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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 2017)
18 Wednesday, October 25, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Tales from a Sisters Naturalist by Jim Anderson The alligator lizard PHOTO PROVIDED Sisters salutes... • After investing between four and seven years in mixed martial arts, and enduring a seven-hour test, the follow- ing people earned first-degree black belts through Outlaw Martial Arts: Ethan Ferwalt, Amy Berry, Anessa Stotts and Jeremy Buller. (pictured from left to right above). Jaymie Kaczmarek (pictured in the middle) earned her third-degree black belt. • The Sisters Band of Brothers has announced the winners of the summer raf- fle. First prize went to David Prock, Sisters; a Payson fly fishing rod and accessories. Second prize of watercolor prints by Cathie Raaf went to Jessica Madron, Sisters; and third prize of two rounds of golf at Aspen Lakes Golf Course to Martha Allen, of Dundee. The prizes were donated b y E . F. P a y s o n R o d Company, Sisters artist Cathy Raaf, and Aspen Lakes Golf Course. Chapter President Tom Barrier said: “We thank the community for help support- ing our efforts to raise funds for the benefit of area veter- ans in need.” Band of Brothers meets every Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch at Takoda’s Restaurant. Veterans are invited to attend for camaraderie, friendship, and mutual support. • Sisters Christian Academy (SCA) would like to thank/salute the following folks for their donations for our 2017 Walk/Jog-a-thon: Trader Joe’s, Costco, Ray’s Food Place, Melvin’s, VFW Post 8138, Trailer World, Circa Coffee Co. 1880, Hull’s Construction, Vast Church, RE/MAX, Action Air, Gordon’s Last Touch, The Pony Express, Monte’s Electric, and All You Need Maintenance. We also salute all of our parents, our volunteers, our financial donors, and our staff for a job well done! And finally, to all of our walkers and joggers — you’re the best! Way to go, team SCA! In Al St. John’s field guide, “Reptiles of the Northwest,” the section on lizards ends with two very similar look-a-likes, the Oregon alligator lizard, (Elgaria scincicauda) and the California alligator lizard, (Elgaria multicarinata), and lists an additional five sub- species. Turn the page after that and the snakes begin, starting with the rubber boa. Dennis McGregor, a most talented artist and poet, took on a clever project of mak- ing renderings of named-a- like animals in juxtaposition. The paintings are a hoot. I especially enjoy his render- ing of the “Spider Monkey,” and the “Cow Bird” is noth- ing to sneeze at either, not to pass up the “Bullfrog,” and “Bulltrout.” Looking at McGregor’s clever rendition of the alli- gator lizard perched on the alligator’s head, there’s no problem telling who is who; however, be warned, if you pick up an alligator lizard be prepared for about the same reaction you’d get when picking up a real alligator. You’ll get bitten. But unlike the real alli- gator, whose tail will stay on no matter what or who grabs it, the alligator lizard’s tail is built to detach itself from the main body, and even keep twitching for a few minutes to keep a preda- tor from noticing the tail’s owner, who then goes on to live another day and grow another tail. The alligators of North America will take on just about anything smaller than they are, and usually end up getting it down, whole or in pieces. It’s about the same for both Oregon and California alligator lizards, but instead of pigs, goats and chickens, these tiny (by comparison) distant cousins go after insects, spiders, slugs (in season), centipedes, scorpions, earthworms, and smaller lizards — and swal- low them whole. But if you decide to get right down to brass tacks and try to put a positive ID on that alligator lizard, all I can say is, “Good Luck!” Al St. John makes it look easy, sure, he’s been gazing into alligator lizards’ eyes from the time he left the cradle; the first word Al learned to say was “herpetologist,” not “mama.” A herpetologist is a per- son who studies reptiles and amphibians, and I have no doubt Al began his studies of reptiles and amphibians from the time he first saw a snake in his native land of McMinnville. I know for a fact he was hauling native rattlesnakes out from under the rocks there before he was a teenager; which makes him the best person in the Northwest to ask any- thing about herps. He’s still alive in spite of his early childhood. Alligators are almost entirely limited to the New See NATURALIST on page 30 Chef Hosler & Crew Invite tee You to. to... . . . Get Celebrate the seasonal and regional best of the Northwest Boo-Tiful! Sunday, November 5 Prix Fixe 6-course menu paired with local wines, beers & spirits Visit our Full-Service Beauty Supply 2 seatings available: 5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. $70 per person Limited space available. This event will sell out! For reservations call 541-549-EATS (3287) | 243 N. Elm St. Sisters 152 E. Main Ave. / 541-549-8771 Jeff • Theresa • Ann • Jamie • Shiela • Terri • Shanntyl • Brittany Not just a voice on the phone... Weʼre right here when you need us... UN-CHAINED…one dog at a time Fences for Fido is an award-winning, nonprofi t that builds fences free of charge for families who keep their dogs on chains, tethers, or in small enclosures. INSURANCE OF SISTERS Serving Sisters for over 20 years CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY AUTO • HOME • HEALTH • LIFE • BUSINESS We also provide: • A warm, insulated dog house • Spay/neuter services 541-549-3172 • 1-800-752-8540 • 704 W. Hood Ave. A member of Fullhart Insurance Agency, Inc. To volunteer or request a fence visit our website. Anyone can confi dentially request a fence for a dog. WWW.FENCESFORFIDO.ORG
