The green lizard (an anole) was strolling along the top of the fence, inflating its red neck to startle little gnats for snacks, when a dragonfly lit upon the prongs a foot ahead. The lizard hustled over toward it, then stopped.

I knew what the lizard was dreaming: oh! big juicy feast. But as the dragonfly was as big as the lizard, it seemed like a standoff. Or maybe the odds were so impossible, the reptile and insect were able to just enjoy each other's company.

Everybody was still, catching rays on the rail.

The dragonfly lifted. The lizard leaped high toward the dragonfly, out and away from the fence. Bam! There was connection as they hung in mid-air. The dragonfly tugged free and flew away; the lizard plummeted to the pavement five feet below.

Oh! Bravo! I said.

The lizard had gone all out, flying without wings toward food as big as it. It had tested lizard limits of what was possible. The dragonfly had placed itself at risk, as well.

The lizard lay on the ground a few moments, then limply worked its way a couple feet up one of the supports and rested. Then he went about his business.