Wildlife Around Your Home (post pics if you've got 'em!)

madtowndave

I'm so glad there aren't any poisonous snakes in this part of MN.

PJ_Soul

I really like snakes.... I don't want to run into any poisonous ones obviously... But generally, I think they're cool. I used to play with them as a kid. Drove my poor mom crazy, as she has a serious snake phobia, lol.

madtowndave

We have garter snakes around our house, and while they don't bother me, I've scared myself when I almost stepped on a couple.

brianlux

Snakes are awesome!  My favorite sightings on hikes have included a California King Snake in Sonoma County, CA and a sidewinder in Joshua Trees National Monument. 

dankind

I would catch snakes what seemed like every day when I was a kid. The only one that ever bit me was a king snake. It slithered before I could grab it by its head, so I wound up grabbing it by its tail. When I reached out my other hand to grab its head, the snake turned around and struck it. That thing wasn’t putting up with my shit that day. 

Last time I visited family in Florida, I caught a black racer to show to my kids. All I ever see up here is garter snakes. 

rhanishane

GeGeorge & Mikey. Rescued Cockatoos -Australia ✌

Fifthelement

blackhawks said:

I about stepped on it but it was nice and said hey, don’t crush me.  Never new I had a 6ft vertical leap......

That is a healthy looking snake.  Nice shot.

bbiggs

darwinstheory said:

Here's one from my yard last summer. Harmless, but still made me jump back about 5 feet.

I’m the furthest from an expert but are you sure that’s not a brown recluse? I believe one of their signature markings is an upside down “violin” and it almost looks like one starting near the head and running backwards. I’m probably wrong. Either way, big f’n spider there! 

bbiggs

blackhawks said:

I about stepped on it but it was nice and said hey, don’t crush me.  Never new I had a 6ft vertical leap......

That is serious shit right there! I like snakes but would not want to encounter one in that setting. Every time I visit my in laws in the desert, my head is on a swivel. 

markymark550

bbiggs said:

darwinstheory said:

Here's one from my yard last summer. Harmless, but still made me jump back about 5 feet.

I’m the furthest from an expert but are you sure that’s not a brown recluse? I believe one of their signature markings is an upside down “violin” and it almost looks like one starting near the head and running backwards. I’m probably wrong. Either way, big f’n spider there! 

Pretty sure that's a wolf spider. They commonly get confused with the brown recluse. The violin on the recluse is more pronounced than the one seen in the picture.

jeffbr

Had a visit by a mama and her 2 cubs yesterday. Lots of bear sightings around here, but they don't usually come play in the neighborhood during the day when people are out. It was garbage day today, and they had a smorgasbord of stuff to choose from. I was standing in my front yard next door and they didn't seem the least bit bothered by me. (ps - those are my neighbor's leaves, mine are picked up.   )

oceaninmyeyes

jeffbr said:

Had a visit by a mama and her 2 cubs yesterday. Lots of bear sightings around here, but they don't usually come play in the neighborhood during the day when people are out. It was garbage day today, and they had a smorgasbord of stuff to choose from. I was standing in my front yard next door and they didn't seem the least bit bothered by me. (ps - those are my neighbor's leaves, mine are picked up.   )

Beautiful bears. BTW, if your neighbors wait long enough, the wind will blow and those will be your leaves.

brianlux

jeffbr said:

Had a visit by a mama and her 2 cubs yesterday. Lots of bear sightings around here, but they don't usually come play in the neighborhood during the day when people are out. It was garbage day today, and they had a smorgasbord of stuff to choose from. I was standing in my front yard next door and they didn't seem the least bit bothered by me. (ps - those are my neighbor's leaves, mine are picked up.   )

Impressive beasts but lousy table manners, haha!

Fifthelement

This gorgeous creature was on the window of my truck.  I opened the window and it fell in.  I thought it was dead at first cause it was in a tiny little ball on my jacket and then, lo and behold, it opened up.  It sure is good looking.

lastexitlondon

I am SO glad in England we have critters like these. House spiders scare the shit out of most English people

eeriepadave

brianlux said:

jeffbr said:

Had a visit by a mama and her 2 cubs yesterday. Lots of bear sightings around here, but they don't usually come play in the neighborhood during the day when people are out. It was garbage day today, and they had a smorgasbord of stuff to choose from. I was standing in my front yard next door and they didn't seem the least bit bothered by me. (ps - those are my neighbor's leaves, mine are picked up.   )

Impressive beasts but lousy table manners, haha!

Did you call the Bear Patrol?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkV_ztynYDM

Jason P

Let the bears pay the bears tax, I'll pay the Homer tax.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

Came across this magnificent beast cross country skiing this morning:

brianlux

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

Came across this magnificent beast cross country skiing this morning:

Bullwinkle!

Thirty Bills Unpaid

Hey Bri...

That moose was awesome to behold. The picture doesn't do it great justice, but it's back and shoulders were massive- it was very healthy. I didn't want to venture too close because it had a calf nearby. They can be dangerous when they feel threatened- one attacked my dad when he was snowmobiling and tried to free a calf found stuck in some deadfall.

Powerful and strong animals. Just awesome to see in the wild.