Done in by a 'creature' - Wildlife Adventures

[PeanutsDaddy]

Awil,

Having only seen a croc or two at the zoo, they both appear fairly large. At least he/she is moving away from you.

[Ty_Webb]

Great thread. That croc is huge!

No crocs, but I have a couple of stories.

One was a red-tailed hawk chowing down on some squirrel at Bethpage. We got real close to it and it stopped and looked at us, then picked up the half a squirrel and flew away. I think he was pondering whether he could upgrade his dinner, but thought better of it. Saw another one there catch a field mouse. A caddie in the group behind came running over and asked us if we'd seen it. We said yes and he flipped out about how he'd never seen that up close and was desperate to.

Another was a bobcat on a course in Arizona. Seeing 40-odd lbs of teeth, claws and muscle was deeply unnerving. Apparently there are so many rabbits out there that they are basically never hungry so pretty safe. Would not want to be between mother and cubs though.

Saw a gator on seabrook island in SC one time, basking on a bank. There was a ball about 5 feet away from its mouth on the bank. We left it there. Played a second round in the afternoon and ball and gator were still there. Then we came by the hole a little later and there was a guy with a ball retriever lying on his stomach reaching out as much as he could to grab this ball. Was a bizarre sight and, while I'm not an expert on such matters, were I dumb enough to try to get that ball, I would have been on my feet and ready to run at the slightest hint of movement. Not lying on my stomach waiting to get nabbed.

Last one was the oddest and, in the moment, the scariest. At a course near London called the Addington and I'm on the practice putting green, together with a couple of peacocks (as you do). I had lined myself up about a 6 footer and in the middle of my stroke, one of them let out an ear-piercing screech. I hit the putt clean off the green and jumped about 3 feet in the air. I had no idea they could make so much noise. Frightened the bejayzus out of me.

[PeanutsDaddy]

Ty,

I don't know what impresses me more when I read the stories in this thread. The wildlife golfers have seen or the places many of you have been. I need to get on a plane or drive my car to a foreign location. There is some amazing wildlife here in Canada, but I need to see some 'exotic' species from afar.

[thug the bunny]

[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]

That would have been a Cooper's or Sharp Shinned hawk - accipiters (bird hawks) are the only ones that regularly snack on other birds...

[PeanutsDaddy]

Thug,

You are a font of knowledge. How do you know that?

[thug the bunny]

Meh, I've been a nature freak (or maybe a freak of nature) and birder for a long time. It definitely enhances the experience out on the course. Get yourself a Peterson's Field Guide to Birds of the (your geographic location, ie, Eastern United States) and go from there!

[PeanutsDaddy]

Thank you for the book suggestion Thug. I will pick up a copy. It took four of us to figure out that we were watching a cormorant last weekend. I can pick out a few indigenous species, but struggle to separate a king fisher from a blue heron (I think the heron is the big one?).

Another question - what is the meaning of Meh? I've seen this 'word' employed in a few threads. Is it a Seinfeld/Larry David phrase? I'm not down on the lingo.

[thug the bunny]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1379467944' post='7869027']
Thank you for the book suggestion Thug. I will pick up a copy. It took four of us to figure out that we were watching a cormorant last weekend. I can pick out a few indigenous species, but struggle to separate a king fisher from a blue heron (I think the heron is the big one?).

Another question - what is the meaning of Meh? I've seen this 'word' employed in a few threads. Is it a Seinfeld/Larry David phrase? I'm not down on the lingo.
[/quote]

Haha, maybe it's an American thing, but I just picked it up from the Net. Meh = no big deal.

King fishers are smaller (robin size) bluish birds with large beaks, a rose coloring across their breast, and a crest on their heads. They hang around trees along stream banks waiting to dive on small fish like a tern. Blue herons are large blue wading birds with loooong necks and big sharp beaks.

Hope you enjoy your foray into birding!

[PeanutsDaddy]

I will add meh to my lexicon. I may blend in a little better when I travel north of the border. Those woodpeckers at my home course aren't aware just yet, but the Peanuts will now be armed with a camera and bird book.

