We called them chameleons because they could change color to match their background. Today I recognize them as "Carolina Anoles" (Anolis carolinensis).
They still fascinate. Below is a photo of one of several I encountered on the Hammock Hills Nature Trail recently.
Our most recent Ocracoke Newsletter is a compilation of humorous stories told by or about islanders. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092113.htm.
As a kid, did you or your peers ever try to catch these little critters? I've seen them on Ocracoke, albeit rarely, when we once rented a home right on the sound.
ReplyDeleteI remember as a youngster corralling the occasional snake, lizard, toads/frogs, and (as I've detailed here before) bats roosting behind the shutters on our house, captured in large peanut butter jars.
Even as an adult, when my own kids were little, I recall briefly detaining a garter snake in a Mason jar so they could get an up-close look, as a way to help foster an interest in--and a respect for--nature, and to help minimize any needless concerns or fears (while also addressing legitimate reasons to keeps one's distance) about such creatures.
And I ALWAYS practice capture-and-release, even when I once wrangled 10 feet of black rat snake--a mating pair, a four-footer and a six-footer.
As always, Philip, appreciate your efforts here.