Other than all the surgery and recovery, what is going on around here? Summer 🙄 I was told verano de San Juan comes about this time of year. We had a few days of blue skies, very hot sun, and wind. Thankfully it seems to have passed. We’ve had rain the last couple days, and the temperature is much more comfortable.
And, norovirus. Yuck! It was going around town last week. Warnings and info were circulating on how to avoid it or take care of yourself if you get it. Some schools suspended classes. Tuesday night was suspended at Hops because some essential people were sick. Music happened on Thursday, but there weren’t many people at Hops, or in the restaurants or the church we passed along the way. I think the worst has passed though. There hasn’t been more news, and we will see how things look this week.
Thankfully we are good at being very contented at home, and we are happy to enjoy some cool wildlife that lives with us here. A gecko has been hanging out with me for 1 1/2 years now. She appears many nights on the shelf next to me to wait for the bugs that are attracted by the lamp. And, another interesting lizard had joined her in the last few months. I have quite a few pictures, but this is one of the few both of them together.
This is the info I found on the speckled lizard. We have lots of various lizards here, but she is the only one of this type we have seen.
We have a Basalilk lizard who spends quite a bit of time here. Joel gives her fruit, scrambled eggs, and other little treats and she has a dish of water available. We first saw her maybe last December when she wasn’t much bigger than the geckos. But, look at her now! We think from the info we have found that she is a female. We love all our lizards but she is the coolest of them all.
We also have frogs and toads. Thankfully I haven’t seen any cane toads recently (they are ugly and can be deadly to dogs if they grab one in their mouth) I have a cute little toad that visits me at night sometimes. My favorites though are the poison dart frogs. We have seen two of them on the terrace quite a few times, and I think they live in the rock pile out here. They are so tiny but really pretty. This one got in the house which is why it’s in a glass.
We still have tons of interesting insects, butterflies, moths, and spiders, of endless sizes and colors. One of my recent favorites is this little black jumping spider who visits me on my table a lot. I looked up some info, and these spiders are amazingly intelligent. Some people make friends with them and keep them as pets. I’m content to just let this one hang out with me when it wants to.
This is enough wildlife for the moment. Now that my vision is better and the sun is getting lower in the sky. I’m going to pull some weeds. I love the rain but it sure makes things grow.
You all take care out there, and I’ll be back again one of these days.
The Panama Adventure 
Wonderful post Kris! So glad your vision is continuing to improve, even if it’s a slow process. Love the critter pics. Wow – poison dart frogs. I’ve seen several types at San Diego zoo. Very toxic even to touch them. Love the lizards and also the jumping spider. I had a good sized one living in the corner of my office window in Colorado. I used to catch flies and feed it by hand. They really are very intelligent, curious and interactive. I’ve watched quite a few videos of people who have them as pets. Wishing you and Joel all the best! I still hope to visit some day. Boquette looks like a beautiful place to live and I know I would like the cooler mountain climate. It’s SO hot here in Florida – ugh! But afternoon thunderstorms cool it off.
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Ahh yes, how nice you enjoy the wildlife also. We lived in FL before here, and summers are unbearable without AC. Here is seems quite a bit better even down here, and the mountains are cooler and gorgeous. I hope you can visit and see how it feels to you.
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Thanks for the nice reply. I really do want to visit. I would like to move out of the US. Not just the cost of living but all the political stuff is totally nuts. And just seems to keep getting worse. I truly hope our midterms will bring a big change – if they actually happen. I feel like we’re living in a banana republic now. Everything I read about Panama makes it sound like a good place to live.
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Oh yes I hear you. Life here is very chill. Of course people have things to say about their government but it is so much more respectful and peaceful. (just stay away from expats who bring their politics with them)
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When I visit I hope there are inexpensive places to stay in David and Boquete. I’ve often considered Cuenca for many reasons but it’s the only place I would consider in Ecuador. And they are having political problems and also drug cartel violence in other parts of the country. Not much in Cuenca. I have a friend who has lived in EC for almost 9 years now and he loves Cuenca. I helped him move to EC in 2017 – with two dogs! I would also prefer to live closer to a coast. And Panama has two!
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There are hotels, hostels, and Airbnb options so you should be able to find something that works for you. Yes we have beaches, and mountains, so many options and much beauty in this small country
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Thanks for the great reply Kris. I’m sure there are plenty of good options.
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Panama looks more appealing than Ecuador for a lot of reasons. And it’s also closer to the US. I’ve been reading quite a lot about Boquete.
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I so enjoy your reports about the wildlife! 🥰 yes, it’s paradise here, not just for humans, but also all kinds of other animals – and, due to so much sun and rain and temperature, plants! I guess, if someone is afraid of bugs and lizards, Panama isn’t a good location to live! 😝😅
That speckled lizard looks super cute! I wish there was one that specializes in cucarachas, though! 😝 ours seems to catch the small ones, but when they survive until they are bigger, they are only hunted by our cat – and that only for playtime, not for elimination… then I have to catch them with a plastic bowl and throw them outside… seems like a Sysiphus task! 🥴
I found a large toad frequenting our compost heap. I guess it’s a set table for them, with all the bugs there… 😅
I’m curious to see how big your Basalisk lizard is going to get, and if it’s going to stay with you all!
what an adventure to live in this country!!!
I wish you to continue to get better, and to soon be your old self again!
thomas
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Yes indeed, it is wonderful living here with so much interesting wildlife. We are thankful every day. Thanks, I am feeling much more like my old self again, which is great!
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That jumping spider has a serious ZZ Top vibe. I love how kind you are to all your “pets”!
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haha! ZZ Top. Now I will look at him in a new light, especially when he looks like he is dancing. 😁
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Love it!
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Thank you!
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