I have the pink and purple variety of Mexican petunia throughout the front and back yards as seen to the right.  I have seen the feral iguanas eat the petunia many times, as well as my tortoises. I have a lot of bees and butterflies that light on the petunias as well.  By joining organizations as the Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Humane Society, National Arbor Day Foundation, National Wildlife Foundation, or many other important groups, you can help preserve the environment and the animals that live in it and make a positive contribution to the world, making it a better place!  All of us need to appreciate and respect the wildlife that live around us and work to protect them in every way that we can. After all, God made animals first before people and then told Adam that we were to be the keepers of the garden and to have dominion over the animals. That means to protect the awesome environment God gave us and to make sure all the animals are taken care of. Having dominion means, just like with children, we are to guide the animals and make sure no harm comes to them. We can all live up to the request that God himself gave to his people for his glorious creation! 

  I have a large section on "The Locals" on this website. You can view it from the picture menu on the top. I really think I have a lot of locals in both the front and back yards because I have plenty of vegetation and the ponds.  A beautiful hibiscus flower is seen on the left.  The feral iguanas really seem to enjoy the yards because the plants and flowers give them shelter and food.  The ponds attract toads and frogs  because they have a place to swim, mate and seek shelter.  Butterflies, bees and dragonflies come to pollinate the flowers.  The anoles and geckos come to eat the ants and flying insects.  I have seen snakes many times over the years which is totally way cool! I have birds that come to eat the berries on various plants and to drink out of the bird baths or the ponds. I have an occasional green heron that comes to the ponds to see if it can catch a goldfish. I would never have had the pleasure of seeing a green heron up close in my own yard had I not had the ponds. You can install a small pond and even use a pre-made pond form. It doesn't have to as large as my ponds. You will even invite local birds simply by putting in a bird bath or two.

  I have two lemon trees and an avocado tree. The very fragrant buds on the Ponderosa lemon tree can be seen on the photo to the right. By planting native fruit trees or trees that do well in your climate, you will not only be creating a food source for yourself, you will attract pollinating insects and birds.  Beside the wonderful fragrance of fruit buds, the trees themselves will give you much pride and joy as they grow and produce fruit. There really is NO comparison between backyard fruit and store bought fruit! All climates have some type of fruit trees so please check your local nursery to see what is available. I had more fruit trees but the hurricanes have wiped them out.  I would like to plant some more soon.

  One of the things that I did I am most happy about in my yards is getting rid of the grass! I installed gravel in the back and in the enclosed front yard I have let the plants grow and have mulch throughout the yard.  The lattice fence in the fence has several types of flowering vines growing on it. The areas near the sidewalk and street have gravel and plants.  I think that grass is a complete waste of time, resources and energy. Most Americans DO NOT USE THEIR LAWN anyway so it is just a burden to most people to mow, water and fertilize. All lawns are unnatural - sod is NOT normal! What is normal are weeds, rocks and dirt, not "grass!"  In some parts of the country, like Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico, lawns are a "luxury."  Watering a lawn is energy inefficient, wastes precious water resources that droughts have further depleted, contributes to urban runoff and pollution.  Tending to a lawn contributes to urban noise and carbon emissions. There is absolutely NO purpose of a grass lawn except to look at it! By installing gravel or mulch and planting native shrubs and flowering vines, you can turn your yard into a wildlife haven that will reduce your yard work.  You will still need to weed and prune - no yard is maintenance free - but it will be much more enjoyable, it will be good for your body, soul, and psyche, and it will be good for the local wildlife. Who knows...may be you will make your own website someday showcasing your own little zoo!
 

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