[sirukuma]

[quote name='strokingforscratch' timestamp='1377885629' post='7772663']
Stepped out of my cart onto the tail of an 8' corn snake. They kinda have that rattler-headed-copper-mocassin look to them.
Anyway, I discovered it is possible to crap one's pants and jump, flat-footed, backwards over a golf cart---all at once.
[/quote]

Oh Man. You just reminded me of an experience from two years ago. I was playing as a single and paired up with two easy going guys in a cart. On the back nine, one hits his tee shot adjacent to a pond with high grass around the edge. They drive up near the ball, the passenger hops out, walks to the other side of the cart, and with his back to the pond, addresses his ball and starts his swing. Just as he starts his transition to the downswing, a large black snake comes out of the tall grass between his feet. The following 2 seconds are etched in slow motion in my memory. The guy loses all control and screams, leaps and lets the club fly out of his hands simutaneously. The club bounces off the ground and into the cart, where it hits his buddy in the jewels. He lands from his leap onto the side of the pond bank, loses his balance, and tumbles backward into the pond. The sight of this and the sound of the first scream followed by the groan from his partner just took me the point of no return laughter wise. I could not stop laughing -- it felt like I could not breathe or even speak -- I damn near wet my pants from the laughing. Two years later remembering this still makes me cry with laughter.

[Krt22]

[quote name='awil' timestamp='1379417217' post='7864401']
[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 .
[/quote]
That savage hawk obviously isn't a PETA member

[wmblake2000]

Two stories. I travel to India a lot on business and was playing at the Tolleygunge Club in Calcutta (Kolkata). There was a jackel on the course roaming around. Right in the middle of the city. Turns out, the caddies feed it and it was tame.

Then in Pasadena, at Annandale, there was a herd of (I think it was) elk on a green - not just deer but I am thinking my memory is wrong, but I remember them as elk. Must have been 30 of them. I never imagined this being possible, but the course is near foothills. Anyway, my friend who is the member said, "don't make eye contact, it's rutting season and the bull will charge you." The odd thing is they didn't leave any hoof marks on the green.

[PeanutsDaddy]

Sirukuma,

hilarious story, not a shock that it's etched in your mind. Did the two gentlemen continue the round after the incident or did they pack it in?

Krt22,

after reading numerous posts in this thread I get the impression that PETA would struggle to gain support amongst a segment of the GolfWrx population. I didn't chronicle my experience with two giant wild turkey's (and babies) this weekend because I thought I might be vilified for not shooting and eating them on-site.

Wmblake,

I've seen deer and elk in small numbers, but never a small herd. That would have been majestic. I find it incredible that they didn't leave impressions on the greens. I walk in the early morning and the depressions from my footprints are clearly visible, even in dry conditions you would figure a massive animal would leave a mark.

[thug the bunny]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1379537289' post='7873437']

Krt22,

after reading numerous posts in this thread I get the impression that PETA would struggle to gain support amongst a segment of the GolfWrx population. I didn't chronicle my experience with two giant wild turkey's (and babies) this weekend because I thought I might be vilified for not shooting and eating them on-site.
[/quote]

Ummm, gobblers come into my yard during the winter and I feed them. Although, I'm not at either extreme (PETA vs 'kill em all'). I'm thinking of getting a hunting license this fall and taking one or two. I know many wildlife enthusiasts who also hunt and fish. Consider native americans - they kill and eat what they revere and respect. Quite a lesson to be learned there.

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='thug the bunny' timestamp='1379546131' post='7874149']
[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1379537289' post='7873437']
Krt22,

after reading numerous posts in this thread I get the impression that PETA would struggle to gain support amongst a segment of the GolfWrx population. I didn't chronicle my experience with two giant wild turkey's (and babies) this weekend because I thought I might be vilified for not shooting and eating them on-site.
[/quote]

Ummm, gobblers come into my yard during the winter and I feed them. Although, I'm not at either extreme (PETA vs 'kill em all'). I'm thinking of getting a hunting license this fall and taking one or two. I know many wildlife enthusiasts who also hunt and fish. Consider native americans - they kill and eat what they revere and respect. Quite a lesson to be learned there.
[/quote]

Thug,

I agree with your statements. Attempted to use meh at work today and it went over my co-worker's head. We both had a good laugh. I'll keep at it.

[sirukuma]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1379537289' post='7873437']
Sirukuma,

hilarious story, not a shock that it's etched in your mind. Did the two gentlemen continue the round after the incident or did they pack it in?

[/quote]

They decided to call it a day, and I finished out the last few holes alone. It was actually difficult to for me to play because I kept breaking out in laughing fits every 5 minutes. When I got back to the pro-shop, the starter, cart kids and pro asked me what the heck happened out there. They had seen the two come in, one soaked to the bone and the other walking slowly. When I filled in the details, they all doubled over.
I ran into the same guys at the same course last fall. I was coming off 18 and I spotted them teeing off on 1. I yelled over to watch out that the snakes were restless on the course today. Both their heads snapped around and when they spotted me they cracked up. I found out they were brothers-in-law and that day was the first time they had ever played together. Ever since, they play every weekend. Were really nice guys.

