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First of all, by "wildlife", I mean animals!  ;D In some of our suburban areas of Los Angeles we have coyotes, bears, and during some months we have rattlesnakes.   Some suburban parks even have mountain lions...when sighted those trails are closed as they are quite dangerous and they have wounded and even killed some people that were jogging or on bikes.

But would you believe, because of the drought small packs of coyotes have even been spotted in the city of Los Angeles in the evenings!!  One area is called Hancock Park...an area of affluent homes....the coyotes come there regularly and people need to beware of them while walking their dogs.  Some people got a very shrill "horn" to blow at them.

Now that we had the very big Griffith Park fire (largest urban wilderness park in the USA), more animals are coming into some areas of the city.

Oh, one funny story about a bear....it kept coming and getting into someone's jaccuzi hot tub.  He was on the news alot.  :)  Finally, they had to put it in a zoo...he has his own pool there.

We have three ducks that come in my yard almost daily. One mallard and two hens. The city lagoon which is just three blocks from me has cranes and a blue herring now and then. Naturally we have Canadian Geese about twice a year that swarms there also. We also have a family of raccoons and some ground hogs. On the edge of the city we have a family of red foxes and a lot of coyotes. We also have squirrel and rabbits that come up that my wife puts food out for.

Nothing here as big as the bear or mountain lions though.

For many years, we had a family of rabbits at the very end of the yard.  However, they haven't been seen lately.  We frequently have 3 or 4 deer in the yard.  They continue to develop in this area (residential & retail), so the poor deer are losing all of their habitat.  I saw one the other day on the ramp to the Beltway.  He looked so confused.  My heart aches for them, especially the babies.

I enjoy the ducks, too.  I don't get to MacArthur Park too often anymore, but there are lots of ducks there.  It's just several  blocks from me.  I can remember the Canadian geese flying in a V back when I lived in PA.  Just curious, what state are you in, Pastor Roger?

Poor things....they are so sweet, too.  I hope your city or town will set aside some parklands for them before everything gets too built up.  Maybe some residents should ask for this before it's too late?  Makes it nicer for the residents, too, to have greenery, etc.

I'm in Illinois.

We have whitetail deer here. Many of them get hit every year as they cross the roads from the river to the fields and wooded areas. My sister and her husband used to own a farm before they retired. I loved going out there and just sitting in their yard as they had a large amount of wildlife in their yard all the time. They had a small pond in the back that drew them all in.

In our area of Florida, one might spot a rattlesnake if lucky or unlucky as the saying goes. For the most part they are pretty scarce as with all the new developments their habitat is being destroyed. In my yard I have many gray squirrels, a family of swamp rabbits (tiny short ears), and raccoons, armadillo, great horned owls, hawks, tiny lizards, nonpoisonous snakes, songbirds.

Brothers and Sisters,

I feel very fortunate to live within several blocks of the HUGE Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. I said that we live within blocks, and we do, but that would be as the crow flies. We run into a large fence, and we have to drive about 18 miles to get around it. By the way, I would want to drive around it because part of it is the West Range of Fort Sill, and they practice fairly frequently.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge has over 30 lakes, and it is a gorgeous place in a rugged sort of way. The idea is to leave almost all of it like it was 100s of years ago, and that goal has been reached with the exception of a few roads, buildings used by Refuge Staff for various purposes, and dams on several lakes.

We have herds of buffalo, deer, elk, and all kinds of animals who live in protected peace (wild turkeys, pigs, many birds, etc.). It's against the law to leave anything on the Refuge or take anything from it, so the vast expanse of it is wild. It's all fenced and the few entrances have cattle guards. It's a little bit late in the year to see tons of baby animals, but visitors can see all kinds of very young animals. In fact, many of the animals are rare. I've lived here all of my life, and I still love to visit the refuge to enjoy GOD'S Creation. In terms of wild animals coming into town, they usually only do that during times of drought or hunger. The refuge is an ideal place for them, and our rangers try to help the animals during hard times. However, they let nature take care of most things about 98% of the time. They do have limited programs for sick or diseased animals, most specifically diseases that could effect the safety of people. Their programs involving food and water also address the ultimate safety of people.

