Richard Burton mocks us in song.
"A law was made a distant moon ago here:
July and August cannot be too hot."
Of course, Camelot was not located on the Mexico Pacific coast.
It is about midnight and the temperature in the bedroom is the first two digits of an emergency call in The States.
Now, some of my colleagues in the Yucatan will probably point out that 91 is a cold snap for them in July.
For Steve and the Professor this is hot.
And other life must find it hot, as well.
I had dried out the tarps that were once under the swimming pool (another post to come). A few mornings back, I decided to fold up the tarp after it was dry. It had remained undisturbed for a few days.
One thing I have learned in the tropics is that turning over anything can reveal some of the most interesting surprises -- from the tame (cockroaches and land crabs) to the more problematic (venomous centipedes and scorpions). At least, there have been no jumping vermin (other than that odd hopping spider) -- yet.
I slowly turned over the tarp. Several usual suspects scurried away, leaving behind something new: today's photograph post.
At first, I thought it was a tortoise. But as I look back on it, I think it may have been a turtle. About the size of my hand. But it was shy enough that I could not see its head or feet. I took a single photograph with its head partially exposed, but the photograph is so out of focus, I could have been photographing my left foot.
I notified fellow blogger Gary Denness of The Mexile (and tutrle master extraordinaire) that I would be posting a turtle or tortoise photograph. I also noticed that his blog was no longer updating in my blog rol. That is now fixed. If Gary is in your roll, be certain to have his current address posted.
So, folks. I open the floor. With this limited photograph, any idea what this particular creature is -- living in my ever-growing wild kingdom in the back yard?
Ethel Merman is now belting out "We're Having a Heat Wave."
The Professor, the turtle, and I are willing to agree. Richard Burton is full of garbanzos.
"A law was made a distant moon ago here:
July and August cannot be too hot."
Of course, Camelot was not located on the Mexico Pacific coast.
It is about midnight and the temperature in the bedroom is the first two digits of an emergency call in The States.
Now, some of my colleagues in the Yucatan will probably point out that 91 is a cold snap for them in July.
For Steve and the Professor this is hot.
And other life must find it hot, as well.
I had dried out the tarps that were once under the swimming pool (another post to come). A few mornings back, I decided to fold up the tarp after it was dry. It had remained undisturbed for a few days.
One thing I have learned in the tropics is that turning over anything can reveal some of the most interesting surprises -- from the tame (cockroaches and land crabs) to the more problematic (venomous centipedes and scorpions). At least, there have been no jumping vermin (other than that odd hopping spider) -- yet.
I slowly turned over the tarp. Several usual suspects scurried away, leaving behind something new: today's photograph post.
At first, I thought it was a tortoise. But as I look back on it, I think it may have been a turtle. About the size of my hand. But it was shy enough that I could not see its head or feet. I took a single photograph with its head partially exposed, but the photograph is so out of focus, I could have been photographing my left foot.
I notified fellow blogger Gary Denness of The Mexile (and tutrle master extraordinaire) that I would be posting a turtle or tortoise photograph. I also noticed that his blog was no longer updating in my blog rol. That is now fixed. If Gary is in your roll, be certain to have his current address posted.
So, folks. I open the floor. With this limited photograph, any idea what this particular creature is -- living in my ever-growing wild kingdom in the back yard?
Ethel Merman is now belting out "We're Having a Heat Wave."
The Professor, the turtle, and I are willing to agree. Richard Burton is full of garbanzos.
Looks like an old flattened coconut to me.
ReplyDeleteThe infamous Larry The Bunny says he can take him!
ReplyDeleteTodd
Inmigrante Rentista -- We seem to have hit a theme here.
ReplyDeleteTodd -- I have seen Larry run, but I have also seen Larry sleep. Some tales are simply retold in cycles.
Don't touch it yourself. Have it removed by bio-hazard specialists.
ReplyDeleteIt appears to have no head for thought or feet for work, and that carapace seems particularly well constructed for keeping unwanted stimuli out.
Obviously, it's some sort of politician.
john
I hate to tell you this but I think it is much hotter over where you are than here in Yucatan. It hasn't gone past 90 here, in the heat of the afternoon, for the past week. Nights are much cooler, probably in the low 80s.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is Box Turtle.
Looks like you have a stick laying there on the grass, ready to nudge him. Or is it a drum stick, ready to beat on him like a drum. It's a nice color and maybe it could be friends with Mr. Jiggs. On the other hand it could be a giant cockroach at which time it's best to beat it with that stick. Whatever. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteJohn -- I never thought of it that way: a libertarian's view of leviathan.
ReplyDeleteJonna -- I never thought I would envy the Yucatan. Yesterday was perhaps the most miserable day the dog and I have experienced.
Gloria -- I think that is merely a discolored grass blade. But good imagination.
Well I was going to tell you what people in Phoenix say when it's 120 degrees outside...but dry it aint't when you see the beach in front of you.
ReplyDeleteNow you know why being at 8500ft is so nice.... Nights between 20 and 45, days between 50 and 90, humidity?
That's only if you work to hard and build up a sweat.
Often we need to fire up the wood burning fireplaces just to keep the chill off.
Just relax, take it easy, it could be worse.
You could be in Florida or Georgia where you have humidity and armies of bugs...the kind that bite.
Constantino -- I as just downstairs on the patio working on my Spanish vocabulary cards. The biting bugs must have decided that waiting until evening is a waste of time. They are out in force. Georgia has nothing on us.
ReplyDelete91 at night? Yuk. I can see why you have been having trouble there. And bugs? Double drag.
ReplyDeleteI suggest you take a bit of a road trip, I'm sure the dog would like it, too.
I've been cranky and sweating here in Mazatlan but 90 is in the daytime and there are no bugs to speak of.
NMancy -- We have had a plague of biting flies here ever since the rains started. Eating outside is a real pain. But the new enemy appears to be a variety of noseeums that are willing to be out in the heat of the day -- at least, in the shade. I set up a fan on the patio that was strong enough to keep both at bay. The dog is suffering far more from the heat than am I.
ReplyDeleteSteve, there is a recipe for bug repellent in the "People's Guide to Mexico" that Carl Franz and Lorena Havens swear by. They are on line, give it a try.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Judy -- I brought the book with me. I recall that recipe. I will give it a try. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say for sure from the photo, but it could be a Wood Turtle. Or maybe some call it a Wood Terrapin, although I think it's us Brits who use that term the most. Has it disappeared now? Too late for more photos? Underbelly and head would be good!
ReplyDeleteGary -- Tanks. Unfortunately, that is the best photograph I have. I have one where the head is partially out, but the photograph is out of focus. I will send you a copy.
ReplyDeleteTanks?! Steve, you have truly become a Mexican! :)
ReplyDeleteEven my typos have an accent. I guess not enough English on my strokes.
ReplyDelete