Critters and wildlife in your area - post your pics
- Thread starter Oh Little Oji
- Start date
Yup
but I think I finally got Rumor to leave them alone. Now we have to work on flying things like dragonflies and bees.
LifeofRubie
Moderator
Looks like we have a new resident!
This was from the weekend
And from tonight! Hanging out on the window above the front door.
I believe it's a male? He's about 4" long!
This was from the weekend
And from tonight! Hanging out on the window above the front door.
I believe it's a male? He's about 4" long!
I love the praying mantis! I think they're so cool. I remember one year we had one on the deck at the end of summer that I almost thought about bringing inside! That night we were finally going to get a freeze and I knew he would be a goner. But I had a cat at the time and even considering putting him on some of my plants, I figured somebody would get him. Cat or dog. I had to let nature take its course. But I felt bad.
LifeofRubie
Moderator
He is really cool! With the plants, landscape lighting, and porch lighting on the front of the house, we've seen spider webs and now this guy pop up. I'm sure it's a smorgasbord for them! Fine by me; get at 'em!
Oh, and I forgot! Moo caught a Cicada the other day. He was very proud of himself. If you watch the video with sound, you can hear it buzzing in his mouth
I think he spit it out, though
The butterflies have just been amazing out here this year. I don't know if somehow I'm noticing them more or what. But despite the drought, there have been a lot here. Maybe it's because of the drought and the fact that we have a lot of flowers here and keep them watered. They may be having trouble finding food. No lack of it here!
Our big Sedum plants are blooming or have been blooming. LOL I took these pictures back on the 12th of September. The skipper butterflies adore these plants! As soon as they start to open, the butterflies cover them!
Our big Sedum plants are blooming or have been blooming. LOL I took these pictures back on the 12th of September. The skipper butterflies adore these plants! As soon as they start to open, the butterflies cover them!
LifeofRubie
Moderator
We've seen signs around the neighborhood like "something-something certified butterfly habitat." not sure what the benefits are to getting it but sure seems like you'd be eligible!
It's probably something like this (below) I can't do all the stages, or maybe it's that I don't want to....lol...Most of the caterpillar foods are weeds and we are either trying to get rid of weeds or they are poisonous to horses. Like Milkweed. If feeding the butterflies applies, then we're good! lol But I know it more about the whole life cycle.
I suppose there could be other native plants here that feed them that I am not even aware of.
Butterfly Garden Certification Program
TO JOIN NABA BUTTERFLY GARDEN CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, YOUR GARDEN NEEDS TO MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
- At least three different native caterpillar food plants must be grown, preferably more than one plant of each selected species
- At least three different native butterfly nectar sources must be grown, preferably more than one plant of each selected species
- The use of pesticides is discouraged. Pesticides can kill butterflies as well as other important pollinators.
Beautiful MB! We had one wildflower bush that attracted them like that (maybe milkweed?) but it hasn't bloomed the last few years. 
This one hung out at our planters for 1 day and it was really pretty but I have no idea what it is since I've never seen one like it before around here.
This one hung out at our planters for 1 day and it was really pretty but I have no idea what it is since I've never seen one like it before around here.
LifeofRubie
Moderator
When we got home from taking the Dingo's for a walk last night, we saw these guys! I've actually been pretty disappointed in my Honeysuckle Vine because it's been sad looking all summer but it seems it was just waiting for some cooler weather because it's really taken off and smells WONDERFUL right now. I was going to get rid of it next summer but if it brings these guys around... I might just relocate it. Their official name, I believe, is White Lined Sphinx Moth
LifeofRubie
Moderator
Cool! Do they set off your Ring Doorbell?
haha, no! It's set to medium sensitivity so will ignore 'things' of a smaller size unless they're right on top of the camera. I know this because there has been something digging in my plants on the porch and I haven't seen who/what it is....
Uh, oh, time to reset those settings!
This happened last night after dinner. I was outside with Kali when suddenly I saw her going after something in the grass. I don't know why I didn't just let her get it, but I'm always worried that it's something that could hurt her. So I wanted to see it first. I wasn't too afraid that it was a snake only because the last time I saw a bull snake, I think she was afraid. As soon as it started hissing, she backed off. Which is a good thing! So I just felt like it wasn't a snake. I did wonder if it was a baby one. But even so, I thought she wouldn't go after it if it was a snake. Maybe a mouse?
In any event, I went over there to investigate with her. I was quite taken back when the thing started buzzing and making a sound that I've never heard before!!
WTH? I didn't have gloves on or have a stick or anything. I wasn't about to dig in the grass barehanded! 
It gave me such a creepy feeling every time I heard that thing make noise! 
And Kali really wanted to get it! I had to keep holding her back. She is such a hunter!!
After a while, the thought came to me that it could be a cicada? Does anybody else have a thoughts on what this could be? It's a 6 minute video so you might want to skim through. Or not
I just kept it running as we both investigated! I really wanted to find out what it was.
In any event, I went over there to investigate with her. I was quite taken back when the thing started buzzing and making a sound that I've never heard before!!
WTH? I didn't have gloves on or have a stick or anything. I wasn't about to dig in the grass barehanded! It gave me such a creepy feeling every time I heard that thing make noise! And Kali really wanted to get it! I had to keep holding her back. She is such a hunter!!After a while, the thought came to me that it could be a cicada? Does anybody else have a thoughts on what this could be? It's a 6 minute video so you might want to skim through. Or not
I just kept it running as we both investigated! I really wanted to find out what it was.
jazzies mum
Hot Topics Subscriber
I would REALLY like to know what that was too. Some sort of cricket? I'm betting on an insect of some kind anyway.
This happened last night after dinner. I was outside with Kali when suddenly I saw her going after something in the grass. I don't know why I didn't just let her get it, but I'm always worried that it's something that could hurt her. So I wanted to see it first. I wasn't too afraid that it was a snake only because the last time I saw a bull snake, I think she was afraid. As soon as it started hissing, she backed off. Which is a good thing! So I just felt like it wasn't a snake. I did wonder if it was a baby one. But even so, I thought she wouldn't go after it if it was a snake. Maybe a mouse?
In any event, I went over there to investigate with her. I was quite taken back when the thing started buzzing and making a sound that I've never heard before!!
After a while, the thought came to me that it could be a cicada? Does anybody else have a thoughts on what this could be? It's a 6 minute video so you might want to skim through. Or not
I watched the whole thing. Completely mesmerised!! I was like ‘Please God, don’t make me jump!!!’
Kali is one great little hunter. She’s like ‘Mum, let me deal with this!’
I’m thinking some kind a cricket, too. Whatever it is it’s got some set of lungs on it Lol
Last edited:
Wow, well that eliminates that doesn't it?
Isn't it wild? LOL I can't imagine! I did send it to my insect Guru, my daughter-in-law's brother! Still waiting to hear from him.Kali is one great little hunter. She’s like ‘Mum, let me deal with this!’
I’m thinking some kind a cricket, too. Whatever it is it’s got some set of lungs on it Lol
It does sound like that, doesn't it? LOL it's the weirdest thing! I've never heard of anything making that kind of sound.@MyBuddy I think you have a squeaky fan belt in your grass.