We do have mountain lions, bobcats, a very small number of bears, and maybe a tiny number of other predatory animals that would be a danger to people all of the time. Most of the people who have been hurt or killed on the refuge were doing very stupid things to wildlife in violation of refuge rules and and law. My family has camped on the refuge numerous times with wildlife all around us and never any big problems with animals except for keeping them out of our food. I'm biased, but I think we have some of the most beautiful camping sites in the country. We have a small number of sites with water and electricity, but the vast number are semi-primitive with nothing but a concrete table and a place to cook made out of rock. Then there are the really pretty places with nothing. Everything requires a permit and a tiny fee except just driving through. Nearly everything, except main roads, is closed to any vehicle traffic during hours of darkness. I'll stop now and end by saying it's a beautiful place.

That sounds like the Wildlife Prairie Park that is about 30 to 35 miles from me. Most of it is much like it was many years ago. All prairie and all natural with much of it being off limits for visitors to see up close although being prairie a person can see for many miles away. There is a small portion of it close to the entrance that has animals not native to this area such as lions and giraffes. Some of these are animals that came from zoo's that closed down and had no other place to go. The prairie being much like their own natural surroundings in Africa made it easy to set up a natural location for them here.

All of our animals are native with the possible exception of one: longhorn cattle. I don't know the entire story on the longhorn cattle herd on the refuge, but they've been there all of my life as far as I know.

I didn't mention that many of the animals are loose in unfenced areas within the refuge, so the speed limits are rightfully low. My wife and I have parked many times to enjoy the animals and ended up with all kinds of animals close to our car. That really what we wanted, and all you have to do is turn everything off and be quiet. The animals are far from domesticated, but they are protected to the extent that they don't have much fear of people. Some of the buffalo and longhorn get huge, and they are quite capable of tearing a car completely up.

The Ranger Staff does separate some of the animals during birthing season to help more of the little ones survive. Their management techniques change, so I can't explain it. I'll simply say that there are times when many little ones can be seen with their mothers - mainly buffalo, deer, and elk. They also have to separate various kinds of animals - probably to protect them. By the way, there are horrendous fines for anyone doing a long list of things to the animals. People aren't supposed to feed them at all, but nothing much is said about people feeding the prairie dogs. You can walk right up to many of them, and some will even eat out of your hand.

I don't know how large the refuge is, but I do know that parts of it are over 40 miles long. I'll guess that it's about 40 miles long and 20 miles wide. All of the trees and vegetation are completely native and natural. Nearly all construction was done many years ago by the WPA, and that includes what's called the Holy City of the Wichitas. That's the scene of the longest running Passion Play (Easter) in the world. The setting is huge and naturally seats over 20,000 people. The Holy City also includes a gorgeous church and a massive statue called the Christ of the Wichitas. YES - the ACLU has tried to get rid of this several times, but they failed. Church is also still held there. All of the buildings are in the style of the WPA - concrete with reinforced steel and native rock, so one would need dynamite to knock any of them down.

Brother, I've been to places like you describe, and I always enjoy them.

The Wildlife Prairie park has the African animals separated and in fences of their own and so are the more dangerous ones like the coyotes but all of the ones that are passive toward each other like the buffalo and white tailed deer are all together in acres upon acres of natural prairie grass fields. There is a monorail ride that goes out over it all so that people can see them. There is a natural type fence that keeps them from wandering out into the nearby farmers fields and a really big man made fence to keep people from wandering in. When they decided to make this area they had also decided to keep people contact to a bare minimum with most animals. There is a petting corral where they have a few of them that are very docile.

They do have a nursery also to insure a larger survival rate of the young. When they reach a certain age they will be displayed for short periods behind a glass enclosure then a little older they are released in the open fields.

Brother Roger,

That sounds like a beautiful place, one that I would like to visit some day. My wife and I love to watch animals, and I just remembered that the main purpose of this thread was animals in your yard.

