Every now and then nature surprises us with an opportunity to learn. This time I was given a "lesson in lizards" by my eight-year-old son John. Before last week, I thought a lizard was a lizard. Not so! Our yard provided my son with the perfect class on anoles. I was his only student but nevertheless, his enthusiasm was full throttle.

We enjoyed the antics of this green anole. When temperatures are around 70 or higher they tend to stay green but when temperatures cool to the 60's or lower they tend to be brown. I also learned that when males fight, the winner turns bright green and the loser turns brown.

• J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
• SCCF - Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation