# 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:** 30
**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:** [May 2, 2021, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/582 "2021-05-02T15:07:17Z")
Good boy! I’m pulling for you. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/583 "2021-05-02T17:52:18Z")
I have never seen a season for vultures like the one we’re having this spring in central Kentucky. They perch in the trees, on the barn roof and circle lazily overhead waiting for a nice carcass. This morning a sizable flock was in a tree about 50 feet from the house, emitting raucous cries to greet Mrs. J. and Pluto as they went for their morning walk. I think they’re starting to become impatient… ---
**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:** [May 2, 2021, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/584 "2021-05-02T23:06:44Z")
Look alive! ---
**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:** [May 3, 2021, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/585 "2021-05-03T01:29:24Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > He made it through the night! Jeez, man. I’m so sorry that happened. How’s lil’ pupper doing tonight? (Or does this need to go to the Pit? 😟 ) > [@Bayaker](#): > > The herons then ran and flapped and squawked at the ibises and scared them all away. The herons then stood looking at each other and looking up at the direction the ibises flew for about about a minute as if to say “Well that was easy”. Then they both flew off in the other direction. That ending was hilarious. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > This morning a sizable flock was in a tree about 50 feet from the house, emitting raucous cries to greet Mrs. J. and Pluto as they went for their morning walk. I dunno. What _IS_ proper protocol when greeted by vultures? Is one expected to emit some raucous cry in return? Does one simply nod in respectful silence? I’d hate to offend, should I ever find myself in a similar situation. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/586 "2021-05-03T01:46:22Z")
Keep spoiled hamburger in a bin by the back door, and you’ll have 'em eating out of your hand. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/587 "2021-05-03T05:14:42Z")
A poster here, probably @Broomstick once posted that vultures are attracted to gas line leaks because they like the smell of the sulfur additive. I think. I’m probably wrong, but if there are natural gas lines in your area, it might not hurt to wander around and listen/smell the area. I recommend not smoking while doing this. (I’m not sure about the poster was and not sure about why vultures like the smell of natural gas, I am quite sure that when I read it and then checked it out I was all liked “Kool, I learned something today.”) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/588 "2021-05-03T11:03:51Z")
Yep, it was probably me you heard all that from. They’re attracted to the stink additive in natural gas because it’s chemically similar to gasses given off by the decay of recently dead animals. Some of the New World vultures, particularly turkey vultures, are unusual birds in that they have a good sense of smell and use it to find food. (Old world vultures hunt by sight. A couple species of New World vultures do, too, but they aren’t looking for dead things, they’re looking for turkey vultures and follow them to the dead things.) Turkey vultures - the most common vultures in the western hemisphere ranging from Tierra Del Fuego to the Canadian border, so I’m assuming that’s what @Jackmannii has as neighbors - come together at night in large groups. So what’s probably happening is that their current chosen roost right now is what they are seeing. Vultures aren’t really interested in confronting living critters, so as long as you’re not wearing anything like [Lady Gaga’s meat dress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Gaga%27s_meat_dress) you should be fine, as should any pets walked on leashes. I would advise against walking under any trees containing roosting vultures because, well, they’re birds and they defecate, and if they feel threatened their main defense, other than hissing and trying to look bigger than they are, is vomiting half-digested carrion. Which would certainly drive me away from them. I doubt they’re “impatient” - if you have roads and cars/trucks in your area there should be plenty for them to eat. More likely, they’re just talking to each other. Also, I’m assuming it’s around the time they’re pairing off for mating/raising families so there’s probably some noise associated with that. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2021, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/589 "2021-05-03T11:24:38Z")
Doing yard work yesterday, all we saw were snakes! I saw the first, a garter snake. [![](https://i.imgur.com/RqnbsTj.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/RqnbsTj.jpg) My gf saw another garter. She relocated this one. [![](https://i.imgur.com/qLQkvzI.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/qLQkvzI.jpg) Weeding a flower bed, my gf was startled by this \>6 foot long central ratsnake. [![](https://i.imgur.com/M02Pw7O.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/M02Pw7O.jpg) Meanwhile, my daughter is honeymooning in Utah and Nevada and saw/heard this danger noodle. [![](https://i.imgur.com/dxu9GxB.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/dxu9GxB.jpg) ---
