Activity in Our Backyard

@DianneN (246452)
United States
February 21, 2018 10:30am CST
Just moments ago I returned from playing tennis, and stopped by the pool to speak with a friend. As I glanced at the Intercostal, a saltwater body of water in our backyard, I noticed a mommy and baby manatee feeding! I love this Intercostal! It is always buzzing with activity. We've seen manatees before, dolphins, fishermen, kayaks, motor boats, yachts, sailboats, water planes, blimps, birds, ospreys, eagles, barges, and even police boats. At lowtide, we can walk along the beach and explore the crabs and small fish, and wade in the water. I think it's much more interesting than living on the ocean. At our main home up north, we have a lawn and the woods that make up our backyard. It, too, has its own beauty and wildlife. What is your backyard like?
38 people like this
40 responses
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
21 Feb 18
A hill, a brook, some pines. I do not see manatees, but young foxes playing, hedgehogs, ducks. It is nice to watch them.
4 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Feb 18
Any natural water to see makes me happy, as do any animals that won't harm my garden or Doodles! lol I may have to come to visit my sister!
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
21 Feb 18
@DianneN I also love water, moving water is life. I loved to watch the baby foxes play. Today is very cold, Willy is sweeter than usual because he wants to stay inside.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Feb 18
@LadyDuck I agree that water is life. I've only seen grown foxes in my yard and neighborhood. I've only seen baby raccoons baby turkeys, and baby skunks with their mommies. So has Doodles! He just watches, thank goodness! Give Willy a hug and kiss from me.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
21 Feb 18
Wooded area, 3 acres of woods.
3 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Feb 18
Where do you garden?
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110777)
• El Paso, Texas
21 Feb 18
Wow, if you hadn't told me I never wooda guessed them were manatees .... course, I ain't never seen one. My back yard is mostly dried weeds, I leave it like that in the cold months for the little birds that like to fly in and out of them, I think they are eating bugs or seeds or something. Soon it'll be warm enough to be outside more .... ok, it's probably warm to people from the north or northeast but to me it's still cool and I just wanna stay inside.
2 people like this
@rebelann (110777)
• El Paso, Texas
22 Feb 18
I have read a little about them and the article stated they are now endangered @DianneN it's so sad that so many species could end up extinct before your grandchildren become adults.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Feb 18
@rebelann Florida is doing its best to take care of them. A couple of years ago I saw a huge manatee with boat motor scars all over his back. It broke my heart.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Feb 18
Florida is known for their manatees, but I've only seen them twice. Pure luck! Keep warm!
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (133777)
• Roseburg, Oregon
22 Feb 18
The woods are in front of us and baby deer come down in the spring and summer. There are also elk, black bear, mountain lions and raccoons way up in the mountains.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Feb 18
I hope the bear and mountain lions stay up in the mountains!!!
@RasmaSandra (72527)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Feb 18
I would love to see manatees. How wonderful. My garden is pretty big but there is nothing exciting about it. Some apple trees and a pear tree and one large big oak. My cat Sid love climbing the apple trees in the spring. Here is a photo of my Sid in the apple tree while it is blooming.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Feb 18
That is a beautiful tree, but Sid takes th e cake!!! What a character that he is and so adorable!!!!
1 person likes this
• New Baltimore, Michigan
21 Feb 18
backyard
Very nice pic! How cute. Here is what my backyard looks like. (In the winter.) We're on the lake, so we see swans, geese, snapping turtles, loons, seagulls, ducks, etc. all the usual lake stuff.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Feb 18
Oh, that is beautiful! You are one of the lucky ones!!!! Is that Lake Michigan?
1 person likes this
• New Baltimore, Michigan
21 Feb 18
@DianneN Thanks! You're close, it's Lake St Clair. In the summer, me and my niece and nephew have a ball out there. Wait, I might have a pic of them on the dock....hold on.
