# 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:** 9
**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:** [September 7, 2020, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/161 "2020-09-07T21:27:26Z")
**He Who Walks Behind The Stalks** ---
**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:** [September 8, 2020, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/162 "2020-09-08T01:24:45Z")
Now I’m nostalgic to eat sunflower seeds, raw straight off the head. Totally different from salted/toasted … and a flavor memory I associate with childhood summers in the rural areas of Poland. * * * Back on topic: I took myself on a long, semi-random drive today, and wandered a wooded area somewhere near White Cloud, MI. Saw some unripe blackberries, and one tiny but perfect specimen that I happily popped into my mouth. I also saw a nuthatch, hanging totally upside-down and doing his groovy thing. Finally, I saw the fresh roadkill of a red fox, which was notable because it was a mere couple hundred feet from my house. That means I live in fox country, and might get to see a living one in person someday! ---
**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:** [September 8, 2020, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/163 "2020-09-08T14:38:07Z")
I saw this black and blue butterfly yesterday… [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50319390643_6144d877ee_b.jpg "Butterfly") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/45215582@N06/50319390643/) and discovered that it is known as a red-spotted purple. 🤔 ---
**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:** [September 8, 2020, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/164 "2020-09-08T19:05:58Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > …I was out on the bike today on [this road](https://www.google.com/maps/@51.0037169,0.0589986,3a,75y,49.33h,79.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZEgx-j2gEPloLcZ3cLteRg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) - the branches of the trees from either side of the road meet overhead, so it’s like riding down a tunnel. I scared up a buzzard which was in these branches, and so it flew down the “tunnel” just a few yards ahead of me, only a couple of feet above head height for maybe two hundred yards before it veered up and off to the right. Fabulous - and it’s the _third_ time that sort of thing has happened to me this year (!)… …and today a _fourth_ time (!!) - again, I followed a buzzard down a tunnel made of overhanging trees, this time on [this road](https://www.google.com/maps/@51.0164524,0.0359741,3a,75y,344.41h,99.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sU1ylAPC7QUsZnLAB9vNM3w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) (only a couple of miles from my last report, above). I slowed right down and cycled almost at walking pace as it flew twenty or thirty yards, perched, and when I got too close (six or seven yards), flew on and perched again, until I got too close again and then we would repeat. This is happening too often to not be a thing - anyone any idea why buzzards would hang around specifically on roads like this? j ---
**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:** [September 9, 2020, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/165 "2020-09-09T01:07:05Z")
Waitin’ for roadkill to happen? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2020, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/166 "2020-09-09T04:32:36Z")
Coming home from Utah yesterday on Hwy 395 near Bishop I saw what I am pretty sure was a ring tail cat. 1st time I have saw one in nature, possible it could have been a raccoon but I don’t think so. ---
**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:** [September 9, 2020, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/167 "2020-09-09T13:19:14Z")
It’s a hell of a quiet road - roadkill isn’t exactly going to be piling up there. On the other hand, if there were to be some roadkill, it would offer a leisurely and little interrupted meal, I guess. 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:** [September 9, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/168 "2020-09-09T15:51:23Z")
!!SPIDER ALERT!! Mr. Legs has dismantled his entire web (trash-can lid size) and moved it in front of the window–since last night; easily covers 1/3 of the (4’ x 4’) surface. Later tonight, he will probably set the house on fire and then feast on whoever escapes through the 'ole-in-the-wall. My wife says she’s just about had enough with the beastie and she’s getting that look in her eyes. This will not end well for him (or possibly me). Pray for **burpo**. ---
**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:** [September 9, 2020, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/169 "2020-09-09T16:59:53Z")
Okay, not today but can I do this? This was on a road trip from where I live near San Francisco to Cabo San Lucas. In Baja there are plenty of cardón cacti in the countryside. This cardón was close to the road so we doubled back to take this shot. But pulling up to it we saw how really large it is. I think it’s a cardón. I had to look it up. Someone please correct that if it’s inaccurate. Also on that road trip, More nature — el arco de Cabo San Lucas, the pristine beauty of Cabo Pulmo, and the fantastic experiences with gray whales. Beautiful and majestic, all of it. My pics are out on Imgur \>\> [From our road trip to Cabo San Lucas some years back - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/gallery/D3cJIlm). ---
