# 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:** 24
**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:** [March 9, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/462 "2021-03-09T16:16:49Z")
On vacation, right? And then they’ll come back next winter! ---
**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:** [March 9, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/463 "2021-03-09T16:42:24Z")
Heh, I can just see the little steamer trunk we’ll need to build for them. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2021, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/464 "2021-03-09T23:49:30Z")
I heard a thrashing and rattling out in our sycamore trees, and looked out the upstairs window to see what was up. It was a large crow trying to pluck and wrestle big dead twigs away from the branches, presumably for nest building. Since that first time, he has been back repeatedly trying to pick away the dead twigs. He’s welcome to them - a recent windstorm broke off a lot and they’re all entangled with the living branches. I think he has a nest in our redwood tree. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/465 "2021-03-10T12:31:36Z")
When mountain biking north of Scottsdale, AZ, I often see hawks. Yesterday, one of them dive-bombed me; close enough that I ducked. I suppose it was defending a nest. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/466 "2021-03-12T16:12:30Z")
In our back garden we have a tool shed with a window. A sparrow has taken to perching on the sill of the window, with its beak pressed against the glass, and then fluttering furiously against the window so that it skitters up the pane of glass and then slithers back down again. It will do this for perhaps thirty seconds, have a rest, then repeat a couple of times. Mrs T speculates that - it being that time of year - he has spotted his reflection in the window and is picking a fight with it, in an attempt to drive it off. Makes sense. Best theory I’ve heard, anyway. 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:** [March 13, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/467 "2021-03-13T23:51:32Z")
Daffodil tips breaking through the ground. I surreptitiously planted them last fall without asking for permission from the condo board. The baby iris haven’t shown yet. I think maybe they were duds. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/468 "2021-03-16T03:12:03Z")
The huge ornamental plum tree next door has exploded into pink flowers. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/469 "2021-03-16T15:10:08Z")
Some black mirror chafers, hanging out around the compost heap. They look like this: > **[File:Diplognatha gagates subsp silicea, d, Pretoria.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diplognatha_gagates_subsp_silicea,_d,_Pretoria.jpg)** ---
**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:** [March 18, 2021, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/470 "2021-03-18T14:26:47Z")
Cycling near the Surrey- Sussex border today I saw something tawny - two objects - flash left to right just in front of me, out of woods, over the road and out above a field. As I got closer I saw it was a distinct difference of opinion between a buzzard: > **[Buzzard Bird Facts | Buteo Buteo - The RSPB](https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/buzzard/)** > > Now the commonest and most widespread UK bird of prey. It is quite large with broad, rounded wings, and a short neck and tail. Find out more and a red kite: > **[Red Kite Bird Facts | Milvus Milvus - The RSPB](https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/red-kite/)** > > This magnificently graceful bird of prey is unmistakable with its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail. Find out more Fight! - who would win? It’s the classic contest between a mean big old slugger and a graceful mobile boxer showing off his\* skills. Place bets now! It was every bit the contest you would want to see, with the buzzard chasing the kite down, and the kite swooping and soaring and diving to get away as they flashed directly overhead at a height of maybe ten feet. I only saw few seconds of the contest, and nobody managed to land a knockout blow, but it was looking like the buzzard on points. Particularly if you score for aggression. Never seen a fight between those two species before. j \* - As it’s spring I’m assuming this was territorial and it was therefore two males ---
**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:** [March 19, 2021, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/471 "2021-03-19T22:28:51Z")
I’ve seen quite a few wild turkeys since moving to Michigan a year ago, but this morning was the 1st time I got to see a Tom turkey in all his iridescent splendor, showing off for a distinctly unimpressed-looking group of hens. The similarities between his movements and fanned tail, and those of a peacock, were striking. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/472 "2021-03-19T22:43:23Z")
