Blog Schedule

I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Of Lizards and Ducks

I've always had a fondness for lizards, both large and small.

The most common lizard in the Virgin Islands is hard to find  because it's quite small and lives amid the leaf litter that covers just about everything. Appropriately it's called a leaf lizard. Isn't it a lovely little creature? Those two white spots on it's back look like eyes.
Then there is a larger ground lizard which, as far as I know, never climbs trees. They are very fast and difficult to get a picture of. This guy is about as long as the flamboyant seedpod which is a good 22 inches.

Some years ago I rescued a baby iguana from the sea. He stayed on my hand until he had warmed up at which time I hid him away among the trees and bushes on the shoreline.
I hope that he will grow up to become an old man, like this guy, who had little fear of me as I got to within about a foot and half of his head-bobbing self. He was probably three and half feet long. Maybe more.



Then there was the duck. I was down at Lindquist Beach one morning and this lovely little duck showed up. It's a White Cheeked Pintail.



They are also known as Bahama Pintails or Summer Ducks and are native to the islands. They're considered a threatened species because of habitat destruction and over hunting. Because they nest on the ground they're also susceptible to non-native predators like cats and mongooses.

I feel kind of special to have had this wild duck eat out of my hand.

Ever have a wild critter eat out of your hand?

19 comments:

  1. Aw, the little lizard is so cute! Must admit, I wouldn't want the London wildlife to eat out of my hand. They've certainly been around the block a few times. *shudder*

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  2. LOL! I have pictures of Dickensian types in my head... snot and drool.

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  3. I love lizards too, but no success in catching one in my hand here. Dagny is often out, trying to lure them but they are fast.

    So cute to see the duck eating out of your hand. We've had squirrels and seagulls snatch food out of the kids' hands ...

    Fun pics.

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  4. Man, that first one is tiny! Every time it rains here at the office, some tiny baby lizards come into the break room from outside. I think they're small because they're babies.

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  5. What an array of lovely critters, Bish. How lucky you are to be able to interact with them. We have a deer that nibbles from our hands. She's particularly fond of rose petals, so I share a few with her.

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  6. i used to be so scared of lizards that i couldn't even look at them--then my son had a bearded dragon for a pet--i became quite attached!

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  7. Cool lizards! We mostly get skinks around here.

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  8. Yes, but I didn't like it. Your lizard looks cute!

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  9. That first lizard is adorable. Awwww. :D

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  10. I look at them from a distance, mostly because I'm afraid of them. :) The croaking ones are in a class by themselves. Deathly afraid of those and they seem to like my house a LOT.

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  11. I can't say I've ever had a wild critter eat out of my hand...oh, maybe some fish, if that counts.

    I love that baby iguana.

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  12. Aw, the leaf lizard is so cute. The 22 inch lizard, yikes! The baby iguana is a cutie, but the big grown one - another yikes! My favorite is the beautiful duck. Very cool that it ate out of your hand. I don't think I've ever had a wild animal eat out of my hand. Not yet, anyway!

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  13. Knowing the lizards eat bugs helps me like them more. Those big old iguanas are fearsome looking. I almost stepped on one hiding in the grass at the beach, he didn't even blink, just kind of hissed as 'I' scurried away. Love the neon green babies though. We have no screens (real Cruzans) so, we share the house with them as well (hopefully, not the big guys).

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  14. Lizards are cool, as are ducks, but I've never had either eat out of my hand. I held a fawn (baby deer) a couple years ago. Does that count? ; )

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  15. Hi Bish:
    My grandson would be in heaven with all those lizards. Can't say I've had a wild thing eat out of my hand unless you count my husband. LOL
    Nancy

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  16. I adore ducks. They're in my area, but I don't see a lot of them.

    The lizards around me tend to be small and harmless, but I've always been afraid to touch them.

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  17. Hi Bish .. aren't they great - love the pictures ... I used to be bemused by the lizards in South Africa .. and loved having them around and then seeing the different species wherever I travelled ..

    The duck too .. great snapshot of nature .. cheers Hilary

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