Marianna's Blog
Your Daily Lizard
Lessons & Reflections from the National Butterfly Center
Who could have imagined that a scaly, cold-blooded reptile would one day become the harbinger of health and balance in my eco-system? Not I! That’s for sure. But nowadays, the ever-present, reassuring ‘fixture’ in my life that says, “Everything is alright,” is the lizard. Green Anole, Spiny Texas, Spotted Whiptail, you name it…I have lizards scaling the windows. Lizards sunning on rocks. Lizards hiding in the garden beds, climbing on the butterfly feeders, and scurrying across the caliche paths and paved roads that I cross, daily.
Truth be told, they really creep me out, these diminutive dinosaurs that seem to be here, there and EVERYWHERE! How did my life come to this? Is it strange that I can’t think of a day in recent memory where I have not encountered lizards? I bet it’s strange that I am even thinking about thinking about lizards! Nevertheless, they’re often on my mind.
The Right Place...
Lessons & Reflections from the National Butterfly Center
For most butterfliers, being in the right place at the right time is that serendipitous moment when everything comes together beautifully, and you get to see something rare, unusual and special—and you have your camera to capture this sighting!
It's a little different for me. I get excited about all butterflies, because they're all new to me; and if something is unique, exceptional or record-setting, chances are I won't know. I rely on the keen and experienced members of the NBC to identify my subjects and share their super-finds with me. But recently, through no expertise of my own, I got to be the one pointing, teaching and fanning the fire for one of our young visitors.
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