OT: A visitor in my garden this morning
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I found this handsome fellow by the back door this morning. I think it's an Eastern box turtle that's native to this area. I made him a nice cage in the shade and gave him some water and veggies to nibble on. What next? I'm trying to locate somebody who does wildlife rescue but if it doesn't work out, can we take him to a nearby nature park? I appreciate any advice!
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (10)
Related Discussions
A Lovely Visitor to My Garden
Comments (13)Thanks for all the kudos! I've been thinking of using that second pic as my desktop wallpaper. Fran, I don't know the secret. Yesterday it was just dumb luck. I've tried and tried to get good pictures in the past, I usually scare the critters off too. But for some reason, this one butterfly wasn't a bit fazed by me crouching nearby. I actually shot several more, waiting for the moment when he had just lighted on the flower and his wings were still open. Alison...See MoreI had a garden visitor this morning
Comments (25)The best thing you can do for pond fish is to give them plenty of plants for hiding, and to add some simple structures in the deepest part of the pond. One good idea is to lay a length of terra cotta pipe or even large PVC pipe in the middle of the pond. Terra cotta is nicer looking and will eventually get enough algae,etc, on it to blend in. A large flower pot turned on its side will help, too. But the pipe helps a lot. Fish will scoot right in there when being threatened by raccoons, etc. They could probably even hide from an anhinga in there. White Birds 101: The largest white wading bird in your part of the state is the great egret. He will tower over the other white birds, being nearly as big as a great blue heron. The smaller white waders will usually be either immature little blue herons (grayish beak with a dark tip) or snowy egrets, who have bright yellow feet. That makes them pretty easy to ID. Then you have white ibis, with long downcurved pink beaks, and cattle egrets, who are the shortest of them all, and seen more often in pastures and along the roads. And there you have it. That's everybody except wood storks which are HUGE and have massive blackish beaks and heads, and aren't easily confused with anything else. Anna, your green heron picture is beautiful! Some time back, these were called Little Green Herons (we always said it was because they had very little green on them, haha). But then they dropped the "little" for some reason. They are very clever and adaptable little birds. I used to watch one at the Periwinkle Trailer Park swan pond on Sanibel Island who had perfected the art of fishing with the pelletized bird food. He would take a couple of pellets out of the dish, go over to the water's edge and drop them in. Then he just waited for the all the little fishies to come nibble at the floating food. He had his technique perfected and was a very successful fisherbird. You both have such lovely natural areas in your yards, where you can really enjoy nature when you garden! I swear, I'm going to get my horse trough next month, for sure. It will make a perfect birthday present. And then I can at least have a few goldfish and a lotus or two. Marcia...See MoreOT: Another garden visitor
Comments (16)Glad you all liked the pics. He is still here and at 5:30am this morning decided to make his presence known by standing on our stone wall in the front yard and crowing. My husband says we should try to find someone who has female pheasants and get a couple of them for him. Perhaps that will quiet him down. LOL. So far he hasn't damaged the daylilies...thank goodness. Kathy: I sent pics to my children to see and I'm sure my son was thinking the same thing as your Dad ;-). Julia...See MoreAn early morning garden visitor
Comments (10)nickel_kg - I used to have a garter snake who lived here for three years, from a baby about 8 inches long to a big boy about 5 feet long. I don't know what happened to Henry. Hopefully, he just found happier hunting grounds and a mate. When he was little, he liked hanging out in my potted plants, and he'd scare the beejeezus out of me when I went to work on them, but he was never aggressive....See More
User
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
Jessica Whittingham
5 years agoHow funny, I had a similar visitor today. Think it was a red eared slider.
I moved him across the road and along his way. Lots of roads around here so hope he'll be ok...User thanked Jessica Whittinghamken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years agoUser
5 years agomxk3 z5b_MI
5 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESDoes Your Garden Welcome Wildlife Visitors With Something to Eat?
Learn which flowers and plants provide essential food for pollinators and other beneficial wildlife
Full Story
EVENTSExplore Inspiring Private Gardens With The Garden Conservancy
Take a peek into exceptional landscapes usually closed to the public or dig deeper by attending a garden workshop
Full Story
EVENTSSee ‘Chihuly in the Garden’ at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
The glass artist’s work is well-sited to complement and contrast with beautiful plantings. His new installation opens Saturday
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNYard of the Week: Lush Aquatic Garden Welcomes Wildlife
The peaceful London landscape, with two ponds and a trickling waterfall, is a sanctuary for garden visitors of all types
Full Story
EVENTSTour 7 Stunning New York Gardens
See how garden designers landscape a living roof, a farmhouse pool area, small backyards and more
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDES3 Ways to Revel in Summer Garden Sweetness
Patiently observe what works and doesn’t work in your landscape
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNTo Make Your Garden Memorable, Add a Hint of Mystery
An element of mystique — intriguing gates, an interplay of light and shadow, hidden views — can take your garden to the next level
Full Story
INSPIRING GARDENSLiving Sculptures Delight at the Montreal Botanical Garden
Go see it: clownfish, lemurs, frogs, loyal dogs and more — designers have turned plants into art for a fantastic summer installation
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNMake Your Garden Come Alive With a Sense of Movement
Master the illusion of motion for an exceptional garden that stirs emotions and the imagination
Full Story
ARTBring on the Garden Bling With Artful Stainless Steel
Set stainless free of the kitchen, using it to brighten and decorate any garden in an unexpected way
Full StorySponsored
Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!
susanzone5 (NY)