HomeFairfax General ForumArrest/Ticket SearchWiki newPictures/VideosChatArticlesLinksAbout
Fairfax County General :  Fairfax Underground fairfax underground logo
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Pages: 12AllNext
Current Page: 1 of 2
Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Wildlife Lover ()
Date: May 26, 2017 11:40PM

On My Many Travels thru Nova..I saw This Wild Eyed Fellow Guarding The Nest..That was More Wild Eyed Then Me..and Did Not give a HOOT or a Peep Peep..about Politics..Or Whats Going On In The World..So This Thread Is In His Honor..With Out Politics... Just a Love Of the Wild Ones..Of NOVA..!

You Know Who..Starts With D..Ends With X..
Attachments:
Osprey.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Poppa Bear.. ()
Date: May 26, 2017 11:49PM

And I'm Not telling You were..Other then The Western Part of FXCO.LOL!!

D...X..
Attachments:
Imnottelling.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Blood Pressure Lowers..LOL ()
Date: May 27, 2017 12:44AM

Looking at Animals....Its True.. Not Kidding.and ..Interacting with Um..Its Good For Ya..

D...X.. Smile! Its Gonna Be Alright..!!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Wild nogs ()
Date: May 27, 2017 01:19AM

,
Attachments:
1495337149473.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: ydjcy ()
Date: May 27, 2017 08:14AM

Was going to post a story but won't- I've got racists to hunt instead. ;)

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: May 27, 2017 09:09AM

Taken through the window in front of my computer back in February. A pair of them have taken up residence in my backyard recently.
Attachments:
IMG_4270-b.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: May 31, 2017 04:50PM

Child of the above Red Fox.
A screenshot of a video that I just took of this little guy romping around in my backyard.
Taken thru the open window in front of where I'm sitting as I type this.
Apparently you can't post videos on this sight, but this came out well enough.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2017 04:55PM by David in FC.
Attachments:
Fox Pup 1 - 2017.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Heres Looking At Ya Kid ()
Date: May 31, 2017 05:07PM

Burke Lake Park..The Virginia State Bird and Welcome Bird To Virginia

The Cardinal.

DAJAX
Attachments:
HeresLookingAtYaKid.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: po3eituldk ()
Date: May 31, 2017 05:14PM

Can't wait until somebody puts a photo of a sasquatch on here!!!!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Moochelle monkey woman ()
Date: May 31, 2017 05:19PM

po3eituldk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Can't wait until somebody puts a photo of a
> sasquatch on here!!!!
Attachments:
michelle-gifff.gif

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: May 31, 2017 05:31PM

Moochelle monkey woman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> po3eituldk Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Can't wait until somebody puts a photo of a
> > sasquatch on here!!!!

I was waiting for someone to post something like that. Can't people leave some threads alone? There are plenty of other threads where you could post that.
Plus, she's not in or from Fairfax County/NoVa, as the thread asks.
And no, I'm not a fan of either obama, trump or clinton. (Purposely lower case.)

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: wally ()
Date: May 31, 2017 10:55PM

Nice thread. Keep it going.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Sam M ()
Date: June 01, 2017 12:11AM

wally Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nice thread. Keep it going.

https://virginia-wildlife.com-sub.biz/?gclid=CJSR89nim9QCFQhXDQodTkMFlQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Great magazine, has a yearly photo contest, Virginia overall but many entries from NoVa as well,

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: foxes a big no no ()
Date: June 01, 2017 05:49AM

David in FC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Taken through the window in front of my computer
> back in February. A pair of them have taken up
> residence in my backyard recently.

i'm not sure you want foxes getting too confortable near your home. eventually they'll figure out a way to get in your house and start rooting through shit. we had a pair get into our garage a few years back, the little bastards chewed through everything. they get real aggressive indoors too and will snap at you if you try to get near them.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: epkyy ()
Date: June 01, 2017 06:50AM

western ffxco
Attachments:
suburban deer.JPG

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Foxes are like dogs ()
Date: June 01, 2017 06:51AM

They are also very beautiful! People have them as pets.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Hurc ()
Date: June 01, 2017 02:44PM

It looks like the deer dropped the soap.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: different type of deer ()
Date: June 01, 2017 03:26PM

Hurc Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It looks like the deer dropped the soap.


it's actually not a deer. it's a Barashinga. they're all over the place now out there.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: great white hunter ()
Date: June 01, 2017 04:35PM

please share wild cougar experiences

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 01, 2017 07:29PM

foxes a big no no Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> David in FC Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Taken through the window in front of my
> computer
> > back in February. A pair of them have taken up
> > residence in my backyard recently.
>
> i'm not sure you want foxes getting too
> confortable near your home. eventually they'll
> figure out a way to get in your house and start
> rooting through shit. we had a pair get into our
> garage a few years back, the little bastards
> chewed through everything. they get real
> aggressive indoors too and will snap at you if you
> try to get near them.