**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:** [May 3, 2021, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/590 "2021-05-03T11:52:51Z")
And, not a snake. [![](https://i.imgur.com/lNHfijU.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/lNHfijU.jpg) ---
**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:** [May 3, 2021, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/591 "2021-05-03T12:21:45Z")
Awesome pictures, kayaker! And congrats to your kid. 🙂 ---
**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:** [May 3, 2021, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/592 "2021-05-03T12:38:09Z")
Thanks! ---
**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:** [May 3, 2021, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/593 "2021-05-03T13:26:25Z")
[![](https://i.imgur.com/dxu9GxB.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/dxu9GxB.jpg) @Gatopescado how is your dog doing today? Do you recognize this guy? My daughter saw it while hiking at Zion National Park. I had some snake geeks check out the picture, and they’re still arguing nomenclature. Great Basin rattlesnake @Crotalus ? > > Zion National Park > > Location confirms it. I’m not sure what to call it, though. Went with _C. oreganus_ for now, but I’m willing to edit pending a discussion. You like _C. lutosus_ ? Seems likely to me that _C. lutosus_ will be nearly universally agreed upon one day (and the current evidence certainly seems to support it’s recognition), but I don’t want to jump the gun. Most authors (including Crother et al. 2017, Stebbins & McGinnis 2018) and iNaturalist still assign this to oreganus, but many authors, reptile-database, and wiki (of all places!) recognizes lutosus as a species. > > This might be a good discussion for the discord thing once I get it going. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2021, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/594 "2021-05-03T13:56:11Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Do you recognize this guy? He looks just like the Asshole who is currently in my garbage can minus his head (Well, its in the trash, too, just not attached to the long bit). Dog ain’t doing so well. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/595 "2021-05-03T22:44:19Z")
In Paynes Prairie State Park, a 10-foot gator having lunch: [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51157024109_c351d3ce7b_c.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51157024109_c351d3ce7b_c.jpg) ---
**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:** [May 4, 2021, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/596 "2021-05-04T00:53:33Z")
- waves to blondebear \* You’re in my neck of the woods now! 😁 ---
**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:** [May 4, 2021, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/597 "2021-05-04T15:15:52Z")
The mallards are nesting again. Every year around this time a flock(?) of mallards and mallard crosses visit our pond and stay awhile. They know where my gf puts out shelled corn for the deer and turkey and they clean up whatever is left each day. Every year they lay eggs and hatch them. It is cute at first watching a mallard hen walking around with 10-20 ducklings following, but then you realize that there are fewer ducklings every day. Some get eaten by predators, some just get separated from the clutch. It is considered a success if two or three ducklings survive. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2021, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/598 "2021-05-04T20:40:08Z")
Today I saw… a veterinary ambulance in action. Out on the bike, I made a detour to take in a local pond where I have previously seen geese “kindergartening” their goslings. (I was looking to get photos - I failed). On the road by the pond was a veterinary ambulance - it looks rather like the human version, but has a green and yellow checker pattern. I kind of hope they don’t come equipped with blue lights (I didn’t notice any) - that would be taking things too far. Anyways, a group of 4 people were walking up to the ambulance as I arrived; one of them had a duck wrapped in a towel/blanket; another had a comically large butterfly net-like device (OK, it’s a serious piece of equipment, but it does look odd.) I guess the other two had called the “incident” in. 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:** [May 4, 2021, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/599 "2021-05-04T23:27:37Z")
Yellow jackets have started to build a nest under the eaves above our front door. I expect that their request for a building permit in said location will be denied. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/600 "2021-05-05T01:06:07Z")
Northern Alligator Lizard! [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51158743433_8f9fdd0878_b.jpg "Alligator Lizard") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/51158743433/in/dateposted-public/) ---
**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:** [May 5, 2021, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/601 "2021-05-05T01:42:10Z")
Rawr! So vicious! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=31)