Buds & bugs outdoor pics collection

[Tumbleweed375]

This trailhead is usually full of chipmunks and rabbits, I usually see 50 or so as I enter and exit the trail, but I didn't see any as I sparked a hiking doob... then I saw this sitting on a post about 20 yards in:

Not sure if it was a full belly, or he sees a lot of people on this trail, but he let me get really close. These red-tail hawks typically live in areas with people and highways so maybe a bit of both.

I whistle at it so I wouldn't spook it, but the second time I might have sounded a bit too much like a squirrel because it almost looks like he licks his lips.

Saw a few of these too, Italian wall lizard. I'd love if I could get them to hang out in my garden.

 

[Organic13]

What an encounter. Great capturing it too. Hope the hawk was okay, but it didn't appear injured or distressed.

Look up what those lizards preferences habitat and food wise and add or change things in your garden. They will most likely show up.

Thanks for sharing. Just buried one a few months ago. Found it and it just seemed right to do. Love me some birds of prey.

 

[Tumbleweed375]

What an encounter. Great capturing it too. Hope the hawk was okay, but it didn't appear injured or distressed.

Look up what those lizards preferences habitat and food wise and add or change things in your garden. They will most likely show up.

Thanks for sharing. Just buried one a few months ago. Found it and it just seemed right to do. Love me some birds of prey.

Thanks, Organic!
I thought the same when he didn't immediately fly. After the video he did a quick hop to another post, and everything was moving correctly. Wasn't limping or favoring a wing, so I think he was just unbothered. Unfortunately, I bet some hikers have thrown him a turkey sandwich once or twice... got him a bit too comfortable with humans.

They like walls and piles of stones, and eat most bugs or smaller reptiles. I have what they need, but I also have too many snakes, birds, and cats around .

I think you did the right thing, Organic. I'm also a big fan of the birds of prey.

 

[Mothman]

I was growing outdoors this summer for the first time. I had to get good at ID’ing good guys in the greenery. This was my first one—Pale Green Assassin Bug nymph.

 

[PlumberSoCal2]

Checking trichs on this Blueberry Hash Plant and find a couple moth eggs

Start searching and oh look

Sleeping with the fishes. Found a few more dying flowers. Then I see this

flutter about and land. The plants are about 70 days and within a week of harvest. I failed to spray neem last weekend when I did take down a few plants. They very quickly hatch and start their destruction.

This is the hardest part of growing here. This is a constant pretty much year round.

I'll mix up some Jack's Dead Bug for tonight.

 

[Galgrows]

This trailhead is usually full of chipmunks and rabbits, I usually see 50 or so as I enter and exit the trail, but I didn't see any as I sparked a hiking doob... then I saw this sitting on a post about 20 yards in:
View attachment 2258752

Not sure if it was a full belly, or he sees a lot of people on this trail, but he let me get really close. These red-tail hawks typically live in areas with people and highways so maybe a bit of both.
View attachment 2258759
I whistle at it so I wouldn't spook it, but the second time I might have sounded a bit too much like a squirrel because it almost looks like he licks his lips.

Saw a few of these too, Italian wall lizard. I'd love if I could get them to hang out in my garden.
View attachment 2258769

I love these pics

 

[Tumbleweed375]

I love these pics

Thanks! Getting that close to the hawk was incredible. Kinda scary, but really exciting. Those talons are intimidating .

I see those lizards often, but this guy had a lot of personality with his leg out like that

 

[orggrwr]

Escorting a copperhead off the property. Or at least off the driveway and into the woods.

 

[Organic13]

@Poekie A friend sent me these. They know me well.

 

[Poekie]

@Poekie A friend sent me these. They know me well.
View attachment 2261628View attachment 2261629

I can definitely relate to both pics lol.

 

[Poekie]

Look i just found this one while digging.

 

[GNick55]

Escorting a copperhead off the property. Or at least off the driveway and into the woods.
View attachment 2261602

he likes the warmth of your driveway

 

[GNick55]

View attachment 2261632

Look i just found this one while digging.

geezus on your hand,..
well that’s enough of this thread today

 

[Poekie]

geezus on your hand,..
well that’s enough of this thread today

Everytime i find one I keep them in a pot with old soil with some weeds growing, there they can transform to their next stage.
Rather not have them close to the roots of my plants.

 

[Mothman]

Escorting a copperhead off the property. Or at least off the driveway and into the woods.
View attachment 2261602

That’s a really big copperhead. And see, that behavior is what I don’t like. Most snakes if approached will try to leave or withdraw. But don’t count on that with copperheads. They sometimes just freeze and if WE don’t avoid it, danger Will Robinson!

Beautiful specimen!

 

[Poekie]

Massive destruction in my garden last night by a badger.
1 plant dug out completely and about half of the rest has some damage at the roots.
Also lost some peppers, tomatoes and beans.
Gonna have to make more protection, more and heavier stones around the plants.

Only animal i've seen doing more damage is wild boar.

 

[orggrwr]

That’s a really big copperhead. And see, that behavior is what I don’t like. Most snakes if approached will try to leave or withdraw. But don’t count on that with copperheads. They sometimes just freeze and if WE don’t avoid it, danger Will Robinson!

Beautiful specimen!

Yeah, I know. Most people around here kill them on site. But I'm a snake guy. Used to breed Corn snakes and King snakes back in the day, and now I work at an animal hospital. So killing an animal just for being an animal just ain't happening. And yes, it's one of the biggest and most beautiful copperheads I've seen

 

[DRan88]

 

[PlumberSoCal2]

Yeah, I know. Most people around here kill them on site. But I'm a snake guy. Used to breed Corn snakes and King snakes back in the day, and now I work at an animal hospital. So killing an animal just for being an animal just ain't happening. And yes, it's one of the biggest and most beautiful copperheads I've seen

Me too. Love snakes

 

[PlumberSoCal2]

While this looks like one insect

it is actually about 30+ insects called Scale

It's unusual to see them lined up like this but this isn't my first rodeo. This is the largest species here in so cal that I know.