I pull on my well-worn dusty boots and grab my water bottle. An ancient op shop straw hat that has seen better days is plonked on my head. I’m ready for a few hours in the garden. I know I won’t be alone while I’m digging with my heavy and weathered mattock, planting and watering my new purchases, and pruning other plants that are getting a bit leggy.

There will be a rustling in the mulch, a scampering across the path, and a statue frozen on the lawn eyeing me off. My resident water dragons are about, checking me out, but not too close. There’s something prehistoric about them with their long thin tails and spines down their back. Friend or foe, the mum on the lawn wonders. Frozen until she’s sure, she relaxes when I say “Hello Lizzy”. (I have to get more creative with the names – so far they are all called Lizzy).

I like to think of them as a family – mum, dad and the children, but I really have no idea of their connection. I do know they are very happy to call my garden home. Sunning themselves on the gravel rocks, submerging in the cool water in my mosaiced bird baths, climbing up branches in search of food, or just keeping an eye on me. My water dragons are a joy to have around. As time goes on, they are getting more curious about me, not quite as panicked when I walk by.

Fun facts – did you know?

This protected lizard is the only Australian lizard that grabs its food with its short, thick tongue (the others use their jaws)

In my garden they eat frogs, insects and vegetation

They are great swimmers and can stay submerged for 30 minutes

They dig a slanted vertical hole for a nest

All in all, a great asset in any garden, but too speedy to photograph when I tried to get close. So for the first time, the photo accompanying this blog is not my own.