666 Gets me Wildlife

By Skeeter

Dawn sent a request my way and I decided to follow it today. Go to her blog at C&G Design to see the challenge along with some wonderful crafts if you like. Basically, you need to go into your photo files and count down to the 6th folder. Open the folder then go to the 6th picture and share it with everyone. Then you are to request 6 more people do the same. I will partly play along showing you my pictures but will not pick 6 people to forward. It was fun doing this as pictures are a way for us to remember many things. I take a lot of pictures so I was still in the "A" folders which was the first letter for the word Animals.

On this sunny day here in Georgia, we went to one of our many wonderful State Parks. While peering over into the stream below we spotted a large grouping of turtles. We had never seen such a grouping as this in the water and were amazed as to how there were splashing around.

A few more feet along our stroll along the boardwalk and we spotted a baby alligator. I recall us seeing 2 babies that day and also a rather large alligator we assume to be mommy or daddy. We did not get close enough to see which but with all wild animals when around their young, be aware of your surroundings.

Since we are on the topic of animals, lets just keep the theme going shall we? Here is a opossum that decided to visit my parents back porch in Tennessee where they keep food for the neighbors visiting cats. Here Bob the Tuxedo Cat is saying hello to Ollie the opossum. My dad named him Ollie. My mom was not too happy to see Ollie on the porch so now when the sun goes down, the food goes inside for the night.
Animals are a big part of our every day life whether in the house or outside in our gardens. Here Sheba gives my new chair a Cat Scan after the Saint puts it together making sure it is sitting quality. Good Sheba kitty.

We cannot pour a glass of milk without an animal getting involved. I had poured this glass of milk and set it on the desk then made the mistake of turning around for a second. Just as human children, you cannot take your eyes off your fur children for too long or they will be into something. Bad Cheetah kitty!

Our fur children are inside only kitties but our neighbors pets come to visit us daily. Here OJ (Orange Juice) enjoys napping in my flower garden. Poor Yarrow is getting squashed by that darn cat! Bad OJ kitty...

But look how sweet of a face on that boy. Sure does remind me of my Skeeter kitty. How could I run him out of the garden? He is my little garden buddy and keeps me company in the garden.

I cannot walk through our woods without spotting some type of strange wildlife. How I spotted this is beyond me but when watching where you walk in the warmer months due to the possibility of snakes, I guess your eyes see things even when so small. Lets move in for a closer look shall we....

I have no idea what these things are but see them often. At first I thought they were ants but not so. Whenever I see these things they are in a circle such as this one with all facing outwards as if protecting the one in the middle. The term Circling the Wagon comes to mind here. Does anyone know what these red bugs could be? I have never seen them on my veggies or flowers but on leaves in the woods and once on the trashcan of all places.

Peter cotton tail is back again and will only show me his back on this day. Since OJ kitty hangs around, we don't see Peter, Paula and the rest of the gang as often as we did last year. Oh well, maybe some plants will not be nibbled on by them this year. A good trade off for allowing OJ to lay in the yarrow.

Mr. Toad is not seen as often since OJ's arrival either. They are fascinating creatures to my mind.

I spotted our first snake in the woods a few weeks ago. I was on the lawn mower and had the camera in my hand. Yep, only a garden blogger or a crazy gal would mow the grass with a camera in hand.

Here is a closer look of my friend. He is a Rat, Chicken or King Snake as some call them all of those names at times. He is a harmless snake and will eat rodents such as mice and voles so welcome in my yard as long as he does not mistake my ankle for a mouse!

This Anole (lizard) was on the front porch while shedding his skin. I really do enjoy these creatures and find them so much fun to observe. They are bright green one minute then once on a dark surface, they change to a brown color.

A closer view shows him expanding his throat. They do this behavior when establishing territory or trying to get a mate. Hum, wonder if he liked the way I looked or was trying to run me off as I was not his type?

I was in the garage when I spotted this cutie pie with its tiny head hanging over the nest. We have been keeping the truck out of the garage so as to keep OJ kitty farther away from the nest.

This little guy must have only been a few days old when I spotted him. Such a little baby at this point in life.

I went to check on the baby's and to take an updated picture of them to find an empty nest! I found OJ lying under the car which was parked away from the nest. I looked near him for feathers but did not find any in the garage. I feared he had gotten to them. I then spotted this little one under our boat next to the garage. The little things had just fledged. OJ came out to see me and I had to get his attention away from the direction of the bird. If he had seen the baby bird, it would have become a meal as kittens are so quick on their pounce! I was rubbing him with my left hand while snapping this picture with my right hand trying to be so steady and focus. I was shocked that I got a clear picture of the little Phoebe bird. I coaxed OJ to follow me to the patio where I stayed with him while sweating in the humid heat of the day! I stayed with him until he started to nap then I made a quick dash for the cool house. I made sure he stayed in the backyard away from the boat for the remainder of the afternoon. I did not see Phoebe again and can only assume it finally got enough strength to flutter into a tree per Mommy's request. Yippee, the truck can now go back into the garage!

We see plenty of wildlife at the lake as well. Do you see it in this picture above? Lets move in closer then...
Ah, there is the turtle keeping warm in the sunshine from above! We see turtles with every lake visit.

We checked on the two known nests on power lines with our last lake visit. The Osprey are on both nests so they are still flourishing at the lake with belly's full of fish.

We find these bird nests very interesting. They are located under the bridges of the lake. The nest is made of mud and hold the babies of swallow birds. The nest to the left has a baby looking out waiting for mommy to bring a treat! The sun was in my eyes and I could not get a better picture plus the boat was moving a bit faster then I wanted it to be moving. Saint, next time, let me snap a good picture okay?

Even though an animal lover I do partake in fishing. I know how could I be so mean to a fish. I am a county gal and we fish. Sorry and maybe one day guilt will take over and I will no longer fish. We do practice Catch and Release and I was proud of this fish I caught last weekend. I snapped the picture then the Saint carefully placed him back into the water.

Here is one last wild thing I want to show you. Yes, that is a tiller hiding amongst the weeds of my neighbors Wild yard. Notice the hood up on the car in the background. I don't really care what they do over the fence as it is their yard to do with as they see fit, they pay the mortgage and not me. But where do you think some of those dandelion seeds will fly to? Yep, my yard to become my problem. Argggggggg....

So Dawn, there you have it, 666 GETS ME WILDLIFE, In the Garden...

Note: Dave identified the insects as Assassin bugs! They are beneficial to the garden. Go read his blog about Assassin Bugs to find out more... Thanks Dave! Blogging is so grand!!!