That’s going on here too. I never knew they could turn their tail displays left and right until a couple of years ago. I always thought the whole bird moved. Those guys are downright aggressive in my friend’s neighborhood, but there’s too many of them so they are being territorial. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2021, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/473 "2021-03-20T06:27:11Z")
Wild Horse Fight! ---
**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:** [March 20, 2021, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/474 "2021-03-20T23:49:08Z")
Not as exciting as most of these, but I saw a sweat bee pollinating my red bud. The combination of iridescent emerald green and fuschia was lovely. Couldn’t get a picture though [![](https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/styles/centered_full/public/media/images/2010/05/sweat_bee.jpg?itok=21nZ5yQK) ](https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/styles/centered_full/public/media/images/2010/05/sweat_bee.jpg?itok=21nZ5yQK) ---
**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:** [March 21, 2021, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/475 "2021-03-21T12:39:51Z")
For a while now my gf has been treating three crows with peanuts, bread, meat scraps, etc. She named them The Three Ami-crows. It’s kind of cute. Earlier this morning (sunrise) I accompanied her while she fed the horses, chickens, etc. When it came time to treat the crows, they were exceptionally noisy and flew close to me head. Very cool birds. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2021, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/476 "2021-03-21T12:58:23Z")
Yesterday we picnicked in a county park. In the oak tree overhead hung a wooden bird house, and a pair of western bluebirds were flying in and out of it. They then patrolled the general area and were snapping up bugs out of the air. I’ve never seen bluebirds much, as they’re birds of meadows and farmland, not suburbs. Yesterday was the first time I watched a pair of them at length. What pretty, active little birds they are. ---
**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:** [March 22, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/477 "2021-03-22T15:09:44Z")
On our walk past a swamp, Saturday morning, I heard the call of a male red-winged blackbird. Then when walking past the duck pond, there was what I refer to as the Scout Goose. There’s always one Canada goose, every year, that comes early to check out the pond. Since he was walking on the ice, I’m guessing he’ll have to report back that it’s still to early to fly in. He seemed perturbed. He was walking on the ice, looking left and right and honking the whole time like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Spring is coming, slowly but surely. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/478 "2021-03-22T19:31:13Z")
We have a goose couple that moved in to the pond in the back of the subdivision a few weeks ago. They seem to be getting along well. I saw a nice mockingbird in a tree in a Target parking lot on Friday. ---
**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:** [March 22, 2021, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/479 "2021-03-22T21:48:57Z")
I was observing crows investigating some road killed fast food near my place. They were being careful about their investigations, flying over to the curb, then walking out again, then back to the curb. I wondered why but then was able to correlate their movements as responses to the calls of another crow lodged high in a tree nearby. The bird was the lookout for traffic. There’s lots of turn offs around my condo, but vehicles have also been known to barrel down the road at very excessive speeds because the cops never come by. The crow would caw, everyone would fly away; It would speak if the car turned off before reaching the treasure (?) and they’d venture out into the road again. Crows are very smart birds. ---
**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:** [March 23, 2021, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/480 "2021-03-23T17:53:34Z")
Spent the morning biking around some quiet country roads, saw a couple of nice things. First, a deer standing in the road and grazing on the grass on the verge. I was downwind of it, and rolled to within maybe twenty yards before it heard me and got spooked. I’ve seen deer in the road along that stretch before, so maybe we had already met? Later, rounding a bend on a very quiet road, I almost ran into two male pheasants standing literally nose to nose. I didn’t see any movement at all before they saw me and flapped off - they just seemed to be standing nose to nose. Is that how pheasants settle territorial disputes - outstaring each other? j PS: not really nature, but the last couple of days I’ve seen a lot of new lambs in the fields. More agriculture than nature, but still nice. PS (2): @carnut - I loved that story. ---
**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:** [March 23, 2021, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/481 "2021-03-23T18:40:36Z")
My gf has inadvertently learned what some of the crow’s calls mean. This morning one of them made some sounds that made her immediately look around, and sure enough there was a hawk flying by. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=25)