Category Archives: Vision

Let’s Go Lizard Fishin’

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A few months ago, I was sitting outside in the shade, next to the patio fountain. It was very hot, and I started thinking about how nice it would be sitting next to a shimmering, cool, blue lake, with my bare feet and fishing pole in the water.

Suddenly, I saw a quick movement along the gray-block retaining wall. It was a young lizard, working its way towards a fly. We have a lot of lizards in our backyard, from mini (about 1″ long) to large (about 5″ long).

I watched that lizard for about 30 minutes. Out of about 8 attempts, he finally got a fly. I admired his determination. Of course, hunger is a major driving force in nature.

Then, one of my ‘crazy‘ ideas hit me. Back in college, I was hiking in the local hills looking for plant specimens for my biological illustration class. I sat down near a mossy rock, and a Blue Belly lizard appeared, not more than an arm’s length away from me.

He just stayed put, with an occasional blink, as he stared into my sole. It was as if I could hear him saying, “Feed me nature boy.”

I snagged a small gnat (don’t worry, there where 1000’s by the creek), and placed him on the end of a length of dry grass. I suppose it was about 10 inches long.

I very slowly moved it forward towards the lizards month. Then quickly, with a ninja’s strike, the gnat was gone. Unbelievable! He took it. Of course, I repeated this same feeding action three more times. Then he turned and took off. A full belly no doubt.

Remembering that life moment, I thought, “Why not go lizard fishing.” I could use the small section of my fishing pole, some line, a couple of weights, and of course a mealworm. Almost like actual fishing.

I’d dangle it near the next lizard I saw on the retaining wall and let him snag it. Of course, he’d always get away with the treat (no hooks are used), and hopefully come back for another mealworm. Just like catch and release fishing for me.

With the fountain babbling in the background, my lizard fishing was about to begin. Not the cool, blue lake, but heck… gotta make it work Mr. G.

I sat down on my pallet Adirondack chair (Adirondack Pallet Chairs), with a cold beer, and began fishing. It didn’t take long and a lizard appeared.

Watch the video below to see lizard fishin’ in action! Super Fun!

Now, if I just had a cool pool to dip my bare feet in – that would be heavenly!

The Eye Of The Nasturtium

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I am not sure why I’ve always liked nasturtiums. Maybe it’s because while I was growing up my dad planted them around the house.

Here’s a good shot of a nasturtium patch.

I’ve never grown them, because where I live the climate is too dry.

Just recently however, I decided that I would try planting some in trays so that I could move them from place to place. That way, it would be easy to keep them in the shade.

To my surprise, they actually bloomed! A friend then told me that the flowers were edible and were often used in cooking. So of course, I had to give them a try.

I removed a single petal, and popped it in my mouth. As she said, the flower did have a ‘peppery’ taste, and was actually quite good. In addition, the leaves are also edible.

Having worked with eye care instrumentation for many years, the leaf of the nasturtium always reminded me of the retina of the eye. Hence the name of this post – ‘The Eye Of The Nasturtium.’

Okay, maybe a stretch, but here is a picture of the human retina (fundus image). The leaves do have a look of retinal vascularization and a point that is reminiscent of the optic disk.

Alright, perhaps you don’t agree – that’s okay. However, here’s the interesting part.

Nasturtium flowers contain “lutein.” Actually, more lutein than any other edible plant. So what’s lutein?

Lutein is a ‘carotenoid,’ which is converted to vitamin A and found in the human eye. Lutein in the eye works to improve and possibly prevent age-related macular degeneration, which is the primary cause of blindness and vision degradation.

Well, well, well – maybe my crazy curiosity with the nasturtium leaf/flower and the retina is not so crazy after all.

Taking lutein is good for your eyes! Read up on it, you will be surprised.

My mother always told me to eat my carrots, which also contain carotenoids.

“Did you ever see a rabbit wearing glasses,” she’d say. Maybe they ate nasturtium flowers as well?