They've been frequenting my yard for years, and I've never had the slightest problem with them. If anything, they are the ones that have a problem with me, and every other Human that they encounter.
Every encounter that I have had with foxes, both in my neighborhood and out in the countryside, as soon as they see me, or even sense me, they turn tail and haul butt in the other direction. While I've taken it kind of personally, I respect their "skittishness".
I know of some instances of squirrels and raccoons getting inside people's houses and tearing things apart, but I've never known of a fox doing that. Unless maybe it might have been rabid.
But in the slight chance that one might be aggressive to me, I'll just boot the thing as far as I can. They are really not much bigger than a house cat. A raccoon weighs at least 5 pounds more than any fox that I have ever seen.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 01, 2017 07:38PM

Hopefully you all won't mind some pictures of a Northern Water Snake.
Taken at Riverbend Park a few years ago.
Attachments:
_Northern Water Snake 1.jpg
_Northern Water Snake 2.jpg
_Northern Water Snake 3.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 01, 2017 07:48PM

Somehow this little guy was crawling on my floor at 4:30 in the morning in January a few years ago. I couldn't just put him outside. I had an orchid blooming at the time, so I did the only thing that I could, gave him the only source of food that I had for him at the time.
He crawled around on it for awhile, I snapped some pictures, then went back to bed.
Never saw him again.
Attachments:
_Honey Bee in January.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Ytmc3 ()
Date: June 01, 2017 09:16PM

Cool pics David in FC. Cool story.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: U.S.A !.. All The Way! ()
Date: June 01, 2017 09:45PM

Thats what this guy is ALL For..All the Way..

At Mason Neck..and I'm not telling Ya Where..!

DAJAX
Attachments:
USA.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: causeican ()
Date: June 01, 2017 10:12PM

David in FC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hopefully you all won't mind some pictures of a
> Northern Water Snake.
> Taken at Riverbend Park a few years ago.


That’s some really cool picture-taking. Camera phone?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: causeican ()
Date: June 01, 2017 10:17PM

40 years ago. dusk. Kirby Rd near Old Dominion. Its back legs were like hydraulic springs. Otherwise, I might have just thought it was a very big cat. A cat as big as a dog! Thanks for asking.
Attachments:
bobcat in virginia.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: wally ()
Date: June 01, 2017 10:38PM

Yep, saw a cat like this outside my condo in Reston a few years ago. At first, I thought it was a dog because of it's size. I called out to it, "here, kitty, kitty, kitty." Thankfully it just ran away.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: causeican ()
Date: June 01, 2017 10:56PM

The parking lot next to the airport off Memorial Parkway had a small boat ramp. It was over 40 years ago when we were down there around dusk when the fishing boats were coming in. The small, 12-foot, aluminum, square kind. There was a line to get your boat out of the water. We were watching when we noticed the boats were filled with gigantic catfish. One so big it barely fit in the boat. The boat was being towed because there was no room for anyone in it.

It looked like this:
Attachments:
this big catfish.png

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Bumping1 ()
Date: June 02, 2017 02:50AM

bump

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: YHW96 ()
Date: June 02, 2017 03:14AM

Bobcats have been sighted in the parks in Annandale (Holmes Run, Eakin) earlier this year.

I am hoping they might eat some of the deer that infest Annandale.
Back in the 60s and 70s there were never any deer there.
Weird, now there's MORE people there, and deer!
I never saw any foxes in those parts, either.
Instead we had toads and salamanders and snakes.
You'd think large nnimals would have been driven west.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: YHW96 ()
Date: June 02, 2017 03:16AM

And we had turtles!
And possums on occasion.

Spent many years playing in those woods in Annandale...

(And we had more kinds of birds, too, but that's changed everywhere.)

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Bumping1 ()
Date: June 02, 2017 07:41AM

bump

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Ive Seen Scared Deer ()
Date: June 02, 2017 10:43AM

In Broad daylight Jumping fences of yards in Huntington not far from the subway.They probably follow Holmes Run or the creeks.

