Urban Wildlife
4 posters
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Re: Urban Wildlife
I had the coolest "encounter" on Friday. I was pulling out of the driveway, and looked in the pasture where the horses are. There was a huge bald eagle swooping from the grass to a tree. He sat in the tree and then swooped again. I guess he was hunting field mice. I have never seen an eagle that close before.
bpaquet- Shtinky's Shweetheart
- Posts : 10935
Join date : 2010-06-25
Re: Urban Wildlife
WOW! And I'm jealous I would love to see one in the wild.
Sue Short- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15329
Join date : 2010-06-20
Age : 73
Location : Dallas, Texas
Re: Urban Wildlife
You could see quite a few of them here in my area Sue. We have several nesting pairs within a 10 mile radius. One pair lives somewhere in the forest preserve (with the river running alongside it) not a mile from my home.
And they really are huge! When they fly overhead I instinctively duck even though they're way up in the air above me. Must be the even bigger shadow crossing over me.....
A Bald Eagle hunting field mice? I've only ever seen them fishing....bet it takes a lot of mice to fill up the belly of an eagle that big.
And they really are huge! When they fly overhead I instinctively duck even though they're way up in the air above me. Must be the even bigger shadow crossing over me.....
A Bald Eagle hunting field mice? I've only ever seen them fishing....bet it takes a lot of mice to fill up the belly of an eagle that big.
fiffur- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15065
Join date : 2010-06-21
Location : Rockton, IL
Re: Urban Wildlife
We have hawks, they awesome in their own right.
Sue Short- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15329
Join date : 2010-06-20
Age : 73
Location : Dallas, Texas
Re: Urban Wildlife
We have yellowtails. There's a family in the woods next door. I love seeing them fly around.
The eagle might have been hunting rabbits too. We have plenty. Whatever it was, it was dry ground critters. We have water close by, but fortunately, no summer flooding.
The eagle might have been hunting rabbits too. We have plenty. Whatever it was, it was dry ground critters. We have water close by, but fortunately, no summer flooding.
bpaquet- Shtinky's Shweetheart
- Posts : 10935
Join date : 2010-06-25
Re: Urban Wildlife
Today's sighting was a 4 foot black snake making its way into the barn. I was pulling Envoy's mane, so he was in the cross ties in the aisle. He started backing up with his eyes popping out of his head. I asked him to stop and walked towards the snake. It hissed at me and darted off in the other direction. I was proud of my horse for listening to me and not freaking out too bad. Freak outs in the ties can be very dangerous for both horse and handler.
bpaquet- Shtinky's Shweetheart
- Posts : 10935
Join date : 2010-06-25
Re: Urban Wildlife
For sure. What a steady Eddie he is.
Sue Short- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15329
Join date : 2010-06-20
Age : 73
Location : Dallas, Texas
Re: Urban Wildlife
Such a change from how he started out.
bpaquet- Shtinky's Shweetheart
- Posts : 10935
Join date : 2010-06-25
Re: Urban Wildlife
He's turning out to be a very good horse, in the future a great horse. Good boy Envoy.
I drove to Hoo Haven in Durand, IL this morning.....to deliver a mourning dove mom and I rescued yesterday afternoon. It's one of our little flock we've been feeding for at least 2 years so they know me pretty well on sight. This little one accidentally flew into the neighbors window, then refused to fly after that. Scared to death of those neighbors when they tried to catch it. I was then the first person they thought of to try to catch it. I walked right up to it...only when I bent down to pick it up did it move off hopping. Still refused to fly. Mom helped me corner it so I could catch it. Cradled it in my hands while she got a box to put it in, which took about 5 minutes (mom's not moving that fast these days)....the dove relaxed and just looked at me while I gently talked to it. Couldn't take it to the rehabber since by then they were closed but got some advice on how to care for it overnight. So the dove spent the night in that box with some food and water and a cushy towel to nest in, inside my tub, with the bathroom door shut so it was quiet, dark, and warm.
Rehabbers head intake worker said it didn't appear to be injured but would have it examined to be sure. I told her I wanted to come back for it when it was ready to be released so it could return to it's flock and familiar territory. Will find out later if they'll let me do that. The place is only about 10 miles away, smack dab in the middle of a huge corn field.
I drove to Hoo Haven in Durand, IL this morning.....to deliver a mourning dove mom and I rescued yesterday afternoon. It's one of our little flock we've been feeding for at least 2 years so they know me pretty well on sight. This little one accidentally flew into the neighbors window, then refused to fly after that. Scared to death of those neighbors when they tried to catch it. I was then the first person they thought of to try to catch it. I walked right up to it...only when I bent down to pick it up did it move off hopping. Still refused to fly. Mom helped me corner it so I could catch it. Cradled it in my hands while she got a box to put it in, which took about 5 minutes (mom's not moving that fast these days)....the dove relaxed and just looked at me while I gently talked to it. Couldn't take it to the rehabber since by then they were closed but got some advice on how to care for it overnight. So the dove spent the night in that box with some food and water and a cushy towel to nest in, inside my tub, with the bathroom door shut so it was quiet, dark, and warm.
