Who Are the Critters in Your Neighbourhood?

[shanmonster]

I share my province with many critters. Here are some of the endangered species.

• Eastern Cougar - I saw one once, about fifteen years ago. Learn more about them here.
• Canada Lynx - I've only seen them in captivity, although I heard a very pissed off lynx once, and then found its sign. Learn more about them here.
• Piping Plover - I've only seen these guys in Prince Edward Island. Their nests are very easy to stomp on accidentally, so their nesting grounds are protected. Learn more here.
• Peregrine Falcon - I've seen several, but none up close. A pair took to nesting by my parents' house. They devoured the local population of purple martins, much to my father's displeasure. Learn more here.
• Bald Eagle - A most handsome bird. I had the pleasure of watching two hunt and dine at extremely close quarters last summer. Learn more here.
• Harlequin Duck - I don't think I've ever seen one of these guys. Learn more here.

No, I haven't finished the dishes, but I'm getting there.

Comments

[shadow-dancing.livejournal.com]

Harlequin ducks are gorgeous! My friend is actually a duck breeder! ^^ He's got several of them. He's also got something called a "mandarin duck" which is gorgeous, too.

[longpig.livejournal.com]

But how do they *taste*?

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I'm betting fishy. They're sea birds, after all.

Dad tells me snowy owls taste like turkey.

[threemilechild.livejournal.com]

I saw a cougar here in western PA once when I was kid, and nobody believed me. Ten years later they'd decided that actually, cougars /do/ exist.

[raptorkitten.livejournal.com]

I encountered a lynx when I was nine, in my back yard (well, not so much my "back yard" as "the woods/river behind my house"). Literally face to face. It was ... asleep, on a branch, as unbelievable as that sounds as I type it. It was not a happy camper, especially when we freaked each other out so much that snarled at me and fell off the branch into the river. :p I'll never forget it!