1 person likes this
• New Baltimore, Michigan
21 Feb 18
My 2 little goofballs
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@shaggin (71573)
• United States
22 Feb 18
I would probably scare them away squealing in excitement. You have the best of both worlds.. Florida along the water and Connecticut amongst the woods.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71573)
• United States
22 Feb 18
Lol I’ve never had a venomous one here thankfully but the others don’t bother me. Little ringnecks are really cute.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71573)
• United States
22 Feb 18
Oh boy well cobras would scare me as well. I used to be scared of snakes but I didn’t want my kids to be like that so I pretended not to be scared around them and it worked. My kids and I have picked up and played with ring neck snakes and garter snakes many times. They do bite but it’s usually more startling then painful. They emit a disgusting musky scent as a defense so that’s not pleasant either.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Feb 18
Thank you. I do not like the snakes that slither out of the woods, though. Nope, not at all.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
22 Feb 18
We don't have that much going on. Usually just squirrels and people walking by.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
25 Feb 18
@DianneN That's true we do get birds. We do get a lot of robins outside our door. They must know it's my eldest's middle name. lol.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Feb 18
@dodo19 Great name!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Feb 18
Squirrels seem to be everywhere! I'm sure you must get birds when the weather is nice.
@much2say (53698)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Feb 18
That's so awesome - not everyone can say they've seen manatees in their backyard!! You have all kinds of nature right there - oh my kids would love that so much! Our backyard is small - and typical of the suburbs here - with squirrels and birds and neighborhood cats that come through. We have a lot of work to do back there - we've put off any landscape work because of this whole drought thing . . . but at least the squirrels and birds have a park to play in for now . . . we have no pets that will chase them off . The best thing back there is our lemon tree - and a tangelo and orange tree on the side.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53698)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Feb 18
@DianneN Is it a rare occasion to see manatees up close like that? Yah, citrus grows well here . . . the new blossoms are here and the bees are already buzzing around. Ah, are there rules about planting around the condo there?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
27 Feb 18
@much2say It's pretty rare, but very exciting when they do show up. You live in such a perfect climate for so many wonderful things. Oh, the rules in condo living are many, but they benefit all. At least we have lots of fresh local farm markets which are so reasonable.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Feb 18
We truly are luck ducks to have seen those manatees. I envy your lemon, tangelo, and orange trees. They wouldn't grow outside in Connecticut, and here, we are not allowed to plant anything.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
22 Feb 18
My backyard is a part of our property touching a road. We have many fruit trees there and also a small house which we had constructed a long time ago.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
22 Feb 18
@DianneN It was designed by me when I had that accident. I was restless and so I called my Engineer to build something to keep me occupied (lol) You have a guest room upstairs in the main house (lol) but not sure if you will be comfortable. You will have to come down your pedestal and come to our level
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Feb 18
@allknowing We should all be so lucky to keep occupied by building houses in our yards. . Just show me where the English toilet is and I'll be happy!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Feb 18
I didn't know you had a house on your property. Is it for me when I come to visit???
1 person likes this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Feb 18
That would be very interesting. It gives you something to enjoy every day. My backyard is houses and apartments. Nothing to really enjoy. Not like what passes my window every day. I enjoy watching people pass, firetrucks, ambulances, school buses, and traffic in general, and an occasional police car with its siren howling.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Feb 18
Lol! We had an ambulance here late last night. Those worry me.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Feb 18
@just4him I know which house you mean. I hope he's healthy and not lonely. It doesn't sound as if his children care enough about the poor old soul.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Feb 18
@DianneN I'm sure it would. Nobody wants to see anything happen to those close to them. I find myself worrying about the man across the street. I've never met him in person, but I'm quite sure he lives alone. I've never seen anything of a wife. I have seen what I believe are his children, who showed up when it snowed and shoveled his walk. Though, I've also seen him shoveling. In summer he sits in the chair on his porch and watches what's going on. He lives in the house that figures in most of my photos out my window. He also mows his own lawn.
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13618)
• United States
22 Feb 18
lets see, crows are coming back, bunch of mourning doves, and a cotton tail rabbit just showed up out of nowhere. keeping an eye out for it in case it brings little bunnies , they will tear up all vegetation.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Feb 18
Be alert for those vegetation munching bunnies!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
27 Feb 18
@Plethos Poor bad little bunnies.
