Done in by a 'creature' - Wildlife Adventures

[thug the bunny]

Snapper soup is a standard where I live. Bookbinders in Philly became famous pretty much for their snapper soup. Around here, it is popular to have it served with a shot of sherry that you add right before eating.

BTW, speaking of snakes, we just released our black rat snake into the wild. She had grown to ~5' and was getting too big for her cage. I miss her...

[golfnut9922]

It was years ago at TPC Tampa. I was matched up with 2 guys from up north. The first thing they ask me is "are there and gators on the coarse". I told them yes you will see some in the ponds or laying on the banks. They said cool, we have never seen one before and cant wait to see one.

So play the front no gators. We tee off on #10 (I believe) all 3 of us in different areas. I am searching for my ball down the left, the other is in the middle of the fairway and the the3rd guy is in the rough over to the right.

On the right is a pond and the next thing we heard was a scream out of the horro movies, we turn and look and the third guy is running towards us in the fairway. His ball landed just on the downslope to the pond. When he was searching for his ball he looked up ans saw 5ft gator on the bank with a huge fish in its mouth. It caught him by suprise and really freaked him out.

I believe he was very lucky that the gator had a huge fish in its mouth, otherwise I think it would have been his leg.

They finally got to see a gator, although I think atleast one of them will be giving the other a hard time, forever.

I always have a good chuckle when I play that hole.

Gary

[bigred90gt]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1377912581' post='7774877']

I will pretty much eat anything at least once (with squirrel being the most bizarre). If I ever come across snapping turtle on a menu I will give it a try and report back Butch. I would have to fool my wife into thinking it was chicken.
[/quote]
Just curious, but where are you from that squirrel would be considered bizarre to eat? I grew up eating squirrel, and miss the days my grandfather would cook it in the cast iron skillet with some onions and homemade gravy. I have up hunting a long time ago, but I would love one more plate full of his squirrel!

[cardoustie]

[color=#282828]I have some beautiful sightings:[/color]

[color=#282828]Home course here about 35 mins North of Toronto:[/color]
[color=#282828]- deer ... live and also one time a carcass stripped down to nothing left but a spine and head (I submitted the image a few years ago)[/color]
[color=#282828]- coyotes[/color]
[color=#282828]- Osprey dive bombing koi's out of ponds, impressive to watch[/color]
[color=#282828]- wild turkeys (we seem to have about 30 this year)[/color]
[color=#282828]- foxes, coyotes[/color]
[color=#282828]- baby raccoons[/color]
[color=#282828]- beavers[/color]
[color=#282828]- fisher or martin grabbed a goose and disappeared into the cat tails[/color]
[color=#282828]- musk rat[/color]

[color=#282828]Our geese chasing dogs have pretty much eliminated the Canada geese - thank goodness[/color]

[color=#282828]While travelling:[/color]
[color=#282828]- momma grizzly and her cub in Kimberly BC, should have seen the claw marks left on the green ![/color]
[color=#282828]- a big moose[/color]
[color=#282828]- black bear on the range at Whistler that eventually used his claws to tear thru the netting to get off the range (he had come from a hotel dumpster). Sharp claws and strong like bull !![/color]
[color=#282828]- Kangaroos in Australia (lots of them)[/color]
[color=#282828]- Albino deer at BigWin Island ONT. You can get within 10 feet of the deer there[/color]
[color=#282828]- 14 foot saltwater crocodile at the Dunes course at Sanibel Island FL ... massive and scary looking[/color]
[color=#282828]- 12 foot gators in GA and FL, really big on Jekyl Island[/color]
[color=#282828]- 4 foot yellow "iguanas" in the [/color][url="http://www.ebay.com/sch/Consumer-Electronics-/293/i.html?_nkw=trees"]trees[/url][color=#282828] in Cozumel[/color]
[color=#282828]- green monkeys horsing around in Barbados[/color]
[color=#282828]- burrowing owls in a bunker in Aruba [/color]
[color=#282828]- very friendly foxes in PEI[/color]
[color=#282828]- Elk in Banff[/color]

[color=#282828]SCARIEST[/color]
[color=#282828]- I was once charged by a momma swan in Newmarket ONT, now that was scary .. she got within 8 feet of my buttocks before my buddy saved me with shouts. Those guys are massive up close [/color]

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='golfnut9922' timestamp='1378218570' post='7790415']
It was years ago at TPC Tampa. I was matched up with 2 guys from up north. The first thing they ask me is "are there and gators on the coarse". I told them yes you will see some in the ponds or laying on the banks. They said cool, we have never seen one before and cant wait to see one.

