# 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:** 151
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3004 "2024-04-22T01:41:51Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > took this through the window. You had lucky timing - they fledge _fast._ ---
**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:** [April 22, 2024, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3005 "2024-04-22T07:13:15Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > I shut the door and took this through the window. Window or no, that’s a great shot! ---
**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:** [April 23, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3006 "2024-04-23T21:32:06Z")
Yeah, fabulous shot, @romansperson ! This is less spectacular, but I like it; click for the full image: [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNbmkYXVRaIP2Jo2jxLOaKThjg_U0JMTGbkjDgCp_TxSFIKE87-RCC00Sa4w6Cwy53tTejIvVKC8VVVle4AZxVAEAqgz5eMxuE3P4m4OKCKZqcGT-w=w600-h315-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/eVt4FSwjLxPTN9gJ7) As I’ve said before, we don’t get enough fish in this thread. In Rhodes town (island of Rhodes, Greece, where we were until yesterday) you can go on a boat trip (well, round the harbor) where the boat has a “downstairs” - underwater, with big panel windows, so you can say hello to the fish. I think it’s mostly aimed at small children, but I loved it! 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:** [April 24, 2024, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3007 "2024-04-24T00:50:05Z")
That sounds like a lot fun. I would love it too. Today I ventured out onto the front porch only to have one of the parent wrens whiz by me and then stand on the railing, giving me the hairy eyeball. The young 'uns were scattered around the side yard and in the lower limbs of the tree there. A couple attempted to fly away from me, which was met with mixed success. ---
**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:** [April 24, 2024, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3008 "2024-04-24T11:11:22Z")
This was weird. Near our pond I saw this dead frog atop a fence post. [![](https://i.imgur.com/WovZ7lb.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/WovZ7lb.jpg) I assumed my gf put it there to be cute. Meanwhile, she saw it and assumed I put it there. Turns out neither of us was responsible. What, did a crow put it there? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3009 "2024-04-24T13:27:44Z")
About this time of year in 2005 several hundred toads exploded in a pond in Hamburg, Germany. There was much speculation about what could have caused such a destruction and the [consensus after much speculation and media frenzy was in the end](https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/hamburger-tuempel-raetsel-um-explodierende-kroeten-geloest-a-353749.html) (link in German) that crows ate the livers of the toads, which they seem to like. They learn how to pick the liver out by watching each other, the clever sadists. Then during their mating ritual the toads pump themselves up to look impressive, but with the liver missing and a pierced skin below the diaphragm this led to the the animals bursting. This is the time of year when toads look for partners and your specimen seems to have burst just where I would suspect his liver. Or the Aliens have finally arrived and they are starting small. Please keep us posted ---
**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:** [April 24, 2024, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3010 "2024-04-24T13:36:48Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > your specimen seems to have burst just where I would suspect his liver. Indeed. ---
**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:** [April 24, 2024, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3011 "2024-04-24T14:08:45Z")
The frogs are finally singing again! ---
**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:** [April 26, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3012 "2024-04-26T19:54:17Z")
Re: the carpeting of woods with bluebells: > [@carnut](#): > > Please post a pic for me when it happens. Here you go - the view off the Forest Way between East Grinstead and Forest Row. Click for the fill image: [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczMPUg541sZeclnvb_bCQCW2sxmcF8h4tkytXAO79fDXxwoTiDjrecThnLUVbptxnuleI2HfXRHUcVwNX9nPiHfqcMOT5v40cS8kRsoSSq_C0ecg6Sg=w600-h315-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mw4WSD6bNBkG4hfL7) j ---
**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:** [April 26, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3013 "2024-04-26T23:33:09Z")
Lovely carpet of flowers. But oddly it triggered a strange memory of the only other context in which I’ve heard of East Grinstead. [The Higsons come from Norwich And they eat a lot of porridge But I prefer East Grinstead I’m running out of living](https://youtu.be/1nLUIa_Ymik?si=798e9NYP0B_eo4uW) Must be a pretty place to impress Robyn Hitchcock 🙂. ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2024, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3014 "2024-04-27T00:14:27Z")
A medium sized rattlesnake by the power box on the corner of my lot. Took him a bit into the adjoining desert and admonished him to stay home…don’t come a-visitin’. This morning as I left the mall where I meet with exercise buddies, noticed a red-tailed hawk flying over the car. It landed on a light standard at the edge of the parking area, joining another hawk. (It is breeding time here) They flew off together for a little get together, it appears… ---
**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:** [April 27, 2024, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3015 "2024-04-27T16:27:30Z")
Hijack > [@Tamerlane](#): > > Must be a pretty place to impress Robyn Hitchcock “[The High Street contains one of the longest continuous runs of 14th-century timber-framed buildings in England.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Grinstead)” I’m embarrassed to confess that I don’t know Robyn Hitchcock - but I do (slightly) know The Higsons. In case you didn’t know…they were put together in Norwich University by Charlie Higson, better known for later becoming a Harry Enfield sidekick, then joint creator of The Fast Show, and later the writer of a series of young adult fiction James Bond prequels. I reckon he deserves a song or two. j /Hijack ---
**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:** [April 27, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3016 "2024-04-27T19:00:11Z")
Back to the business at hand, and a request for help from @Tamerlane. This [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNTE6j4JRbC5McHh9HB4npsc_mwzFlDgc9VUWwtxayU-jtW515kV1edL15fZNvkL0hKK9YQ4gVpZ3FCgFJzeGBHFnq1UiusMk6fhFJhQ_Xc7jN1nug=w600-h315-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/rmHU28PFkmBE18Vi6) is a bird we saw a couple of times in Rhodes, Greece a week or so ago. It looks like a wader to me, but I don’t have a confident ID. Any ideas? We saw it on a maintained lawn adjacent the shore, in the city. Wood sandpiper, possibly? Thanks in advance j ---
**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:** [April 27, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3017 "2024-04-27T19:05:55Z")
And just for fun, this little guy was a regular guest at our (courtyard) breakfast table: [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPCaq68jPrLVkbLeLhk0ygH9gXPwcFu5XuXWvPB5rOApFXaz25XuvMBsEC3hOys4HPLf-3VUuyGlAYPPADmQk802bLDcvJBIAmaM4JLIn2maZzmr0A=w600-h315-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/hfk2TbCgN1wFFv1Y7) There are a lot of feral cats on Rhodes, which is why, we presume, his tail is mostly absent. 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:** [April 27, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3018 "2024-04-27T22:27:52Z")
Thank you, thank you! So beautiful and ethereal. ---
**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:** [April 27, 2024, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3019 "2024-04-27T22:31:19Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Wood sandpiper, possibly? I concur. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2024, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3020 "2024-04-28T00:04:42Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > There are a lot of feral cats on Rhodes, which is why, we presume, his tail is mostly absent. Probably. The other guess would be a relatively recent fledgling - they grow their tail feathers last. > [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Wood sandpiper, possibly? Quite possibly, though I should say European shorebirds are very much not my forte 😉. Just googling it looks like on Rhodes you’d have to potentially sort through three Tringa species - [wood, green and marsh sandpipers are all apparently possible.](https://fatbirder.com/world-birding/europe/hellenic-republic/rhodes/) Hijacky: > [@Treppenwitz](#): > > I’m embarrassed to confess that I don’t know Robyn Hitchcock If such things interest you, I’d say he is a rabbit hole worth burrowing down into. Long career from the post-punk scene on. Very whimsical, alternately electric or acoustic, with a dry sense of humor and a lot of surreal imagery. A bit of a storyteller on stage. > [@Treppenwitz](#): > > but I do (slightly) know The Higsons Tell me this doesn’t sound like [“gotta let this hen out”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrMPa5Ms2zA). I’m with Hitchcock here 😃. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2024, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3021 "2024-04-28T17:49:33Z")
They’re here! Brood XIX is in my backyard: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53683957262_3cb1167360_b.jpg "\_DSC4211") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/197666118@N08/53683957262/in/dateposted-public/) So are their shed skins (which I just found out are called exuviae): [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53683957242_d582101a10_b.jpg "\_DSC4214") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/197666118@N08/53683957242/in/dateposted-public/) ---
**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:** [April 28, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3022 "2024-04-28T17:56:16Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > They’re here! Brood XIX is in my backyard: Nice! Is the sound deafening? I was in South Carolina decades ago for a major hatch and you almost couldn’t hear yourself think - it was like a great mass of static. I have heard that eaten raw cicadas taste a bit like cold asparagus, but so far I haven’t felt tempted 😀. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3023 "2024-04-28T18:18:50Z")
No noise yet - I expect that will happen when more emerge. It was VERY noisy the last time they visited. I think I’ll leave them as a snack for the birds! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=150) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=152)