We feed and water animals most of the time, so we usually have squirrels, rabbits, and all kinds of really pretty birds. We have two huge trees in the back yard that are used by the birds and squirrels. We have a squirrel feeder attached to the tree, and I'll say that many of them make absolute hogs out of themselves.   ;D

We have one squirrel that comes to my bedroom window when it wants fed. Then meets me at the front door when I take something out for it.

Lets see, I get to see........... Pumas, Bald Eagles, Bears, Coyotes, Snakes (to many to name) Deer, Elk, Woodpeckers, Lizards, Horses, Cattle, Prairie dogs, Squirrels, Bats, Owls, Wild pigs, Bats, and Ducks.  Sorry thats all I can remember at the moment. :-\

 ;D  That's OK Grisly Adams, mountain men aren't known for a good memory, especially after being swatted around by a bear a couple of times. Now, if you just have some of those animals trained to bring you food, you've got it made. You probably even have a guard bear and never have to worry about burglars.   ;D

Just kidding.... I've heard you talk about your place several times, and I can almost imagine it. I'd love to have a quiet place in the mountains or out in the country, just as long as it was reasonably close to medical and other services - maybe 20 minutes away. I think that would be habit forming - especially the quiet, views, and the wildlife.

Wow!  I am certainly missing out on the fantastic wildlife you brothers are enjoying.  I feel utterly deprived!  Well at least I can live vicariously through you.  Thank God we still have some areas in this country where animals can run free and enjoy their natural habitat.  Thanks for sharing.

No but Lizzie has a dog, we use as a guard dog. Though my cats, will attack anyone who doesn't belong. :D :D :D :D

The Lord blesses each of us, as to our needs.  Yes it is habit forming for me, the quiet, views, my  life. ;D

Though the hospital is 18 miles from me, I made it in 12 minutes one day, when my son had a bad asthma attack.  The ambulance was called, and was suppose tomeet me at a corner of the bank.  It wasn't there so, I went on to the hospital.  The ambulance was just pulling out, of the hospital when I arrived. Oops........... ;D ;D ;D

That's really cute.  I can just imagine it.  :D

Wow, that's amazing.  I guess you have to be really careful around some of them, right?  Have you ever run into a bear or a similar dangerous animal?  What's best to do in that case?  I've heard some people say back away slowly....

Hello Debp,

Sister, we have to remember that Brother Bob is a mountain man, so he might be expecting the bear for a visit, dinner, and a cup of coffee. City folks don't understand these things. OR, in this case, maybe everything should be reversed and you ask the bear the same question.    ;D

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


That has never happened yet............ ;D


You have that one right brother.............. ;)

Yup, yup, yup....................... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Bears don't like being around humans.  If I come across one, I just raise my arms and yell, they run away. 

Pumas (Cougars, mountain lions) though you have to be careful about, they will attack us humans.  Normally though they stay away, from humans. Pumas you back away from.

With bears, raising your arms and yelling works only if they don't have cubs with them or if their not old and hard of hearing.
Having had a few encounters with cougars, I find it best to carry something to defend yourself with just in case of an encounter, be it gun, big stick, or mace or strong scented room freshener. You can try backing away slowly, however, if you trip and fall down that big cat is gonna get you. Normally, in our area (Florida) cougars see small animals & children as easy prey. If your standing up and making eye contact your not easy prey, but if your on the ground or running away your in bigger trouble. 
 Some people mistakenly believe if an animal is raised by people such as on a wildlife farm or zoo, that it is tame. These animals are more dangerous than those in the wild, because they have no fear of man. All creatures like to play and playing with a cougar is not fun. They have claws and razor sharp teeth.  Having a healthy respect for all wild animals by remembering they are wild animals is the best way to defend yourself.

Hello Islandboy,

 ;)  Brother, I'm not one of those people who thinks that wild animals raised in a refuge or zoo are safe.

