# 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:** 83
**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:** [July 11, 2022, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1642 "2022-07-11T13:13:53Z")
I was on my way to the barn yesterday and saw that a deer was hanging out in the pasture. Had to tease Joey about his new girlfriend. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52209406485_45d4042797_b.jpg "Deer Joey") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/45215582@N06/52209406485/) ---
**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:** [July 11, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1643 "2022-07-11T19:19:30Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Out on the bike today on a small country road, a large van appeared, heading towards me. The road was narrow, but not too bad - you slow down and get ready to ease past. And when the van was about 30 meters in front of me, a huge deer crashed at full speed out of the left hand hedge, flew across the road, crashed into the right hand hedge and disappeared from view. Happened in a heartbeat… …and out on the bike this morning (yep, you guessed right) at this point on this road - https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=%213m2%212sen%214v0%216m8%211m7%211sqA6YKmOjhxHRM5CbCDR1zQ%212m2%211d51.0174496%212d-0.046236%213f119.9%214f10.026%215f0.75 - another huge one crashed without any warning out of the left hedge and flew into the road barely two meters in front of me. Fine rack of antlers, by the way. The only sound he made was that crash through the undergrowth - not even any sound of hooves on tarmac. He was almost close enough to pat on the back. Nope, I did not brake - you can’t react fast enough. All I did was brace for impact and shriek “Shoot! Fancy!” (or something similar). Didn’t shut my eyes. And by sheer dumb luck or great skill (on the part of the deer) there was no collision. And, in the way everything slows down at times like this, even as I realized I was going to miss, I thought _I bet there’s a second one_ - and there was another crash to my left, but this time behind me; and then I was gone and wondering: _wft happened there??_. There are a lot of deer around here at the moment. This is getting hazardous. j ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1644 "2022-07-12T19:49:11Z")
This is really MPSIMS. Today was grocery shopping day. A block away from the store are a couple fields with prairie dogs in them. Saw one fairly good size group hanging out together today. ---
**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:** [July 12, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1645 "2022-07-12T22:55:14Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > There are a lot of deer around here at the moment. This is getting hazardous. Yep, be very careful around dawn and dusk. We had one find it’s way into the racetrack Sunday. And I almost personally met one coming home that evening. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2022, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1646 "2022-07-15T00:54:08Z")
We just saw a smallish raccoon with two kits in the backyard. Yesterday we saw three bunnies. One was in the front yard when I came home Tuesday. I startled it, and it went to the corner of the house… but it didn’t hop away when I went to the front door. It was still there when my wife and I went out for an oyster po’boy and beer. Yesterday it was in the side yard where we could see it from the catio. Then a bit later it and two others came hopping around the wood shed. ---
**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:** [July 15, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1647 "2022-07-15T20:06:48Z")
Today as we were walking round a National Trust garden (so this only “sorta” nature), I heard a strange crackling noise. We tracked it down to a bush - some sort of broom - which was popping away at better than a pop per second. It’s been warm and dry, and I guess that’s what triggers the exploding of the seed pods - I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that before. Heard and seen, actually - you couldn’t see the seeds flying, but every now and then a casing would be thrown out of the bush. Very cool. I found a video on YouTube which is pretty much exactly what we saw and heard: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SSfJ6fhy7T0/maxresdefault.jpg "Spanish Broom plant popping like popcorn!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSfJ6fhy7T0) 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:** [July 15, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1648 "2022-07-15T22:03:34Z")
Wrens have taken up residence nearby. But of course, I know nothing about how a wren house was placed on the property. My HOA doesn’t allow such things. Truth to tell, I really do know nothing about it except that my cats are delighted. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1649 "2022-07-17T20:18:47Z")
Here in Waikiki yesterday, we saw [Hawaiian monk seal Rocky and her new pup, born last weekend](https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/07/11/watch-out-waikiki-theres-new-monk-seal-pup-town/). Kept our distance of course. Never mind that she is highly protective of her baby, just touching her would entail a $50,000 fine. Got some pictures but not being terribly tech oriented, have yet to figure out how to get them onto this Board. ---
