Head twisting lizard gives me the twisted eye.

This young lizard was hiding out in our canopy in the back yard.  I think the green color made him think it was a tree.

If you look at the images below,  he was watching me with his right eye.  In image two, he begins to twist his head. In image three, he has his head twisted all the way around to see me with his left eye.  It was as if he had to give each eye a chance to figure out if I was going to spoil his nap.

Hiding lizard is outed

 

I caught this crafty little guy hiding in one of our outdoor wall ornaments.  He was hiding between the letters in "God Bless Texas."  Despite his cloak and dagger posture, he was willing to pose for a couple of shots before he went off to his clandestine duties.

Hug this ugly mug?

Today is the last day for the South Texas State Fair in Beaumont.  It is your last chance to get up close with this beauty who has a face only a mother could love.

Kids and camel get close

At the South Texas State Fair in Beaumont, all kinds of stranger bump into each other including camels and kids.

Vultures pay pig a visit

We were in Houston to watch our son, Charles in a bike race at Bear Creek Park. While waiting, I noticed in one of the animal pens, the sign said pot-bellied pig, but it had some very non-piggish characters inside.  A flock of about 20 of these Black Vultures had decided that the pig's water looked good, so they would fly in for a visit.  The pig didn't look too nonplussed, but I bet on the inside he was terrified.  How does that go? Never let them see you wallow.

Even bull riders use their heads in a pinch.

From the South Texas State Fair in Beaumont, TX last week  -- you can use your head to get out of any predicament, including a ton of bull.

Reptilian flower-walker shows his stuff.

This photo serves to purposes.  To show you the beautiful day-lilies blooming in my back yard.  Also, I want to introduce you to my legendary flower-walker, Bif.   That's not his real name, but despite my efforts, he refuses to tell me what is real name is.  He is, however, a genuine flower-walker.

Why did the chicken go to the Fair?

"Okay, let me see if I got this right.  They want to see how good looking I am, and see how well shaped I am?  Why would they want to do that?"  The wondering foul was at the South Texas State Fair in Beaumont, TX last week.  No doubt by now he has gotten his answer.

Lurking lizard nets nothing

The stealthy hunter has a problem on his hands er, pads.  The lurking lizard is stalking the insect that can just barely be seen on the right (the black triangle).  Problem is, the lizard is on the other side of the netting and he can't figure that out.  I watched the scene play out for about 20 minutes.  The insect would move every once in a while, but never fly away. The lizard's best lurking did him no good for his breakfast this day, though I suspect the practice was very valuable.

Squirrelly encourter of the friendly kind

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My little friend at work found a peanut and wasn't going to put it down.  Not even when I pointed a camera at him. 

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Seeing eye-to-eye

My little friend at work doesn't run off so fast anymore. He does, however, consider 20 feet to be a good distance to stay away  -- especially if it involves a little elevation.  I try not to scare him by coming close, but we make good eye contact.

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Squirrels in training for wrestling fame

My squirrel friends at the library were in a playful mood yesterday.  I think they were practicing their wrestling moves.

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Silent sentry

 

This Cooper's Hawk flew across the yard and took up sentry on a fence post in the back yard this morning.  I don't think he had the best of intentions.  I am sure he was attracted by the large number of sparrows that have been coming around the bird feeder. This morning, he was out of luck -- they had finished off the bird seed the night before.  The sparrows, that beautiful blue jay and that handsome pair of cardinals that always come around were searching for food elsewhere.  
The drama continues.

--steve buser

Cooper's Hawk, Beaumont, Texas, birds

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Clever critter

This is one of the cleverest, wiliest little guys you have ever met. He added a lot of excitement to our visit to t the CampJunction in Beaumont.
--steve buser

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Where in we meet porky Corky

Our friend Jenna is really into her FFA work for her school.  This year, she is raising a pig (last year was a goat).  We got a chance today to go by and meet porky Corky.  It was amazing, he already recognizes her and her voice.
--steve buser

pig, FFA, Beaumont, Texas

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White Tiger -- intense stare

This is one of the white tigers at the Aquarium in downtown Houston.  Notice the stare -- he seemed to wonder around aimlessly, but his state was intense.
--steve buser

White Tiger, Houston, Texas

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Daydreaming tiger

What do you suppose captures a tiger's attention when he loses focus in the middle of a circus act.  We took our children recently to the Shriner's Circus in Beaumont, TX.   I was wondering this carnivore had picked one child in the audience to focus on.  Or maybe one of the next act's walking by.  Maybe he was just daydreaming.   Oh, well best to get the act over and then let the dreams have their way.

--steve buser

Happy is the hovering heron

This is the "survey the waterfront" pose for a juvenile Tri-colored Heron poached on a cypress stump at the heronry off the I-10 at the Trinity River Bridge  -- east of Houston.
The  seems to be just sitting there thinking, but when a fish or other tasty treat swims by, he slowly crouches into an attack mode -- edging closer to the water and leaning closer.
--steve buser

heron, tri-colored, bird

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Kids' camp captures cuddles

On the left, our granddaughter is eager and apprehensive at the same time about holding the racoon that Nanny is handing to her at the CampJunction Beaumont a few days back. But she quickly got the hang (right) of it and refused to give the cuddly thing back -- not that the racoon was all that happy with the arrangement.

Before we left home, the grandkids were in the "I don't want to go to some stupid petting zoo" mode. But we had a hard time getting them to leave. I sure they will be more eager the next time.
-- steve buser

petty zoo, Beaumont, Texas

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Camel Kiss coup conked

We were at CampJunction in Beaumont yesterday with the grandkids. Little Sullivan didn't want to go because he had just picked up a MouseTrap game and wanted to go home and play it. But about 20 minutes into the petting zoo visit, he has completely changed his mind-- "I didn't know it was going to be this much fun."

Here, Sophie attempts to lay one on a dromedary, while her Nanny Linda holds her. I am happy to report that the camel shied away at the last second and refused her advances.
--steve buser

camel, zoo, kids, beaumont Texas

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