Herping in Houston by Happenstance

I recently flew to Houston to visited my cousin Ida and attend a concert.  My herping husband Mark has been talking about Houston since Ida sent a photo of a Schott's whipsnake skin that was under her porch.  Ida wanted to know if it was venomous, but it was not.

Mark decided not to go since it sounded like we would spend a lot of time consignment shopping, eating, and talking non-stop.  (He was partially correct.)  I told him that I would look for reptiles and amphibians, not expecting to see any.

On February 22, as Ida and I strolled through Bayou Bend, I spied some lizards (later identified as anoles). 

Ida took pictures of them with her camera and sent them to Mark.  

Mark responded, "...Those are brown anoles, common to the Texas, Florida, and Mississippi. When they sit on fence posts,they extend a colorful dewlap or chin fold. Winter colors aren't so interesting. For camouflage, they can turn a brownish green while situated in dense green foliage. Hardy little souls , there small bodies allow them to soak up relatively little heat, but they're goal tending the escape hole...One brown anole lost his tail, but it will grow back, a little shorter this time. Did you watch the chameleon style eye movements? The little guys rotate their whole eye socket, never turning their heads."
 
Ida also sent a photo of me (which I cannot find).   

Mark responded, "This one is a homo sapien. She likes to take strolls in sunshine. Flies great distances to attend second hand consignment shops with her cousin. Often times found wearing teal garments. Likes to smile for photographs. Rarely aggressive."


P.S. If you are in Houston to herp on purpose or by happenstance, consider going to the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, founded by my longtime friend Alecia (http://rocohouston.org/).