This is an old blog, but one I'd still like to keep track of. The true date for this one is 08.28.2008

When I drive to school in the afternoons I always take the back way. It is a small, obscure road that branches off from the main one and runs along the edge of a large lake. The grass there grows up past your ankles, and its the healthiest shade of green you can think of. Many trees provide shade for the area, and when the wind blows through them they whisper such a sweet lullaby. There are plants that grow up out of the water, and when the breeze sweeps through them they rock gently on the surface of the lake. The heat encourages cicadas to chirp loudly while crickets and dragonflies go about their daily business.

Except for those cicadas its very quiet there. The road is far enough away that the cars don't disturb the harmony of the place. Students avoid it because it is too out of the way, but my route to class takes me by it nearly every day. Because of my frequent visits, I've learned a secret: there's a family of at least five large iguanas living there! The male is never too pleased to see me, and I usually get a fantastic territorial display from him. I respect his space, and I understand that he doesn't want me there so I try to keep my distance. If I were him, I'd feel the same. He's become something of a friend now. I see him most afternoons, sunning himself on a hill while the large female and several young iguanas lounge near the lake.

But today something was different. Today, he wasn't in his usual spot…

While driving the back road, I found his body - sprawled across the middle of the road. My initial reaction was shock and disbelief, but that quickly turned to sadness. I immediately pulled over to see if maybe he was still alive, or if there was any way I could help him. But there was nothing I could do. Whoever had run him over had cracked his skull. I sat on the side of the road and just cried. People continued to drive past, swerving to avoid the carcass. It was such a senseless death. I don't understand how someone could have not seen a four-foot, male iguana with a bright orange chin and stomach and large spines along his back crossing the road. Its almost as if someone had been aiming for him, and that breaks my heart.

I finally had to leave him and walk to class, but I continued crying the whole way there. I passed by the female and the juveniles. They seemed oblivious to the carnage. Honestly, I'm not too sure they would have cared even if they did know. But I cared a great deal. It saddens me to think that no one else on campus cared about the iguana's death. I feel as if I should pay him some sort of tribute, but I really don't think it would matter that much to him – he is, after all, a lizard. So instead I've written this. A sort of homage to his memory. Here's to him – the giant lizard of the lake – and to his survivors. I sincerely hope that they live long and happy lives, with plenty of sunshine and anything else that their little scaly hearts might desire.

Image was taken from here: http://tominabox1.deviantart.com/
This is not my photography; all credit goes to the original artist.