DAJAX

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Cougar Watcher ()
Date: June 02, 2017 12:51PM

Found this Cougar at Burke Lake
Attachments:
Cougar.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 02, 2017 03:57PM

Well, I guess in the vein of the previous post, I'll post about my friend Ziggy that lives in the ground around my house and my neighbors.
For some reason, he only visits me after I have had a few drinks. I've offered him drinks in the past, but he has never accepted. He seems to enjoy the mushrooms instead.
He wants me to tell him of some of the things that have been going on above ground, and he tells me of some of the things that the earthworms and moles have been doing. I did ask him about the cicadas this year, but he told me that they weren't ready to come out yet this year. So, no cicada invasion for me.
He usually doesn't like to have his picture taken, he's rather secretive, as you can imagine. But one of the little pixies came and sat on his head and calmed him long enough for me to get a picture.
This was taken along my sidewalk by one of the steps that I sit on sometimes, just to watch the world go by.
Attachments:
_Ziggy.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 02, 2017 04:02PM

Now back to our previous message, before we were so rudely interrupted...
Sorry for the blurriness of this, it was taken thru two layers of window. Another in my backyard.
Attachments:
_Pileated Woodpecker.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Bumping1 ()
Date: June 03, 2017 03:19AM

bumping for the pileated woodpecker

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 04, 2017 05:41PM

A 10 point buck passing thru my yard a year & a half ago.
This is a screenshot from the video that took of him while I was standing in the doorway to my house, about ten feet away.
Look at the rack on him, and I can't help but think of the fact that I could have filled my freezer with plenty of fresh, healthy venison.
All in the Falls Church area of the county.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/2017 05:45PM by David in FC.
Attachments:
vlcsnap-2017-06-03-15h29m45s053.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Him Again..LOL ()
Date: June 05, 2017 12:27AM

The Mason Neck Eagle..2.00 to get into the park..Well worth it..Hes Not the only one..! Plus Many other Wild Birds and.."Critters" Down Gunston Way..!

DAJAX
Attachments:
MasonNeckEagle.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Buck Fever..! That 10 Pt..! ()
Date: June 05, 2017 12:32AM

Many Would Get It with a 10 Pointer..! LOL! No Poaching allowed..Obey All game laws for their sake..! FC David Does ..Thanks! For The Pic..

DAJAX

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 05, 2017 03:18PM

DAJAX, causeican and others, thanks for the compliments, and thanks for the great pictures that you folks have contributed.
The pictures that I have posted were all taken with a DSLR camera, (I might post a few old ones taken on film).
Most of the pictures I have to reduce the size, so they aren't too huge on here. (I was thinking about posting the full size close-up that I took of the house spider and the spider egg-case with the tiny hatchlings on this page, but people would hate me forever. LOL)

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 05, 2017 03:42PM

Just a little toad in the path along the Potomac at Riverbend Park. I guess trying to use sand as camouflage.
I was laying on the ground about 6 inches away from this little guy to get this shot. I'm glad nobody else came along at the time, or they might have wondered what I was doing.
Attachments:
Hello.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Dwobble ()
Date: June 05, 2017 07:43PM

David in FC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Now back to our previous message, before we were
> so rudely interrupted...
> Sorry for the blurriness of this, it was taken
> thru two layers of window. Another in my backyard.


Damn! Are you taking these pix in Falls Church?!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: wally ()
Date: June 05, 2017 10:57PM

Please, no spider pics. They creep me out. Can't stand those nasty little things.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Dunn Calhoun ()
Date: June 06, 2017 12:41AM

I saw this atrocious creature while jogging at Burke Lake. Has anyone else seen this beast? Animal Control had no idea what it was either.
Attachments:
IMG_0387.JPG

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 06, 2017 12:45PM

Dwobble Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Damn! Are you taking these pix in Falls Church?!


Not actually in the city limits of Falls Church. My address is Falls Church, but I'm still in Fairfax County. Hence my FFU name, could stand for either Falls Church or Fairfax County. And considering that Fairfax Hospital is considered Falls Church, as well as going over to Bailey's Crossroads and plenty of areas in between, leaves me a large enough area to remain anonymous. LOL
The Pileated Woodpecker was about 20 feet up in the same tree that the little fox pup was standing next to, in my backyard.

wally Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
>Please, no spider pics. They creep me out. Can't stand those nasty little things.

