It looked ragged, tired, and stooped over in the early morning light, like an old man shuffling about. Perhaps that is why the smooth-billed ani is called “Old Arnold” in the Cayman Islands. Indeed, this one even tottered about on the edge of the patio step, nearly falling off a couple of times. Fortunately, aContinue reading “Old Arnold”
Author Archives: eskildoodle1
Passers By
Sometime during the afternoon a chicken walked by, not even stopping to scratch or peck. A while later a land crab skittered warily across the sand; fortunate that it didn’t encounter the chicken. Though we didn’t see either, they left their tracks to tell of their passage until blowing grains of sand slowly erase theirContinue reading “Passers By”
Parrot Head
I started playing my ukulele along with a recording of Jimmy Buffet’s “A Salty Piece of Land” when Lolita, the parrot, joined in with whistles, squawks, and dancing. Apparently she was enjoying the music as much as I. Who would have ever guessed that she was a Parrot Head! #parrot #parrothead #jimmybuffet #lolita
Holey Ground
Sinkholes forced us to watch our step to avoid falling into the underworld while walking about this private arboretum in Grand Cayman. Water acidified by dissolved carbon dioxide has slowly eaten away at the fossil-laden limestone from eons past to leave a system of caves connected to the surface by sinkholes. Sounds of the oceanContinue reading “Holey Ground”
Hither, Slither, and Yon
This iguana basked in the sun, aware of our presence but not frightened. It knew how close it could allow us to approach before it had to flee, and it was not about to expend any unnecessary energy. Its markings suggest that it is a cross between the Blue Iguana and the invasive Green Iguana.Continue reading “Hither, Slither, and Yon”
A Uke with No Name
It was a gift from an elderly couple. He was a WW II veteran in his 90’s and had been one of my patients not long before I retired. I kept a ukulele in my office and at the end of an appointment I would play it briefly for patients if they asked about it.Continue reading “A Uke with No Name”
Mini Moth
This tiny little moth, seemingly sleeping on the door frame, caught my attention one day. For some reason its wing was a bit askew, just like my hair in the morning. It made me wonder if it had injured its wing somehow and whether or not it could still fly. I’m betting that it couldContinue reading “Mini Moth”
To Barter with the Sea
Displays like this are often seen in coastal shops, but these shells and corals were not purchased; we found them all. Of particular note, the cowry in the lower right corner came from a motu (small island along the reef) between the islands of Taha’a and Ra’iatea in French Polynesia. We were on a cruiseContinue reading “To Barter with the Sea”
Forest Light
Sunbeams spotlighted the leaves on trees and bushes as well as on the ground and cast a magical spell as we passed by. Though the forest was occupied by birds, coyotes, and bears (Oh my!), as well as insects and critters that slither, it was easy to imagine mythical creatures lurking in the sunlight’s reflectionsContinue reading “Forest Light”
Shadows of Memories
The sunlight accented beads and a drum and cast their shadows on the wall. They were gifts from friends that we met in Oklahoma while we were at Fort Sill. The man who made the set was Apache, and his wife was a direct descendant of the great Comanche Chief Quanah Parker. We were theirContinue reading “Shadows of Memories”