So play the front no gators. We tee off on #10 (I believe) all 3 of us in different areas. I am searching for my ball down the left, the other is in the middle of the fairway and the the3rd guy is in the rough over to the right.

On the right is a pond and the next thing we heard was a scream out of the horro movies, we turn and look and the third guy is running towards us in the fairway. His ball landed just on the downslope to the pond. When he was searching for his ball he looked up ans saw 5ft gator on the bank with a huge fish in its mouth. It caught him by suprise and really freaked him out.

I believe he was very lucky that the gator had a huge fish in its mouth, otherwise I think it would have been his leg.

They finally got to see a gator, although I think atleast one of them will be giving the other a hard time, forever.

I always have a good chuckle when I play that hole.

Gary
[/quote]

Great story Gary. I wouldn't go near a gator, although I would love to see one from a distance in the wild. Are there any 'rules' when it comes to searching for a ball that may have entered a hazard?

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='bigred90gt' timestamp='1378219424' post='7790483']
[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1377912581' post='7774877']
I will pretty much eat anything at least once (with squirrel being the most bizarre). If I ever come across snapping turtle on a menu I will give it a try and report back Butch. I would have to fool my wife into thinking it was chicken.
[/quote]
Just curious, but where are you from that squirrel would be considered bizarre to eat? I grew up eating squirrel, and miss the days my grandfather would cook it in the cast iron skillet with some onions and homemade gravy. I have up hunting a long time ago, but I would love one more plate full of his squirrel!
[/quote]

Squirrel's are plentiful in my city, but I have only met a handful of people who have sampled their meat. They are either seen as a nuisance or friendly (my Mom feeds a few from her porch). My Step-father had a liking for the taste, but it wasn't a staple in the house.

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='cardoustie' timestamp='1378221274' post='7790681']
[color=#282828]I have some beautiful sightings:[/color]

[color=#282828]Home course here about 35 mins North of Toronto:[/color]
[color=#282828]- deer ... live and also one time a carcass stripped down to nothing left but a spine and head (I submitted the image a few years ago)[/color]
[color=#282828]- coyotes[/color]
[color=#282828]- Osprey dive bombing koi's out of ponds, impressive to watch[/color]
[color=#282828]- wild turkeys (we seem to have about 30 this year)[/color]
[color=#282828]- foxes, coyotes[/color]
[color=#282828]- baby raccoons[/color]
[color=#282828]- beavers[/color]
[color=#282828]- fisher or martin grabbed a goose and disappeared into the cat tails[/color]
[color=#282828]- musk rat[/color]

[color=#282828]Our geese chasing dogs have pretty much eliminated the Canada geese - thank goodness[/color]

[color=#282828]While travelling:[/color]
[color=#282828]- momma grizzly and her cub in Kimberly BC, should have seen the claw marks left on the green ![/color]
[color=#282828]- a big moose[/color]
[color=#282828]- black bear on the range at Whistler that eventually used his claws to tear thru the netting to get off the range (he had come from a hotel dumpster). Sharp claws and strong like bull !![/color]
[color=#282828]- Kangaroos in Australia (lots of them)[/color]
[color=#282828]- Albino deer at BigWin Island ONT. You can get within 10 feet of the deer there[/color]
[color=#282828]- 14 foot saltwater crocodile at the Dunes course at Sanibel Island FL ... massive and scary looking[/color]
[color=#282828]- 12 foot gators in GA and FL, really big on Jekyl Island[/color]
[color=#282828]- 4 foot yellow "iguanas" in the [/color][url="http://www.ebay.com/sch/Consumer-Electronics-/293/i.html?_nkw=trees"]trees[/url][color=#282828] in Cozumel[/color]
[color=#282828]- green monkeys horsing around in Barbados[/color]
[color=#282828]- burrowing owls in a bunker in Aruba [/color]
[color=#282828]- very friendly foxes in PEI[/color]
[color=#282828]- Elk in Banff[/color]

[color=#282828]SCARIEST[/color]
[color=#282828]- I was once charged by a momma swan in Newmarket ONT, now that was scary .. she got within 8 feet of my buttocks before my buddy saved me with shouts. Those guys are massive up close [/color]
[/quote]

Cardoustie,

We have so many beautiful animals in this country and you have seen your fair share while playing golf. What a great list. I have shared a few domestic experiences (foxes in PEI being my favourite), but don't have many sightings abroad. You've travelled to some exotic locations. Maybe someday.

