# Today in nature I saw **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 20, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854 "2020-07-20T18:22:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 128
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2543 "2023-07-29T04:40:40Z")
[Goldenrod Crab Spider](https://i.imgur.com/rNkJCLl.jpg) Watering this evening, stopped to take pic of a rose on my wife’s small rosebush, and caught this little guy using it as a dinner table. Their white coloration is apparently difficult for pollinators to see against the flowers. Quite a feat, catching supper 3 times your size. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2544 "2023-07-31T03:00:28Z")
That’s a great pic! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2545 "2023-07-31T18:35:04Z")
Walked through a Lake Erie waterfront nature preserve yesterday and saw two deer (the head of one of which was perfectly framed by greenery as it nibbled away), two chipmunks, about a half-dozen cormorants, several birds I didn’t recognize or could hear but not see, and quite a few seagulls. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2546 "2023-08-01T20:44:22Z")
Last night, at dusk, a couple of the cubs were out in the yard. One scarpered when it saw me in the window. This one gave me a thoughtful look before sauntering off. [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc_n94DAxP8Rx5EIxj1m2fqd4p_ag6Ahq4HZg1L54388IWFY3F6I9PXqG4RW9vz5OT9gO5Gp7xfOtpM9ZRzr27y6PDiqUR7Yj1xqiWZHOs2sAimLvmQ=w320-h180-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/6B2xYqWvywqBwF5s6) j ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2547 "2023-08-02T11:13:31Z")
Cool! ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2548 "2023-08-02T19:59:47Z")
On my morning sojourn with the cat in the backyard, she apparently decided to take on a hummingbird. I didn’t see the beginning of the altercation, but when I heard the bird, I looked over and saw Roxy looking like she was planning a leap in the air and the hummingbird feinting at her aggressively. I tightened up her leash so she couldn’t jump, and the bird made a few victory passes before flying off. Of course, between controlling the cat and scrambling for my phone, I wasn’t able to get a photo, much less a video, but it was impressive! If the size difference was just a little less extreme, my money would have been on the bird. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2549 "2023-08-02T20:18:07Z")
Measuring ferocity per milligram, it’s a toss-up between hummingbirds and betta fish. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2023, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2550 "2023-08-04T17:39:54Z")
I’ve had hummingbirds literally get in my face when I go to put more nectar in the feeder. They are nature’s neighborhood bullies. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2023, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2551 "2023-08-04T18:31:22Z")
I call that “lodging a complaint.” ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2023, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2552 "2023-08-05T16:07:32Z")
Rather like some chihuahuas then. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2553 "2023-08-08T14:58:32Z")
When I was walking the dogs in the woods behind my house yesterday, I noticed that in some areas the plants all had some kind of coating on them. It’s almost like glitter when the sun hits it. It was on all plants - ferns, bushes, low growing plants, etc. I can’t figure out what it is. There is no spraying for bugs in our area. It’s far enough from the houses that it can’t be from a lawn service. As I walked, I noticed that there would be an area that the plants wouldn’t have anything on the leaves and then 20’ ahead there it would be again. Here’s a pic. Like I said, in the sun it sparkles. [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/pS7fSRK.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/obIjkgU) ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2554 "2023-08-08T15:02:57Z")
Here’s a better pic. [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/zLiiI9H.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/zLiiI9H) ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2555 "2023-08-08T15:38:38Z")
Walking around a small lake near the University of Maryland a few days ago at sunset we saw what seems to be a resident beaver: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53099203744_2977644497_b.jpg "PXL\_20230806\_002326815") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/31573076@N00/53099203744/) There were also beautiful swamp rose mallow blooming [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53099518518_928aa62e27_b.jpg "PXL\_20230806\_002655481.NIGHT") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/31573076@N00/53099518518/) as well a fair number of bats. Bats are cool. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2556 "2023-08-08T18:54:26Z")
Three kits (well, I _think_ they’re all kits; they all look pretty small) wandering down my driveway just now at a few minutes before noon. Credit to doorbell cam. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2557 "2023-08-08T18:57:20Z")
I like how the final kit scrambles right up a 3’ wall. On review, I think the first animal is a parent. The kits are getting big - hard to tell the difference. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2558 "2023-08-09T03:08:45Z")
I saw an unusual butterfly on our abelia today. It was hard as hell to get a decent pic of as it flitted about so much, but I did manage one: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53104063918_07040de036_b.jpg "thumbnail") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/197666118@N08/53104063918/in/dateposted-public/) They are called Sleepy Orange(s), of all things. Certainly not because of their behavior, but due to markings on their forewings, supposedly. It’s a tropical butterfly that sometimes works its way up into our area. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2559 "2023-08-09T12:37:34Z")
We sat by our pond last night feeding the fish and ducks. From nearby trees we [heard an angry belted kingfisher](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/sounds#:~:text=the%20ML%20archive.-,Calls,sometimes%20combine%20with%20harsh%20calls.). He complained about our presence repeatedly. He wanted to grab a few fish, but wanted us gone first. We hung out for another 30 minutes so that all the floating fish food was eaten, then left. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2560 "2023-08-09T13:27:02Z")
I saw a blue heron fly up out of the creek in my woods a few days ago. I’ve seen them once every 4 or 5 years around here. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2561 "2023-08-09T13:31:44Z")
I posted a picture of a turtle in this month’s photo competition thread. He was about the size of a football. Yesterday I took a picture of his wee cousin, probably the size of a tennis ball. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53104844065_0f7b5ce54a_b.jpg "Little turtle") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/45215582@N06/53104844065/) ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2562 "2023-08-11T12:57:58Z")
Looks like snail snot in the first pic. Not uncommon around here. The second isn’t quite the same but I do believe it is tiny animal/insect produced. @Dung_Beetle He sure is a cute, angry little fella. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=127) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=129)