# 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:** 137
**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:** [November 1, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2724 "2023-11-01T14:47:32Z")
“Snake Snax!” New from Stella and Chewy’s. ---
**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, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2725 "2023-11-01T19:16:30Z")
Thanks, y’all! I had just pulled off the road to call my husband, and about the time he picked up the phone I saw the bird on the fence right next to me. “Uh…I’ll call you back!” \< click \> ---
**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:** [November 1, 2023, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2726 "2023-11-01T21:26:05Z")
Yeah, fabulous photo! It also reminded me of a ridiculous photo I took a couple of weeks ago in a park in Heraklion. On the one hand, it couldn’t be more mundane (pigeons in the park??) On the other hand, I’ve never seen anything quite like it. You’ll need to click for the full-effect weirdness. I tried counting and gave up. [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHd_u4q8UbJliBzbPtlsieG6GEAo90PAmyGrwPYv9pykbxsVMDRClVf6w5g3EBMN1NqDAGSB9j5l5hVfv-rTw0AKpmj_hGzpwigLF_X0FGyt4M35eNc=w600-h315-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/1qAfJr1PZmaGu7Fy7) How many kilos of meat are those wires holding up? j ---
**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:** [November 1, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2727 "2023-11-01T21:33:26Z")
That’s a lotta birds. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2728 "2023-11-01T21:52:45Z")
Just one bird here: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53303482361_edc5603caa_b.jpg "PXL\_20231022\_220004113 (1)") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/31573076@N00/53303482361/) Brown pelican, seen last week in Jamaica, near Montego Bay. Also saw quite a few gulls and some egrets and kingfishers. ---
**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, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2729 "2023-11-01T22:55:41Z")
@Treppenwitz, looks like Heraklion needs to hire some peregrines. Good photo @zimaane. Since I couldn’t be there to see it, I’m glad you were. Pelicans always make me smile. ---
**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, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2730 "2023-11-01T23:11:52Z")
I’m looking around for Alfred Hitchcock! ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2731 "2023-11-03T17:01:34Z")
Thanks! It was cool to watch them flying along just above the water. ---
**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 3, 2023, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2732 "2023-11-03T17:06:33Z")
There is a majestic 8 point white tail buck that I’ve seen several times the past two weeks. He is noticeably bigger than the other deer. He almost looks photoshopped to look extra muscular. He survived the recent archery season, but it is sad to think that he probably will be shot during the regular deer season. My gf asked why I haven’t gotten a picture. He is so spectacular, that I just enjoy witnessing him. By the time I think I could get a picture, he is gone. ---
**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 3, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2733 "2023-11-03T22:35:29Z")
Bambi’s dad! ---
**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 4, 2023, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2734 "2023-11-04T01:14:13Z")
Stop! 😭 ---
**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 4, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2735 "2023-11-04T01:37:39Z")
😄 Don’t worry. He’s the Great Prince of the Forest. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2736 "2023-11-04T19:11:24Z")
Snuck out between downpours today to do some shopping and see if we could manage a quick walk without getting soaked. Turned a street corner and found ourselves confronted with this. [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHfGDKEy2YeV5bZgFqvF_GWAU7qKv54Gkyj5OM4NEyYWDjHOtaz0HjveFVaHbv26_PI33qIfaUpVlizgOdy_hs5722Ei6cDWFkm6J8t4SYffMJpjo54=w600-h315-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/JQkoumRDkWPz67SR8) I do love me a secondary rainbow - it always cheers me up. And for some reason - by some trick of the framing, I guess - it looked oddly close to the primary. Anyways, nice. j ---
**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 4, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2737 "2023-11-04T21:59:49Z")
I also like how the primary decided to line up with your street lights. ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2738 "2023-11-04T22:09:54Z")
Tsk. You are overlooking the sublime skills of the photographer. /s j ---
**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 4, 2023, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2739 "2023-11-04T22:19:54Z")
I didn’t. I just chose to mis-attribute it because I could. 😉 ---
**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:** [November 5, 2023, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2740 "2023-11-05T21:10:46Z")
Great photo, **DB**. I love all the raptors. I was out for one of my usual nighttime walks last week, was a little distracted and almost walked into a deer which had stopped right in front of me. A doe, she sauntered off after I stopped with a jerk and a muffled oath. ---
**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:** [November 8, 2023, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2741 "2023-11-08T21:47:00Z")
Well, this is just semi-nature, but: I have a polka dot plant I recently put in my terrarium. It grew a couple flower stalks - one of the stalks has white flowers on it. The other one has purple flowers. I have never seen that before. ---
**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:** [November 9, 2023, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2742 "2023-11-09T15:17:28Z")
I was walking the dogs in the woods yesterday afternoon. Zeb the German shepherd is always running around like a maniac with his nose to the ground. He went off into the woods a little ways (he’s always in my sight) and flushed out a barred owl who flew up into a tree. Within a few seconds a crow landed in the same tree on a branch very close to the owl. The owl watched us for a while and then flew off. The crow went after the owl! I watched them until they were out of my sight. The crow was tailgating the owl. I assume with the owl’s beak and talons, a crow would be no match for the owl. I wonder why the crow was chasing the owl? I thought maybe the owl had stolen some food from the crow or possibly was eating another crow on the ground when the dog came by. Mother Nature is always full of surprises. 🦉 ---
**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:** [November 9, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/2743 "2023-11-09T16:38:46Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > I assume with the owl’s beak and talons, a crow would be no match for the owl. In a general sense, sorta. But crows (and ravens) are fast and highly maneuverable, generally more so than most owls. It is probable most owls in broad daylight can’t take one except by surprise. Which doesn’t mean the crow can kill the owl, either. But more that it is usually safe for it to harass one in daylight. More so if they have numbers. > [@TRC4941](#): > > I wonder why the crow was chasing the owl? They almost always will. It’s phenomenon called [mobbing](https://centerofthewest.org/2019/01/21/mobbing-what-it-is-why-birds-dont-defend-themselves/) and it is a defensive mechanism aimed at driving away raptors and larger birds (like crows themselves) that could post a threat. But owls caught out in the daytime are a particular target. It’s not just crows, as noted - most songbirds will mob. But crows may be among the most determined mobbers. The only serious predator of crows? Large owls, like the Great Horned Owl, that will pick them off perches at night. My old ornithology professor once did a little experiment with his pet owl. Tethering it out on a tree stump near a berry bush where a bunch of small songbirds were feeding. The songbirds immediately started mobbing the owl and when they couldn’t get it to move along (because it was tethered), they commenced dive-bombing and defecating on it en masse, until the poor thing was dripping with partially digested berry juice 😉. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=136) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=138)