I love to watch wild animals, but I give them their space and respect. I have enjoyed being around buffalo most of my life, but I respect them and watch them from a safe place. I also don't do stupid things with wild animals that have gotten many people hurt or killed on the refuge near my home. As examples:

Walking up on one for photos is crazy. It is completely unknown what they will do when someone gets close.

Honking your car horn near buffalo could easily get your car torn up completely. Typically, a person is safe inside a car if they use their heads, but one needs to remember that an adult buffalo can take a car or van apart and demolish it. The car or van loses in a contest with a buffalo.

 ;D  If you meet a buffalo on a hiking trail, don't try to go pet it! Quietly back away and let the buffalo have that trail. Don't yell at a buffalo or startle it with any kind of loud noise because it might cause them to charge. Whatever you do, don't attempt to ride a buffalo!   ;D

In 1994, I went on a bus /train trip to Montana. We visited allot of attractions and had a trip through Yellowstone National Park, where in passing we saw a family with little kids walking up into the woods to pet some big elk bulls.. One day when we were out our guide stopped at a field where we could see buffalo across a wide river.  The place was crowded with adults and children. As everyone  walked down a road toward the river, where the herd of buffalo could be see grazing, there was a very large buffalo standing near the road. Our guide said that it was not a real but a statue. We believed him as we stood looking at it and it never moved a muscle for 10 to 15 minutes, but then turned it's head to look at us. We were about 20 feet from it at that point. However, I had seen children run past it no more than three feet away. My group returned to our bus having less faith in our guide in regards to our safety.

I wasn't saying that you believed that. But some people do.

Yes, one really needs to be careful about wild animals.   As I mentioned before, we've had a few people attacked by mountain lions in surburban Los Angeles parks.....a couple were killed by mountain lions, we heard they were probably attacked from behind as they jogged or biked .

Another time two women were bicycling and the mountain lion grabbed one....her friend grabbed on to her and wouldn't let her go....but the mountain lion dragged both of them down the slope.  I forgot how she finally scared it off but she saved her friend's life by not letting go of her.

I recently read a book of true stories called "Attacked"....attacks by animals.  The book was quite interesting, some were African lions, etc....but some were bear attacks.  So I guess you need to be careful of them, too.

I have two cats and know how the feline mind works....a wild cat will pounce or chase you if you run.

Oh, one of my cousins in Ft. Walton Beach, FL had a bear looking in his glass door recently.  My cousin got a big kick out of that and called his sister at 6 a.m.!  But I would be afraid it might break through the glass door.  I've seen bears that break into kitchens on the news....forgot the area.

When I go out (walking) I carry my pistol, and my cane.  Cats don't like the sound of a gunshot, going off.  You are right a big cat, will have you if you fall.

Wildlife is just that, wild.

Also, I think you have to be careful if they think they are cornered.

Yup what I think of naturally, I forgot most city folk don't know. :-\

There is this one crazy cat near me......................





(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b207/tinabaran/fun%20things/catSTICKinrassspp.gif)

 ;D   ;D   ROFL!

I could be wrong, but I think that someone might have doctored this photo.
 

I got one always laughing.......................

Not me brother, I didn't have anything to do with that one............... ;D ;D ;D

Here's a cute, cuddly looking creature that we have in most parts of North America.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/badger2.jpg)


Anyone that has encountered one of these badgers know they are far from being cuddly and to give them a very wide berth. Even though they are less than 30 inches long, about 12 inches tall and weighing less than 25 lbs, they have been known to tear up a bear with very little effort.

There are three of these on my sisters old farm.

I haven't seen a badger, around here.  Though I'm sure they are around somewhere.

They normally steer clear of people. When I saw them it was from the safety of an enclosed tractor and only once during a drought when one came up in the day time to drink from the backyard pond.

Hey, that looks like one of my cats when she was a kitten!  She only nips at my ankles when she wants something to eat!  I look like I'm doing the Mexican Hat Dance when she does that.  Maybe we can get on funniest home videos.  :D

Yes, I have heard they are mean.  What about skunks, anyone have skunks?  We saw one once in huge Griffith Park while with some friends and their little girl.  The husband (from another country) didn't know what skunks do so he kept driving closer and closer to it!  His wife, my mom and I were all squealing for him to stop....thought for sure we were going to get sprayed!