[martinbns]

7-8 years ago I was living in Fort McMurray Alberta and was playing in a 3 man cash scramble. The second day we were the first group out, both teams birdie the 1st. We went over to the second tee and the leader of the other team was co-incidently the local Native chief.

Right beside the second tee box was the biggest black bear I have ever seen, at least 350 pounds (and I have shot a couple). The other guy walked right up on the box and blasted one down the middle so I had no real choice but to do the same. We were teeing off the blues, the rest of the group was two off white and two guys off red. As we all started moving down the fairway, my opponent whipped out his blackberry, called the pro shop and while we were putting on the second green we heard three quick rifle shots.

It's worth noting that the golf course is just off downtown and there are more bear/human conflicts per capita in that town than anywhere else in Canada.

In Banff once I hit into a herd of elk, but not as scary as the bear.

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='martinbns' timestamp='1378256515' post='7793547']
7-8 years ago I was living in Fort McMurray Alberta and was playing in a 3 man cash scramble. The second day we were the first group out, both teams birdie the 1st. We went over to the second tee and the leader of the other team was co-incidently the local Native chief.

Right beside the second tee box was the biggest black bear I have ever seen, at least 350 pounds (and I have shot a couple). The other guy walked right up on the box and blasted one down the middle so I had no real choice but to do the same. We were teeing off the blues, the rest of the group was two off white and two guys off red. As we all started moving down the fairway, my opponent whipped out his blackberry, called the pro shop and while we were putting on the second green we heard three quick rifle shots.

It's worth noting that the golf course is just off downtown and there are more bear/human conflicts per capita in that town than anywhere else in Canada.

In Banff once I hit into a herd of elk, but not as scary as the bear.
[/quote]

Two questions: Did the bear seem to care that you were teeing off? and did you get to drive/walk through the elk or did they scatter?

I sometimes get the first tee jitters, I don't know what I would be like if there was a bear standing next to the tee box. First time I saw an elk (outside of Jasper) I thought it was a Moose (I was young and stupid). I am caught on video repeating "look at the size of that moose" and my Mom responds "Michel how could you think that's a moose?"

[martinbns]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1378257229' post='7793611']
[quote name='martinbns' timestamp='1378256515' post='7793547']
7-8 years ago I was living in Fort McMurray Alberta and was playing in a 3 man cash scramble. The second day we were the first group out, both teams birdie the 1st. We went over to the second tee and the leader of the other team was co-incidently the local Native chief.

Right beside the second tee box was the biggest black bear I have ever seen, at least 350 pounds (and I have shot a couple). The other guy walked right up on the box and blasted one down the middle so I had no real choice but to do the same. We were teeing off the blues, the rest of the group was two off white and two guys off red. As we all started moving down the fairway, my opponent whipped out his blackberry, called the pro shop and while we were putting on the second green we heard three quick rifle shots.

It's worth noting that the golf course is just off downtown and there are more bear/human conflicts per capita in that town than anywhere else in Canada.

In Banff once I hit into a herd of elk, but not as scary as the bear.
[/quote]

Two questions: Did the bear seem to care that you were teeing off? and did you get to drive/walk through the elk or did they scatter?

I sometimes get the first tee jitters, I don't know what I would be like if there was a bear standing next to the tee box. First time I saw an elk (outside of Jasper) I thought it was a Moose (I was young and stupid). I am caught on video repeating "look at the size of that moose" and my Mom responds "Michel how could you think that's a moose?"
[/quote]

The bear didn't act like we were even there, he was eating some kind of nuts off a bush. He was sitting on his butt about 10 feet from where we teed off.

The elk scattered as we drove up.

[golfnut9922]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1378251075' post='7793105']
[quote name='golfnut9922' timestamp='1378218570' post='7790415']
It was years ago at TPC Tampa. I was matched up with 2 guys from up north. The first thing they ask me is "are there and gators on the coarse". I told them yes you will see some in the ponds or laying on the banks. They said cool, we have never seen one before and cant wait to see one.

