# 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:** 136
**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:** [October 18, 2023, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2704 "2023-10-18T20:17:35Z")
We had a jay in the garden today, Eurasian variety and a very handsome individual - > **[Jay | The Wildlife Trusts](https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/crows-and-shrikes/jay)** > > The jay is a colourful member of the crow family, with brilliant blue wing patches. It is famous for searching out acorns in autumnal woodlands and parks, often storing them for the winter ahead. It ducked below the patio and reappeared with something in its beak - probably an acorn scatter-hoarded by a squirrel - at which point, and out of the blue, a magpie dive-bombed it and drove it off. I assume that was about stealing the already once-stolen acorn, but all’s fair in love and feeding, I guess. We’ve seen jays in the garden a couple of times recently, which is always a pleasure. Yesterday, out on the bike, I had a young deer cross the road in front of me in a surprisingly urban environment (junction straight into a new housing development). I have the feeling I’m seeing a lot of urbanization of wildlife at the moment. j ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2023, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2705 "2023-10-18T21:06:46Z")
Two nights ago, my wife and one of the dogs were out in the yard when a big hootie-owl let loose 30 feet up in the tree they were both standing right next to. She said it startled the heck out of her and the crap out of the K9 (literally). Thanks, owl, much appreciated! [She said she knew owls were loud, but Holey Underwear!] ---
**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:** [October 19, 2023, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2706 "2023-10-19T20:25:26Z")
Confirmed that the den dug in our barn is a groundhog. Caught him in a havahart trap and relocated him into the woods. When I opened the trap he waddled out and climbed a tree! [![](https://i.imgur.com/ipxt2K9.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ipxt2K9.jpg) TIL that groundhogs can climb trees. ---
**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:** [October 19, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2707 "2023-10-19T21:16:10Z")
Neato! We don’t have those around here. I’d have probably called it a beaver. ---
**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:** [October 19, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2708 "2023-10-19T21:44:48Z")
Beavers are bigger. And they have that huge freaking paddle/tail. Weird trivia: I know of a situation that happened In Pennsylvania where a rabid beaver attacked a guy who was fly fishing, wading in a stream. The beaver repeatedly tried to bite, but the rubber waders protected him. He got his hands around the animal’s neck and strangled/drowned it over a long period of time. I’ve met the guy and he’s just some dude. He wears glasses! ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2709 "2023-10-20T00:30:37Z")
Not so much ‘saw,’ but heard and felt: > **[Hillsborough Rattled by 'Thunderous Boom'; Sheriff's Office and County...](https://chapelboro.com/news/safety/hillsborough-rattled-by-tremor-no-calls-of-injury-to-sheriffs-office)** > > A tremor briefly shook the town of Hillsborough on Thursday, leaving people wondering where it came from and whether people were okay. USGS says it wasn’t an earthquake, but no explosions/crashes/sonic booms were reported, so for now I’m going with an Earth fart, cuz I got nothing else. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2023, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2710 "2023-10-21T18:31:39Z")
Huh! The update on that story now says it was a 2.2 magnitude earthquake. I may have lived too close to an Air Force base and national laboratory that does top-secret work, but my first thought was “secret military testing.” I didn’t think about an earthquake making a sound. ---
**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:** [October 22, 2023, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2711 "2023-10-22T22:54:47Z")
Yep. It sure felt like an earthquake, but the sound was more like a far-off sonic boom. Weird. ---
**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:** [October 22, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2712 "2023-10-22T23:02:01Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > TIL that groundhogs can climb trees. I’ve seen them go over chain link fences with the help of a tree trunk. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2023, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2713 "2023-10-23T13:12:48Z")
These three deer are in our yard every day. Husband took this shot of them through our kitchen window. They’re at the edge of the driveway, just feet away from the house. I think if it weren’t for the dogs, we’d come home one day and find them sitting on the couch! [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53278613772_8f0d1a60de_b.jpg "Three deer") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/45215582@N06/53278613772/) ---
**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:** [October 23, 2023, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2714 "2023-10-23T13:26:12Z")
Our oldest dog Loki wakes me somewhere between 1 and 4 am to go out to pee. I take her out on a leash because otherwise she might chase rabbits/raccoons/etc. Over the weekend she was looking at “something” but not pulling. So I took out my phone and took a picture. [![](https://i.imgur.com/RwmyRV5.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/RwmyRV5.jpg) They were watching us. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2715 "2023-10-23T13:34:04Z")
Thank goodness they were deer! Nothing like eyes shining in the darkness to give you a good fright. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2023, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2716 "2023-10-23T14:36:39Z")
A bear would have been pure terror. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2717 "2023-10-23T16:23:03Z")
The yellow-rumped warbler is probably North America’s most common and widespread warbler (and most easily identified to boot) and I’ve taken a number of pictures of them. But for whatever reason I usually don’t usually get that tell-tale rump with the rest of the bird except from behind. So while this one may not be the most handsome individual I’ve seen, I was happy to get the shot. [![](https://i.imgur.com/ci4lVvx.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ci4lVvx.jpg) Also, can’t blame her for the dirty beak. She was doing the Lord’s work, messily stuffing her face with aphids. [![](https://i.imgur.com/bEA1l73.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/bEA1l73.jpg) ---
**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:** [October 23, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2718 "2023-10-23T16:28:30Z")
And perching in a barbed-wire fence. Yikes! ---
**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:** [October 23, 2023, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2719 "2023-10-23T18:56:49Z")
Having recently seen (for the first time) a magpie eat an acorn, yesterday, in a park in Worthing, we watched a carrion crow eat one. Who knew? (They seem to prefer bits of sandwich; I like crows but, hey, that was my lunch). And last night I heard a tawny owl being very loud - first time I’ve heard one for a while. Late autumn and through winter is, apparently, the time to listen out. j ---
**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:** [October 24, 2023, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2720 "2023-10-24T01:42:31Z")
I’ve heard Northern Flickers calling here - so they’ve arrived. I hope to see one soon. Beautiful birds. ---
**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:** [November 1, 2023, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2721 "2023-11-01T13:54:09Z")
Red shouldered hawk snackin’ on a snake. I see this birdie every day, but he won’t usually stick around long enough for me to catch him. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53302895015_8cbcd3a7c2_b.jpg "Hawk") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/45215582@N06/53302895015/) ---
**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:** [November 1, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2722 "2023-11-01T14:37:12Z")
Very cool, @Dung_Beetle. It snowed here yesterday and the only wildlife I’m seeing are the voles that sneak into the my new work building. Keep posting cool stuff, please. ---
**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:** [November 1, 2023, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2723 "2023-11-01T14:46:41Z")
Beautiful Buteo! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=135) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=137)