There's no reason to be afraid of them, unless it is a Black Widow or a Brown Recluse.
Spiders actually serve a very helpful purpose. They help to rid the world of those nasty disgusting Flying Maggots that other people know as a Housefly. It never fails to amaze me how people are so terrified of a simple little spider minding their own business, but have no real problem with a fly. Flies are nothing more than maggots born and raised on the rotting carcass of a dead animal, feeding on it, and growing. Just before it came and landed on your potato salad at the barbecue you are having, it was probably just feeding on a pile of dog poop only a minute before. And people's reactions are to just "shoo it away". Shoo fly, don't bother me.
How many people have had a little ladybug-ladybird-ladybeetle land on them, and they thought it was so cute? How many of you have seen what they look like before they transform into the cute little things? It's something that has been referred to as an "aphid lion", and they almost look like a tiny black lobster with red spots on them. But, they are so beneficial to garden plants by eating aphids and other very destructive insects that would kill your plants, if they were not kept under control by being eaten by them.

Sorry about that rant, I don't mean for it to be a lecture. Just a case of perspective.
Attachments:
IMG_9404a.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: wally ()
Date: June 06, 2017 11:01PM

I know spiders are one of God's creatures and they serve a good purpose, but they still creep me out. I'm not a big fan of lady bugs either.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Annandale Catefish ()
Date: June 06, 2017 11:17PM

-
Attachments:
IMG_5539.JPG

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Some guy ()
Date: June 07, 2017 11:58AM

Fairfax County just outside of Falls Church City. Info is date stamped on the pictures. Saw him in Nov, 2015 as well in a neighbors yard banging a doe.
Attachments:
PRMS0194.JPG
PRMS0188.JPG

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Hdkaho ()
Date: June 07, 2017 06:05PM

He wanted my pizza.
Attachments:
IMG_0890.PNG

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 10, 2017 01:15PM

Cool deer pictures, I wonder if he's the same one in my picture. I know that mine was in a herd of about 8 or 9 others.

Here's a chipmunk (aka - striped rat), a bit cuter than the ladybug, but also a lot more destructive.
Attachments:
_Chipmunk.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 10, 2017 01:29PM

One of my older raccoon pictures. An older film pic taken 20 or so years ago. Something had been digging in my trash can for a few nights, and this time I heard him. I opened the door, and there he was. I slid a dog biscuit across the carport over to him, and that's what he's eating in the picture. I think he liked that better than the trash, because he never came back to dig in it again after that.
This was published in the local Falls Church paper, but then again, they used to publish something every week that anybody could send in.
Attachments:
RaccoonOnCarport.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Not sure about that ()
Date: June 10, 2017 07:45PM

Hdkaho Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> He wanted my pizza.

He wanted your fucking jugular vein and to give you rabies.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 10, 2017 09:19PM

Some pictures that I took of my resident Red Foxes, the mother that I took back on March 9th, 2017, and now one of her children that I just took this evening - June 10th, 2017. They are both laying in about the same place, at the bottom of the same tree. (They seem to like that location.)
Attachments:
Red Fox Mother.jpg
Red Fox Pup #2.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Bumper Car ()
Date: June 18, 2017 09:44PM

Bump this one too.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Nicdoot ()
Date: June 19, 2017 06:20PM

Love most of these pics. Those fox are adorable.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Mutyal of ohmaha ()
Date: June 20, 2017 07:57AM

I spotted this rare cougar in Whole Foods at Fairlakes. It was at 9pm proving cougars sre nocturnal.
Attachments:
94550.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 20, 2017 09:35AM

Nicdoot Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Love most of these pics. Those fox are adorable.

Thanks Nicdoot.
But, it looks like that, as of two days ago, they have finally moved out of my yard.
It's interesting. I kept seeing the Father fox carrying different things away from the den, where he had always carried things to instead. It looked like each time, he took whatever it was he was carrying, to a different place to dispose of. I guess to hide where the den is/was.
Hopefully they will still come around here. They did feel safe enough to raise a family here, and to lounge around in the sunlight. I just haven't seen them for a couple days.

Here is a picture that I took of both the Mother and Father together back on March 5th. They had both come up close to the house, and were looking at something on my roof. It's not the sharpest, because it was taken thru the closed window, without them knowing I was there. If I had opened the window for a clearer shot, they would have been gone in an instant.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/2017 09:38AM by David in FC.
Attachments:
Red Fox - Mates.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 20, 2017 09:51AM

A little brighter color than the foxes.
A Goldfinch, and an American Redstart (male).
Lots of different colored birds move thru the area in the spring and fall.
Attachments:
_Goldfinch.jpg
_American Redstart.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: chantilly resident ()
Date: June 20, 2017 10:09AM

Black snake:
Attachments:
IMG_1483[1].JPG
IMG_1478[1].JPG

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: chantilly resident ()
Date: June 20, 2017 10:11AM