**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:** [July 17, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1650 "2022-07-17T21:18:07Z")
Cool! I saw a great horned owl today, didn’t get a very good picture though. I’ve been hearing a lot of owls in the neighborhood lately. Usually it’s the more common barred owls, so I was excited to see the horned guy. ---
**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:** [July 17, 2022, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1651 "2022-07-17T21:45:25Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Got some pictures but not being terribly tech oriented, have yet to figure out how to get them onto this Board. I just use [Imgur](https://imgur.com/) - it’s free and simple, if probably not the best quality. My one and only picture of a Hawaiian monk seal on Kaua’i. It’s the least impressive seal picture ever, but just seeing one in the wild was a thrill 🙂: [https://imgur.com/a/u53mYfJ](https://imgur.com/a/u53mYfJ) For context, he/she’s in the lower left 😉: [https://imgur.com/a/ovJZA7i](https://imgur.com/a/ovJZA7i) ---
**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:** [July 21, 2022, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1652 "2022-07-21T13:28:30Z")
Driving to work this morning, I’d just turned onto a road and a beautiful black bear jogged across the road. It was only 10 yards from my car, and its coat was shiny. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1653 "2022-07-21T21:08:26Z")
While I was fly fishing on the South Fork of the Shenandoah yesterday, I saw an osprey chasing off a bald eagle. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1654 "2022-07-22T03:25:39Z")
I posted this in the MMP, but it belongs here too. We just now saw an otter in the back yard. An otter. In the back yard! I’ve heard there were otters in the general area, but this is the first one I’ve seen in the almost-19 years I’ve lived here. We do have a seasonal creek in the bak yard. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2022, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1655 "2022-07-22T12:27:02Z")
Lucky you guys! ---
**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:** [July 22, 2022, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1656 "2022-07-22T15:07:14Z")
Yesterday people from the wildlife center that previously released squirrels at our house came with 9 juvenile mallards to release on our pond. There were 4 or 5 ducks on the pond when the release was done, and everyone seems to be happy so far. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1657 "2022-07-22T22:34:05Z")
My neighbor warned me to keep my housecats inside because a cougar had been spotted nearby on Monday. Cougars are very rare here in Minnesota but they do occur as they follow the river bottoms scouting for food. Sadly, someone on the highway did a hit and run on the animal. It did not survive. But all the locals with small pets are breathing easier. Seems they forgot about the wolves we see every 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:** [July 23, 2022, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1658 "2022-07-23T15:59:51Z")
My husband was mowing our fenced back yard yesterday and when he came around the corner of the house, he startled a deer, munching away on one of the bushes at the side on the house. In broad daylight, this deer apparently wanted to get to that bush badly enough that she jumped over the fence to get to it. When she saw him, she jumped right back out. We have never had that happen before. ---
**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:** [July 23, 2022, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1659 "2022-07-23T16:04:36Z")
Happy ducks on our pond this morning. They all look identical to me, but my gf (who was there for the release) can spot the newcomers. She just got home from the feedstore with an extra 50 pounds of shelled corn. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2022, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1660 "2022-07-24T18:50:44Z")
Today on Reigate Hill on the North Downs we watched three kestrels hunting. For much of the time they were actually off the side of the hill and below us, which was weird. I understand that you don’t get (Common or Eurasian) kestrels in the US, so: the most striking thing about the kestrel is, even when it’s blowing a hoolie (as it was today - literally blew my hat off) they hover with extraordinary stillness, unmoved by the wind and barely twitching a wing, Here’s video of a kestrel hovering in strong wind on youtube: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/c0D-J0cgJME/maxresdefault.jpg "Kestrel Hovering Super Slow Motion") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0D-J0cgJME) We were watching one bird closely for about ten minutes. Repeatedly it would hover at a height of perhaps 30 meters, then drop like a stone to a height of ten or so meters, then stoop. We saw this repeated seven or eight times without success. 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:** [July 24, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/1661 "2022-07-24T19:26:05Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > I understand that you don’t get (Common or Eurasian) kestrels in the US We get [American kestrels](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/overview) 🙂. Very similar birds, very similar habits, however not very similar genetics. They’re the only “kestrel” in the New World and appear to be an example of convergent evolution with the Old World kestrels. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=82) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=84)