for months we knew something was living under the trailer.
every night around 10:00 we could hear movement down there.
sometimes it sounded like something was trying to come up through the in-floor A/C vents.
we figured it must be a 'possum.
i hoped it was a 'possum...and not a monster boa constrictor...
or some other creature with beady eyes, long talons and big sharp teeth!
we finally decided to set up the (have-a-heart) live trap.
it took a few nights...but finally mr. 'possum's nose led him to some yummy smelling cat food!
poor opossum.
we hated to have to relocate him...
but we gave him plenty of time to move out on his own.
time to take action, before he tears into all the duct work down there.
bye-bye 'possum
(one of the most misunderstood & unappreciated critters)
sam took him up the road to a nice woodsy area...
where he moseyed away to find a new home.
* * *
i spotted some larvae this week. cool looking larvae.
finally ID'ing them...i thought i'd share them here in case you happen to see the same.
 |
| Eastern Tiger Swallowtail larva (POOP goes the larva!) |
the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail with 2 false eyespots to scare away predators
 |
| Eastern Tiger Swallotail |
NEXT...
 |
| Pipevine Swallowtail larva |
 |
| Pipevine Swallowtail |
AND...
 |
| Red-spotted Purple larva |
 |
| Red-spotted Purple butterfly |
* * *
with all the rain we've been having lately...
the smart little Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers
are staying high & dry!!
 |
| young Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers |
* * *
well, that was a look into a few little things from this past week.
 |
| anole with a bit of shedding stuck to his head |
have a good one.
be safe.
laura
ooh, i do not like the lubbers. we get a few colorful ones here. grasshopper and locust season is summer/fall for us, though. :) i'm not a fan of possums, only because they carry a disease which can be fatal for horses. i don't like to see them around here because of that. glad you could relocate your little beastie. :)
ReplyDeletei didn't know that about the possum's, disease & horses!! yeah, i can surely understand your not wanting these critters around your place!!
Deleteand thanks for the cool larvae/butterfly pairings!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you caught and released the opossum, they are kind of an ugly cute critter.. I love the butterflies and larvae shots. Well done! Great post and wonderful photos..
ReplyDeleteWell, that safely brought out his guest (opossum) from home. The larva is actually interesting, but I prefer the butterflies. Regards.
ReplyDeleteThat is a post, absolutely. IIIIIIII love the story of the Opossum, it is superb. I had a rat, living under my house, and it quite nice, ah but, he had added another rat, and their they had another 9 of babies. And one had been turned into 11, it was the time for council.........................
ReplyDeleteyikes!! i know just what you;re talking about!! when we were gone from our home for a year to live up north florida...coming home we found mice had moved in...and like the rat...you can't have just ONE!!! what a pain that was!
DeleteI'd say this turned out too be a mighty fine "critter" week for you!
ReplyDeleteLive trapping is the way to go we say . . . we have many, MANY chipmunks visiting our little slice of heaven . . . the live trap method works out just fine! We trap, we take them for a ride to run in the woods a few miles away. Problem: I think they've found their way back!
I am so impressed with your neighbors, such a lovely variety of critters! Mr. Possum looks so healthy, adorable! We have them here, not under the house, but, poor things are pretty skinny and way too slow to be crossing the street.Many do not make it. Wonderful bugs you have there!!!
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots of the larvae.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots, Laura. Poor Mr. Possum, put in prison for his crime!
ReplyDelete~
well...just for the record, i hated to have to relocate him. but once they move in under a trailer, they tend to open up & move into all the duct work down there. at least his 'prison' was more like a holding cell...temporary. now he's free. sadly...lots of 'southerners' would not have been as kind to mr possum.
Deleteseeya!
Yup. Have used my hav-a-hart many times... mostly for woodchucks in the garden.
ReplyDeleteYou have some amazing creatures in your part of the world Laura, here and in your last post also.. Brilliantly captured in macro.
ReplyDeleteP.s. just had a peruse through your etsy site, very cool creations!
You have some amazing creatures in your part of the world Laura, here and in your last post also.. Brilliantly captured in macro.
ReplyDeleteP.s. just had a peruse through your etsy site, very cool creations!
I hope he took him far, far down the road. They don't mean to be destructive, but they can't help it. Just like raccoons up here, I guess. Great larvae and butterfly pics for those of us not in the know. Always love seeing the anoles. ;)
ReplyDeleteSome interesting critters, love the larvae and butterflies,
ReplyDeleteThe possum was lucky you and Sam were so kind. Lots of people wouldn't be. Your knowledge of butterflies ... And your photo skills .., just amaze me. Wonderful series. Our lubbers are fully grown ... Hotter up here.
ReplyDeletewonderful to see your http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/lifecycleofblsw and butterflies, amazing little critters!
ReplyDeleteglad you caught your night visitor, that can be unnerving and interrupt good sleep.
I always enjoy seeing your photos with your different critters and plants.
sweet day to you.
Have-a-heart traps are wonderful. We use one to relocate squirrels as they can also be quite destructive! Love your nature photos!
ReplyDeleteThe possum will be all right. Sometimes is hard to live with those we love, lol!
ReplyDeleteThe larvae with the fake eyespot is lovely!
So happy he got a good home, and that he'll take up roots there. I know we get them around here too, not so much any more now that our groundskeeper is living elsewhere! They do love to chow down the cat food! It's always a treat to view your stunning captures, you have the best critters ever.
ReplyDeleteYou're pics are fabulous! And glad you got your possum!
ReplyDeleteThe swallowtails certainly have some bizarre caterpillar forms.
ReplyDelete