So play the front no gators. We tee off on #10 (I believe) all 3 of us in different areas. I am searching for my ball down the left, the other is in the middle of the fairway and the the3rd guy is in the rough over to the right.

On the right is a pond and the next thing we heard was a scream out of the horro movies, we turn and look and the third guy is running towards us in the fairway. His ball landed just on the downslope to the pond. When he was searching for his ball he looked up ans saw 5ft gator on the bank with a huge fish in its mouth. It caught him by suprise and really freaked him out.

I believe he was very lucky that the gator had a huge fish in its mouth, otherwise I think it would have been his leg.

They finally got to see a gator, although I think atleast one of them will be giving the other a hard time, forever.

I always have a good chuckle when I play that hole.

Gary
[/quote]

Great story Gary. I wouldn't go near a gator, although I would love to see one from a distance in the wild. Are there any 'rules' when it comes to searching for a ball that may have entered a hazard?
[/quote]


I have not seen any specific directions on looking for your ball in the hazards down here. It is garuanteed that when a gator is lying on the bank my ball will be within 5 feet of it. No matter where I aim the ball.

Gary

[CBRADGO]

I can't help but laugh at the "city folk" on here, love it. I was fortunate to be raised by a father that believed in hunting for conservation, not sport, and as a means to provide food. We bonded over hunting as much as we did golf and my son and I do the same today.

As far as the snapping turtle goes, you are lucky to possess all of your digits by picking one up that size the way you did. The real big ones aren't as aggressive as the smaller ones but the are dangerous nonetheless. Growing up, I found one during a junior tournament in OH and showed the city boys I was playing with how aggressive they can be. No BS, he left an outline of his jaws on the toe of my Ping Zing, no doubt he could've taken a finger off...

And yes, real turtle soup will make you throw rocks at anything else. A dark roux based "gumbo" with some spice and a drizzle of sherry. Man, I can taste it now!!!

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='CBRADGO' timestamp='1378324560' post='7797463']
I can't help but laugh at the "city folk" on here, love it. I was fortunate to be raised by a father that believed in hunting for conservation, not sport, and as a means to provide food. We bonded over hunting as much as we did golf and my son and I do the same today.

As far as the snapping turtle goes, you are lucky to possess all of your digits by picking one up that size the way you did. The real big ones aren't as aggressive as the smaller ones but the are dangerous nonetheless. Growing up, I found one during a junior tournament in OH and showed the city boys I was playing with how aggressive they can be. No BS, he left an outline of his jaws on the toe of my Ping Zing, no doubt he could've taken a finger off...

And yes, real turtle soup will make you throw rocks at anything else. A dark roux based "gumbo" with some spice and a drizzle of sherry. Man, I can taste it now!!!
[/quote]

Spent some of my youth in a Northern mining town and did live on a farm for a brief time, but don't deny that I am a 'city boy'. Part of the reason why I love to see animals on the course. I may have to start carrying a camera.

[goobers80]

[color=#800080]I had two baby deer on green behinds me. Saw a baby rattlesnake on one green. I used wedge to pick it up. It kept takings snaps at the wedge. I saw a headless snake in the fairway. A Fox was in a bunker 10 feets away. A family of ground hogs always outs ands running back in their hole when you get close. A great blue heron abouts 5 feets to my side. 25 deer outs grazing in evening. Birds stealings pretzels out of the golf cart. A few alligators on the edge of the water on one hole sunning. Chipmunks , beavers , cats , turkeys , vultures , bald eagle , hawks , ducks , turtles , all sorts of wetlands insects , etc. On ride to 14 hole i always see my ground hog buddy. I throw him bananas , nots sure if he eats them.[/color]

[color=#800080]​Best was the state tournament i won after four hour rain delay , there was a dead fish in middle of fairway. Water came ups so high it gots stranded ands stuck. So , i picked it up ands tossed it in the rough.[/color]

[color=#800080]​Mosts were on my home course. Wants so badly to see a bear. I loves bears most. I wish bears coulds be pets.[/color]

