Our Hoary Bat

Did you know some bats fly during daylight hours? 

And some are loners?

I didn't, 

until Tom and his brother John 

witnessed one swooping low over our pond 

in the middle of the afternoon 

before trying to hide in the foliage of a nearby willow. 
Actually, a willow overtaken with grapevine.

It was larger than the Mexican Freetail bats 

that Austin is famous for, 

so Tom hurried to the house to get me. 

(me = my camera)

John snapped the first few shots, 

then I wobbled down the bank in my flip-flops to shoot some more. 

I couldn't help it.

It was tough because he was really hidden in those leaves. 

I've cropped and increased contrast 

so you can see him.

Thanks to Mr. Google, 

we determined he was a

 Hoary Bat. 

Our best guess, anyway.

We were too excited over seeing him to be 

(too) 

disappointed he wouldn't be bringing his friends to Long Hollow 

to help eat up the mosquitoes.

(Dang it.)

But isn't he cute? 

Doesn't he look like a panda bear? 

Although I admit I'm not tempted to cuddle him.

I sure hope he's still hanging around! 

(Get it? hehehe)