Critters and wildlife in your area - post your pics

[Regalis]

We get turkeys in MI. And coyotes. No wolves in the lower peninsula, though. Cougars, yes. Though they are a bit rare. Black bears as well. And lots of deer.

We actually had a coyote run down the middle of our street when we lived in the city. On quiet nights, you could hear packs of them off in the distance (probably about a mile away). The only thing I really see in town is deer. My mom, who lives about 10 minutes away, gets coyotes that hang out in the field next to her (no more than 50 yards from her door wall). But usually only ever see one at a time.

I wish my dogs brought home treasures like that! I'd let them eat it, though, after I checked it.

 

[Rits]

We have turkeys here too, usually in a flock strutting around near the woods. Don't think I've ever seen one in a tree before!

Just recently we had another black bear spotted in IN. We had one last year but the DNR shot it... Haven't had any black bears in IN since 1870s. It's a shame... I think we should just learn to manage our lives a little better to live with nature just as we do with any other wildlife and only intervene when they become an issue. They are usually shy of you anyways.

 

[My2Girls]

Saw this roadrunner this morning. Haven't seen many in this part of TX. We used to see them a lot more in AZ.

 

[Gelcoater]

Spent a week in the dunes this past week, with such a wet season this year the desert was alive.

First critter up, catapillars!


These things were everywhere!
There were places the roads looked alive and breathing, the movement of mass amounts of these things looking for food and a place to cocoon. There were parts of I-10 through the Palm Springs area where the white line on the shoulder of the road was green with remnants where they are trying to cross the highway.

Next up, no pics but a brief description.
Morning #2 my buddy asks me to check out some strange tracks in the sand around his rig.
He didn't like my answer...sidewinder rattle snake.
We tried to track him, apparently he just cruised on through.

Next up, my snake experience.
Sundown, worn out from a hard ride. Reached into a box for something and right next to the box was movement.

I didn't get a pic, was too busy scrambling for a gun!

This is not the actual snake but an Internet pull of the variety.
Harmless Cali shovel nose, eats bugs.

Next up, the scorpion I found under the tent on tear down. Two of the last 3 trips result in one of these creeps under my tent.


He was super pissed off at me for disrupting him.
He lives today, set him free before we left.
Next up, the mystery creature.
It wandered up to our fire one night.

Was similar color to a scorpion, no pinchers, no stinging tail, but sinister looking none the less.

 

[Regalis]

Spent a week in the dunes this past week, with such a wet season this year the desert was alive.

First critter up, catapillars!
View attachment 71336
View attachment 71337
These things were everywhere!
There were places the roads looked alive and breathing, the movement of mass amounts of these things looking for food and a place to cocoon. There were parts of I-10 through the Palm Springs area where the white line on the shoulder of the road was green with remnants where they are trying to cross the highway.

Next up, no pics but a brief description.
Morning #2 my buddy asks me to check out some strange tracks in the sand around his rig.
He didn't like my answer...sidewinder rattle snake.
We tried to track him, apparently he just cruised on through.

Next up, my snake experience.
Sundown, worn out from a hard ride. Reached into a box for something and right next to the box was movement.

I didn't get a pic, was too busy scrambling for a gun!
View attachment 71338
This is not the actual snake but an Internet pull of the variety.
Harmless Cali shovel nose, eats bugs.

Next up, the scorpion I found under the tent on tear down. Two of the last 3 trips result in one of these creeps under my tent.
View attachment 71339
View attachment 71340
He was super pissed off at me for disrupting him.
He lives today, set him free before we left.
Next up, the mystery creature.
It wandered up to our fire one night.
View attachment 71341
Was similar color to a scorpion, no pinchers, no stinging tail, but sinister looking none the less.

Oh man, this is why I couldn't live somewhere like that .... I'd end up catching too many critters to bring home for pets!

 

[Gelcoater]

Oh man, this is why I couldn't live somewhere like that .... I'd end up catching too many critters to bring home for pets!

Lol.
I think I'm throwing my tent in the trash and getting an enclosed trailer.
Rented one for this trip for transport, ended up sleeping in it!

 

[Regalis]

Lol.
I think I'm throwing my tent in the trash and getting an enclosed trailer.
Rented one for this trip for transport, ended up sleeping in it!

I'm probably half insane we used to have a pair of Western diamond backs, various scorpions, tarantulas ... I really wanted a gila monster. Even had a couple black widow females. So when I see critters, my instinct is to catch them and keep them lol not much that's dangerous up here, though.

 

[Gelcoater]

I'm probably half insane we used to have a pair of Western diamond backs, various scorpions, tarantulas ... I really wanted a gila monster. Even had a couple black widow females. So when I see critters, my instinct is to catch them and keep them lol not much that's dangerous up here, though.

You're wired more like my dad. Rattlesnake in camp? He'll catch it, bag it and either remove it to a more remote location or, yeah he might have brought a couple home in the past.

Me, rattle snake in camp?

!!!!!

 

[Tropicalbri's]

@Gelcoater its good to see you back. We were starting to worry about you!! Glad it was camping with critters. Lol

 

[JanS]

@Gelcoater its good to see you back. We were starting to worry about you!! Glad it was camping with critters.

Exactly what I was going to say! Good to see you back Gel!

That almost looks like a Forest Tent caterpillar that we get in hoards around here every 15 years or so. They also cover the roads and even make them slippery, not to mention your car stinky when you run over them.


As for the snakes, no thank you...

 

[Tropicalbri's]

I was finishing up the tongue and groove decking on the band stage and when I moved the pile of old wood there was a beautiful intact snake skin. It has to be from the black snake that has been living here for so long. I used to see him weekly in the yard but now I think the pups have kept him in hiding. :/

 

[MyBuddy]

Next up, the scorpion I found under the tent on tear down.

