Getting close to wildlife - literally

[pH]

We're just back from visiting brother-in-law and family near Houston, Texas. Brother-in-law lives beside a man-made lake northwest of Houston, with quite a few birds living on or beside the lake. Here's an egret:

 

 

And a couple of Egyptian Geese (which they hadn't seen before):

 

 

This is a picture of a 'crayfish chimney' built by a Houston Burrowing Crayfish (really!) with soil removed from the burrow it has excavated in the ground below. This species was only identified in 2008 - http://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2012/jul/scout5_wildthing_crayfish/ . The paint roller is to give scale and compare shape - I was going to use a beer can, but those are smaller in Texas(!):

 

Edited May 7, 2017 by pH

[JZ]

 

 IMG_20170412_091159327_HDR.jpg

 

I don't know what type of snake this is, other than 'dead', and I don't care. B-i-L has make a snake catching pole - this is probably the biggest one he's caught with it.

It looks like a Python of some type.

 

Edit:

Marking look like it's possibly a Ball Python, not far off fully grown. Popular as a pet as they're fairly docile. Not know as an invasive species in the US.

 

Unless we have a snake expert who can confirm what species this is???

Edited April 20, 2017 by JZ

[cb900f]

Visited 4 national parks in India in February with the sole intent of seeking and successfully finding ;-

 

 

 

A total of 5 tigers and 1 leopard

 

 

Sheer  beauty

 

Pete

Edited April 20, 2017 by cb900f

[Shadow]

Some butterflies from today's walk

 

Orange Tip

 

Red admiral

 

Small Copper

 

Holly Blue(?)

 

Peacock

 

[Horsetan]

Thursday morning in suburbia:

 

[chris p bacon]

As that's an urban fox, are the hunt kitted out on Bikes and 4x4's wearing read tail coated hoodies ?

[Horsetan]

As that's an urban fox, are the hunt kitted out on Bikes and 4x4's wearing read tail coated hoodies ?

This is a Jewish Orthodox district. They don't operate during Shabbat.

[chris p bacon]

This is a Jewish Orthodox district. They don't operate during Shabbat.

Aaaaah, I see, they still wear a uniform but it's Homburgs and Volvo's.

[Horsetan]

Aaaaah, I see, they still wear a uniform but it's Homburgs and Volvo's.

You're way behind. It's all people carriers and 4x4s straddling the middle of the road now.

[pH]

To quote an ancient West of Scotland hunting cry - "Erraberr!"

 

 

 

A visitor to the garden next door this morning. We reckon it's a one and a half year old. This is about the time the mother kicks them out to fend for themselves. With two young grandchildren arriving for a stay later today, this isn't great news, but at least we now know there's a bear about. 

 

 

[tractionman]

Hmm, I nearly just sat on this...

 

[phil_sutters]

I saw this land while I was eating breakfast. She hung around until I finished and I then took some snaps!

 

[laurenceb]

Hmm, I nearly just sat on this...

 

DSC_0224.JPG

Metinks you would have got up a darn sight quicker!

[Shadow]

Yellow Hammer

 

 

 

 

 

Deer

 

[phil_sutters]

A couple of fairly tame rabbits close to the A259 between Newhaven and Bishopstone.

 

We have also seen the return of, what is most likely, a dumped Red-eared Terrapin, in our local pond. It has reappeared very infrequently over the past three or four years.

 

 

Edited June 6, 2017 by phil_sutters

[phil_sutters]

A smaller inhabitant of the pond

 

[duncan]

Phil, is the turtle an invasive species, & should be removed ?

[phil_sutters]

Phil, is the turtle an invasive species, & should be removed ?

I don't know whether it is or isn't. It is a solitary specimen of a small type of turtle, which only appears occasionally in the pond. The pond is isolated from any other body of water and in an urban setting. Its chances of causing any grief to the local wildlife seem very slim.

[mezzoman253]

I don't know whether it is or isn't. It is a solitary specimen of a small type of turtle, which only appears occasionally in the pond. The pond is isolated from any other body of water and in an urban setting. Its chances of causing any grief to the local wildlife seem very slim.

http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/red_eared_terrapin.htm

 

Rob

[Horsetan]

I think it's some sort of woodpecker. It's been trying to drill its way into a nesting box.....

 

 

[shortliner]

I think it's some sort of woodpecker. It's been trying to drill its way into a nesting box.....

 

image.jpeg

 

image.jpeg

Probably after small nestlings - Yes, I watched Springwatch!

[Reorte]

It's lucky I glanced in the water butt as I was leaving for work today to see if there'd been any overnight rain to refill it. There was a very unhappy bat floating in it, still alive but not moving that much. When I fished it out with a bucket it quickly crawled off out of sight so hopefully it's OK. I know you're not supposed to disturb bats but I hope that doesn't count.

Edited June 22, 2017 by Reorte

[chris p bacon]

 I know you're not supposed to disturb bats but I hope that doesn't count.

 

You're not supposed to disturb their roosting places so rescuing one doesn't count.

 

I'd draw the line at mouth to mouth though, it'd take its chances

Edited June 22, 2017 by chris p bacon

[Shadow]

Brimstone Moth

 

 

 

 

 

Chafer Beetle (I think? Flew in through the window last night.)

 

 

 

[Shadow]

Must be beetle time of year, another visitor to the house