Eyeshadow

 This little anole has made the aloe plant in my backyard its favorite hangout spot. I often see it lounging there year after year, blending in surprisingly well—except for the vivid colors around its eyes. Those bright markings always catch my attention, like it's wearing a touch of makeup. I can't help but wonder if it's getting ready for a party or showing off for a potential date. Whatever the reason, its bold look adds a splash of unexpected charm to my backyard.

Side-Eye

The residents of Roatan, Honduras, are incredibly friendly—though they tend to prefer just hanging out and watching you go about your day. They're more than happy to silently judge your choice in swimwear, but don’t expect any advice or suggestions. They keep their opinions to themselves, letting you live in your questionable fashion decisions without a word. It’s like having an audience that’s totally chill... except for the side-eye you might get from time to time.

 

Lizard, Lizard, Lizard

 Coming from Mississippi where the common outdoor lizard was the Carolina Anole; this was a big surprise.   These are the Texas spiny lizard and they do get rather large.   Here where I am they are everywhere: in trees, on the house, fence, and even dangerously basking in the road.  I love seeing them when I do, they are a reminder that no matter where we may live we are still surrounded by wildlife.

Intruder Alert!

The other night my cat, Celeste was acting weird.  She was trying to get under the couch, so we moved the couch and this little guy was there.  We caught him and let him go back outside.  I wish him the best!  

 

Finding Yourself

You never expect to play a part, to fall so deep into a role that you lose yourself so completely that you are shocked when you finally recognize yourself in the mirror. As we sit going through the things that we forgot, things that are now so foreign… and yet they are a part of ourselves. And then there are times when you finally realize how unique you really are, and how the beauty slipped through your fingers… and the stars fall from the sky like shimmers of glitter into a sea of black… and you are left with the impression of fleeting loss… and it is hard to explain, and you feel so alone, and it takes a magical moment for the stars to reappear. It is when you can finally see things the way they are, that you can finally feel whole again, finally comfortable in your own skin.

About the Image: A Carolina Anole common to Mississippi is known for its chameleon like camouflage to disappear from predators.