Skinks

The temperature was still cool but by tomorrow it is predicted to warm up.  A hummer arrived before its feeder was ready.   Again the yellow cat hunted in exactly the same spot as yesterday, apparently fascinated by something on the ground.  I yelled at it.  A tiny skink ran across the patio before I could get a picture.  That was about it for the morning, but when I went out to swim things livened up.  An adult skink that should have known better was floating near the steps.  It wasn't moving and I was worried, but soon it began to paw at the pool wall.  I eased it out and noticed it was very thick in the middle like it might be pregnant.  (Is that the right term for an egg layer?)  

Not too long after, I found a young blue-tailed skink paddling in the deep end. I carried it back to the steps for a posing session.  When I looked later, the silly thing had its nose over the edge peering down at the water.  So I beeped its nose.  It took the hint.

Meanwhile, a cicada killer wasp had also fallen into the water and all my rescue sticks were missing.  I found a dead twig and carefully lifted it out.  As often happens, it didn't want to let go of the twig for a while.  Eventually, it got over the trauma and flew away.  I also rescued a ladybug and some scarabs.  The sky was a deep, clear blue and the sun was hot to balance the chilly breeze.  

I could only find one Argiope, the one behind the bench.  When I checked the rue, the chrysalis was fine.  I noticed a first instar caterpillar, a middle size caterpillar that might have just molted, and only a couple of the big ones.  But I didn't see any more chrysalises.  On the butterfly milkweed, I located the same caterpillars as yesterday.  

Yet another skink hustled across the patio and the steps.  Its tail was so blue it was ultraviolet.  At supper, a punk-looking blue jay wanted barkbutter balls.  A couple of titmice argued over the menu.  The usual species kept the seed feeder busy.