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='goobers80' timestamp='1378362931' post='7800593']
[color=#800080]I had two baby deer on green behinds me. Saw a baby rattlesnake on one green. I used wedge to pick it up. It kept takings snaps at the wedge. I saw a headless snake in the fairway. A Fox was in a bunker 10 feets away. A family of ground hogs always outs ands running back in their hole when you get close. A great blue heron abouts 5 feets to my side. 25 deer outs grazing in evening. Birds stealings pretzels out of the golf cart. A few alligators on the edge of the water on one hole sunning. Chipmunks , beavers , cats , turkeys , vultures , bald eagle , hawks , ducks , turtles , all sorts of wetlands insects , etc. On ride to 14 hole i always see my ground hog buddy. I throw him bananas , nots sure if he eats them.[/color]

[color=#800080]​Best was the state tournament i won after four hour rain delay , there was a dead fish in middle of fairway. Water came ups so high it gots stranded ands stuck. So , i picked it up ands tossed it in the rough.[/color]

[color=#800080]​Mosts were on my home course. Wants so badly to see a bear. I loves bears most. I wish bears coulds be pets.[/color]
[/quote]

Goobers,

that is quite the collection of animals. I have seen numerous bears in the wild, but never on a golf course. On the Cabot Trail one year we stopped behind a group of cars who had pulled over. People were taking pictures of a mother black bear and her two cubs. My wife and I made the decision to stay in the car and observe from a distance. I was waiting for a mauling. Luckily, momma bear and her babies disappeared into the brush.

[BNich0622]

[quote name='Miller192' timestamp='1377830960' post='7769419']
Who in the hell picks up a snapping turtle?
[/quote]

Mor like who doesnt own a cell phone in 2013.

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='BNich0622' timestamp='1378421500' post='7804055']
[quote name='Miller192' timestamp='1377830960' post='7769419']
Who in the hell picks up a snapping turtle?
[/quote]

Mor like who doesnt own a cell phone in 2013.
[/quote]

BNich,

Good catch. What can I say, I'm a 34 year old luddite. You should see the wagon that I take to the course each morning.

[golfnut9922]

I had a 6 foot gator walk the cart path on #10 at Heritage Harbor. I dont know how to posts pics or video here, but it was a little unnerving. He was trying to get thru the chain link fence. He would make a lot of noise trying to get thru it and the run along the fence for a while and try again.

I had a lob wedge into the green and when I made my swing he started trashing the fence. I bladed my ball on to the next tee box, lucky the trees slowed it down so I didnt hit the guys teeing off.


Gary

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='golfnut9922' timestamp='1379253803' post='7854317']
I had a 6 foot gator walk the cart path on #10 at Heritage Harbor. I dont know how to posts pics or video here, but it was a little unnerving. He was trying to get thru the chain link fence. He would make a lot of noise trying to get thru it and the run along the fence for a while and try again.

I had a lob wedge into the green and when I made my swing he started trashing the fence. I bladed my ball on to the next tee box, lucky the trees slowed it down so I didnt hit the guys teeing off.


Gary
[/quote]

Thank you for sharing Gary. Unnerving would be my description as well. I love that video from a PGA tour event (can't remember the name) where the one legged gator lumbers across the fairway towards the pond.

[PeanutsDaddy]

Always on the look-out for unique animal sightings. Last weekend my regular playing partner and I were sitting on a patio, outside the clubhouse, that overlooks a pond behind the 9th/18th greens. There were ducks everywhere. On the banks, in the pond, on the greens. There was one interesting looking bird diving under the water in search of food (I've since learned the bird was a cormorant). At one point the bird disappeared for an extended period of time, and then popped up on the other side of the pond with a good size sunfish in its beak. The bird began slapping the fish back and forth across the surface of the water. It almost appeared that it was trying to beat the fish senseless. I was positive that the fish was going to find a way to get loose, but the bird kept pummeling the water. Eventually the fish went limp and the cormorant tossed it in the air and swallowed it whole. It was a cool scene that was made even more impressive because there were children (younger than six) on the deck that were just going nuts.