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@Plethos (13618)
• United States
27 Feb 18
@DianneN - im ready to take them out.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129095)
• Israel
22 Feb 18
We live in an apartment so do not have a backyard. What is a manatee?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Feb 18
@Hannihar If I jumped into the water I could. lol. They are slow movers.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Feb 18
It's a sea animal known as a sea cow. Very gentle.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129095)
• Israel
25 Feb 18
@DianneN Can you pet it Dianne?
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
21 Feb 18
Woah! That's awesome. It's funny just reading this I thought about the following: Growing up I had a huge yard - 80 acres worth. Always wildlife - birds, deer, cougar, wolves, rodents, birds we had creeks, ponds and hills. In my 20s I lived in town - small "town" back yard Now I live in an apartment which I adore - but no "yard" to speak of... there is a little chunk of land with a stream running through it, real pretty....
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Feb 18
Wow! You've certainly lived with a vast variety of backyards! I'm happy you have that stream now. I'd be happy with a bucket of water! lol
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
21 Feb 18
@DianneN Water is so hypnotic, isn't it?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Feb 18
@FayeHazel It is. We have a waterfall in our woods at home. It's my favorite place to go.
1 person likes this
• China
22 Feb 18
What a beautiful setting your house is in ! I have not seen the manatee myself. Would you tell me what Intercostal refers to ?
1 person likes this
• China
26 Feb 18
@DianneN Thank you for explaining it to me ! In my dictionary it is just defined as "the curved bones that go around the chest"
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@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Feb 18
Intercostal is a salt water waterway that runs along the eastern seaboard of the United States from Boston, Massachusetts. around Florida to parts of Texas. Thank you!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
2 Mar 18
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
25 Feb 18
My backyard is government land its a deep ravine filed with huge trees, I own the land down the mountain to the stream that goes through the ravine but can not change it,or build on it which is just fine with me. I love the privacy it gives and its so easy on the eyes.There are walking trail through it too, and we have seen a lot of wild animals there and some come up to our yard. The biggest was deer. Love the manatee photo.
1 person likes this
• Canada
26 Feb 18
@DianneN no, I'm in Canada
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Feb 18
Our woods can't be built on, which gives us privacy. Thanks! Are you still in FL?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 Feb 18
@PainsOnSlate The trip went by too quickly! How's the weather?
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
23 Feb 18
My backyard is a habitat for many kinds of birds, perhaps 20 different species at a time, an occasional Cooper's Hawk looking for a meal and squirrels too. I feed them generously.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
25 Feb 18
@DianneN They are waiting each day.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Feb 18
I'm glad you feed them, especially in the winter.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
24 Feb 18
oh, our backyard is just a vacant lot- my lot, and then, the house of our kid brother. when i saw your picture, i was puzzled with what those black things are in the waters. what do manatees eat?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Feb 18
They are herbivores, so they basically eat plants and algae. Florida has more than 60 species of plants.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
5 Mar 18
@ridingbet I believe they are eating other growth.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
27 Feb 18
@DianneN so, even if the grass is already yellow or dried, they can still eat those?
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (73903)
• East Tawas, Michigan
25 Feb 18
Kobe barks at deer every night, through a chain-link fence. He's bossy and arrogant, while they walk basically ignore him. We see wild turkeys twice a day, once feeding in the neighbors yard. The second time, they're heading into the woods to roost in trees for the night. Every day, we have squirrels and chipmunks scampering around.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Feb 18
My son had turkeys nesting in trees at his old house. It drove Doodles crazy.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (73903)
• East Tawas, Michigan
25 Feb 18
@DianneN They are huge birds, I have no idea how they can perch in a tree all night!
1 person likes this
@icon009 (53)
• India
22 Feb 18
I personally love marine life. And if it's available within a stone's throw, I won't complain anyway!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Feb 18
Isn't it the greatest???? Thank you!
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Feb 18
@icon009 Lol! I'm sure you'd find A lot of things to see!
• India
22 Feb 18
@DianneN I adore the vast azure oceans. Feel like snorkeling out there in the backyard pool! lol!
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