Unexpected Guests-August 7, 2011

I have had a few unexpected guests at my house in the past few weeks, but they were welcome none the less. First, there was a large skink lizard running across my porch yesterday. He was quickly running toward the ivy that grows along the front of my house. I believe this may be where he is living, eating the bugs that are everywhere. Second was the walking stick I found climbing up my gutter drain. I always found them to be an interesting insect to look at. Third is the pair of trees frogs I see on my bathroom window every morning. At first it was just one large one,  and now there is also a smaller one. It is amazing how they can stick to the glass with those suction cup like feet. The final guest at my house is the small rust colored wren that has built a nest in the spider plant that is hanging on the front porch. It sits under the porch roof, so it is nice and shady there. At first I thought the leaf material I was finding had been blown in by the wind but then my husband said no it was a bird nest. I agreed with him when I went to water the plant with the water hose and this poor bird came flying out. I am not sure who was more surprised, me or the bird! I looked in the plant again the next day, and sure enough here came the wren flying out again. I have learned that if I peek in very carefully I can see if he is there or not without startling him. I am also being careful to check if he is in the nest before I water so as not to disturb him. The nest looks a bit like a cave and sits on the dirt under the plant. When I peek in, I can just see the white stripes that run horizontal across his eyes.  It looks like a very cool and restful place to spend these hot summer days, and it is protected from the worst of any rain we may get. I dont know how long he will be here, but I will leave the plant outside until I am sure he has left for the winter. My goal is to try and get a picture of him, and I will post it if I am able.