# 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:** 55
**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:** [December 2, 2021, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1082 "2021-12-02T16:50:02Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > there are a lot of pheasants in Wakehurst place at the minute I haven’t seen a pheasant around here in over a decade. They used to be fairly common. I love the sound of a male ringneck pheasant taking off. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2021, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1083 "2021-12-02T20:35:36Z")
I saw a warbler at our feeder yesterday - there are many warblers that look very similar to one another, so I cannot be sure exactly which type I saw, but it was cool to see a cheery little bright yellow bird bopping around. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1084 "2021-12-08T10:36:50Z")
I saw a cardón cactus (giant elephant cactus) in Baja Mexico. Driving down to Cabo San Lucas on Mexico’s Highway 1 you see cardón cactus everywhere from the road. This one was next to the highway so we went right up to it — and it’s only when get right next to it that you see how large it really is! That’s my wife Theresa next to the cactus, and my shadow as I took the picture from the highway. This cardón cactus is located at lat / long Grid 30.029560, -115.264760. I saw this picture today as I searched for old photos of us. This pic is from February 2006. [[Album] Cardón cactus, Theresa & Roy, Baja MEX ![](https://i.imgur.com/QZSJPBA.jpeg?fb "Cardón cactus, Theresa & Roy, Baja MEX") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/oalS7QU) ---
**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:** [December 8, 2021, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1085 "2021-12-08T13:45:37Z")
Driving along yesterday, I saw what I thought was a pack of buzzards noshing on something at the side of the road. As I got closer, I saw the little black things weren’t buzzards but little black pigs! We do have wild boar here, but they aren’t an everyday sight. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1086 "2021-12-09T20:20:26Z")
All right - this happened while “in nature”, but it was not entirely “natural.” My sister and I often bike on local trails, which often go through forest preserves and along streams. After Halloween, it is not uncommon for people to dump their pumpkins in the forest preserves - I presume in the mistaken belief it is good for the animals or something. Yesterday we were biking on a path along a river where the path dips to pass below a road. So as we come out from below the road there is a steep slope up to the right, and then the stream right on the left. With no warning, a large pumpkin comes bounding down the slope, across the path, and into the river. Not exactly a near collision, but if it were any closer we woulda had to slam on our brakes. We assumed some squirrel up the hill had it in for us! ---
**Author:** ![Ziberian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/919ad9/32.png) [@Ziberian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ziberian)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1087 "2021-12-10T22:31:17Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > After Halloween, it is not uncommon for people to dump their pumpkins in the forest preserves - I presume in the mistaken belief it is good for the animals or something. Could you elaborate on this. I’ve always heard that pumpkins are good for animals, that the seeds provide natural deworming in chickens & pigs. What makes them not good? ---
**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:** [December 10, 2021, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1088 "2021-12-10T23:12:25Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > We assumed some squirrel up the hill had it in for us! I would assume that a vine had grown and the pumpkin, feeling the vine weaken in the cold took the opportunity to break and run for it. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1089 "2021-12-11T02:19:54Z")
> [@Ziberian](#): > > Could you elaborate on this. I’ve always heard that pumpkins are good for animals, that the seeds provide natural deworming in chickens & pigs. What makes them not good? Well, not necessarily not good, so much as not natural/indigenous. The forest preserves are not pristine environments, but they try to keep down the trash - and artificial food sources for wildlife. And pumpkin seeds can sprout. (This from my sister who volunteers at the forest preserves.) ---
**Author:** ![Ziberian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/919ad9/32.png) [@Ziberian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ziberian)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1090 "2021-12-11T02:33:57Z")
Ahhh, that makes sense. Thanks ---
