[Ghoulish Delight]

Lost out on an awesome nature photography opportunity today (admittedly of the cell phone variety, so I don't think I blew my chance at a pulitzer or anything).

Went to my car at lunch and in the space next to mine I caught sight of a lizard out of the corner of my eye. One of those little lizards ubiquitous to SoCal, maybe a few inches long, 4-5 inches including the tail. (Incidentally, I have NO idea what kind of lizards those are? Anyone? Kevy?). I see them all the time and am in no way afraid of them. But before I even got a good look at this one, something triggered me to be startled, some subconscious indication that this might be weird.

After a bit of a jump I got a better look. What I had recognized was that it was stock still and looked like this guy's mouth had been impaled on something. Something blue and stick-like. My first thought was, "Oh sh*t is that lizard choking on a q-tip?!" Like I said, I'm generally totally comfortable around, and pretty fascinated with, these little lizards. However, any animal in distress tends to freak me out. Mostly because I feel like I SHOULD do something to help, but do not possess the wherewithal to do so. "Oh sh*t, I feel bad for the thing, and it's probably within my capability to help, but the though of touching it is freaky and gross - cause what it it's dead, or bleeds on me or some sh*t. But I feel bad!"

So yeah, all that was going through me head...until I finally registered that the blue stick sticking out of its mouth was in fact the tail end (still firmly attached to the front end) of an ex dragonfly. This little dude wasn't in distress, I had just interrupted lunch time. The meal was easily as big, if not bigger, than the little lizard. Chow time!

Sadly, after I got my phone out of my pocket and started the camera up, I took half a step to lean in for a good shot. That finally spooked him and he bolted, leaving the prize behind.

Now I felt bad that I scared him away from an awesome meal. Sorry little dude. (Or dudette I guess, I didn't ask it its gender).