You had me until Scorpion!!!! Never, ever catch me in a tent on the ground. I'll go in the enclosed trailer with you!!!

 

[Tropicalbri's]

You had me until Scorpion!!!! Never, ever catch me in a tent on the ground. I'll go in the enclosed trailer with you!!!

I wanted to agree along with funny.
I don't like scorpions or centipedes. If someone made me choose which one to be locked up with.....well just give me a gun because I would rather be in a den of snakes than with either of the above. Lol

 

[Tropicalbri's]

Spent a week in the dunes this past week, with such a wet season this year the desert was alive.

First critter up, catapillars!
View attachment 71336
View attachment 71337
These things were everywhere!
There were places the roads looked alive and breathing, the movement of mass amounts of these things looking for food and a place to cocoon. There were parts of I-10 through the Palm Springs area where the white line on the shoulder of the road was green with remnants where they are trying to cross the highway.

Next up, no pics but a brief description.
Morning #2 my buddy asks me to check out some strange tracks in the sand around his rig.
He didn't like my answer...sidewinder rattle snake.
We tried to track him, apparently he just cruised on through.

Next up, my snake experience.
Sundown, worn out from a hard ride. Reached into a box for something and right next to the box was movement.

I didn't get a pic, was too busy scrambling for a gun!
View attachment 71338
This is not the actual snake but an Internet pull of the variety.
Harmless Cali shovel nose, eats bugs.

Next up, the scorpion I found under the tent on tear down. Two of the last 3 trips result in one of these creeps under my tent.
View attachment 71339
View attachment 71340
He was super pissed off at me for disrupting him.
He lives today, set him free before we left.
Next up, the mystery creature.
It wandered up to our fire one night.
View attachment 71341
Was similar color to a scorpion, no pinchers, no stinging tail, but sinister looking none the less.

Gel, I was told the green scorpions are pretty dangerous when I did a 90 day survival training in Utah, Colorado by our instructors.
I know the small pale ones down here can be lethal but the black/maroon colored ones (looks like emperor scorpions) are not venomous. If you have sensitivities then you might react to a sting.

 

[Regalis]

know the small pale ones down here can be lethal but the black/maroon colored ones (looks like emperor scorpions) are not venomous. If you have sensitivities then you might react to a sting.

Geesh, there is a lot of faulty info out there about the creepy crawlies. ALL scorpions are venomous, just as all tarantulas. Venomous does not necessarily mean deadly to humans. The truly deadly scorpions are found in India/asia and even most of those are only deadly sometimes. The chances of being allergic are actually really slim. A lot of people like to try to compare them to a bee sting, but that is wildly inaccurate as the composition of the venom is very different. If you have a heart condition, then I'd be careful around the more potent ones. But for the average healthy adult, there's only a select few that I'd avoid (death stalker, for instance). Like spiders and tarantulas, people always assume the absolute worst and caution others out of fear. Fun tidbit - black widows are not nearly as dangerous as most people think they are. No tarantula is deadly (unless you are somehow allergic or stupid enough to let a bite get infected). And scorpions, unless you live outside of the US are most likely not going to kill you. Though some of them hurt like hell. Emperor's actually don't even really hurt.

Not trying to be nitpicky. Honest. It just amazes me the level of misinformation out there regarding the more creepy/crawly critters. They're not nearly as scary as the masses think. Now venomous snakes? Different story. Most of those can kill a human with ease. Even the babies.

 

[Tropicalbri's]

Fun tidbit - black widows are not nearly as dangerous as most people think they are.

We have the brown widows down here and I have come across many an egg sack when cleaning out a property.
As far as stings by scorpions, my friend crawled under a house with a lot of little scorpions. He wound up in ICU. As far as being deadly.....if you are rock climbing camping, days away from help and get stung then I consider that an emergency. Each person reacts differently to bites, stings, etc. Is is deadly?? Not for most but the possibilities for adverse health effects for some are increased.
My husband got stung while asleep by a 14" centipede when we lived in the VI, he almost died from it and was air vac to a hospital in San Juan Puerto Rico. It was not a pleasant experience.
I have been bit and stung by many critters but the worst for me is a wasp sting. The epipen keeps me going long enough for EMTs to reach me.
Venom is toxin injected by means of a bite or sting to disable. How one reacts to it is, however their body responds to it and is able to process the toxins. I am sure there are people with immunity that comes from exposure and others that may have cardio respiratory issues that can't handle it. Your body over producing histamines in response to a sting or bite is where that bite or sting can become a life and death situation.
I have handled Asian bird eating spiders, tarantulas of many types but I just don't particularly care to do so. Spiders are fragile and requires a gentle hand with working with them. They fascinate me but do not give me warm and fuzzys.
I've handled scorpions as well but again while they fascinate me they don't enthrall me.
I believe venomous relates to disabling, then the death comes from predator eating the prey.

 

[MyBuddy]

They're not nearly as scary as the masses think

They're still scary ! lol I'm not worried about dying, I'm worried about 'that' on me!! I'll worry about dying if they bite me.

They're still creepy walking away from me.

 

[MyBuddy]

April 1st, I look out from the house and see 4 deer walking behind the horse pasture. (No Foolin'! )This isn't the best picture because it was taken with my phone and zoomed in all the way from inside my house. That's a long way LOL but you can see four of them and a short time later there were two more! I don't know if I've ever seen six at once and it look like a few babies. They were back there for some time grazing on the grass and the horses were entertained LOL

 

[Brioddy]

Just a typical boat ride on the river!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

View attachment 71600 View attachment 71601 View attachment 71602

Just a typical boat ride on the river!

I miss eagles!