[martinbns]

[quote name='goobers80' timestamp='1378362931' post='7800593']
[color=#800080]I had two baby deer on green behinds me. Saw a baby rattlesnake on one green. I used wedge to pick it up. It kept takings snaps at the wedge. I saw a headless snake in the fairway. A Fox was in a bunker 10 feets away. A family of ground hogs always outs ands running back in their hole when you get close. A great blue heron abouts 5 feets to my side. 25 deer outs grazing in evening. Birds stealings pretzels out of the golf cart. A few alligators on the edge of the water on one hole sunning. Chipmunks , beavers , cats , turkeys , vultures , bald eagle , hawks , ducks , turtles , all sorts of wetlands insects , etc. On ride to 14 hole i always see my ground hog buddy. I throw him bananas , nots sure if he eats them.[/color]

[color=#800080]​Best was the state tournament i won after four hour rain delay , there was a dead fish in middle of fairway. Water came ups so high it gots stranded ands stuck. So , i picked it up ands tossed it in the rough.[/color]

[color=#800080]​Mosts were on my home course. Wants so badly to see a bear. I loves bears most. I wish bears coulds be pets.[/color]
[/quote]

You may not feel that way when you actually see a bear up close. At the Ft McMurray golf club, there are a number of spots you have to walk through the bush where the cherry trees are all pushed over and the berry bushes are full of flat spots where they have been sitting and eating. A bear in the distance when it can see you and vice versa is fine, but very dangerous if you surprise them. Walking through areas full of bear scat even carrying a hunting rifle just creep me out.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

Years ago there was a pond near the house we used to own out in the far 'burbs. They drained it once to work on the spillways. Apparently that sent the turtles out into the neighborhood looking for a new home or something. One day were hear our two dogs barking their fool heads off in the back yard and went out to see them "challenging" a huge snapper. Dude had to be nearly two feet across.

I guess with us watching, the black lab was emboldened to go bark right in the turtle's face. Of course those things can reach their neck out quite a ways. The snapper grabbed ahold of the dog's nose and would NOT let go. The dog switched from barking to screaming but the turtle held on for a good, slow count of 10 or so before letting go.

That dog lived out her remaining 10-12 years of a long, happy life with a huge scar across the nose. I'll bet if she ever caught a whiff of a turtle again she's have went and hid under the house!

[DickieThon]

I joke that I "fought" a family of ducks this summer. Was on the 18th hole of a local course, and there's a small pond by the tee box. We hit our tee shots and start driving away from the tee, and to our right see a mama duck and her almost-grown ducklings in a crowd "beaking" for lack of a better word, some little thing. Guys I'm playing with don't think much of it and start pulling away, but nosey as I am I stop to check it out. Sure enough, the ducks are all ganged up on a little duckling, apparently trying to peck it to death. It's not moving at the time, but I think that's horrible, get out of the cart and break it up- had to smack a couple of "teenager" ducks, but they mostly waddled away.

Other guy in my cart goes "it must be dead, it wasn't moving," but I check it out anyway. Turns out the little guy/girl was unhurt near as I could tell but just went limp. And apparently its mom and siblings were in the pond quacking for it, but didn't want to challenge the other group. So I take the duckling over to the pond, and after catching his breath or whatever, he hops in and swims back to mom.

I have no idea how I played for the rest of the hole, but I'm now 100% convinced that ducks are savages and should be punched in the face.

[PeanutsDaddy]

Martin,

Most animals appear 'nice' from a distance. Get close, or scare them and all bets are off. I definitely would keep my distance from the bears, crocks, and swans.

Fourmyle,

That must have hurt like hell. To think of how sensitive a dog's nose (or any nose) is. I bet the turtle was holding on to prove a point.

Dickie,

The birds and I tend to have a love/hate relationship. Geese, ducks, swans, black birds, etc. I like to look at them, but I hate their poop all over the course and generally steer clear for fear of attack.

[awil]

Witnessed as I was caddying at Mgc a hawk cut from the range over onto 10 fairway In mid air . What was he doing ; chasing a black bird which he snatched out of mid air ! And then took too a tree and slowly devoured it . I mean you could hear the bird screeching for 10 minutes

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='awil' timestamp='1379386891' post='7863529']
Witnessed as I was caddying at Mgc a hawk cut from the range over onto 10 fairway In mid air . What was he doing ; chasing a black bird which he snatched out of mid air ! And then took too a tree and slowly devoured it . I mean you could hear the bird screeching for 10 minutes
[/quote]

Eaten alive. Yowzers.