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='sirukuma' timestamp='1379554010' post='7874833']
[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1379537289' post='7873437']
Sirukuma,

hilarious story, not a shock that it's etched in your mind. Did the two gentlemen continue the round after the incident or did they pack it in?

[/quote]

They decided to call it a day, and I finished out the last few holes alone. It was actually difficult to for me to play because I kept breaking out in laughing fits every 5 minutes. When I got back to the pro-shop, the starter, cart kids and pro asked me what the heck happened out there. They had seen the two come in, one soaked to the bone and the other walking slowly. When I filled in the details, they all doubled over.
I ran into the same guys at the same course last fall. I was coming off 18 and I spotted them teeing off on 1. I yelled over to watch out that the snakes were restless on the course today. Both their heads snapped around and when they spotted me they cracked up. I found out they were brothers-in-law and that day was the first time they had ever played together. Ever since, they play every weekend. Were really nice guys.
[/quote]

Epic. Great end to a funny story. Funny how permanent bonds are forged.

[PeanutsDaddy]

I resurrecting an old thread to pay homage to a dearly departed foe. The 'creature' (aka - big friggin' snapping turtle) is no more.

As I approached the 18th green this evening, 4 year old son riding shotgun in the cart, I noticed a 'log' in the pond that sits next to the green. The two of us went to investigate and were shocked to discover a huge snapping turtle floating belly up at the water's edge. My son stared in amazement and then asked if the turtle was dead. I assured him that it was, but he was still skeptical. I retrieved a stick and poked the creature. No movement. The 'little man' then asks if I could flip the turtle over so he could see the other side of the shell. The sucker was so heavy that it broke the stick as I attempted to flip it over. I went to the cart to retrieve my pitching wedge. The Wishon performed admirably and I was able to flip the turtle over. There were still a few interesting sights to see: Leeches covered its back, two crayfish swam from under its belly, and a frog jumped near its mouth (scaring the crap out of the both of us). We left the beast where we found it, but the scene left an indelible mark. Let's hope my son is able to sleep. He'll have a tall tale to tell his Mother in the morning.

Thank you for the memories my old 'friend'. May you swim with the fishes forever. RIP.

[Kadin 25]

He lives on through your memories.....

[thug the bunny]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1398045465' post='9133479']
I resurrecting an old thread to pay homage to a dearly departed foe. The 'creature' (aka - big friggin' snapping turtle) is no more.

As I approached the 18th green this evening, 4 year old son riding shotgun in the cart, I noticed a 'log' in the pond that sits next to the green. The two of us went to investigate and were shocked to discover a huge snapping turtle floating belly up at the water's edge. My son stared in amazement and then asked if the turtle was dead. I assured him that it was, but he was still skeptical. I retrieved a stick and poked the creature. No movement. The 'little man' then asks if I could flip the turtle over so he could see the other side of the shell. The sucker was so heavy that it broke the stick as I attempted to flip it over. I went to the cart to retrieve my pitching wedge. The Wishon performed admirably and I was able to flip the turtle over. There were still a few interesting sights to see: Leeches covered its back, two crayfish swam from under its belly, and a frog jumped near its mouth (scaring the crap out of the both of us). We left the beast where we found it, but the scene left an indelible mark. Let's hope my son is able to sleep. He'll have a tall tale to tell his Mother in the morning.

Thank you for the memories my old 'friend'. May you swim with the fishes forever. RIP.
[/quote]

Maybe another victim of this brutal winter. He has been immortalized here on WRX..

[DavePelz4]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1398045465' post='9133479']
I resurrecting an old thread to pay homage to a dearly departed foe. The 'creature' (aka - big friggin' snapping turtle) is no more.

