The Quick Escape!

  Watching the critters on the Bayou and surrounding hillside is a favorite pastime of mine.  After the chores are finished, it is not unusual to find me on my hands and knees staring at some critter.  A couple of days ago, it was another skink that caught my eye.  A gorgeous red headed skink was lounging on a groundsel bush limb in the edge of the marsh.  I had the perfect vantage point to watch the lizard while sitting in somewhat comfort on the pier.  The skink caught a few swamp flies before drowsing for a bit.  The bit of sunshine made me want to do the same.  It was quiet, hot and humid which made for a good resting time.  At least I was in the shade!  The lizard, however, was sitting out in the wide open as he dozed.  He had nary a care in the world....so he thought!

  My pretty skink almost met his pretty end by being lazy.  It was not long before a blue jay spied the lizard and decided that it looked a lot like lunch.  The bird was in a pine tree that sat right above the groundsel bush.  While the skink rested, the jay swooped down to make the catch!  Oh, my!  I have never seen a lizard move so fast in all my days!  The startled skink flipped off the branch and raced toward the pier.  If he could make it under the pier, he might be safe!  The blue jay was having no part of this and flew after the skink.  Twice, the bird flipped the lizard up in the air and, twice, the skink escaped.  Hurry, Mr. Skink!  Hurry!

  I am happy to say that the skink did, indeed, make it under the pier. Just in the nick of time, he darted under the pier and dove under some matted marsh. Whew!  The skink was safe, the bird was still hungry and I just witnessed a near miss.  I bet old Mr. Skink will think twice about snoozing on the groundsel bush again!