to our presence and he even allowed me a couple of photo sessions, albeit with slight reluctance.

Pardon the blurriness, I was leaning over a shrub trying to get a clean shot at the little fellow. I unfortunately grew attached enough to name him...Cameron, a slight spin off of chameleon, and a nice enough name.

Notice his very long tail, it crosses over the support beam of our patio screen and it's there that his camouflage has kicked in. I've caught him on a few occasions in shades of brown and once, on a rare opportunity, found him sporting a very dark, deep chocolate outfit...all except for the area around his bottom lip (if lizards had lips) which was bright yellow. It was an amusing almost comic sight and, naturally, I didn't have my camera.





I did worry about little Cameron, the world is a very dangerous place for one so small, and also one at the lower end of the food chain. Many times I watched as the white Cattle Egrets browsed through our yard and I held my breath whenever one would suddenly make a mad dash across the back lawn, heading straight toward our screen and our bright green little chameleon. However Cameron seemed to be quick enough and would dart up high on the screen, well out of harm's way.

One of Cameron's favorite spots was high atop our patio cage, there he would display his colorful what-ever-you-call-it-sac, in attempts to attract insects, which would then become his snack.

I enjoyed watching Cameron and another "standard" alligator lizard I called "Stumpy", as it had lost a portion of it's tail...not just once but twice, poor thing. However for the past couple of days I've not seen Cameron nor Stumpy and I fear that they've ended up being a meal for some predator. My husband, bless his heart, tries to cheer me by being very optimistic; "It's been awfully hot and dry. I bet they've just gone off to a little wetter place where they'll find better insects to catch." I really hope that is the case as I'd truly love to see Cameron grown and sporting his mature crest and chameleon regalia.

Of note, lizard motifs have been used in jewelry for ages. Think I'll look around for either a small pendant, charm or lizard brooch...I already own an adorable frog brooch...would love to be able to find a silver or pewter lizard pin or pendant...oh how about one with gorgeous green enamel work and Swarovski crystal eyes ?