Cool Nature Photos

[dodge man]

We’ve lived outside of town for 28 years and I’ve seen exactly one pheasant. In Illinois they are pretty rare unless the were hand raised and then turned loose.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I never have my camera on when needed but last night coming home in my truck right at my mailbox it looked like someone let out six house cats except they were all in a group, all the same dark color, larger and ran up my first driveway towards the house, so I drove after them. Strange "loping" run not like a cat. One turned and I saw the face.
Best I can tell they were young fisher cats.
My mailbox is about 100 yards from a neighbor's chicken coup and that would explain it. If I see them I'll dispose of them...don't need that!
Here's a picture of an adult.
Here it's always something, bear, coyote, wolf, cougar...everything but squatch and we think we've even heard one of those!

 

[yanmars]

Have not seen a quail or pheasant here in western Ohio in 35 years.

 

[deserteagle71]

Visited an old abandoned mining camp in Nevada's Clan Alpine mountains yesterday. Among the neat artifacts laying around (location is very remote and extremely difficult to get to) was this old ring gear someone had place on this cedar tree way back when. The tree has grown around the ring gear so only a portion of it is still visible. And a closeup shows why the ring gear was discarded - a section of the teeth is eaten away.

 

[MossRoad]

Cool!

 

[dj1701]

Last evening after my buddy climbed out of the tree stand and called it a day.
Bad light and rain so this is the best I could do offhand.

 

[dj1701]

I got a pic of a gray fox on the trail cam. I have never seen one before, just red foxes.

From what I read they are not as common as the red. They are the only fox that can climb trees.

Gray foxes have specialized physical adaptations for climbing. Unlike other canids, they possess semi-retractable claws that are sharper and more curved than those of other foxes, allowing for an enhanced grip on tree bark. These claws provide the necessary traction for ascending vertical trunks.

Gray foxes also have strong limbs and flexible ankle joints that can rotate more than 180 degrees. This rotation allows them to wrap their forelimbs around a tree trunk and push upward with their hind legs, a “hugging and scrambling” approach. Their light body weight, typically 7 to 14 pounds, further aids their ability to navigate branches. When descending, gray foxes climb down headfirst, rotating their hind feet for better visibility and control, a distinctive trait compared to most cats that descend backward.

Tree climbing provides several advantages for the gray fox’s survival. A primary reason for ascending trees is to escape predators such as coyotes, bobcats, and domestic dogs, which cannot follow them into the canopy. This vertical escape mechanism allows gray foxes to coexist with larger ground-based predators.

Trees also expand the gray fox’s foraging opportunities by providing access to arboreal prey. They hunt birds, squirrels, and their eggs, which are inaccessible to ground-dwelling carnivores. Gray foxes also utilize trees for shelter and resting, sometimes making dens in hollow trees or old raptor nests, often up to 30 feet above the ground. This elevated position offers protection from disturbances and harsh weather, and female foxes may select tree cavities for raising their young.

 

[EddieWalker]

Grey Foxes are going to be the end of my chicken operation if I can't figure out how to stop them from climbing my fences.

 

[dodge man]

I just saw something about foxes being able to climb trees.

 

[lman]

There were a couple of foxes right outside my garage a couple of nights ago.

 

[riptides]

Gamecam pic earlier this year

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Grey Foxes are going to be the end of my chicken operation if I can't figure out how to stop them from climbing my fences.

Lead works

 

[MossRoad]

I got a pic of a gray fox on the trail cam. I have never seen one before, just red foxes.

From what I read they are not as common as the red. They are the only fox that can climb trees.

Gray foxes have specialized physical adaptations for climbing. Unlike other canids, they possess semi-retractable claws that are sharper and more curved than those of other foxes, allowing for an enhanced grip on tree bark. These claws provide the necessary traction for ascending vertical trunks.

Gray foxes also have strong limbs and flexible ankle joints that can rotate more than 180 degrees. This rotation allows them to wrap their forelimbs around a tree trunk and push upward with their hind legs, a “hugging and scrambling” approach. Their light body weight, typically 7 to 14 pounds, further aids their ability to navigate branches. When descending, gray foxes climb down headfirst, rotating their hind feet for better visibility and control, a distinctive trait compared to most cats that descend backward.

Tree climbing provides several advantages for the gray fox’s survival. A primary reason for ascending trees is to escape predators such as coyotes, bobcats, and domestic dogs, which cannot follow them into the canopy. This vertical escape mechanism allows gray foxes to coexist with larger ground-based predators.

Trees also expand the gray fox’s foraging opportunities by providing access to arboreal prey. They hunt birds, squirrels, and their eggs, which are inaccessible to ground-dwelling carnivores. Gray foxes also utilize trees for shelter and resting, sometimes making dens in hollow trees or old raptor nests, often up to 30 feet above the ground. This elevated position offers protection from disturbances and harsh weather, and female foxes may select tree cavities for raising their young.

View attachment 4449028

I've only seen two gray foxes in my life, one when I was under 18 and the other about 20 years ago. Otherwise, all red foxes.

 

[weldingisfun]

I've only seen two gray foxes in my life, one when I was under 18 and the other about 20 years ago. Otherwise, all red foxes.

If you want to see gray foxes, come to Texas. Got plenty.

 

[John0829]

The weather forecasters that seldom ever get it right finally did.

 

[dj1701]

Right place right time. Never expected to see a pileated woodpecker on my feeder.

 

[MossRoad]

Nice!

Ever hear those things drumming? They have to think about it first!

 

[MossRoad]

It's why rock peckers went extinct...

 

[masseyrider]

Lead worksView attachment 4449125

Right back at someone who would shot a fox.

 

[snymat68]

The weather forecasters that seldom ever get it right finally did.

View attachment 4466714

You mean weather guessers? Lol.