Nature & Wildlife Thread

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Can anyone tell me what these are called? I seem to have several in the ponds every year.
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tbendl

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Last night apparently was the epic "Let me Sing You the Song of My People"-athon between the Frogs and my cat Calvin. While the Frogs were in the lead until early morning, Calvin came on strong for the win at 3:30 this morning.
Ahhh Spring, what you giveth in growth and sunlight you taketh away in allergies and night noises.
 

j.w

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You should have recorded it all T. I am going around now clearing my itchy throat and sneezing. Not too bad but rather annoying.
 

JBtheExplorer

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Been off the forum for over a week. Had a pond nightmare and wasn't in the mood to talk ponding. I lost 3 fish not more than a few days before they were going back outside. If you're counting, that means I have two left. They're healthy and happy and out in the pond now. I talked to a few people about it including one who takes care of tons of fish and overall there could've been multiple factors that contributed, but long story short, all fish will be staying outdoors for future winters. There are just too many extra things that can go wrong by bringing them in. I hope to add some new fish to the pond next month. My seven baby fish are still doing great in the pond, too.

Moving past that disaster, and trust me, I'm ready to move on, let's talk about nature. I went walking last Thursday at a small woodland that I was told has salamanders. It's one of the only areas nearby that is known to have them. I flipped log after log and after not too long, I found two Blue-spotted Salamanders.
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They were great finds, but equally as exciting, if not more exciting, was finding a specie of snake that I've never before seen. Two DeKay's Brownsnakes were sunning on a log. Not sure how I saw them, they blended right in. They were relatively calm, and probably the smoothest-feeling snakes I've come across.
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As far as plants go, Bloodroot was blooming all over woods.
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A few days ago, I looked out my front window and saw a Male Turkey eating at the feeder! Safe to say thats the largest bird I've ever had at the feeder!
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Then, yesterday, as I was doing yardwork, I walked right past it without realizing it was there. I was walking to the garage to get a shovel, I grabbed it and turned around and realized it was in the driveway. It slowly walked to the backyard and looked like it was heading into the woods.
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Today, dozens of Painted Turtles were out sunning at the pond in the woods. Look how tan they are! :LOL:
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and a group of tadpoles were swimming around the lookout deck.
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Lastly, I finally got a Peach tree. I've wanted on for years. I'm not sure how many years until it starts producing peaches, and really know nothing about how to take care of one, but I can't wait! Peaches straight off the tree taste unbelievable. I also bought a strawberry plant, and recently a blueberry bush, so when everything starts producing, I'll have some great food. I also plant peas and tomatoes each year.
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What wonderful photos, JB! Thanks for sharing your adventures. The island on which I live has a number of flocks of turkeys, so it is not unusual to have to stop the car and wait for them to cross the road. Your photo of the communing turtles is gorgeous, and bloodroot! It always seems special to me.
 

JBtheExplorer

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I am sorry about the loss of your fish.

It sucks, but at least it's an experience to learn from. I've already learned a ton over the past 5 years and each pond I've put in has become a healthier and healthier environment from the last, so, at very least, I'm gaining experience from the good and from the bad.
 

addy1

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But I cry at those sad dog food commercials so.....
I can't stand to watch them and can not ever go into the pound, i would leave with every dog in there. Last time I did go into one, I left with three.
 

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