As I approached the 18th green this evening, 4 year old son riding shotgun in the cart, I noticed a 'log' in the pond that sits next to the green. The two of us went to investigate and were shocked to discover a huge snapping turtle floating belly up at the water's edge. My son stared in amazement and then asked if the turtle was dead. I assured him that it was, but he was still skeptical. I retrieved a stick and poked the creature. No movement. The 'little man' then asks if I could flip the turtle over so he could see the other side of the shell. The sucker was so heavy that it broke the stick as I attempted to flip it over. I went to the cart to retrieve my pitching wedge. The Wishon performed admirably and I was able to flip the turtle over. There were still a few interesting sights to see: Leeches covered its back, two crayfish swam from under its belly, and a frog jumped near its mouth (scaring the crap out of the both of us). We left the beast where we found it, but the scene left an indelible mark. Let's hope my son is able to sleep. He'll have a tall tale to tell his Mother in the morning.

Thank you for the memories my old 'friend'. May you swim with the fishes forever. RIP.
[/quote]
It's the circle of life PD and a moment shared with your son, which is the most important.

Geez I feel like watching The Lion King.

[PeanutsDaddy]

Thug, thanks for chiming in. Our animal conversations last fall were a GolfWRX highlight for me.

Gents, the Turtle got the last laugh today. Came to the final hole -1 for the round. Pumped a ball in the water near the beast. I'd swear it was smirking at me from the waters edge.

The boy didn't have nightmares last night and was excited to recount the story to Mom this morning so all's well in the land of the PD.

[PeanutsDaddy]

[i]"Elk hooves are quite large and if the green was firm the hoof would splay rather than sink in." [/i]


martinbns,

not disputing this fact but find it amazing that a 500 pound cow and 700 pound bull (or herd of them) wouldn't leave indentations on the green. That all being said, I once confused an elk with a moose so I'm no authority.

On a totally different note . . . We drove to the East Coast on our honeymoon. Loved travelling through New Brunswick. Reminded me of Northern Ontario.

[Bonhomme Richard]

I'm new to WRX so I just found this thread. I'd like to add my own animal story if that's ok.

Back when the Barclays was the Buick Classic and it was played at Westchester Country Club, my dad and I went each year. One year my dad's friend played in the pro-am on Wednesday so we went to follow him around. His playing partner was a journeyman pro named Stiles Mitchell. He mainly bounced around the mini tours and never really made his mark on the PGA Tour. He was a big guy -- John Daly type -- with a Southern drawl and monster length off the tee. Since we followed him and my dad's friend around all day he had us in stitches the whole time with jokes and great anecdotes. He wasn't an elite pro, but he definitely seemed to be enjoying himself, even as there weren't many people who were paying attention to this pairing.

On the back nine Mitchell went into the woods to look for his ball and he found a bird with string from a deflated balloon wrapped around its wings. The bird couldn't fly and was in distress, hopping around like crazy. Mitchell's jovial demeanor changed, and he became dead serious as he approached the bird. Very gently, he picked the bird up, and as if on cue the bird became calm. His caddie produced a pocket knife and he very carefully cut the bird free and set it down on the ground. The little creature hopped around a few times and flew off.

To see this big, loud, journeyman golf pro seemingly make a connection and save the life of a little bird was a moment that will stick with me forever.

A few years ago I googled Stiles Mitchell to see whatever happened to him. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years after I met him, I guess from an apparent heart attack. I felt sad, remembering how good he was to that little bird. He may never have left a legacy on the golf course but he left a mark on me that day.

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='Bonhomme Richard' timestamp='1398392258' post='9165635']
I'm new to WRX so I just found this thread. I'd like to add my own animal story if that's ok.

Back when the Barclays was the Buick Classic and it was played at Westchester Country Club, my dad and I went each year. One year my dad's friend played in the pro-am on Wednesday so we went to follow him around. His playing partner was a journeyman pro named Stiles Mitchell. He mainly bounced around the mini tours and never really made his mark on the PGA Tour. He was a big guy -- John Daly type -- with a Southern drawl and hilarious stories. Since we followed him and my dad's friend around all day he had us in stitches the whole time with jokes and great anecdotes. He wasn't an elite pro, but he definitely seemed to be enjoying himself, even as there weren't many people who were paying attention to this pairing.

On the back nine Mitchell went into the woods to look for his ball and he found a bird with string from a deflated balloon wrapped around its wings. The bird couldn't fly and was in distress, hopping around like crazy. Mitchell's jovial demeanor changed, and he became dead serious as he approached the bird. Very gently, he picked the bird up, and as if on cue the bird became calm. His caddie produced a pocket knife and he very carefully cut the bird free and set it down on the ground. The little creature hopped around a few times and flew off.

To see this big, loud, journeyman golf pro seemingly make a connection and save the life of a little bird was a moment that will stick with me forever.

