Google "Cuban Anole". There are very few green anoles left in Central Florida,due to the arrival of the Cuban variety. I was at Ritters last weekend, coincidentally, and had a tree frog jump out of our selection while we were loading the mini van. I caught it, and was walking back to the cashier to tell her there wasn't a price on this item- figuring we would all have a laugh. Just as I got to the door, I saw another customer have a tree frog jump onto her, from her selections! Tom's nursery sits between two lakes, which I'm sure helps moderate the winter temps we occasionally get here in winter, but it also seems to be on a migration route between the two lakes! Mike

Lizards will use any available shade to regulate their body temperatures including holes. Most will not ravage your plants. Chuckwallas are an exception. YouÂll know them when you see them thereÂre huge. You have a gopher problem. If you haven't already dealt with it, I would do it soon. They can wreak havoc with irrigation lines and it looks as though they're/it is calling yours home. I won't go into trapping, as you can get that from animal control. If you want it solved permanently, as in terminally, buy a large juicy carrot. Cut the stem end off and save it. Using a drill and a 3/8 inch bit or anything else you can think of to hollow out the core as far as you can reach. Fill the cavity with gopher pellets from HD or LOWES and cut a plug from the end you saved to plug the hole. Tie a 2foot piece of string or cord around the top end of the carrot. It looks as though they /it, are using your valve box for the dirt that they excavate. Use a spoon, shovel out the dirt in the tunnel and insert the carrot as far down as you can. Stake the end of the string out side the valve box, cover the whole back up with dirt and leave it alone. Check the carrot in 24 hours. If itÂs chewed (And it will most likely will be) your problem is solved. If not move it to another hole and repeat the procedure. A dead gopher in the tunnels will keep the others away for a long time. This has never failed to produce the expected results. IÂm a live and let live kind of guy, but when you add up the cost of the damage and time you spend repairing it, you sometimes have to draw a line and swat whatever crosses it. Hope this helps.

Gary, I should have realized you were talking about keas, the only species of parrot known to have nocturnal habits. I have seen infra-videos of them several times. Just never heard about the blood sucking bits. Here is what Wikipedia says, for those interested: "An omnivore, the Kea feeds on more than 40 plant species (Tab. 1), beetle larva, other birds (including shearwater chicks) and mammals (including sheep and rabbits).[17][3] The Kea has also taken advantage of human garbage and "gifts" of food.[21] In captivity, the bird is fond of butter, nuts, apples, carrots, grapes, mangoes, figs, bread, dairy products, ground meat and pasta" (This diet sounds about right for captive parrots of many species, actually, leaving out the butter.) Here is a bit more info: "There had been a long-running controversy about whether the Kea preys on sheep, with the earliest reports appearing in 1867. An article by naturalist G.R. Marriner in 1906, describing substantial anecdotal evidence of these attacks, became the accepted view of the bird's habits.[12] Several prominent members of the scientific community concluded that the rumours were true, although others were not convinced. However, in 1962 animal specialist J.R. Jackson concluded that the bird may attack sick or injured sheep, especially if it mistook them for dead, but that it was not a significant predator.[22] Finally, in 1993, its nocturnal assaults were captured on video,[3], proving that at least some Kea will attack and feed on healthy sheep. The video confirmed what many scientists had long suspected, that the Kea uses its powerful curved beak and claws to rip through the layer of wool and eat the fat from the back of the animal. Though the Kea does not directly kill the sheep, death can result from blood poisoning or accidents suffered by animals trying to escape." This would not seem to be aberrant behavior, but rather a learned one from a bird that is highly intelligent and very adaptable. Not being a true predator, but definitely being a carrion eater, it obviously discovered sheep were easy targets, and it didn't have to wait around until they died. It was also noted that they steal items from tourists backpacks and camping gear, being curious and liking to make off with bright objects. I guess I should be happy that I only have wintering red-shouldered hawks to contend with in my garden. Kea: Close up of Kea's formidable beak, which is quite different than most parrots'. And lastly...I can't believe you didn't comment on my picture above of the blood-sucking parrot that is currently visiting my birdfeeder, Gary??? Shucks. I thought maybe it would give you a smile. Marcia

WOWOWOWOW! You are ROCKING that new camera Harry! Love that photo! And Susan...naughty girl...love it! I caught a couple of JB's doin' it on a rose last year and hit the "movie" button on my camera. So funny...not just rose porn, now insect porn too! HAHAHAHAHA! I've only seen one Praying Mantis this summer and got a few shots, but NONE that are as good as those for sure! It's nice that they move slowly though, right? I needed a smile today and found it here, as always, on the rose forum. Haven't had too much time to post this summer due to FIL's stroke (June 21) and the subsequent care issues, but I've been lurking from time to time to keep up with ya'll, and it's great to see some familiar names and photos from ya'll. Photographing my meager rose garden has been one of the few things that brings me peace in difficult times, when things calm down I'll post some of this year's shots. Rose on ya'll!!! Li