For the past few mornings, a critter seems to be waiting at the gate for my arrival. Not that he is particularly waiting to visit but seems to want to keep tabs of where I am. I am the big, scary monster that lurks just beyond his territory. It is not my intention to be a monster but I guess with the difference our sizes, I do appear large, scary and could possibly be a predator. If only he knew how wrong that idea is.
A green anole lives in the jasmine vine that flanks either side of the gate that heads out to the board path. I take this board path to the pier each morning and any other time I wish to head south from the house. Lately, the lizard is waiting on the fence post. The jasmine vines twirl gracefully above his head as the morning sun glistens on his dewlap making it a fiery red. Just as he waits on the fence post each morning, I stand in awe of his beauty with each visit. What a work of art this guy is!
Have you ever pondered the use of that bright red flap of skin called a dewlap? There is actually two purposes. One, as most believe, is to attract a female anole. While this is partially correct, it is not the entire purpose of the dewlap. It does have to do with his ladylove in a round about way. The male lizard extends his dewlap when he feels threatened or when he wishes TO threaten. This makes it more appealing to a potential mate but, also, scares off other male lizards in the area. He extends the dewlap to make himself seem more powerful...in other words, the larger the dewlap, the larger and stronger the lizard. In my case, the lizard is letting me know that he will be willing to defend his territory even against a big, scary monster (me!). But, instead of being intimidated by his threatening antics, I find him amusing. My new, little buddy is rather adorable!
Camouflage is a good thing. In the critter world, it is a necessity. Either a critter will use camouflage to catch something to eat or hide from being eaten. Whichever the case may be, a good camouflage can save a life. The bobcat's coloring can hide it while it lies in wait for prey to appear. An ambush by the cat can take down even a much larger critter. That element of surprise is heightened by its ability to sit perfectly motionless under a palmetto frond. The spots on the bobcat closely resemble the sun dappled leaves that litter the ground. It is hard to spy the cat due to that camouflage. Then, there are those critters that use their camouflage to escape being eaten. The Mottled Duck is one such animal. This bird nests right in the midst of the marsh but finding a mama duck on the nest is nigh on impossible. Her feathers are so like the marsh colors that unless you hear her, she blends really well.
Camouflage can only go so far in protection, though. A bit of common sense needs to be applied in there somewhere as well. No matter how well that duck is hidden, if she quacks, her hiding spot is revealed. The same with that bobcat. Let that cat scratch an itch and supper will have to wait.
Just yesterday, Son made the remark about camouflage gone awry. A moth had plans to stay hidden on the fence post during the daytime hours. It was well camouflaged because the browns of the moth's wings blended well with the wood of the fence post. Perfect hiding spot...probably not. The moth had decided to improve its hiding spot by crawling into a "crevice" only that crevice was not a safe place. The moth was between the fence post and the gate. Had Son not seen the moth in time, he may have smashed it by closing the gate a bit to sharply. Son, having a soft heart when it comes to critters, told me to "Be careful, there is a moth on the gatepost." He knows me well. The roles could have been reversed here. I could have very easily been the one trying to save the moth.
The camouflage did not do too well in protecting the moth from potential harm but Son did, so all was well. Nothing ate the moth nor was it smashed by the swinging gate. It lived to flit around another night and, hopefully, escaped the bats! Life's a struggle!