[awil]

[quote name='cardoustie' timestamp='1378221274' post='7790681']
[color=#282828]I have some beautiful sightings:[/color]

[color=#282828]Home course here about 35 mins North of Toronto:[/color]
[color=#282828]- deer ... live and also one time a carcass stripped down to nothing left but a spine and head (I submitted the image a few years ago)[/color]
[color=#282828]- coyotes[/color]
[color=#282828]- Osprey dive bombing koi's out of ponds, impressive to watch[/color]
[color=#282828]- wild turkeys (we seem to have about 30 this year)[/color]
[color=#282828]- foxes, coyotes[/color]
[color=#282828]- baby raccoons[/color]
[color=#282828]- beavers[/color]
[color=#282828]- fisher or martin grabbed a goose and disappeared into the cat tails[/color]
[color=#282828]- musk rat[/color]

[color=#282828]Our geese chasing dogs have pretty much eliminated the Canada geese - thank goodness[/color]

[color=#282828]While travelling:[/color]
[color=#282828]- momma grizzly and her cub in Kimberly BC, should have seen the claw marks left on the green ![/color]
[color=#282828]- a big moose[/color]
[color=#282828]- black bear on the range at Whistler that eventually used his claws to tear thru the netting to get off the range (he had come from a hotel dumpster). Sharp claws and strong like bull !![/color]
[color=#282828]- Kangaroos in Australia (lots of them)[/color]
[color=#282828]- Albino deer at BigWin Island ONT. You can get within 10 feet of the deer there[/color]
[color=#282828]- 14 foot saltwater crocodile at the Dunes course at Sanibel Island FL ... massive and scary looking[/color]
[color=#282828]- 12 foot gators in GA and FL, really big on Jekyl Island[/color]
[color=#282828]- 4 foot yellow "iguanas" in the [/color][url="http://www.ebay.com/sch/Consumer-Electronics-/293/i.html?_nkw=trees"]trees[/url][color=#282828] in Cozumel[/color]
[color=#282828]- green monkeys horsing around in Barbados[/color]
[color=#282828]- burrowing owls in a bunker in Aruba [/color]
[color=#282828]- very friendly foxes in PEI[/color]
[color=#282828]- Elk in Banff[/color]

[color=#282828]SCARIEST[/color]
[color=#282828]- I was once charged by a momma swan in Newmarket ONT, now that was scary .. she got within 8 feet of my buttocks before my buddy saved me with shouts. Those guys are massive up close [/color]
[/quote]
Ill couch for the 14 footer at the dunes in sanibel . Save this image I took of it and it will save the location from sanibel island the dunes golf course . I have never had much experience with gators being from mn but I saw this one from the tee and knew he was huge . Rushed my second shot from the fairway hahaha . The other image I took at the sanctuary on sanibel and this is about as close as I would feel comfortable being to a gator as a Minnesota boy . He was napping and sure would have made a nice belt or two [attachment=1879305:image.jpg][attachment=1879303:image.jpg]

[awil]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1379389548' post='7863755']
[quote name='awil' timestamp='1379386891' post='7863529']
Witnessed as I was caddying at Mgc a hawk cut from the range over onto 10 fairway In mid air . What was he doing ; chasing a black bird which he snatched out of mid air ! And then took too a tree and slowly devoured it . I mean you could hear the bird screeching for 10 minutes
[/quote]

Eaten alive. Yowzers.
[/quote]
I realize the irony in my statement , but the hawk didn't even kill the bird before having lunch . It stated ripping pieces out of the bird and eating .

[PeanutsDaddy]

Awil,

that is a great picture of you and the gator. He/she looks like a hefty creature. Best to keep your distance. If I ever get to play a course that has them I think I will drop a few meters from the hazard for safety. I don't know how fast they move, but being eaten alive by a croc must be as bad as being eaten alive by a hawk.

[awil]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1379449570' post='7867465']
Awil,

that is a great picture of you and the gator. He/she looks like a hefty creature. Best to keep your distance. If I ever get to play a course that has them I think I will drop a few meters from the hazard for safety. I don't know how fast they move, but being eaten alive by a croc must be as bad as being eaten alive by a hawk.
[/quote]
The big picture of the croc was taken using a camera with a sizable zoom From a golf cart . The other one was about 5 feet and a risk I took . Had people nearby . That one was about 5 feet max . Just a little juvenile .