Lots and lots of them everywhere. Ewww ......    Lot's of tomato juice gets sold here.

That's really funny....well, it sounds funny anyhow.  I'm sure it isn't to someone who has been sprayed!  :)

 ;D

Hello Debp,

I'm sitting here laughing and spewing coffee. It will take a long time for me to clean everything up. If I had a cat like that, it would scare me half to death, and I would be like the guy in one of the old, old movies RUNNING and HOLLERING - FEET DON'T FAIL ME NOW!

In fact, I might not be able to sleep tonight - thinking that I might dream of something like this after me. I might not ever be right again.   ;D

I do have a collection of doctored photos done by various graphic genius types on the board. Their names will remain undisclosed to protect the innocent. Let's just say that the majority of the graphics I'm talking about do resemble what might come up in a really bad dream. Let me see if I can find a couple of them. Please keep in mind that I disavow any knowledge of the artist - AND those who look will do so at their own risk!










CONTINUED.........

I think that all of those needs a little musical introduction.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/05.gif)

Yes I have skunks under the chicken coop. I throw feed down, away from the coop so I can gather eggs.

Maybe Continued.......

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/radioactiveskunk.gif)

Maybe more later.

I'll post more later, when the net isn't that busy.

 ;D   ;D

I can't find the ones I thought I had......



 

Lend me your ear.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/10030562-1.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/15-1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/CatDogflies.jpg)

Cat Fu

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/cat-fu-1.jpg)

Where did that cat go?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/driving-cosmo-1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/DUCKY.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/favor088.gif)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/GusasJailbird.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/praying-1.jpg)


Say Cheese.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/say-cheese-thumb-1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/sleeping_cat-1.jpg)

I see the cat caught the mouse....... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Now where did that dog go.............. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Bumper cars in the making!   ;D ;D ;D

Hi! Tom any Chihuahua in a cup or a bit bigger  7-8 pound pictures please..love in Jesus ,.def light color but we will take any color thank you..byebye
ILL never walk Alone!!!!!!

Yup................... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Though I think we have been here before................  ;D ;D ;D

Here are 2 for you sister...............

 I thought I heard bells ringing, too.

Well you did brother, you did.............. ;D ;D ;D ;D

thank you ,thank you, DreamWeaver  the one on the right looks just like him but 13 years older .Oh you are so nice i love you just like Tina in Jesus.Def WooHoo graet .tjhank you Jesus for little joy that becomes big big big..xx

Hello Sister Def,

I have a feeling that some of these pups might end up bigger than 7 to 8 pounds, but they're cute anyway:









 

Here are a couple of my little one that is now 3 yrs old.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/10-02-2003005.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/randers/10-02-2003007.jpg)

thank you,Pastor Roger, Tom, DreamWeaver, you have made a sister Def very very happy today i feel so good that is what the little cat should be singing" I feel good "little Richard well i must leave you now and say goodnight to every one of you i will have prayers of gratitude to present to Our Father in Jesus name for you all and ask Jesus to intercede for those who need it the most and me, my time to rest ,is my time with God ,Hollowed be His name His kingdom come His Will be done in Jesus Christ our Lord.Good night.love in Jesus,Def ...twelve hours looking for the face of God.Hallelujah!!!!!!!

Good night sister.

Well, Tom, you made me really laugh out loud!  Sorry you have to clean up the mess.  Actually, this cat is only 7 pounds (full grown) so I think you would be ok.  Actually, she doesn't nip very hard and I keep scolding her each time she does it....besides jumping at each nip!   Well, she keeps me on my toes at least.  :D

Oh, tonight I had roast beef....now that was a real battle with her.  I did prevail but one of her "attacks" was a bit harder than usual.  Must be because I rarely have roast beef.

P.S.  Everyone, all of the photos/pictures were great!