Rehabbers head intake worker said it didn't appear to be injured but would have it examined to be sure. I told her I wanted to come back for it when it was ready to be released so it could return to it's flock and familiar territory. Will find out later if they'll let me do that. The place is only about 10 miles away, smack dab in the middle of a huge corn field.
fiffur- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15065
Join date : 2010-06-21
Location : Rockton, IL
Re: Urban Wildlife
Hope the dove is okay.
Sue Short- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15329
Join date : 2010-06-20
Age : 73
Location : Dallas, Texas
Re: Urban Wildlife
So do I, there were no obvious signs of injury. Pupils equal and reactive, able to easily hop out of that box, very alert. No blood, no gashes, no signs of head trauma, no awkward angles to any limbs....just won't fly. I'm thinking it might have badly bruised it's shoulder(s) or wings hitting that window.
Hopefully will find out more tonight when we call the rehabber for an update.
Hopefully will find out more tonight when we call the rehabber for an update.
fiffur- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15065
Join date : 2010-06-21
Location : Rockton, IL
Re: Urban Wildlife
Keep us posted.
Sue Short- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15329
Join date : 2010-06-20
Age : 73
Location : Dallas, Texas
Re: Urban Wildlife
Yes. Well done for you. I hope the little dove comes home soon.
bpaquet- Shtinky's Shweetheart
- Posts : 10935
Join date : 2010-06-25
Re: Urban Wildlife
So far multiple phone messages and several emails have garnered us.....nothing. I have a feeling that lil dove was released out there in unfamiliar territory.
We have red tailed hawks here and they wouldn't hesitate to have a dovey snack. **shudder**
Our lil flock appear to be looking for that missing dove.
We have red tailed hawks here and they wouldn't hesitate to have a dovey snack. **shudder**
Our lil flock appear to be looking for that missing dove.
fiffur- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15065
Join date : 2010-06-21
Location : Rockton, IL
Re: Urban Wildlife
It seems like the eagle I saw the other day is living behind our house. I've seen and heard him almost every day. How cool is that?!
bpaquet- Shtinky's Shweetheart
- Posts : 10935
Join date : 2010-06-25
Re: Urban Wildlife
Way cool.
Sue Short- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15329
Join date : 2010-06-20
Age : 73
Location : Dallas, Texas
Re: Urban Wildlife
We had a fiddler crab sighting today. We've been very dry, but I was near a creek, and one was walking across the path. They're not as common around us as they used to be. Not sure why since we seem to flood more often.
bpaquet- Shtinky's Shweetheart
- Posts : 10935
Join date : 2010-06-25
Re: Urban Wildlife
Maybe that's the problem, they drowned?
fiffur- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15065
Join date : 2010-06-21
Location : Rockton, IL
Re: Urban Wildlife
The resident eagle was zooming around the pasture. I'm pretty sure he has a nest (aerie) in the woods behind our pasture. I can't tell if it's still on our property or across the line. Who cares? There he is and he's "my" eagle.
bpaquet- Shtinky's Shweetheart
- Posts : 10935
Join date : 2010-06-25
Re: Urban Wildlife
I would have loved to have seen him or her.
Sue Short- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15329
Join date : 2010-06-20
Age : 73
Location : Dallas, Texas
Re: Urban Wildlife
I've never seen a fiddler crab...
fiffur- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15065
Join date : 2010-06-21
Location : Rockton, IL
Re: Urban Wildlife
They're really neat. They have one big claw and one little one.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiB7N39tKDJAhXCcD4KHVACD_0QjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFiddler_crab&psig=AFQjCNGbrOCo435AOmuSvn9mFs89Jehyxw&ust=1448157417979635
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiB7N39tKDJAhXCcD4KHVACD_0QjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFiddler_crab&psig=AFQjCNGbrOCo435AOmuSvn9mFs89Jehyxw&ust=1448157417979635
bpaquet- Shtinky's Shweetheart
- Posts : 10935
Join date : 2010-06-25
Re: Urban Wildlife
cool.....
fiffur- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15065
Join date : 2010-06-21
Location : Rockton, IL
Re: Urban Wildlife
I think Pogo and Simon have cut deals with the Rodent Patrol. The Rodent Patrol shows up looking for food they eat a bite or two. Then they leave and leave the leftovers to them.
Sue Short- Guard Dog's Guardian Angel
- Posts : 15329
Join date : 2010-06-20
Age : 73
Location : Dallas, Texas
Re: Urban Wildlife
The Rodent Patrol isn't getting skinny, right? They're still all plumped up for winter. It sounds like a decent agreement.
bpaquet- Shtinky's Shweetheart
- Posts : 10935
Join date : 2010-06-25
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