Posted by Sylvia_FL on 5/31/07 3:31pm
Msg #192982

OT: Wow!

My husband went to BJ's for me, on his way home a Florida Panther ran right in front of the SUV, ran across two lanes of traffic into some bushes. He said "that cat was moving!" - they can run fast.
I remember a few years ago seeing a Florida panther and her cubs not far from there. They have built houses etc in the area, and I guess they are driving the wildlife from their homes.

Becca, this was on Palm Bay Rd, I know you are familiar with the area. Busy road!

Reply by rengel/CA on 5/31/07 3:40pm
Msg #192987

Last weekend we saw on the news that a mother deer and her fawn were living in the bushes of the center divider on the freeway in Anaheim Hills. Unfortunately, the mama had two broken front legs and they had to catch her. I didn't hear what her outcome was, whether or not they could fix her or had to put her down. They didn't catch the fawn and were hoping that it was old enough to make it on its own.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 5/31/07 3:41pm
Msg #192989

I saw what I grew up calling a cougar (Oregon) in WI last fall the night before deer season began. Ran right across the road in front of me! They are very rare here and this one had been sighted before. She was coming from the river and heading to the ridge.

Reply by BetsyMI on 5/31/07 3:48pm
Msg #192995

I was going to a closing last week and a huge white swan swooped down past my car and landed hard on her belly in the opposite lane of traffic...yes a swan! I think she had hit a telephone or electric wire and injured herself, making her fall to the ground. It was a bit alarming seeing the size of this bird coming in for a landing, not knowing what it was since I was trying to watch where I was driving. Several cars stopped so hopefully someone got help.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/31/07 3:56pm
Msg #193000

Re: OT: Swans are huge

Back in England we were held up on a road because there was a male mute swan right in front of the car. Stood up, that sucker was taller than the car - and they are also mean birds, they can't bite but they do hiss and peck.

(Trivia - all swans in the UK are owned by the Queen)

Reply by Paul2_FL on 5/31/07 3:46pm
Msg #192994

Hi Sylvia,

I had a similar experience some years ago while visiting in the Naples area. I later visited a branch of the Conservancy of SW Florida and saw some panthers that had been hit by cars because they are being driven out of their natural habitat by developers.

Reply by rengel/CA on 5/31/07 4:01pm
Msg #193003

But our whales are back in the ocean! : ) n/m

Reply by ZeeCA on 5/31/07 4:19pm
Msg #193013

did you go see them since you are closer than I am? n/m

Reply by rengel/CA on 5/31/07 6:51pm
Msg #193043

Re: did you go see them since you are closer than I am?

No, didn't see them. Although we rode the motorcycles over the Rio Vista Bridge on Sunday. I looked for them, but apparently they had already started moving towards Benicia by then. I did see Humphrey back in '85.

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/31/07 6:59pm
Msg #193045

I saw Humphry back in '85 too.

Very strange sight...sure makes you wonder why.

Reply by Signing_Doc on 5/31/07 8:09pm
Msg #193060

The Whales...are back in the ocean...the whales..are back in

the sea...this is not...such a rare occurance....why all the attention?.....beats me!!!!

"Doc"

Still singing...after all these years!!!

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/31/07 9:38pm
Msg #193065

Re: The Whales...are back in the ocean...the whales..are bac

Thanks, Doc. A fine lyric indeed.

We had a Bearded Seal in the Indian River Lagoon just last month. The farthest south a Bearded Seal had ever been spotted was in NJ until this one showed up in Florida. That darned little (not really) fellow made it all the way to Ft. Lauderdale before the Sea World folks could capture him and try to save his life. Poor guy died in Orlando from stress and dehydration.

Maybe one day the Canadians will learn, they're just not meant to be in Florida.

Reply by ZeeCA on 5/31/07 7:19pm
Msg #193048

Ever take yr bikes down #1 and see the elephant seals???? n/m

Reply by Debra Brock on 5/31/07 4:29pm
Msg #193016

Sylvia...that's amazing! But up in the NE section, we've had several black bears and lots of gators being found in residential areas. The news is saying because is of the fires and the new construction. Be careful out there.

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/31/07 5:16pm
Msg #193023

Sylvia, I was just about to ask where...

Thanks for posting that. (you just KNEW I would want to know where)

Palm Bay Rd? East or West of 95? I'm guessing West, but how far out? Near what cross road?

I would love to see a florida Panther. We had one over on the barrier island east of A1A, but no one has seen it since the "Bar Code Lady" built her ocean front estate 4-5 years ago. I drove down A!A yesterday for a closing on North Hutchinson Island and couldn't believe the land being cleared for mini exclusive develoments. Indian River County may not have high rises on the beach, but they are trying to build on every square inch of land they can find over there. I just can't believe the changes I've seen in 13 years.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/31/07 5:25pm
Msg #193025

Re: Sylvia, I was just about to ask where...

East of I-95. BJ's is at the corner of Palm Bay Rd and Dairy Rd, the entrance is a little West of Dairy Rd. The panther and her cubs I saw were on Babcock Street near Valkyrie Rd (or Grant Rd) - been a few years.
When I first came here you could drive all the way south on A1A from Satellite Beach as far as Melbourne Beach and you could see the ocean all the way! Not any more.

Reply by jba/fl on 5/31/07 5:28pm
Msg #193026

The mouse did a number on us.... n/m

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/31/07 6:23pm
Msg #193034

Wow, east of 95...that's something else. Thanks for sharing! n/m

Reply by ZeeCA on 5/31/07 5:51pm
Msg #193029

gosh i see florida panthers all the time......

on tv

sry... couldn't resist!

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/31/07 6:03pm
Msg #193033

Re: gosh i see florida panthers all the time......

LOL Zee

:thwapping Zee with a wet noodle: