132 replies to this topic

[luxo II]

Or quolls or tassie devils …

[Whiteduckwagglinginspace]

One of the two moose that were feeding on the apple trees in my garden every evening - exactly where to place my telescope. It looks like a small animal on the picture, but an adult moose is quite big in real life. 

Edited by Whiteduckwagglinginspace, 08 July 2025 - 03:12 AM.

[vsteblina]

I used to carry bear spray for telescoping solo on rural or public land.

Until it occurred to me: bear spray, in wind, and in darkness...   might just be disastrous if used.  : )

Do not use bear spray while wearing contact lenses.  

 

Don't ask how I know.  I would rather face the grizzly bear than try to remove the contact lens after using the bear spray.

 

Elk are not meat eaters, but they're not beyond turning you into fertilizer.

Elk also hate telescopes.  

 

I set up a telescope for some guests at our vacation rental.  The next morning the telescope was knocked over.  Not sure why elk don't like telescopes.

 

I always ask our guests if they have ever heard an elk calling out.  I even play them a electronic elk call so they are familiar with the sound.

 

It is two in the morning.  Your snug in bed under the down comforter.  It is totally dark, no lights anywhere.

 

AND then you hear this:  https://www.youtube....h?v=Xlg-LZ7hs-w

Edited by vsteblina, 08 July 2025 - 02:41 PM.

[izar187]

AND then you hear this:  https://www.youtube....h?v=Xlg-LZ7hs-w

_______________________

 

I've not heard them nearby doing that, but only quite a ways off when telescoping.

It is just within the last few years for me. They've been there. But I wasn't scoping near them 'til lately.

 

Recently boys or girls were out of sight off around me, doing this...  not as magical as the boys bugling, but still a treat.

 

https://www.youtube....rts/wYAX33lknck

[AuroraBo]

The other night, I was observing at a park. I suddenly heard some shuffling and crunching sounds, as if someone was behind me approaching with a bag of something. I was freaked out, but it turned out to be 2 raccoons playing in the garbage can. Last night, I was hearing sounds in the grass. I was again freaked out, but it was just a rabbit. In the dark, your sense of hearing really goes up.   

[Regulus 1.36]

 I like hearing the coyotes as they play in the fields. 

[jcj380]

No coyotes lately, but I did hear a fox scream three times early this morning.  Unusual - foxes seem to be rare around here.  Might have freaked me out a bit, but I've watched enough British murder mysteries to recognize the cry.  

[revans]

Well tonight I got quite a surprise.  I was out on my 2nd flood open air deck.  My Esprit 120 was doing an imaging run on M13.  I was sitting quietly on the other side of the deck with my Astroluxe 18x70 binoculars, looking at M13.  I heard a hissing noise and a large owl flew several feet over the top of my head and heading rapidly due south.  A few minutes later, I was still looking at M13 when again I heard a loud hissing sound above me and I looked up in time to see a pair of large owls flying close to each other in tandem, pass over my head so close that I could just about feel the breeze from their wings.  Again, heading due south. 

 

Crazy night...

 

Rick