Critter report

Last weekend, it was finally warm enough to head outside to get some much needed yard work done before moving out of our rental house.  It was wet, but it wasn't freezing, so out we went.

Leighton didn't last long though.  Because, well, the little tree branches had green stuff on them.  Ew.  And there was a bug.  Double ew.  Yup, that's my (Manhattan-born, total city) boy!  He did last long enough to see a snake I found in the yard though!  I was picking up all the toys and noticed something brown move away from me super fast, but I ignored it and figured it was just a lizard on speed.   Then I picked up another toy and found myself face to face with a very small, very shiny, very not-a-lizard-but-very-much-a-snake snake.  I called Roy and the kids over to see (and verify my findings) because it was frozen to the spot as it decided the best route to escape.  I am proud to report that I didn't freak out.  Not out loud anyway.  And I didn't stop picking up the toys.  I did, however, have Roy move things around roughly with the rake before I touched any more of them though.  I was worried that these two baby snakes had a big mommy somewhere close by.  We never found her if she was though.  PHEW!  I like to tease my little city boy, but this mommy isn't the country girl she once was when she was little!

A little later on, Roy and I were loading the back of the car with the wagons and bikes and a little lizard ended up in the back of my car!  Roy was not successful at getting it out (a valiant effort though, thanks dear husband of mine!).  It darted out of sight.  I happily waved as Roy and the kids drove away and I stayed home (and not in that lizard-toting car!).  I waited all week long for that lizard to appear on Riley's leg or my steering wheel while I was driving, but I haven't spotted it again.  And so I repeat, PHEW!

So, our first year in TX was filled with all sorts of critters in our yard (and house and car) - a frog, a couple turtles, some snakes, many lizards, and all sorts of bugs.  And let's not forget everyone's favorite possum.  We haven't seen our friend since the evening it decided to have a little wander around before dark.  But, last night, as we were sitting by the window in the new house, I noticed some quick movement out of the corner of my eye.  And there was a cute little baby possum!  We have a new pet ;)