That makes sense. It looks like a young and curious bird, or perhaps the cockatiels' calls sounded like a rival flycatcher. That would be my guess. In which case, it would definitely have to check out the competition. Great-cresteds are one of my favorite birds. In central Florida, they are only here during the summer, and I'm always so happy to see (or hear) them arrive. I call them "Threeps" because of their loud call. You can watch them feeding...they perch on a branch or wire and wait for insects to fly by, then they swoop out and grab the bugs out of midair, and return to the perch. They eat a LOT of insects, many of which can be pests. GCF's will use nest boxes if the entrance hole is the right size and the boxes are placed to their satisfaction. Very interesting birds. Marcia

Thanks for the flamingo pic! When we moved to Houston from Orange Park 2 yrs. ago, somehow, my framed 8x10 flamingo pic (that I also took at the Jax zoo -- I'm a flamingo junkie) "diappeared" (i.e, I STILL CAN'T FIND IT! WAH!) So, I'm using your pic as my pc wallpaper, if you don't mind (it just replaced a gorgeous shot of the ocean at Fernandina Beach.) Yup, I'm soooo homesick. . . Pat

There are several links if you google Hoya Red Buttons - this one has a good picture of the plant - not just the flower - it might be this. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hoya/hpgal0411112728251.html?7

I'm not really familiar with many of the TX lizards, but you're right; this does NOT look like a native US species. Although the pic is small, from what I can see this almost looks like a Frilled Dragon, a native of New Guinea and Australia. Those are the one what spread out the big neck frill if they feel cornered or threatened, though simply moving away is their first line of defense. The head definately has that shape like a member of the Agamid family, and a foot and a half would be too big for a Fence Lizard, which is also in that family. Frilled Dragons are commonly sold as pets, though they are quite expensive, so if that's what it is, it must have escaped from someone-someone who is VERY upset! Check with the local papers' "Lost and Found" section and see if anyone has lost such a pet in your area, and you should certainly try to catch it without hurting it. Sharon McKenzie