Welcome to our wildlife preserve

Our short spring began a few weeks ago and it brought with it some much needed rain. As a result, the grasses are growing, the trees are blooming, and everything is GREEN. Apparently all this wonderful weather and natural growth has also prompted the members of our wildlife preserve to show themselves. I'll introduce a few here.

The largest population in our wildlife preserve are our lizards.

Known to scare the crud out of me by shooting by my hand or head at a most inopportune time, they prefer to hang out on our screen door (especially the handle), our screen porch in general, along the gate to get outside, and all along the side of the house and garage surrounding said gate. So, basically, they scurry about wherever we are!

We spent a great deal of time outside this weekend and became quite acquainted with our lizards, which at this time, we believe include at least eight little guys (and ladies I presume). Thankfully they move too quickly for the dogs. Well, except for the time Shadow decided to pick one up in her mouth. Poor thing had its tail and one leg dangling out of Shadow's mouth! No worries though, Shadow was only holding the little guy and it scurried away when I told her to drop it!

But the lizards are not our only wildlife preserve inhabitants. We also have a frog (or toad)! He was a little camera shy but I managed to catch him just before he blended into the rocks.

 Although our wildlife neighbors make enjoying the outside rather entertaining at times (especially when they scare the crud out of me), we are grateful for them because we assume they are eating bugs. And bugs are the devil!