Winter's in the air

[Radman]

I planted a little sprig of Eucalyptus several years ago - wasn't really expecting it to thrive, or survive at all, really, in this wet environment. Nevertheless, I have been rewarded each summer with these incomparable sights and smells - the smell of a freshly crushed leaf is incredible - anyway, likewise the silvery new growth is a welcome eye candy each year.

[roselaar]

The cats just killed a young Garrulus glandarius in my backyard, the parents are really pissed off. This could be the beginning of WWIII by the sounds of it...

[Griffin]

A lot of the songbirds babies are starting to learn to fly now. I saw a fledgling cardinal and common grackle awkwardly flying from tree to tree in one day a few days ago.

[neovenator08]

Just been out, saw House Martins swooping very low, at head height, giving me a clear view. Beautiful birds, love the summer visitors. I went to a Nature Reserve on Thursday, I was within inches of nesting Swallows and I also saw loads of waterbirds - Oystercatchers, Shelducks and a lovely elegant Little Egret.

[Radman]

Super! Would love to see some pix if you can get any.

Meanwhile, here is the Scourge of the South, the evil fire ant.
Tiny little nest on my front lawn, still probably has dozens, maybe hundreds of workers. They swarm on you and sting simultaneously, and it hurts almost as bad as a bee sting and continues to hurt for several days.

Needless to say everyone hates these little b*stards.

This is the undisturbed nest:


After poking with Diablo-Hans, two seconds later, this is the result:



I'll hit them with ant-killer in a few minutes. I hate to use pesticides, but there's really no other recourse here.

[Radman]

OK, the ants are hard to see, they' re pretty small. They are the tiny dots on Hans. I'll try to get a close-up. Which is part of the problem: you can step on a nest without seeing it, they swarm up your leg, you don't even notice them until they release a pheromone so they all sting at the same time!

And yes, my yard is full of weeds, unfortunately. The grass is barely holding its own, but I don't want to pay for a lawn service@ 50 bucks/week.!

Will update later!

[neovenator08]

Jun 4, 2011 15:06:39 GMT Radman said:

Super! Would love to see some pix if you can get any.

I'll go out tommorrow and try and get some of the House Martins. Am I right in thinking you don't get those in the US?

[paleoferroequine]

Jun 4, 2011 16:10:03 GMT neovenator08 said:

Jun 4, 2011 15:06:39 GMT Radman said:

Super! Would love to see some pix if you can get any.

I'll go out tommorrow and try and get some of the House Martins. Am I right in thinking you don't get those in the US?

I'd like to see those, we don't have House Martins here, but instead have Purple Martins which are very dependent on humans for nests. Introduction of house sparrows and starlings was very detrimental to them. The town here puts up martin houses all over but sparrows and starlings often overrun the houses.

[stoneage]

I saw a Turkey Vulture feeding on roadkill the other day.

[Radman]

I'm thawing some frozen peas and corn to take to the pond early tomorrow morning - hope I'll get some shots of loons and grebes; will settle for Canada geese, I know there's plenty of those.

[gwangi]

[paleoferroequine]

It's Magicicada time! ;D Brood XIX (the Great Southern Brood) has appeared in the southern U.S. It's a 13 year periodical Cicada and along with the 17 year spend most of their lives underground. Then they emerge synchronized in the millions and molt to adults, breed , lay eggs, and die all in a few weeks. The nymphs that hatch burrow underground and feed on tree sap only to repeat 13 years later. Deafening noise also, can reach 100 dB. All other cicadas in the world are not synchronized. In 1998 Brood IV a 17 year and Brood XIX 13 year overlapped at the same time in Missouri and created a mega appearance!!

[neovenator08]

Couldn't get a picture of the House Martins, but I've been having a lovely pair of Goldfinches in my garden, eating the nyger seed. There's also some juveniles, which are adorable! Picture attached.

Attachments:

[roselaar]

Rescued a young Corvus Monedula at work today: he had accidentally entered the movie theatre I work in and couldn't find the exit. Fortunately his flight abilities weren't fully developed yet, so I could easily catch him and show him the door where his parents were waiting for him.

[Radman]

Great pics, everyone! Keep 'em coming in. Maybe, instead of the diorama contest, this year we could have a wildlife photo contest!
Winner gets to keep Brenda or Snowdrift (your choice)
for a month - pickup only. Whaddaya think?

Meanwhile, seems like Brenda (raccoon) and Snowdrift (stray cat) are getting along just fine:



Take both! ;D

I really need to get the edger out of the garage this weekend, as the centipede grass is living up to its name...

[paleoferroequine]

Jun 11, 2011 10:46:01 GMT Radman said:

Great pics, everyone! Keep 'em coming in. Maybe, instead of the diorama contest, this year we could have a wildlife photo contest!
Winner gets to keep Brenda or Snowdrift (your choice)
for a month - pickup only. Whaddaya think?

Meanwhile, seems like Brenda (racoon) and Snowdrift (stray cat) are getting along just fine:



Take both! ;D

I really need to get the edger out of the garage this weekend, as the centipede grass is living up to its name...

Umm, I don't need more raccoons!! ;D or cats, skunks, opossums, foxes, armadillos, deer! Might swap the cat for this:

Muskrat - Ondatra zibethicus
Oh, has Snowdrift become more tame?

[Radman]

Wolf spider with egg sac

[Radman]

Blue Darner, aka Southern Hawker:

[paleoferroequine]

Did I post this before? I don't think so, but

Neoscona crucifera?- orb web spider with katydid prey on my front porch.

[Himmapaan]

Amazing pictures.

Can I keep the blue darner picture, Mr Radman, oh, can I? *bounces*