I’m taking a little detour from the usual Saturday flowers to show other garden occupants. My walks and my working reveal these critters with whom I must coexist. All of them are relatively harmless, and I prefer to leave them alone unless I need to occupy the same space as they do.

I’ll spare you the etymology lesson on the word “critter.” It makes me think of The Beverly Hillbillies and Ellie May with all her critters. It’s just an old English word for creature or anything created.

Up top, you see a Black Swallowtail butterfly enjoying my clerodendrum. These are some of my favorite visitors to the garden.

I think this is a Black Kingsnake. Shep and I were on an afternoon walk around the yard when I spotted this one stretched out on the path behind the tool shed. It was bigger than the usual garter snakes I’ve seen. I understand these are good snakes to have around your yard, but it was a bit aggressive when we entered its territory. My granny would’ve taken a hoe to its head no matter what kind of snake she saw. It quickly slithered toward the deck, but I “encouraged” it to go under the gate and out of our way. It probably lives under our deck, but I’m okay with it as long as I don’t see it.

Another scary-looking critter is this garden spider. In late summer, we have always had several who spin webs around the yard. I’ve left her in place, but she seems to have reinforced the web from all corners of one of my sitting areas. I think she needs to find new accommodations.

Here are two different turtles or terrapins. I’m certainly no expert on identifying what they are. I just know they aren’t sea turtles.

We have both lizards and geckos in our yard. I see the lizards in the daytime and the geckos at night. I used to be afraid of lizards, but I’ve learned to live with them, and now find them sort of cute. I can’t explain why, but the geckos gross me out. They make bird-like sounds at night, chirping or singing. If I find one in my house, that critter better prepare to meet its Maker.

Finally, this black dog can only be found in the garden when we are in the yard with him. Shep came to us with a lot of “issues.” So one of his quirks is not wanting to go outside unless we go, and he won’t stay out alone. We’ve indulged his quirks, and he’s trained us pretty well.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; -1^st Timothy 4:4 (NKJV)

Have a lovely week, friends.

Shalom, Dottie