lizard love. scat. skull. and a couple of tree huggers!

it's still a little on the chilly side here in north central florida.

we've had some frosty mornings & the water in the bird bath freezes over night.

i love it!  but most of the little critters are still in hiding.

this past week i've been lucky enough to spot a few lizards (anoles) sun-bathing!! yay!

(FYI: the anoles with the patterned stripes down their backs are Non-natives.

from Cuba or the Bahamas)

* * *

lately we've been hearing what sounds like a pack of pups 

barking & kind of howling...just before dawn and around sunset.

the PROOF is in the SCAT.

out back, in the wooded area...COYOTE poop!

it's not the freshest scat around...but it's loaded with FUR & BONES!

i went online and listened to what the coyotes sound like when they 'talk'...

and it's exactly what we've been hearing!

SO, knowing this, we have had numerous talks with emo & otis.

stressing to them that they have to watch their backs!

our little 'tree-huggers' have been practicing climbing trees!!

* * *

this past week i started working on a HOG SKULL 

i found last year in the field across the road.

(acrylic paint & Sharpie paint pens)

 

* * *

i leave you now...with a parting moon shot.

(NO, not THAT kind!!)  :)

11 feb 2015

stay cool & be safe.

laura

“The things that make me different are the things that make me.”

~A.A. Milne

the *poo*pusher*

if you know me at all...you know i take pictures of 'scat'.  poop.

it's part of my wildlife education!
i'm a self taught Poo-ologist.
(or is it a Poopologist? Crapologist? Shitologist?)

you'll know which critters have been visiting, by learning to recognize their scat.

you can even tell what they've been eating, or if they're herbivores or carnivores.

(need i ask if you care? well, if you do, take a look at this book "What Shat That?" by Matt Pagett.)

anyway, i'm getting sidetracked.

emo is an indoor kitty.

he's only been outside twice, under strict supervision!

(he'll be 4 months old on the 6th of December.)

emo uses a kitty litter pan.

we ceremoniously toss his poop out back, towards the woods.

(we do this 2 - 3 times a day. he poops a lot!)

a few days ago, sam hollered for me to grab the camera & head out back.

a Dung Beetle was frantically rolling one of emo's POO away!

"first come, first serve!"

this particular *poo pusher* was racing along,
hoping that no other of his kind would attempt to rob him of his bounty!

NOTICE the LONG CURVED HORN (male)

and the way he PUSHES that poop along...with his scooper!

at least we use the fragrance free & dye free litter. no additives. 100% natural.
we don't have to worry about the health of these amazing beetles...
OR their larvae, that feed on this excrement.

i recorded this little Tumblebug in action!

it's only 28 seconds.

check it out!!

ok, enough of this shit, i mean poop!

Always watch where you are going. 

Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the Forest that was left out by mistake. 

(Winnie the Pooh)

stay cool.  be safe.

laura