**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:** [September 9, 2020, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/170 "2020-09-09T18:06:29Z")
Oh, the whales! I like the first one, where you can see him/her under the water. Liked the look of those cocktails too. 🙂 ---
**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:** [September 9, 2020, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/171 "2020-09-09T23:14:32Z")
Yes the whales were magnificent. I want to go back and do it again! Cocktails help too, of course. 😃 ---
**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:** [September 10, 2020, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/172 "2020-09-10T00:28:02Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > !!SPIDER ALERT!! > > Mr. Legs has dismantled his entire web (trash-can lid size) and moved it in front of the window–since last night; easily covers 1/3 of the (4’ x 4’) surface. Later tonight, he will probably set the house on fire and then feast on whoever escapes through the 'ole-in-the-wall. My wife says she’s just about had enough with the beastie and she’s getting that look in her eyes. This will not end well for him (or possibly me). Shine a light on the web at night, let it catch all sorts of flying bugs. That will probably allay her concerns. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2020, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/173 "2020-09-10T01:01:31Z")
Probably she’s Mrs. Legs. Let her catch bugs for you in peace - she will die with the coming winter a la Charlotte. > **[Argiope aurantia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argiope_aurantia)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Argiope aurantia is a species of spider, commonly known as the yellow garden spider, black and yellow garden spider, golden garden spider, writing spider, zigzag spider, zipper spider, black and yellow argiope, corn spider, Steeler spider, or McKinley spider. The species was first described by Hippolyte Lucas in 1833. It is common to the contiguous United States, Hawaii, southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America. It has distinctive yellow and... Catch a fly or cricket & toss it into her web for her. Great quarantine fun for the whole family! (No, seriously, people post about their kids regularly feeding the family garden spider in a bunch of gardening-type Facebook groups I’m in. Good way to show 'em science stuff right up close & personal.) ---
**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:** [September 13, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/174 "2020-09-13T02:17:57Z")
Today at the Grand Canyon south rim I saw a really nice tarantula hawk and, quite a surprise, some bighorn sheep just off the side of the road. [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50335089803\_ea1af45e27\_n.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50335089803_ea1af45e27_n.jpg) [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50335775861_cc09204e3a_z.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50335775861_cc09204e3a_z.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/175 "2020-09-13T02:39:20Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Pray for **burpo**. > ---
**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:** [September 13, 2020, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/176 "2020-09-13T04:34:36Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > This will not end well for him (or possibly me). > > Pray for **burpo**. Paging @burpo_the_wonder_mutt come in **burps** requesting status update. How is the spider doing? ---
**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:** [September 13, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/177 "2020-09-13T14:23:25Z")
^ I wish _ **I** _ was doing as well: The little schnook has sub-let its old location to a different species of arachnid, so now I have _two_ spiders and will have to hire the Sheriff to evict them both. Banana Spider has gotten sizable and (snicker) my wife is worried the dogs will wander too close and end up like the Larson cartoon. I’ll keep you posted. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/178 "2020-09-13T19:17:58Z")
Spotted hanging on to my grocery cart inside Meijer’s a preying mantis. I wanted rescue it when I was done by detouring through the garden center and releasing it there but I forgot about it and it was gone when I got to my car. Wait I think it was gone but it might’ve climbed in my bags of stuff meaning it could be in my house now! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/179 "2020-09-13T20:27:47Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Spotted hanging on to my grocery cart inside Meijer’s a preying mantis. Those are twice as dangerous as praying mantises! ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/180 "2020-09-14T01:18:38Z")
Watched a coyote run through my front yard last Friday on my Blink camera. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=10)