I’m not quite going to make this in July, but so be it. Late at night on the 31st, I found the first newborn Carolina anole (Anolis carolinensis) on the oak-leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia.)
Here’s the deal: At old Walkabout Estates, we’d planted a few oak-leaf hydrangeas, which became well-established and were a huge favorite of the anoles, and I have hundreds of photos of the two. We attempted to transplant some cuttings when we moved here, but they never took, and this spring we finally purchased a couple from a nursery and got them started in the yard. They’ve been getting established, and just now, I found the first anole snoozing on a leaf of one.
Last year, there were countless (meaning counted) anoles sleeping on various plants around the yard in late summer, chief among them a couple of Japanese maples right outside the door to Walkabout Studios. For some reason, this isn’t even remotely happening this year, and I have yet to find one on any maple, or indeed most of the plants in the backyard – I don’t get the impression we’re gonna set a new record this year, but it might still be too early.
Still, it’s a good sign, and I’m pleased – you know where to send congratulatory cards and checks…