Turtle on the edge of a storm water creek:
Attachments:
IMG_1505[1].JPG

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: chantilly resident ()
Date: June 20, 2017 10:14AM

Black Squirrel
Attachments:
IMG_1293[1].JPG

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 20, 2017 10:35AM

chantilly resident Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Black snake:


Very cool picture of the black rat snake climbing the tree.
That brought back a memory of when I worked a Stohlman Volkswagen in Tyson's back in the very early '80's. Off to the side of one of the parking lots was a picnic table that was next to a tree.
A pair of Robins had built a nest in that tree.
I remember sitting at the picnic table one day, where some of the mechanics would drink beer after work. We all watched a black rat snake come slithering up the hill, climb the tree, and head toward the Robin's nest. Both the parent Robins were near by, watching. They both came swooping in and kept dive-bombing that snake. It eventually fell out of the tree, and slithered back down the hill.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Middle 0f Fairfax City ()
Date: June 20, 2017 04:34PM

Large Doe and Red Fox 40 ft away
Attachments:
MiddleofFXcity.jpg
10feetaway.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Nicdoot ()
Date: June 20, 2017 04:55PM

David amazing pics! I used to feed foxes when I lived there and caught a few videos on my critter cam but none as beautiful as you have. Thanks for sharing.

David in FC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nicdoot Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Love most of these pics. Those fox are
> adorable.
>
> Thanks Nicdoot.
> But, it looks like that, as of two days ago, they
> have finally moved out of my yard.
> It's interesting. I kept seeing the Father fox
> carrying different things away from the den, where
> he had always carried things to instead. It looked
> like each time, he took whatever it was he was
> carrying, to a different place to dispose of. I
> guess to hide where the den is/was.
> Hopefully they will still come around here. They
> did feel safe enough to raise a family here, and
> to lounge around in the sunlight. I just haven't
> seen them for a couple days.
>
> Here is a picture that I took of both the Mother
> and Father together back on March 5th. They had
> both come up close to the house, and were looking
> at something on my roof. It's not the sharpest,
> because it was taken thru the closed window,
> without them knowing I was there. If I had opened
> the window for a clearer shot, they would have
> been gone in an instant.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 21, 2017 05:47PM

Nicdoot Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> David amazing pics! I used to feed foxes when I
> lived there and caught a few videos on my critter
> cam but none as beautiful as you have. Thanks for
> sharing.
>


Thank you again Nicdoot.
I guess when you let a good part of your yard go wild, the animals appreciate it. What they can't find in someone else's manicured landscape, they find in the natural settings that you help to provide for them.
Of course planting native plants, and then not raking every last leaf that falls from a tree, helps to keep things the way that they have been for millennia. The critters seem to flock to your "refuge".
This is one of the wild orchids that I have growing in my yard. A Yellow Ladyslipper (Cypripedium parviflorum), that grows wild, mostly in the mountains. They are a protected species, and you are not allowed to pick or dig them up.
One of my brothers lives on the side of the Blue Ridge just north of Front Royal. The orchids seem to thrive in the woods around where he lives. Well, they were getting ready to build a new house in the patch of woods next to his house, and had marked off what they were going to bulldoze. A patch of orchids was in that area. I went and carefully dug-up a few clumps, and brought them back here. With a bit of care, they are thriving in my backyard.
It's against the law for me to do what I did, but it's perfectly OK to bulldoze them. Anyone wanna call the cops? LOL
Attachments:
Yellow Lady-Slipper.JPG

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: June 25, 2017 12:56PM

OK, I'll add another one (or two).
A Five Lined Skink.
These were some little guys that I took pictures of on one of my visits to Riverbend Park, just upstream from Great Falls Park.
They were only about 4 or 5 inches long, from nose to the tip of their tail.
9 year old pictures taken with a different camera than I have now.
Don't worry, if you ever go there. They were always running away from me, and I had to look for them, and chase after them, instead of the opposite.
Attachments:
_5 Lined Skink - 2.jpg
_5 Lined Skink.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Robert Katz ()
Date: June 25, 2017 02:18PM

About two years ago a Bob Cat just like this one crossed the Intercounty Connector Trail just east of where the trail crosses Woodburn Rd no more than 15 feet in front of me. Very fluid stride, just went from one side to the other and disappeared into the brush.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: July 01, 2017 03:36PM

Here's a buck that I just had walk thru my yard a few minutes ago. Sorry for the fuzzy picture, it was taken thru a closed window.
I was trying to be sneaky, but he saw me, and decided to walk away rather quickly, hopped over the neighbor's six foot fence, and kept going.
Attachments:
IMG_5326 - a.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Date: July 01, 2017 09:48PM

Eastern FXCO.. A Young Male Cardinal he will become more red as he ages and his face will turn into the familure black mask..and his beak will turn color as well..

