Newspaper Page Text
LIZ CONROY
An adorable reptile to find around here is the Eastern
fence lizard. To me, it’s our cutest native lizard. No won
der some folks like to keep these arboreal reptiles as pets.
Fortunately, many people understand that wild animals
should be allowed to live outdoors in their natural homes.
Fence lizards are pleasing to gardeners, too. They eat many
pesky insects, such as beetles, moths, stink bugs and
grasshoppers.
While hiking, it’s often a surprise to see this lively lizard
suddenly scramble up a tree. They are quite shy, so looking
at them requires tiptoeing rather than tromping. But being
skittish is how they survive. Fence lizards make good meals
for many predators. They provide entertainment for pets,
as well. Cats like to toy with them, since they don’t offer
much of a fight with their small teeth and claws and lack
of venom. Who eats these chunky little reptiles? Besides
free-roaming cats, snakes and birds do, too.
Last summer, I watched swallow-tailed kites fly grace
fully through the branches of large pecan trees. Later,
I learned that it’s not just large insects these raptors
seek, but even snakes, tree frogs and fence lizards can be
snatched from the trees by these beautiful birds.
Earlier in the summer, I learned about the voracious
appetite of the Argentine tegu—a large, invasive lizard now
spreading in Georgia. Wondering about the threat they
pose to our native reptiles, I contacted wildlife biologist
Laci Pattavina with the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources’ Wildlife Conservation Division. She said, “I do
know that birders, hunters, hikers, farmers and anyone
that spends time outdoors can help us with reporting sight
ings, especially in the Toombs and Tattnall County areas, by
emailing gainvasives@dnr.ga.gov with photos and location
information. This short YouTube video also has some good
information: youtube.com/watch?v=UkRNMUhG4Hw.”
Then I emailed herpetologist J. Whitfield “Whit”
Gibbons, professor emeritus of ecology at UGA. He calmed
my fears with his reply, “Liz—I’m sure tegus would eat fence
lizards if they can catch them.” Then he added that being
able to run up trees is a good behavior for fence lizards
when it comes to avoiding hungry tegus. Go, fence lizards!
A Crooked Piece of Time
By Alex Johnson
I’d been enjoying my new job downtown and
My son is a walking, talking joy.
I began reading the New Testament.
Congress impeaches the President.
Nola Johnsons get fit at the Grit Gym before
We escape Mardi Gras to Hawaii for our first vacation in
years.
We found whales & turtles & we hiked volcanoes.
The Milky Way shined for us.
COVID hits LAX the day before we head home.
New Orleans is a hotspot.
Cancel trip to the presidential debate.
Hospitals fill up and schools close.
World shuts down.
Law firm victimized in cyberattack.
COVID decimates KREWE sales.
Nola Johnsons quarantine with our little Wildman.
We take turns riding the wagon.
We take turns working from home.
Forks and knives and laptop computers.
One of us starts early, the other goes late.
We grind during naptime.
Deliverables.
We make a baby.
Neighbor’s mother dies of COVID.
Nola Johnsons depart for Georgia.
April at the farm and some of May too.
Easter baptisms at Johnson Spring.
Easter reveals a Christmas baby.
COVID takes John Prine and Ellis Marsalis.
Orion’s arrowhead shines in April 23 rd rain.
I dig dirt stairs & plant laurel in the woods.
Wildman drives tractors and chases Roostie.
Mama stands in a ring of roses for Mother’s Day.
First the dogwoods bloom and then the magnolias,
They remind us we’re in a place.
New Orleans reopened, so we returned.
Memorial Day at Gulf Shores National Park.
Michael Jordan’s documentary, we thank you.
Butterfly Boy plants a backyard garden.
Mama’s baby grows & kick-kick-kicks.
I finish reading the New Testament.
Police murder George Floyd.
National protests for Black Lives Matter.
KREWE’s second existential crisis arises.
Farm Fam meets poolside for the Fourth of July.
I work at the office again,
Mama works at home.
John Lewis passes on to peace.
Wildman’s school has COVID scare.
COVID makes a second surge.
The moon lines up with Jupiter and Saturn for a time.
Lt. Mud dies in service.
Wildman turns 2 in the backyard with
Shrimp and burgers, sandbox and slide.
He loves Daddy’s stories and Mommy’s songs.
He loves caterpitters and Thomas Train.
Mama grows great with child.
Daddy grows soft with beer.
Justice RBG dies in service.
POTUS debate is a cultural disaster.
Casino Man keeps deriding masks.
Casino Man gets COVID.
We are first to vote at the NBA arena.
Lebron James, we thank you.
Hurricane Zeta cuts off power across the City but
Cool weather behind the storm is nice & welcome.
Zeta is the seventh storm to make landfall in Louisiana.
Its citrus eye passed over us at sunset,
Reminds us we’re in a place.
Wildman kisses his hands before reaching for the moon.
Halloween Blue Moon.
COVID makes a third surge.
Election Day is here.
The spirit of John Lewis returns for us,
Uncle Joe wins and Mamala inspires.
Casino Man’s confused and stokes flames
Casts his legacy in fool’s gold & anti-democracy.
Steak for Thanksgiving without all the family.
We pray for all who’ve left us who made us,
Also the ones who’ve joined us.
► continued on next page
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