Happenings on the Lawn

 My lawn has many stories to tell.

A Teeny Weeny Baby Toad

Normally toads are not favourites in the looks department. They look slimy and covered with warts. The way it moves around does not help its image too. It has an ungainly gait consisting of a series of jumps and squats. Nature works in unexpected ways and does not apportion 'looks' in equal quantities to all creatures. Again, this is very subjective as beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

It was a tiny little thing on the lawn looking like a scrap of dried leaf. 

 

 

I stooped to scoop it up only to realise that it was only a babe. Though a babe, warts were already apparent. Its back was liberally studded with them.

However, when I closely eyeballed this little toady babe, I forgot all about its warts and all. If eyes could melt hearts, this pair would win hands down.  Round eyes follow me or my camera as I move into different positions to get at the best angle.  

It stayed very still as I went clicking away. A stalk of grass flower just by the left eye complete the perfect pose. 

It looked a little scared and forlorn, left all alone to fend for itself. My maternal instinct almost made me want to scoop it up and mother it. When I came back after pausing to adjust the camera settings, it was nowhere to be seen.

The Pernicious Weeds

These pernicious weeds thrive freely in my garden. Many, many hours were spent rooting them out. I have to admit that we are the losers in this tussle for territorial turf.

Some of the weeds bear tiny delicate flowers that are beautiful but still not welcome to my lawn.
ID provided by James Missier: Lindernia crustacea (Malaysian False Pimpernel)

 
 Conyza canadensis (Canadian horseweed)

 

The flower heads of the Mimosa pudica (Touch-me-not, sleepyheads) are lovely with the lavender filaments looking like Medussa of Greek mythology. 

 

 

Tridax procumbens (coat buttons, tridax daisy). I brand this as our local Dandelions. With such effective dispersal of seeds, I'm afraid we are losing the battle for the lawn.

The Solitary Mushroom or Toadstool

Pristine toadstools made a sudden appearance almost right after a heavy shower.



Butterflies alight on grass too and play a role in pollination and seed dispersal.


Birds are frequent visitors to the lawn particularly when the grass is freshly mowed. They gather grass seeds, worms and tiny morsels of food. 

 
Sparrows
   

 

 Mynahs

Zebra dove

Snails crawled out at night and  have a field day scavenging colourful food to munch on.

Tasha is always the princess of the lawn. She scampers and fly down the lawn leaving paw marks and uprooting tufts of grass. I generally frown on her flights of light headedness but she gave nary a care.