Critter Pix

A few days ago I spotted a lizard on the bricks of the patio. I grabbed the camera and sneaked outside, but couldn't spot it. Suddenly the lizard, an anole, dashed out of hiding and snatched a small roach as it ambled in the shade of the bush I was looking at. I had trouble getting the camera to focus on what *I* wanted, rather than whatever it chose, but I did get a decent action shot.



The greater tail grackle is one of the most common birds spotted here year-round. It's breeding season, so they are quite action right now. Boots has enjoyed chasing them out of our yard, repeatedly. She doesn't stand a chance of actually catching them and it makes her feel empowered, so I allow it. This male grackle was doing a bit of prancing atop our wall. I hope to get some better pictures of these guys later. In the right light, the black has green and blue overtones.


Today the woodpecker almost cooperated with me. We have several in our neighborhood (at least one mated pair), but I never manage to get pictures. Today this one was on the tree just outside the sliding glass door to the patio, but I didn't have a camera handy. I did get a picture of him on the other tree in the yard though, before he decided he didn't want an audience for his prospecting.