BS: Isn't nature amazing?

Subject: BS: Isn't nature amazing!
From: Ed T
Date: 08 Sep 12 - 09:47 AM

As some of us move from summer to autumn, how many dedicate regular time to watching the many animals as they prepare for winter?

Have you stories to tell about some of these recent observations? Have you noticed any changes this year, with changes in the weather/climate? (I have noticed that local blue jays are storing food a bit earlier (six of them have returned a few weeks ago, to patiently wait for my daily peanut offering to store each morning, after being away for much of the summer. Two of them lost their head feathers and are growing them back).

What are some of your favourite nature observations? Like many, I enjoy watching birds, but also have an interest in observing the many spider varieties.


I found this article on birds nests interesting:

Birds nests as art

Subject: RE: BS: Isn't nature amazing?
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Sep 12 - 11:41 AM

Last nite North America's only marsupial stared me down for a minute before running away on its comicly short legs.

Subject: RE: BS: Isn't nature amazing?
From: Raptor
Date: 08 Sep 12 - 11:51 AM

Thanks for that article it was great.
I love the fall as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Isn't nature amazing?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 08 Sep 12 - 01:00 PM

Found a gigantic Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar in the garden. It's getting ready to pupate. Strange-looking thing, but wonderful to see.

Subject: RE: BS: Isn't nature amazing?
From: Janie
Date: 08 Sep 12 - 03:18 PM

I don't happen to live on a migratory flyway but am eagerly anticipating the influx of birds who winter here - actually see more variety of birds in winter than in summer. Neither groundhogs nor bears hibernate in the mid south in winter, but fur does get thicker and colors change. Yesterday observed to adult female white-tailed deer, a juvenile female and 4 spotted fawns grazing on the hostas in a neighbor's yard. The adults are starting to change from summer red to winter gray/brown. Acclimated as they are to people and town living, they fled not my car turning into the driveway, or me getting out of the car and slamming the door. They simply all stood, less than 15 feet away, and stared curiously, answering my own curious stare.

Subject: RE: BS: Isn't nature amazing?
From: gnu
Date: 08 Sep 12 - 04:48 PM

The blackbirds and bluejays arrived early this year = early fall. Especially with the full moon just past.

One of the best was te crow migration I saw at PM on 2008.11.05.

I have a spring crow "migration" on video... thousands of them in the trees out back, out front, on the rooves of apartment buildings next to me.

Last winter, cold as heck and a huge flock of robins attacked the frozen apples in the apple tree. Nevr seen robins here in the dead of winter before except for a solitary one that loved getting
drunk. Years before, Cedar Waxwings were here at the apple tree for days when it was REALLY cold> And that brought in a Sharp Shinned Hawk. I have video of the hawk and lots of brown feathers.

Indeed, nature is amazing.