Fauna and other natural things

[evil_physics_witchcraft]

A falcon landed on my back fence--it was pretty awesome. It turned its head around 180 degrees in both directions looking around, then chilled for awhile before flying off into the woods. I hope it wasn't looking for the Cardinal pair that I feed...

VERY cool!!!

[apl68]

Yes it is!  Congratulations on a rare sight!

[Langue_doc]

Spotted lantern flies are everywhere--one on the doorstep just a few minutes ago, another one on my windshield last week, and yet another one on a rock on the beach a couple of weeks ago. This is the third year in a row of the invasion--we're supposed to kill them on sight.

[hmaria1609]

Spotted lantern flies are everywhere--one on the doorstep just a few minutes ago, another one on my windshield last week, and yet another one on a rock on the beach a couple of weeks ago. This is the third year in a row of the invasion--we're supposed to kill them on sight.

I remember these being a stink for the DC area 2 years ago.

[sinenomine]

I encountered two signs of early autumn on my drive this morning: one school bus and one bear.

[bio-nonymous]

I encountered two signs of early autumn on my drive this morning: one school bus and one bear.

That is awesome! I have yet to see a bear around--I know they are out there, but they are very private...

[Sea_Ice]

Red letter day yesterday - saw the first Green Treefrog in I don't remember how many years!  It was only about half size, so there are at least a few more in the area :)))

[Parasaurolophus]

Two seals and a humpback on my ride home today! I was the first to spot the humpback--justlooked up from writing, and there she blew!

[clean]

I had to go to the office today (Saturday) to help finalize some edits on a paper as the deadline has found us!
We were in my coauthor's office.  There is a pigeon next just out of normal view. 
We were working and I saw a shadow across the window and then we heard a lot of noise on the ledge.  the ledge has some metal covering and we looked up to find a Mexican Eagle

(https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tTP1TcwKkkzLTRg9OJLTixKBGGF1MT0nFQAb54Ilg&q=caracara+eagle&oq=cara&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDAgBEC4YJxiABBiKBTIPCAAQIxgnGOMCGIAEGIoFMgwIARAuGCcYgAQYigUyDwgCEC4YQxjUAhiABBiKBTIMCAMQRRg5GLEDGIAEMg8IBBAuGEMY1AIYgAQYigUyDwgFEC4YQxixAxiABBiKBTIPCAYQLhhDGNQCGIAEGIoFMgYIBxBFGDzSAQg0OTY3ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8)
 
Walking toward the next.  My coauthor was excited and grabbed his camera and tried to get a video of whatever happened next, but the movement toward the window startled the Big Bird and he flew off.   

My friend then said, "Well, I guess that means there will be one happy pigeon family tonight".  I retorted, "But the Eagle Family will be pretty disappointed!" 

We have Mexican Eagles in our area (we are in their range) but I have never seen one near campus, much less only separated by a few feet and a pane of glass! 

Quite a day, especially for my coauthor who is new to the area and had never seen this kind of bird before, much less so close up! 


(And I was rooting for the Eagle, in case it wasnt clear in the story). 

[clean]

I must be spending too much time on campus!  Today I was having lunch at the cafeteria with the same coworker as Sunday and I saw a skunk with at least 2 kits walking by! 
(We have had some 'incidents' of people surprising the skunks and being extra surprised in turn!)

[apl68]

I visited my brother out of state in recent days and found him dealing with varmints on his small acreage that he raises a few livestock on.  He has trapped and relocated two possums.  And permanently dealt with an armadillo that was destroying the yard.