DAJAX
Attachments:
Young.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: You sure? ()
Date: July 02, 2017 04:58AM

Double Action Jackson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Eastern FXCO.. A Young Male Cardinal he will
> become more red as he ages and his face will turn
> into the familure black mask..and his beak will
> turn color as well..
>
> DAJAX


Are you sure thats not a house finch?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Wild Fish ()
Date: July 02, 2017 07:29AM

I spotted some fish the other day over by Fairfax Circle - fresh, hot fish at Arthur Treacher's. Cole slaw and Fanta, too, but I'll keep this on topic since we are talking about wildlife in this thread.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Nicdoot ()
Date: July 07, 2017 02:50PM

We see skinks down here in Florida. Saved some from the pool too as well as a small snake and lots of little frogs.


David in FC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OK, I'll add another one (or two).
> A Five Lined Skink.
> These were some little guys that I took pictures
> of on one of my visits to Riverbend Park, just
> upstream from Great Falls Park.
> They were only about 4 or 5 inches long, from nose
> to the tip of their tail.
> 9 year old pictures taken with a different camera
> than I have now.
> Don't worry, if you ever go there. They were
> always running away from me, and I had to look for
> them, and chase after them, instead of the
> opposite.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: near ffx town center ()
Date: July 07, 2017 05:10PM

I just had a skink on my deck this morning. Don't see those often.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Dappled ()
Date: July 10, 2017 10:35PM

Had to play with contrast, shadows, & all that to get this iPhone picture taken through a window from about 30 feet away to look like anything. Photo was taken inside the Beltway, in a residential neighborhood, yesterday.
Attachments:
Snapseed.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Not Sure At All Pal ()
Date: July 10, 2017 10:50PM

>Are you sure thats not a house finch?

What Say you FXU?? I thought it was a young Male Cardinal..

DAJAX..Clue Us In..

Keeping Eyes Peeled for Wildlife in NOVA..

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: July 13, 2017 09:33PM

Not Sure At All Pal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >Are you sure thats not a house finch?
>
> What Say you FXU?? I thought it was a young Male
> Cardinal..
>
> DAJAX..Clue Us In..
>
> Keeping Eyes Peeled for Wildlife in NOVA..

Actually it does look like a house finch to me. But I can see where it might look like a Cardinal youngun'.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: July 13, 2017 09:36PM

Dappled Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Had to play with contrast, shadows, & all that to
> get this iPhone picture taken through a window
> from about 30 feet away to look like anything.
> Photo was taken inside the Beltway, in a
> residential neighborhood, yesterday.

Great photo. More than any that I have for a young one.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: July 13, 2017 09:51PM

Since the weather is so hot lately, here's one from my backyard when we had the first snow this year, January 30th.
p.s. Look, that same tree that the foxes like to sleep under, just above the deer's rear-end.
Attachments:
White Tail in the backyard - Copy.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Nicdoot ()
Date: July 16, 2017 02:35PM

David in FC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Since the weather is so hot lately, here's one
> from my backyard when we had the first snow this
> year, January 30th.
> p.s. Look, that same tree that the foxes like to
> sleep under, just above the deer's rear-end.


Love it!!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Fisherman ()
Date: July 16, 2017 09:16PM

Wild Fish Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I spotted some fish the other day over by Fairfax
> Circle - fresh, hot fish at Arthur Treacher's.
> Cole slaw and Fanta, too, but I'll keep this on
> topic since we are talking about wildlife in this
> thread.


Yes, this ^^^^

Best fish in the county!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: July 18, 2017 12:52PM