**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:** [December 11, 2021, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1091 "2021-12-11T20:27:07Z")
Back in post 905 I noted that this year was a helluva year for goose numbers round these parts. The end of summer was marked, more than I can remember for years, by vectors of geese heading of south for the winter (I presume). I tried in vain to photograph them for this thread - they pass low and quick. A few weeks ago I took a walk past the small lake at our local park, where there were dozens of geese over the summer - and they were all gone. It’s been really raining round these parts, heavy rain on and off all week. Rivers have flooded - the photo below is a river flooded out of recognition. And yes, enjoying the floodwaters are dozens, maybe hundreds, of geese. [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PgqlAT_v6feAQXUUHfOyrtsYLKh3RA6d386YLm0VbmtHk9OFCbxNEGytvs2_Rzv4jIDI3lNR7jO-e5zQb-wiF5Hz9OgPOj6EiTu1m-fXEuSpXz1_1ydSueQKT-vueumDDzIPeamRkA=w600-h315-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/oMT3e4DmPtPWHTVB8) Where’d them guys come from? j (Rhetorical question, BTW) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1092 "2021-12-11T20:56:05Z")
For any Dopers near St. Louis MO, at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton IL during winter months they host Bald Eagle Viewing Days. It is an excellent event! I used to travel to STL MO several times a year for work. I did this several years ago (approx 2012) with Scott Isringhausen, and according to web sites he is still there. Highly recommended. > **[Pere%20Marquette%20Winter%202021%20Eagle%20Flyer.pdf](https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Documents/Pere%20Marquette%20Winter%202021%20Eagle%20Flyer.pdf)** > > 361.30 KB ---
**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:** [December 11, 2021, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1093 "2021-12-11T21:15:20Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Where’d them guys come from? Canada. They have electronic passports that are scanned in when they land. BTW, this pic makes me feel at home. I know that lake. It’s not terribly far from my ex’s home. Yesterday, I witnessed 16 hours of snow that ended up being 18-1/2 inches on the ground. It’s beautiful. I’d post a pic, but I already planned to not stir from the home today. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1094 "2021-12-11T21:42:09Z")
If you can snap a pic tomorrow and share, I’d be interested. Enjoy your day today being hunkered down. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1095 "2021-12-12T17:36:42Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > Beautiful! Thanks! Since moving here from SoCal I have this attraction to water. I can’t imagine why. ---
**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:** [December 13, 2021, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1096 "2021-12-13T13:16:17Z")
The local coral snake turned up again. Our big dog found it, fortunately I was nearby and got them separated right away. I thought the snake was dead, so I picked it up by the tail. It was about two feet long, rather a shoestring of a snake. It turned its head to look at me and I put it down in a hurry! Then my husband picked it up with some tongs and carried it to the edge of the property. Hopefully it won’t return. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51744501969_6c5eb94e10_b.jpg "Coral snake 2") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/45215582@N06/51744501969/) ---
**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:** [December 13, 2021, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1097 "2021-12-13T13:45:18Z")
Coral snakes are beautiful but deadly. Luckily they only strike if provoked. ---
**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:** [December 16, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1098 "2021-12-16T15:21:22Z")
I saw this on a walk in the woods last weekend. I was surprised when a friend who lives in the city had no idea what it was. [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/qgHRDvK.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/qgHRDvK) ---
**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:** [December 16, 2021, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1099 "2021-12-16T18:45:29Z")
Go on then, I’ll bite. A hunting platform? j ---
**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:** [December 16, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1100 "2021-12-16T19:00:02Z")
Yep. I guess deer aren’t threatened from above, so sitting in a tree stand you can shoot them easier than walking or sitting on the ground. This one was on our property, right on the line. My gf called the people who own the adjacent land and they hadn’t given anyone permission to hunt. It dismantled easily and it’s now behind our barn. ---
**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:** [December 16, 2021, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1101 "2021-12-16T19:06:01Z")
There’s one on the route of a walk we do occasionally, but it’s a much taller, more elaborate and robust affair (and it’s been there for years, so I could probably justify adding “permanent”.) j ETA - I suppose I should point out that the UK doesn’t have the same hunting culture as the US, so this sort of structure isn’t something you come across every day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=54) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=56)