Wow! Fabulous.Quote:
Originally Posted by goldfinch
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Wow! Fabulous.Quote:
Originally Posted by goldfinch
We have a wolf! In our backyard woods! Not that I'm ever going to get a chance to see him, and he probably has wandered way off by now, but I figured this might be the most wildlife-friendly thread to post this in. I'm so thrilled :D
The circumstances were a bit sad, though. An elderly local guy was out walking his dog, and his also elderly Norwegian Elk dog roamed off like she often did. She didn't come back, and by the time he found her quite a bit later she'd been killed, with obvious bite marks and tracks from a wolf. The owner was very calm about the whole thing. He's pro-wolf (this is a big debate in the rural areas designated as wolf protection areas, where many sheep farmers live too), and said something like "well, it's sad to lose my good friend, but she was old, she died quickly, and I don't have to watch her decline gradually". And he's going to bury her on the spot. Which is 700 yards from where we live, and 500 yards from my son's old kindergarten.
wow, Javalinas!! wolves! LPH, there are far worst ways to go. I'm glad the man was ok with it.
:eek: wow.Quote:
Originally Posted by lph
And I totally understand the gentleman's sentiments, it's so sad to see a beloved animal go into decline.
Interesting story about the wolf, and the dog owner's attitude. I can see why wolves are controversial.
We've recently lost four red tail hawks in Manhattan. One of them was the female in Riverside Park. I'm not sure, but I think she had just laid an egg when she was found dead beneath the nest tree.
Riverside Mom was beautiful, smart, brave and tough. I will always be grateful for the chance to see her life so closely.
Here's a news story about her:
http://www.dnainfo.com/20120312/uppe...riverside-park
The cause of the four deaths won't be known until necropsy results are in, but since rat poison is used in the area, secondary poisoning is suspected.
Nice view of a Roadrunner, Red-tailed Hawk, Vermilion Flycatcher and loads of Phainopeplas the last few days.
I have been persuaded to participate in the Tucson Audubon Society's "birdathon" next month and we plan to do it all on bikes: riding up Mount Lemmon. We're calling if the Birdathlon- stay tuned!
That sounds super cool, azfiddle! Hope you get to see a lot of birds. I want to see a Vermilion Flycatcher, which supposedly are here in Belize as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by azfiddle
I've been to Guatemala, not far from Belize and the birding there is really incredible. I spent a day or two at Tikal. You should be able to see Vermilions and many cool birds.
We have seen a LOT of new birds since moving to Belize in August. We are heading to western Belize (San Ignacio) soon and should see a different set of birds than we typically see out on Ambergris Caye (coastal island) as well. Can't wait!Quote:
Originally Posted by azfiddle
"Birdathlon" is great. Would love to hear about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by azfiddle
I got to see this monk parakeet enjoying some slimy green stuff for lunch:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8867349...n/photostream/
Wish I'd done a video -- it was funny watching as green stuff very slowly disappeared into his beak.
Seeing loads of great wildlife this week!
Thursday: 4 Desert Spiny Lizards, and a very large Regal Horned Lizard, lots of Earless Lizards, Western Whiptails and today: A Gila Monster! Saguaro NP is just amazing. In addition to the lizards, there were 2 javalinas resting outside the visitor center window. Birds this week included Harris' Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, all the common desert species, a migrant Western Tanager, Black-Crowned Night Heron and Spotted Sandpiper at an urban park lake.
I saw a 'possum the other day on my ride - in the middle of the day. I thought they were nocturnal animals? Perhaps something disturbed it.
This time of year a lot of nocturnal moms come out earlier in the day because they're extra hungry from pregnancy or lactation.
There's been a skunk rooting around in our backyard every afternoon but one for the past week. I have a feeling we might be seeing baby skunks in about six weeks. :D
Had to fence in my tomato plants though, she liked the earthworms that were under the mulch. :mad: :p