strange things one sees

[Ken Gargett]

sadly, i did not have my camera.

often go onto the balcony when on the mobile for reception.

was talking to a mate when i watched a brown snake, about four foot long, slide into the creek and swim across to my side. not something that makes me very happy given that they are one of the most venomous land snakes on the planet. 

but just as it neared the water, a vibrantly yellow flower from one of the local vines landed on the back of its head. so i watched this bright flower slowly swim across the creek, attached to death. 

very odd. 

carry on. 

 

[SonGoku]

I love it when nature gives you those poetic moments. Unfortunately when living on the city I rarely get to enjoy those moments. Would love to have more nature around me. But instead you get to observe human nature here in the city. Behold the artistic creation of man. A cheeseburger impaled by a hook in the wall. Observed after a late night shift at Copenhagen central station.

[SirVantes]

You’ve been reading too much Murakami, Ken. 

[Ken Gargett]

10 minutes ago, SirVantes said:

You’ve been reading too much Murakami, Ken. 

never enough.

reading another japanese author at the moment - natsuo kirino. book called 'out'. didn't realise it was about 25 years old. female crime novel. very different. loving it. 

[ponfed]

49 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

not something that makes me very happy given that they are one of the most venomous land snakes on the planet.

 

I know it's a worn out cliche, but I really can't imagine living in a place where you can randomly encounter a four feet long death sausage while hanging out on your balcony.

I bitch about the winter here up north, but it's comforting to know that freezing cold 4 to 5 months a year prevents any of these critters to thrive...

Just to be clear,  I have no problem with snakes. It's the painful death that kills my enthusiasm...

[Ken Gargett]

4 minutes ago, ponfed said:

I know it's a worn out cliche, but I really can't imagine living in a place where you can randomly encounter a four feet long death sausage while hanging out on your balcony.

I bitch about the winter here up north, but it's comforting to know that freezing cold 4 to 5 months a year prevents any of these critters to thrive...

Just to be clear,  I have no problem with snakes. It's the painful death that kills my enthusiasm...

i'd prefer no browns as well but one gets what is there. the upside is that, touch wood, they have as much interest in running in to us as we have with them. 

[MD Puffer]

8 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

...i watched a brown snake

I shake my head every time I think about the fauna of Australia.  You guys have the most deadly/venomous/poisonous/painful of everything...

- Crocs

- Great Whites (among other sharks)

- Dingos (questionable to some)

- Stonefish

- Blue-ringed Octopus

- Snakes (taipans, death adders, tigers, browns, kraits, Mulgas, and others I'm sure)

- Funnel web spiders (among others)

- Box jellys (among others)

- Coneshell snails

 

Where I live, the most I common encounter is a Souther Devil scorpion (whose sting is similar to nothing more than a wasp sting).  The most concerning are copperheads but they usually slither off the moment they sense you (they usually detect you before you see them).  The occasional timber rattler (even more shy than the copperhead).  Brown recluses and black widows are indigenous, but I haven't seen either in several years.  

My understanding is that if you go swimming anywhere off the coast of Australia, that you'll be bitten by a banded krait, immediately lose all motor and respiratory function, but before perishing you'll be stung by a box jellyfish and will feel intense and excruciating pain as you asphyxiate, and finally to be fed upon by Bull and White sharks before finally succumbing.   

 

[Ken Gargett]

no 

6 hours ago, MD Puffer said:

I shake my head every time I think about the fauna of Australia.  You guys have the most deadly/venomous/poisonous/painful of everything...

- Crocs

- Great Whites (among other sharks)

- Dingos (questionable to some)

- Stonefish

- Blue-ringed Octopus

- Snakes (taipans, death adders, tigers, browns, kraits, Mulgas, and others I'm sure)

- Funnel web spiders (among others)

- Box jellys (among others)

- Coneshell snails

 

Where I live, the most I common encounter is a Souther Devil scorpion (whose sting is similar to nothing more than a wasp sting).  The most concerning are copperheads but they usually slither off the moment they sense you (they usually detect you before you see them).  The occasional timber rattler (even more shy than the copperhead).  Brown recluses and black widows are indigenous, but I haven't seen either in several years.  

My understanding is that if you go swimming anywhere off the coast of Australia, that you'll be bitten by a banded krait, immediately lose all motor and respiratory function, but before perishing you'll be stung by a box jellyfish and will feel intense and excruciating pain as you asphyxiate, and finally to be fed upon by Bull and White sharks before finally succumbing.   

 

no kraits. but plenty of others. the sea snakes highly unlikely to cause a problem. rear fangs. 

[Ritch]

In the UK we have Adders. Never seen one. Never spoke to anyone who has seen one. Never heard of anyone seeing one. Let alone being bitten by one.

Compared to Aus whereby you can wake up and literally find an evil dangerous creature on the door step it's a massive difference.

No amount if money or convincing would get me to live in Aus. Not a chance.

[thedame007]

9 hours ago, Ritch said:

In the UK we have Adders. Never seen one. Never spoke to anyone who has seen one. Never heard of anyone seeing one. Let alone being bitten by one.

Compared to Aus whereby you can wake up and literally find an evil dangerous creature on the door step it's a massive difference.

No amount if money or convincing would get me to live in Aus. Not a chance.

Erm I think you left the most dangerous creature of all off that list, for in the UK we have what is locally known as a Boris. A strange beast that will try and charm you with buffoonery, and then when your defences are down the blade is slipped between the ribs... 

[Ritch]

12 minutes ago, thedame007 said:

Erm I think you left the most dangerous creature of all off that list, for in the UK we have what is locally known as a Boris. A strange beast that will try and charm you with buffoonery, and then when your defences are down the blade is slipped between the ribs... 

Only of your a bloke. If your a woman it's a penis and not between the ribs...

[thedame007]

3 minutes ago, Ritch said:

Only of your a bloke. If your a woman it's a penis and not between the ribs...

Well that’s put me right off my porridge! >.<

Given the choice id prefer the blade!

[prodigy]

Since moving to north Carolina, I've seen more birds of prey than the rest of my life combined. My wife got this picture a few weeks ago.

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