Nature’s Pets

Ria and Brandon are complementary nature fellows.  They classify themselves as follows:

Eyes: Ria

Hands: Brandon

Ria has a remarkable ability to spot the unusual.  Whenever we go on a nature walk, she is usually the one to notice an unusual bird or a baby squirrel, or a hidden nest.  To her belongs the observation.   To her sibling, the action involved.  Brandon has no hesitation to be hands on (no matter how slithery or slimy the situation)!

So when Ria spotted the baby garden lizard, Brandon immediately ran over.   After a couple of attempts, Brandon successfully caught him, gently placed him in a box and brought him home to Mama (how sweet!), who stifled a scream and managed to say, “How cool! Shall we let it go home now?”

Brandon wept to have the lizard for one night.  That compromise extended since it rained the next day and how could we possibly let Lizzy out in the rain?  Finally the sun came to my rescue and Brandon said to me,  “Mom, I just know Lizzy knows me!”  (“But of course!” I thought, especially since we are now on first name/ actually, nick name basis).  Anyway, to prove his point, he gently picked his lizard out of the box and placed him in the sun on our balcony railing.  No, it did not scurry away!  “Now watch,” said Brandon and began to stroke the lizard’s back.  “See, he likes it!”  The lizard, again, to my surprise, actually seemed to not mind it in the least!  “Anyway, let’s leave it be, Brandon, ” I said, “If the lizard really likes you, it’ll come around again.”

You can imagine my surprise when a couple weeks later while re-arranging my potted plants I came across Lizzy’s old skin and lo and behold, Lizzy herself!  A little longer, a little bigger but it looks like she has decided to keep Brandon!  He was thrilled!  I have been noticing fewer flies in our balconey…I have a strong suspicion as to why that might be!

My conclusion:  Lizards aren’t that bad after all, provided they remain out doors!

Here’s Brandon with Lizzy: