# 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:** 174
**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 29, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3464 "2024-10-29T18:58:49Z")
Not just any poo will do. šŸ§ ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3465 "2024-10-29T21:03:37Z")
Excellent handle/post combo there; I guess your species would know such things. ---
**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 31, 2024, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3466 "2024-10-31T14:39:33Z")
Last night I heard (rather than saw) a pack of coyotes howling very near our house. It was after midnight, so I guess that was our intro to Halloween this year. ---
**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 10, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3467 "2024-11-10T20:59:37Z")
Today I saw one of our neighborhood red-shouldered hawks hunting: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54130917865_644957e4d3_b.jpg "NIK\_0541") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/197666118@N08/54130917865/in/dateposted-public/) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2024, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3468 "2024-11-11T15:07:49Z")
I was on the highway heading west towards my in-lawsā€™ house yesterday. On the south side of highway is a noise barrier wall with a hike/bike trail on the other side. Between the wall and the eastbound highway lanes was a six point buck running full speed westward. Not enough time to get my phone unlocked and snap a pic, plus Iā€™m not a fan of trying to take pictures while hurtling down the highway at 70 mph. But it was pretty amazing to watch. ---
**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 11, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3469 "2024-11-11T17:56:26Z")
Some funky old clouds. I slightly processed this image to make it clearer, but itā€™s still an accurate depiction. [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOjuMdhGNJZwtus1lgt1Nq1AxTsl5dXuQ1OfCw0EbwgrZlrfSFj3Da9BpVfIM1qBerp6Ooz9aL8mJp9KJVZyJs7sRer1nWtfuOuMSPs8r0EuHxw1-s=w600-h315-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/UPJsXXHpxi1HSeNr7) Cirrus I guess? Is there a cloudologist in the house? 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:** [November 11, 2024, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3470 "2024-11-11T18:29:02Z")
All things serve the Beam. šŸ˜„ ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3471 "2024-11-11T21:14:05Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Is there a cloudologist in the house? Not me, but I found this: > **[Altostratus undulatus cloud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altostratus_undulatus_cloud)** > > The altostratus undulatus is a type of altostratus cloud with signature undulations within it. These undulations may be visible (usually as "wavy bases"), but frequently they are indiscernible to the naked eye. These formations will generally appear in the early stages of destabilizing return flows, especially over the southern plains of the United States, when the surface temperature is still relatively cool. The wavy strips of clouds are generally near an inversion surface. > Also referred to as... ---
**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 14, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3472 "2024-11-14T21:23:02Z")
In our yard, one curiosity of this time of year is this: squirrels (the import grey variety) go foraging for acorns, which they bring back here and bury in the lawn; and jays then turn up, look for the buried acorns and steal them. Is this easier than foraging for your own acorns? I donā€™t know. But it does mean that we get visited by jays a lot, and that is a good thing. Hereā€™s a (not very good) photo of one surveying the lawn. [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczO--Uu3h0b3TJl64l4sIjeJvFm3ZgZ4ceEHkM8_S_vnvunWl4sM_82xLVW7cCtisafh0tVa-sNdBsAiDiA_nr809IG7hinoObObwLmhOl3gEv0kDMA=w600-h315-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/FVi9NB7JKtiFzpXz8) j ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2024, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3473 "2024-11-16T03:36:31Z")
Tocumwal Post Office, up in Rural NSW just shared a video of a decent size Echidna just waddling up the disabled access ramp, checking the place out, then wandering away again. Really cute. [4.6K views Ā· 75 reactions | Spiky came for a visit! | We had a very cute visitor today at the post office! I think he just wanted to check his PO Box but must have forgotten his key! #tocumwalpostoffice... | By Tocumwal Post Office | Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/tocumwalpostoffice/videos/987206753425970) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3474 "2024-11-21T15:08:10Z")
Our neighborhood is right on the edge of town. On the way home from work Tuesday evening, I saw a coyote standing on the (rural) side of the road that runs along the south edge of the neighborhood. This morning on the way to work I saw possibly the same coyote _on our street!_ Yikes. I called my wife and told her to keep the cats inside today. ---
**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 22, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3475 "2024-11-22T17:10:56Z")
While taking the dog out for ā€œbusiness purposes,ā€ I saw what appeared to be a Herring Gull. My wife had seen it earlier. I wonder what itā€™s doing in Middle Tennessee. ---
**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 22, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3476 "2024-11-22T19:50:20Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I wonder what itā€™s doing in Middle Tennessee. [Just hanging out](https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/birds/waterbirds/herring-gull.html) šŸ™‚. ā€˜Uncommon, but regular migrant and winter residentā€¦Most likely found on large lakes and rivers in Middle and West Tennessee from early October through early May.ā€™ ---
**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 22, 2024, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3477 "2024-11-22T20:14:04Z")
Picture of a magpie that I took on a recent trip to Edinburgh. Iā€™d no idea they were so pretty! This was at Arthurā€™s Seat; I was tempted to believe this guy was named Arthur. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54158316010_fcc634d334_b.jpg "Magpie") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/45215582@N06/54158316010/) ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3478 "2024-11-22T22:38:37Z")
Iā€™m in suburban South Florida, north of Fort Lauderdale. We have a gray fox (or two) in the neighborhood. Two days ago, when I got home from work, one was hanging out in our back yard! I watered the plants, talking to it. It hung around, checking me out, keeping its distanceā€“and I kept mine, too. Pretty little thing, very distinctive with its facial markings. > **[Gray fox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_fox)** > > The gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), or grey fox, is an omnivorous mammal of the family Canidae, widespread throughout North America and Central America. This species and its only congener, the diminutive island fox (Urocyon littoralis) of the California Channel Islands, are the only living members of the genus Urocyon, which is considered to be genetically sister to all other living canids. Its species name cinereoargenteus means "ashen silver". > It was once the most common fox in the eas... ---
**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 23, 2024, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3479 "2024-11-23T00:51:18Z")
Thatā€™s pretty special. I grew up in Fort Lauderdale and never would have believed one could see a fox. Actually Iā€™ve lived all over Florida and only seen one or two. ---
**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 23, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3480 "2024-11-23T01:51:19Z")
And it was sunny! Lucky you! ---
**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 24, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3481 "2024-11-24T19:14:04Z")
Magpies? We get them in the garden every day _mutter mutter mutter mutter_ā€¦( šŸ˜‰ ) Funny, innit? It would just not occur to me that they could even be interesting. In other news: on Friday, as dusk fell on a winding, narrow road, we glimpsed a herd of deer in the adjacent field, with a magnificent white specimen front and center of the herd. I gather these are not true albinos, but they are very rare; Iā€™ve been turning this over in my mind ever since. These semi-urban herds are creatures of habit - they seem to follow the same routine every day. So in order to photograph them I would just need to get myself to the same place, same time and that should work. Thing is, I would normally cycle out there, but I donā€™t even like being on that road in full sunlight, let alone dusk in late November. Plus thereā€™s nowhere to pull off along that road if I was to drive out there. Hmmm - leave it with me. j ---
**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 25, 2024, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3482 "2024-11-25T01:29:29Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Funny, innit? It would just not occur to me that they could even be interesting. Well, have you ever encountered a real live sheep? šŸ˜„ Itā€™s still on my bucket list. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/3483 "2024-11-25T01:34:39Z")
Come to Ft. Worth for the Fat Stock show. If thereā€™s a farm animal you wanted to see up close, itā€™s there [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=173) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=175)