Isn't life funny? Would you believe that the very next day after I wrote my post about animal rescues I had a chance to do a rescue myself? This is how it happened...
I was driving home from work when I noticed out of the corner of my eye some movement on my side mirror. At first, I thought it was a small snake but then, it moved into my line of vision and it was a small lizard, an anole. Now, here is the thing....when I saw this little guy, I had been driving down Highway 20 going about 50 MPH. How could he have held on to the car going that fast? My son told me that he has read that they are able to do this because they...oh dear, can't remember what he told me, something scientific, I guess, my poor little brain can't handle much at the end of a working day. Anybody know how such a little creature could hold on to a moving vehicle at such a speed? (Funny to think of him kinda surfing on the roof of my car!)
Anyway, I turned into a parking lot of a church and tried to get the lizard to release it onto the grass. As much as I tried, he would run onto the top of the car and I couldn't reach him. Oh well, I figured, if he made it this far, he must be able to hang on until I get home! Sure enough, when I pulled into my driveway, he was still there! Richard was already home and I asked him to come out and help. Sure enough, he put a small piece of paper close to him and the anole climbed onto the paper. Richard was going to gently place him onto some bushes near the car, but the little lizard LEAPT off the paper in a big jump! LEAPING LIZARDS! Now, I know where that expression comes from!
I did a post about the anole that we saw at Panola Mountain and that one was a little green lizard. (Remember the throat flap is called a dewlap?) The lizard on my car was brown in color and it is the very same lizard, just different colors!
Yes, it felt good to rescue that little guy. (Well, Richard did really, but I ORCHESTRATED it!) Now, do you want to know the rest of the story? When I turned into that church parking lot, I must have picked up a nail in my tire! I had to spend some time that afternoon getting it repaired! (Not in the sidewall, so it was okay to patch it, no need for a new tire.)
I am sure that anole appreciated the rescue, don't you think?
I hope so! Leaping Lizards!
Good job you noticed the little guy and then were able to safe him with Richard's help! I don't know how territorial lizards live, but I hope your passenger found a spot where he can continue his life undisturbed. I wonder what made him climb on top of your car in the first place!
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly, some (all?) species of lizards have microscopically small "scales" on their feet that trap mini pockets of air between them and the surface they are on, creating suction/underpressure or something like that...
My car is parked right next to some bushes at work but hey, maybe he came from my house and he was just out for the day and knew I would be going back to the same place later! If he did come from my workplace, the little lizard will be very welcome at my home, there is lots of room for wildlife!
DeleteI've ran into a few cats lately but none that needed rescuing. That lizard is pretty cute. I hope things go well for the little guy. It's pretty incredible it was able to stay on top of the car like that. I'd have no idea how it did it myself.
ReplyDeleteWe have some good GEICO ads on tv here that show a gecko and the gecko has an English accent! (His voice is the actor who plays Max on Eastenders!) See the things you learn from me?
DeleteIt's amazing what animals can do. Good for you rescuing it or at least trying to. Sounds as if he's had that ride before and knew what to do.
ReplyDeleteYes! Who knows? Maybe he does this all the time just to surf on my top of my car!
DeleteMercy, what an adventure, for you and the anole! We have those little lizards here, and i like them because they eat the "ugh! bugs".
ReplyDeleteYes, something to eat bugs, I might import more lizards like him or her!
DeleteSerendipity. Or synchronicity. Funny how one of these words was popular a few decades ago and the other is now, but they mean the same thing, I think. You own animal rescue must be very satisfying! Well done. Glad you didn't have to buy a new tire.
ReplyDeleteI am always running over nails and pieces of metal in the road, so I too am thankful I didn't have to buy a tire!
DeleteSerendipity...I need to do a post about that word. Stay tuned! :-)
Sad payment for your kindness rescuing the lizard. I'm told they are good for us as they eat a lot of bugs so maybe your payment is forthcoming.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's okay really...I mean I could have gotten that nail anywhere to be honest and it was nice to rescue the lizard. Although, once I saw him leap, it made me realize he was probably going to just leap off my car anyway! Oh well, I have good intentions! :-)
DeleteVery cool! They must have little suction cups on their feet or something.
ReplyDeleteI really don't see how they could hold on like that!
DeleteI'm sure s/he appreciated it very much. I hope that kindness is returned to you, dear Kay!
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Martha. You are so sweet! :-)
DeleteThat was a great rescue. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great rescue. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteHey John! Thank you, the same to you!!
DeleteWell done Leaping Lizards!
ReplyDeleteWe should bring that expression back, what do you say?
DeleteI wonder what your co workers would say if you started saying "leaping lizards". Gee whiz, that's swell!
Holy Leaping Lizards, that's quite a rescue. Sorry about the tire.
ReplyDeleteWell, it is good for a laugh and that is always a good thing!
DeleteIt was an adventure! And a fun story.
ReplyDeleteCareful, you might get a bit overexcited by my THRILLING life. HA!
DeleteHi Kay, Being a 'rescue person' is a GIFT I think... There is a lady who lives near us who takes in dogs that need a home and need to be rescued and loved.. She said that she has done it for 15 years. She also provides homes for some of these dogs.... I couldn't do what she does... BUT--I admire anyone who has that gift...
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Hey Betsy! Yes, I have a nice lady from Louisiana (Messy Mimi) who comments here and she rescues cats! Also, Henry from England also comments here and he and his wife work very hard at an animal shelter in England! These are the kind of people who make the world a better place. I greatly admire them.
DeleteAnd hugs to you too! xx
Aw, you should have left the poor guy on your car. He just wanted to travel a bit.
ReplyDeleteHe must love going back and forth to the same place then, my workplace! :-)
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