Better than your fish, how about a real Tree Frog?
As I mentioned somewhere in a post here on the forum, I used to work at a pharmacy, on Old Dominion Drive, in McLean.
Well, one day in September 2012 (going by the time stamp of my pictures), just as I was walking out the door to go home, I saw this little guy jump off the side of the building onto the railing next to me.
My reflex was to try to catch the little guy. There was nothing but concrete and asphalt right around us, so I didn't think that he would survive if I didn't do something.
He started jumping, and I started bouncing around with him trying to catch him. The people sitting at the traffic light must have thought that I was insane, having an epileptic seizure, or a customer that didn't get his medication in time. LOL
Anyway, I finally caught the little guy, cupped him (or her) in my hands, and ran back inside the pharmacy. Everyone was looking at me trying to figure out what I was doing. I told one of the guys there to grab a 30 dram vial so I could put the little guy in it. I got the frog in there, put on a lid, then showed everyone what I had caught, and that I was not crazy, (at least not too much).
I then brought him home, took a few pictures of him in the vial and let him crawl out of the vial onto a bush next to a tree.
p.s. The only thing that I could figure, was that the little guy had clamped onto the side of a customer's car before they drove in, held on for dear life, then finally jumped off and looked for the nearest thing that they could climb up, which happened to be the place I worked.
Attachments:
Tree Frog in 30 dram.JPG
Tree Frog.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: July 25, 2017 09:34AM

OK, I'll be the one to post more.
I've gotten one of my Cardinals to trust me enough to take food from my hand. He started coming by with his parents last year as a fledgling, so he's gotten used to me, and knows that I'm not a threat.
I gave him the choice of a Peanut or a piece of Black Walnut. He chose the Walnut this time.
These were from a short video taken with a small webcam which gets ignored, instead of my big DSLR camera from my other pics.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2017 09:35AM by David in FC.
Attachments:
vlcsnap-2017-07-25-09h15m00s857.jpg
vlcsnap-2017-07-25-09h16m12s758.jpg
vlcsnap-2017-07-25-09h16m29s328.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: They Are Useually Very Skittish ()
Date: July 25, 2017 11:33AM

That will last him all day!

DAJAX

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Nicdoot ()
Date: July 25, 2017 03:11PM

So cool David. I have heard black capped chickadees and easy to train for that. Haven't seen a cardinal do that. We did train some squirrels to come in and get a peanut. Cats didn't know what to think of them. Lol

David in FC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OK, I'll be the one to post more.
> I've gotten one of my Cardinals to trust me enough
> to take food from my hand. He started coming by
> with his parents last year as a fledgling, so he's
> gotten used to me, and knows that I'm not a
> threat.
> I gave him the choice of a Peanut or a piece of
> Black Walnut. He chose the Walnut this time.
> These were from a short video taken with a small
> webcam which gets ignored, instead of my big DSLR
> camera from my other pics.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: July 25, 2017 06:57PM

Here's one from today. With the weather nice and cool for a change, I opened the window to enjoy it. I had a few Peanuts lined up on the inside window sill to give out to someone when they flew in.
I was kind of distracted, not looking, heard a sound, and there he was almost inside, taking one of them.
So, I had the camera ready for when he came back, and took another short video with it. Gave him the option of Peanut or Walnut again, and he took the Walnut this time (again).
Here's a still from that one. He's standing where my hand was before, trying to decide.
Attachments:
vlcsnap-2017-07-25-18h38m08s649.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: July 25, 2017 07:09PM

Nicdoot Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So cool David. I have heard black capped
> chickadees are easy to train for that. Haven't
> seen a cardinal do that. We did train some
> squirrels to come in and get a peanut. Cats didn't
> know what to think of them. Lol

I've only once had a Chickadee come and take food from my hand. Very early spring of last year. For some reason they would only get close, and then freak-out and fly off into the bushes. I would have to put something on the outside window frame (where my hand is resting in the pics), close the window, then eventually they would fly up, grab it, and fly away. I think they're too afraid that one of the other bigger birds is going to come along and bully them.
I do have Carolina Wrens that eat from my hand all day long. When the window is open, like today, they will hop in, sit on the edge of the sill, and look around inside my room.
I used to give squirrels whole peanuts, but they got to be a bit too friendly and eager to get one. Almost to the point of being destructive, but I didn't let it get that far. I finally had to turn on them and start chasing them away.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2017 07:12PM by David in FC.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Hey David in FC ()
Date: July 25, 2017 08:54PM

Hey, David in FC -

Nice picture of you with a pair of nuts in your hand!!!


LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: July 26, 2017 05:47PM

I noticed your post last night, a short time after you posted it.
I started to respond, and had a smart-ass comeback already typed out, but then thought about it, and decided not to respond. I closed the window.
I'm trying to be one of the few mature people that post on this forum. Unfortunately, there are too many immature people that don't have the ability to do that.
There are other posts on this forum where you might fit in better.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Nicdoot ()
Date: July 26, 2017 06:38PM

Carolina wrens that's cool. I would think hummingbirds might be easy to train also.

Just ignore the immature trolls on here.

