This morning, a handsome velvet-antlered whitetail buck grazing outside my window gave me the idea for this thread.
Here, you can post about any wild animals you've seen recently, or any memorable encounters with wildlife that you've had, whether it's while hunting, hiking, fishing, diving, bird-watching, or just hanging out.
Have fun!
The Birds and the Beasts: The Wildlife Thread
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7 posts • Page 1 of 1
The Birds and the Beasts: The Wildlife Thread
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Cleander - Posts: 805
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Re: The Birds and the Beasts: The Wildlife Thread
We have plenty of wildlife in our area. When pipes burst a few winters ago, the plumber said there were 2 raccoons living under our house, there are bats living inside the walls of the unfinished add-on that was on our mobile when we bought the place. Need to put our bat house up one of these years...mainly it's (mule) deer we see in our yard frequently, have to constantly tell them that they don't need to worry, I'm not gonna hurt them when we surprise each other. Sometimes they actually listen and will stay in our yard for a few minutes, in the corner as long as I don't try and approach them. I have decided our place is a wildlife sanctuary as in I let all the animals know I don't like them fighting with each other here, no hunting is allowed here either, except for the cats keeping the rodent population down for health reasons. Our next door neighbor came down with hanta virus last year.
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Kalta79 - Posts: 206
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Re: The Birds and the Beasts: The Wildlife Thread
I grew up on the edge of a small town and so sightings of deer and the like were common. There was a lake nearby and my brother and I were constantly coming home with toads, frogs, snakes, and turtles. In hindsight my mother was probably less than amused but she was a good sport.
As an adult I've enjoyed camping in state and national parks and so have seen some more interesting animals. A few of the more memorable experiences:
As part of a school program we went to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness in northeast Minnesota. We were on a remote dirt road in a school bus when we came around a turn and saw a big moose in the middle of the road (the first time I'd seen one of those). We had little choice but to wait until he decided to move on.
One of my first bear sightings came as I was driving up Interstate 35 toward Duluth (which is on the southwest end of Lake Superior). At the time it was a heavily wooded area. A bear went running across the interstate, much to my surprise. (Years later, a resort and casino was built near there. Its name - and I'm not making this up - is the Black Bear Casino).
In 1996 I was camping at a state park in north central Minnesota. It has quite a few lakes and seeing and hearing loons was common. But I was hiking on one of the trails around a lake when I came face to face with a river otter running toward me on the trail. We stood there for a few seconds, about 5 feet apart, before it dashed into the woods. Awesome!
As an adult I've enjoyed camping in state and national parks and so have seen some more interesting animals. A few of the more memorable experiences:
As part of a school program we went to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness in northeast Minnesota. We were on a remote dirt road in a school bus when we came around a turn and saw a big moose in the middle of the road (the first time I'd seen one of those). We had little choice but to wait until he decided to move on.
One of my first bear sightings came as I was driving up Interstate 35 toward Duluth (which is on the southwest end of Lake Superior). At the time it was a heavily wooded area. A bear went running across the interstate, much to my surprise. (Years later, a resort and casino was built near there. Its name - and I'm not making this up - is the Black Bear Casino).
In 1996 I was camping at a state park in north central Minnesota. It has quite a few lakes and seeing and hearing loons was common. But I was hiking on one of the trails around a lake when I came face to face with a river otter running toward me on the trail. We stood there for a few seconds, about 5 feet apart, before it dashed into the woods. Awesome!
But all night, Aslan and the Moon gazed upon each other with joyful and unblinking eyes.
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stargazer - Posts: 22030
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Re: The Birds and the Beasts: The Wildlife Thread
At a meeting yesterday it was pointed out that people need to stop throwing food in the recycle bin out back, both because food isn't recyclable and because it's attracting a family of raccoons. One of my coworkers walks past the dumpsters to get into the office, and he says the coons all stared at him intensely until he went inside.
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Co-founder of the newly restored Edmund Club! Find it on the Talk About Narnia Forum!
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Cleander - Posts: 805
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Re: The Birds and the Beasts: The Wildlife Thread
We have so many squirrels in our area that are much too friendly! They will follow you around expecting food...like they are offended if you don't have something to give them.
The coyotes in our area are getting more and more aggressive, which is unnatural for coyotes in general. Consequence of suburban sprawl, I guess. *shrugs* It makes me sad. I usually would enjoy seeing coyotes in the wild when I used to take late night walks as a teenager, but now I think I would simply be scared. When I was 10, I got to pet one with the permission of a wildlife ranger (it was a baby at a rescue).
The coyotes in our area are getting more and more aggressive, which is unnatural for coyotes in general. Consequence of suburban sprawl, I guess. *shrugs* It makes me sad. I usually would enjoy seeing coyotes in the wild when I used to take late night walks as a teenager, but now I think I would simply be scared. When I was 10, I got to pet one with the permission of a wildlife ranger (it was a baby at a rescue).
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mm1991 - Posts: 2886
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Re: The Birds and the Beasts: The Wildlife Thread
Well, my sister and I were recently on a walk at dusk round the neighborhood, and nearly got dive-bombed by about a dozen bats who were out catching their evening
bugs. (Yes, we ran like a couple of frightened turkeys. )
I'm still not sure if I think bats spread rabies or not. Are they just more likely to carry it, without actually having it? How does that even work?
bugs. (Yes, we ran like a couple of frightened turkeys. )
I'm still not sure if I think bats spread rabies or not. Are they just more likely to carry it, without actually having it? How does that even work?
PM me to join the Search for the Seven Swords!
Co-founder of the newly restored Edmund Club! Find it on the Talk About Narnia Forum!
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Co-founder of the newly restored Edmund Club! Find it on the Talk About Narnia Forum!
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Cleander - Posts: 805
- Joined: Oct 25, 2018
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Re: The Birds and the Beasts: The Wildlife Thread
A couple weeks ago I saw a flock of turkey vultures circling over a local Walmart. The store is still in business so they must have been attracted to something else I guess.
Today a giant buck dashed across the road in front of the car, just 50 feet or so outside my office!!
Today a giant buck dashed across the road in front of the car, just 50 feet or so outside my office!!
PM me to join the Search for the Seven Swords!
Co-founder of the newly restored Edmund Club! Find it on the Talk About Narnia Forum!
signature by aileth
Co-founder of the newly restored Edmund Club! Find it on the Talk About Narnia Forum!
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Cleander - Posts: 805
- Joined: Oct 25, 2018
- Location: Languishing in a Deep Dark Hole
- Gender: Male
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