➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[ShrekDawg]

Hickory horned devil (regal moth) caterpillar (Citheronia regalis)
Hickory horned devil (regal moth) caterpillar (Photo: Bob Warrick/Wikimedia Commons)

Yikes! These monsters can grow up to 6 inches long (about the size of a hot dog). Everything about them — from their startling turquoise-green bodies arrayed with black spikes to their prickly orange horns — screams, "Be afraid … be very afraid!" Even chickens, which rarely turn down caterpillar chow, are known to flee when they see one of these bad boys crawling by.

Turns out it's all a ruse. These giants, found in eastern U.S. forests, are about as gentle as they come. After feasting on the leaves of hickory, ash, persimmon, sycamore and walnut trees, they burrow a few inches into the ground in late summer. (They're one of the few moth caterpillars that don't spin cocoons.) The following summer, they emerge as ravishing orange, gray and cream-colored regal moths (below), one of North America's largest with an impressive 6-inch wingspan.

Not sure if the pics will show up. If not, I'll repost. This is just because I like knowing. I've never seen that kind before.

Oh wow that is very interesting!! Thank you!!

 

[ShrekDawg]

We took the train from NOLA to New York City, cause we thought the 4 year old would think it was cool. 33 hours there and 1 week rest then 33 hours back, Think is way to far a train ride, you know its bad when you look forward to the dining car.

Oh wow that sounds awful!! Lol I was looking at some that were like cross country and 10-14 days, some were even like 16, 19, even 29! But I guess most of that is probably just the train travel? Since it’s cross country? And plus I’ve never been out west so I probably wouldn’t sleep

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Oh wow that sounds awful!! Lol I was looking at some that were like cross country and 10-14 days, some were even like 16, 19, even 29! But I guess most of that is probably just the train travel? Since it’s cross country? And plus I’ve never been out west so I probably wouldn’t sleep

Do go west, There is so much beauty to be seen. We did a three week car trip a few summers ago and it was wonderful.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Do go west, There is so much beauty to be seen. We did a three week car trip a few summers ago and it was wonderful.

Oh wow that’s awesome!! Yeah I’m thinking we might drive or fly somewhere first and then maybe do a shorter train trip. Cause I would like to do the train too cause you can see a lot of even more great views you can’t see from a car but of course even the car is really beautiful.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Oh wow that’s awesome!! Yeah I’m thinking we might drive or fly somewhere first and then maybe do a shorter train trip. Cause I would like to do the train too cause you can see a lot of even more great views you can’t see from a car but of course even the car is really beautiful.

On a long car trip, we have found that you use the interstate system to move long distances, then get off onto the highways to see the real areas. We had so great times in little towns off the beaten path. Also National parks have some great (high end) resturants for the occasional splurge in beautiful surroundings. Do your homework, find what interests you and just go.
Oh and you can camp in National parks for reasonable rates.

 

[Sara L]

Baby bunnies!! These are pure Rex, first litter for Cinnamon.

 

[ShrekDawg]

On a long car trip, we have found that you use the interstate system to move long distances, then get off onto the highways to see the real areas. We had so great times in little towns off the beaten path. Also National parks have some great (high end) resturants for the occasional splurge in beautiful surroundings. Do your homework, find what interests you and just go.
Oh and you can camp in National parks for reasonable rates.

Thank you for the tips!! These are all really helpful!!

Baby bunnies!! These are pure Rex, first litter for Cinnamon.
View attachment 1799436

Awwww so cute!!!

 

[Kiki]

Baby bunnies!! These are pure Rex, first litter for Cinnamon.
View attachment 1799436

. They are precious!

 

[CrazyCrttr75]

Annabelle didn't get off of the nest at all yesterday. To the point that it worried me. I went out there yesterday to see if she was ok. She hissed at me so I took that as she was fine. But I am worried about her not eating or drinking, especially in this heat that we've been having. I am making sure she has fresh water and food nearby (it's on the porch area right next to her.) We went to let all of the animals out this morning. Xena was practically on top of Annabelle in the nest, trying to lay her egg. Oh neither of them were happy that we were interrupting them. What was cute was that Xena was stretching across Annabelle grabbing shavings with her bill and was trying to build then up around Annabelle. Like she was trying to protect her and the nest. It was sweet. Once Xena got up and away, we ended up physically lifting Annabelle off of the nest. Only briefly though. We removed any new eggs and marked the ones that were in there better. I had them marked with an X but I like the idea of drawing a ring around the egg like Nanakat mentioned. That way we don't have to be careful turning the eggs to find the X. Annabelle took a quick dip in the pool while we marked the eggs better and once we left, she made a beeline right back to the nest and is firmly in place once again. I hope I can have the opportunity to candle soon. Maybe as time goes on, she will get up off of the nest for short periods of time and I can take advantage of that. I am trying to let her do her thing. I have my calendar marked to keep track of the days. Waiting is the hardest part.

Also, on a different note... My littles are officially 3 months old now. Time sure does fly by.

 

[Sara L]

Paprika had her babies too!!