A few years ago I googled Stiles Mitchell to see whatever happened to him. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years after I met him, I guess from an apparent heart attack. I felt sad, remembering how good he was to that little bird. He may never have left a legacy on the golf course but he left a mark on me that day.
[/quote]

And you've left a mark in this thread. What a touching story. I'm certain your Dad valued the time spent with you as much as you enjoyed the experience. Thank you for sharing Bonhomme.

When my son and I return from the golf course he tells my wife about the turtles, bull-frogs, wood peckers and caterpillars that he sees. Golf has afforded me the opportunity to share the earth's treasures with him. I'm hoping he grows to fondly remember the time we've spent together on Daddy's 'playground'.

[MadGolfer76]

The only thing missing from this thread is a theme song from Elton John or Phil Collins.

[PeanutsDaddy]

[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1398395009' post='9165999']
The only thing missing from this thread is a theme song from Elton John or Phil Collins.
[/quote]

You know Mad I should have given a little more thought to the thread's soundtrack. I'm a fan of both artists. [i]Against all odds [/i]I think I've discovered the perfect jingle. Can you feel the love? I sure can.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFYBLwb3I84"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFYBLwb3I84[/url]

[tdelam]

I've got quite an odd one as well.

I was golfing at my usual course. The third hole is a par-3 over water. At the green is a shack that is usually open during the peak of summer and during tournaments serving snacks and such. As I approached the green, I passed by the shack and I could here this faint tweeting sound and some fluttering. I never thought anything about it until the sound was very muted and very fast paced. I knew something wasn't right. The club owners put up some "Sticky Fly Tape". If you don't know what it is, it looks like this: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j25W8mSrsbA/UBfbp_s5sGI/AAAAAAAABDc/6UbvMAzkXsA/s1600/sticky_tape_JPG.jpg

I walked over to the where the sound was coming from and sure enough there was a black-capped chickadee stuck in the sticky fly tape. A lot of his feathers were missing from him trying to escape and he had a broken wing. After a good 20 minutes I managed to free him. I picked up my ball off the green and decided to call the local vet emergency number, it was a weekend so they were closed. A vet asked me to bring the bird to them and she'll meet me. She says birds don't often survive after that mainly due to shock. I called back 3 months later and the bird survived and was doing well. Apparently it commons for birds to get in that sticky fly tape because they'll land on it to eat the bugs off of it!

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='PeanutsDaddy' timestamp='1398395332' post='9166053']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1398395009' post='9165999']
The only thing missing from this thread is a theme song from Elton John or Phil Collins.
[/quote]

You know Mad I should have given a little more thought to the thread's soundtrack. I'm a fan of both artists. [i]Against all odds [/i]I think I've discovered the perfect jingle. Can you feel the love? I sure can.

[media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFYBLwb3I84[/media]
[/quote]

Well, seeing as how the critter kicked the [s]shell[/s] can, you might have used "In the Air Tonight." lol

[PeanutsDaddy]

A bizarre moment on the course this morning.

I was playing an early morning round at my home track. The course was wide open. I'm standing in the 4th fairway waiting to hit my approach shot and a member of the Ground's Crew drives up with his dog in tow. After a few moments of banter he asks the dog if he 'wants to get an egg'. The dog enthusiastically spins in circles. They take off toward a nearby pond. I stand and watch as the dog dives in and swims out to a small 'island' that's in the center of the water. There are two Canadian geese honking as he's approaching. The dog emerges from the water as a goose flies off the small plot of land. He reaches into a goose nest, pulls out and egg, and swims back to his owner with the egg in his mouth. They trot off and I continued my round.

At the conclusion of the round I asked the man's wife if they were having goose egg for breakfast. She laughs and proceeds to tell me that the dog loves to eat goose eggs and they treat him from time to time as the geese are nesting. She also indicated that the dog would be miserable in a few hours as the egg gives him awful gas.

In related news . . .

Last night I took my wife and son shopping. We walk into Sears at the local mall and there is a goose nesting outside the door of the store. The establishment had erected a fence around the nest to protect the bird and her eggs. I asked the clerk inside and she indicated that the bird has been nesting in this location for years. I've never noticed her. Let's just say that my 4 year old was highly amused.

Here are a few images (shot in 2012) which were printed in the local paper:

[attachment=2193965:Geese in front of Sears.jpg]

[attachment=2193969:Geese Nesting 1.png]

[attachment=2193971:Geese at the door.png]

[attachment=2193973:Geese Hatching.png]