Wow, in the 15 years I've lived in Florida I have only ever seen one green anole, and that was in a state park. You've very lucky.

Keep killing those CTF's and you'll get lots back. At least it worked for me.

I have never seen a green anole and have lived here off and on for 20 years combined. You are very lucky. I'm excited for you...I would be thrilled to have one in my yard.

When I moved to Land O'Lakes some 25 years ago (I don't live there now) we only had the greenies! But somewhere along the way we got the brown ones too.

Now in North Tampa and have both green and brown.

I'm glad you have a special greenie. I love those little dudes!

They were very numerous in the mid 60's in Bradenton. I have a few in my yard now, started showing up a couple years ago. I had one that we fed crickets too for a while. The one I have now stays around my pool screen. However I haven't seen him in a few days. Worries me when I don't see him around. Hope nothing has happened to him.

I'm still excited and feel very fortunate that the little greenie set up residence (hopefully) in the backyard.

I know she's a she because she didn't have a pink throat fan. Ooooh, maybe she'll have babies!

Thanks, all, for your positive feeback and I hope you see your buddy soon, mboston.

When I first came to FL in the seventies there were many of the Green Anoles around. Now it is extremely rare to find one. The last time I saw one was at Weedon Island in northeast St Pete. I was told that the brown Cuban lizzards kill the native green guys. This was by a biologist several years ago. The yard has plenty of the Cuban guys but none of the native Americans and I guess this is normal throughout FL.

There are parts of Florida where the green anoles are still somewhat plentiful, but they are pockets few and far between, due largely to the Cuban treefrog today. Initially, the brown anoles were very detrimental to the native green ones, but there is evidence today that the green ones are making a comeback against the brown ones. They are learning to co-exist with them.

Sadly, they cannot co-exist with the Cuban treefrogs. In areas where the CTF's are just getting a foothold, I believe firmly it is important to fight them tooth and nail! Now that I have gotten rid of 95% of the Cuban treefrogs in my yard, I have at least 4 Carolina (green) anoles living there again. And I'm praying all the time to find some native green treefrogs making a comeback, too.

Lovely pictures, Ima! Thanks for sharing, and I'm crossing my fingers that your pretty greenie lays eggs which escape predation long enough to hatch, and that you soon have MORE Carolina anoles in your backyard! Good luck!

Marcia (ps...inquiring minds wanna know...just how tall ARE you? Just curious...hehe)

Probably only Garden Webbers would think it normal that I wandered out to that Christmas Palm in my pajamas and flip flops at 6:30 a.m. today to check on that lovely green anole. She wasn't there. Looked high, looked low (repeat from beginning of sentence several times.)

There was a large (about 6-7" from tip of head to tip of non-curly tail), dark, fat brown anole lurking below the place I'd spotted pretty greenie for the previous two days. Thoughts drifted to previous posts (hadn't read your post yet, Greenfinger) about how the Cuban lizzards devour the natives.

After murderous thoughts and a conversation with a lizzard I won't repeat, I skulked back to the house.

Well! She's back. I walked out to the Christmas Palm right after work (in the rain), and there she was. Dragged BF out to see her, so I got to see her twice today, so far.

Marcia, I guess I'm only "tallish" by today's standards. 6' female. Still blame the fact that I can't dance on the fact that none of the shorter guys in highschool (and they were all short then) would dance with me. But maybe I just don't have rhythm.

Thanks for the posts,
Marilyn

Hi, Marilyn...I'm almost 6 feet myself...well, I was in my heyday! About 5'11". I've shrunk a bit, I think...the Incredible Shrinking Granny! (In HEIGHT, only..the rest of me sure ain't shrinkin'!! ACK!)

Keep an eye out for your greenie...I think you may find she can co-exist with the brown anoles if she's smart. They chase each other off in my yard now...the greens will scoot way up high and the browns will stomp around indignantly down low and shake their little lizard fists at the sky, no doubt thinking harsh thoughts. With any luck, your green one will look down at them and laugh, and be fine. IF the CTF's stay away from her.

Fingers crossed!

Marcia

Marcia,

I always love your posts. You have great passion and sense of humor and never fail to educate. I saw that picture on the other post tonight with the CTF eating a native tree frog. You said seeing that photo made you want to cry; I can't say it any better than that. I'm looking forward to the day when I can post a "Free of CTF's Zone" sign in my yard.

Thanks for the post, and for keeping fingers crossed,

Marilyn

You girls are just too wonderful. I'm still chuckling.
I wanted to report that today I actually had the opportunity to talk to a green anole face to face.
Was I surprised!
I haven't seen very many in my yard for many years.
I warned her about the CTF's and the brownies and the curly tails. I think she already knew the dangers, as she looked at me expecting answers.
So glad to have seen her.
Thank you for your post, I think that brought her out for a visit.

Hiya, Tree! *waving hand and dancing around happily* You don't post NEARLY enough lately, ya know! I miss you around here!

Marilyn, I'm glad I make you chuckle now and then...my theory is that laughter can cure just about anything, and we ALL need more of it, so I will always go for the cheap giggle when I can. And I just got back from spending four days with my 3-year old granddaughter who is turning out to be a REAL goofball, so I'm still in Silly Granny Mode. (What a treasure she is!)

If you see some baby greenies scampering around your yard, be sure to let us know. Hopefully you have enough greenery for them to hide in, and they will escape danger long enough to grow up and make MORE greenies!

Marcia

I have the green ones living on my screened lanai. They are safer there, though there are some brown ones too. We try to get the brown ones out, but DH knows to leave the green ones alone. They help keep the bugs off my plants.

And I have little frogs living there too. We just yesterday got one out of the pool.:o)

Cool, Katkin! Sadly, my cats patrol my screened porch and anything crazy enough to come inside doesn't usually make it out again, unless I find it before they do. Mostly, the critters seem to know better than to even try. Although Thursday, I found a 10" ringneck snake trying to get back OUT the door. (He might have gotten "swept" in when I let the dogs out. I caught him, duly admired him, and then released him in my coleus bed. (Then washed my hands thoroughly, as he "musked" me before I put him down.)

So glad your yard and porch are havens for the Carolina's, Katkin!

Marcia

My two boys (cats) are trying to take care of the brown anole situation. The few green anoles seem to stay out of their way. I have a great time watching them catch the lizards...and torture them!

Yes-Marica I always enjoy your comments and your humor.
Laura

Hi again,

Glad to report that I saw her again today. Not in the morning, even though I was out there at daybreak, unsuitably attired. Late afternoon, she (my one and only greenie) was laying low this time, brilliant green against a maroon brom. I took a picture (in the rain), but haven't uploaded it yet, so (maybe?) that means I'm not certifiably crazy.

Treefrog, I'm glad to hear you had a visit from a greenie too. Didn't you just love how her eyes wandered when you talked to her?

Katkin, that's great that you see greenies and frogs on your lanai regularly. How cool!

Laura - I saw the superb pic of the native frog you posted tonight, how wonderful. Made my day. I have been thinking about how maybe I have room for just one more tree. I've been pondering for quite awhile, reading posts, researching...hmmmmmm...Cassia?

Marcia - always a pleasure to hear back from you and if you haven't already done so, please revisit Laura's original post because there's an educational opportunity for you, and nobody can fulfill that like you can, woman. Glad you are enjoying your 3 year old granddaughter, my 3 year old great niece lights up my life.

Thanks for the posts, and inquirying minds want to know, (coining a phrase from Marcia) Treefrog, have you tried older banana leaves for grilling fish and/or veggies?

Marilyn