David in FC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nicdoot Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > So cool David. I have heard black capped
> > chickadees are easy to train for that. Haven't
> > seen a cardinal do that. We did train some
> > squirrels to come in and get a peanut. Cats
> didn't
> > know what to think of them. Lol
>
> I've only once had a Chickadee come and take food
> from my hand. Very early spring of last year. For
> some reason they would only get close, and then
> freak-out and fly off into the bushes. I would
> have to put something on the outside window frame
> (where my hand is resting in the pics), close the
> window, then eventually they would fly up, grab
> it, and fly away. I think they're too afraid that
> one of the other bigger birds is going to come
> along and bully them.
> I do have Carolina Wrens that eat from my hand all
> day long. When the window is open, like today,
> they will hop in, sit on the edge of the sill, and
> look around inside my room.
> I used to give squirrels whole peanuts, but they
> got to be a bit too friendly and eager to get one.
> Almost to the point of being destructive, but I
> didn't let it get that far. I finally had to turn
> on them and start chasing them away.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Dees Nuts ()
Date: July 26, 2017 09:33PM

Hey David in FC,

I, too, think it is odd that you like to present your nuts so readily to the fauna around your home. A pair of small, odd-shaped nuts right in your hand ready for a lovely bird to put right in its mouth.

Very very odd.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: wally ()
Date: July 26, 2017 11:35PM

Hey, David in FC, I like your pics. Keep it going.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: July 27, 2017 06:29AM

Thanks Nicdoot and Wally.
I saw this Eastern Box Turtle at Riverbend Park a few years ago. Not sure what he had just eaten, but he looks a bit angry.
Attachments:
_Eastern Box Turtle.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: August 10, 2017 08:54PM

I never meant to take over this thread, I was hoping that someone else would add to it as well.
But since not, here's another one that I took on one of my excursions to Riverbend park a few years ago. It was taken on New Year's Day. I had just seen the first Bald Eagle at the park, but couldn't get a decent picture, because too many trees were in the way. I went to an opening by the riverbank, hoping the the Eagle would make a loop around again, but never did.
I saw this guy swimming and diving for fish out in the middle of the river. I had to look up who he was at the time, because he wasn't one that I had seen so clearly before.
Anyway, from about 75 to 100 yards out in the middle of the Potomac, here is another picture.
A Bufflehead.
Yes, that's the real name. Look it up!
Attachments:
_Bufflehead.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: epkyy ()
Date: August 10, 2017 09:34PM

five lined skink western ffxco
Attachments:
1221.JPG

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: Thanks all ()
Date: August 10, 2017 10:01PM

Great pictures !

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: anmial love ()
Date: August 11, 2017 11:25AM

Popes Head road last year!
Attachments:
images8U6QMFHQ.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: August 11, 2017 05:44PM

anmial love Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Popes Head road last year!

Spam

I've had a copy of this photo for a while. Not Pope's Head Road, and not last year.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: August 11, 2017 06:19PM

WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DANGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT SCROLL PAST THIS POST UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE "CREEPED OUT" BY A GIGANTIC SPIDER AND HER OFFSPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPIDER, I SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RUN, RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARACHNOPHOBIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THESE TINY LITTLE CREATURES THAT MUNCH METAMORPHED MAGGOTS!!!!!!!!!!!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Wildlife Of NOVA Pics and Stories
Posted by: David in FC ()
Date: August 11, 2017 06:25PM

Sorry folks.

I thought that since this was the last post on this side of the thread, that I would take the opportunity to post something that I had mentioned before.
Attachments:
5789406987_80fc96f41d_o - Copy.jpg
_Baby Spiderlings - Copy.jpg
5087715581_3829f9bfcd_o - Copy.jpg
5087711065_bdb2a1c16d_o - Copy.jpg

Options: ReplyQuote
Pages: 12AllNext
Current Page: 1 of 2


Your Name: 
Your Email (Optional): 
Subject: 
Attach a file
  • No file can be larger than 75 MB
  • All files together cannot be larger than 300 MB
  • 30 more file(s) can be attached to this message
Spam prevention:
Please, enter the code that you see below in the input field. This is for blocking bots that try to post this form automatically.
 ********   ********  ********  **     **  ********  
 **     **  **    **  **        **     **  **     ** 
 **     **      **    **        **     **  **     ** 
 ********      **     ******    **     **  ********  
 **     **    **      **         **   **   **     ** 
 **     **    **      **          ** **    **     ** 
 ********     **      ********     ***     ********  
This forum powered by Phorum.