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Fierce Creatures

There are creatures lurking in the Woodland Garden of Squirrelhaven.

No, not those creatures. Creatures of myth, magic and whimsy. As we enter the garden, notice the sign warning of the dangers lurking ahead.

Yes, a spade might be the only thing that stands between you and the creatures waiting within.

Do not be fooled by the placid appearance of this perilous beast, the Toadus cementus.

It sits still as stone, then suddenly snags the unlucky visitor with a large sticky tongue, reeling it in before snapping shut those powerful jaws. It poses no serious threat, as long as we keep moving.
We're in luck! The very rare Hippopotamus steppingstonus has just surfaced for a breath of air.

Watch your step, as it may sink beneath the surface without warning.

Here we have a very special species of Witch's Ball or Gazing Globe, the Christmas ornamentus 'Plasticus.'

It may appear harmless, but the unwary may become mesmerized by the images within and become trapped. But the ball has its uses, such as allowing the visitor to see the danger of the Gorgona mythica 'Medusa,'

whose gaze will turn viewers to stone. Let's get away from here quickly.

Move quietly now, so as not to startle the shy Putto sundialensis.

The Putto is more mischievous than dangerous, but its mount, the Tortuga teenyweeny, has a nasty bite.

Danger lurks around every corner, and no creature in the garden is more stealthy than the elusive Gargoyle halloweenus 'Decoratio.'

It can most often be found hiding amid the foliage of Hostas and Hemerocallis.

Before we end our visit to the Squirrelhaven Woodland, there is one more creature we must see. This is the oldest creature in the garden, the Angelica cementa.

This small creature is neither rare, nor particularly dangerous. It occasionally has the effect of causing melancholy in particularly susceptible viewers.

I hope you've enjoyed the expedition, which was sponsored by Gardening Gone Wild's Garden Bloggers' Design Workshop.