Category: Wildlife

Shower lurker

On By CarynIn Wildlife

I went to take a shower and someone was already in there. She was a small someone, a house gecko, but we were both surprised.

Photo description: house gecko “hiding” in my cupped hand

I assume a cat brought her in, but it is getting colder and she could have found her own way to the shower, since she seemed undamaged, just cold. The shower glass and tile were too slick for the gecko to climb, so she was stuck. I took her back outside and put her into the deck box, since it is a protected place where I’ve found geckos before. I give the pronoun “she”, but honestly I didn’t ask preference, or check. She was much too cooperative and polite to be an “it”.

Squirrel vs antler

On By CarynIn Wildlife

I read that squirrels will gnaw on antlers and bone, so I attached a deer antler to a tree. The squirrels love it, so much so that they chewed through it.

Photo description: deer antler with many, many squirrel teeth marks, especially at the top near the screw holding it to the tree and at the bend where they chewed completely through the antler

When I look out the window I’m just as likely to see a squirrel gnawing away at the antler as I am to see them eating corn or gathering peanuts.

I do regret not having a trail cam pointed at the antler for the moment the chewed through section fell off, since it was also a favorite squirrel perch.

National Bison Day

On By CarynIn Wildlife

Happy National Bison Day! As you are coming off the sugar high from yesterday, gear up for winter with some bison, because no one does winter better than our national mammal.

Photo description: white bison coming head on (not to butt, but to get treats) on the Buena Vista Wildlife Safari

Here is more about today from the National Bison Association.

https://nationalbison.org/celebrate-national-bison-day-honoring-americas-national-mammal-and-its-regenerative-legacy/

Here are some great products made of bison: https://thebuffalowoolco.com (not an affiliate link, I just love what they do and that they are local!)

So have some bison burgers, warm your fingers and toes with some buffalo wool knits, or treat your skin to some American made products today. Support local. Support the continuation of an American icon.

Happy Halloween

On By CarynIn Insects, Wildlife

Here is a collection of spiders from around the house in celebration of Halloween.

Photo description: Garden Spider closeup. This girl is set up at the back of the house by the catio.
Photo description: the chunkiest high-eyelash jumping spider I have ever seen, hanging out on a metal gate.
Photo description: a different high-eyelash jumping spider hanging out on a different gate with a pretty abdomen pattern
Photo description: Orb Weaver Spider silhouette against a clear blue sky. She set up in the meadow and I was able to get under her high web for the photo.
Photo description: Scarlet Jumping Spider. This one is new to me, and he was hanging out on the metal gate. I love the way they look at me, calculating risk. I took many, many photos of him, trying to get the focus right. I didn’t quite get it sharp, but he was quite small.

Garage toad

On By CarynIn Wildlife

I have a Gulf Coast toad living in my garage. I went to take out the trash and he was sitting in the middle of the floor, not caring about my movements at all. Usually he hops away from me, but not today.

Photo description: Gulf Coast Toad sitting on a concrete floor

It turns out that there were grubs under the trash bags. Here is a video of him eating one. I used to think he used the garage as home base and went outside to eat. I guess that isn’t always necessary. Good toad.