I'm so happy we can finally share this. Our revisions were submitted a couple of hrs b4 Grandad passed. I never got to tell him we have a paper coming out. ๐ฅ
So proud of the work we did, our team, & all I learned.
Have a read!
I cannot. This is absolutely abusive. How do people not have any common sense? This is selfish. You cannot tell me these people don't have enough brain cells to not know better. They know & did it anyway. They need to be held accountable.
A disturbing incident out of Ashville, N.C. where a group of individuals were captured removing two bear cubs from a tree. Their apparent intention was to photograph themselves with the animals left one cub orphaned and potentially harmed.
End of Nov, this sweet girl came in to me after a very hot day & some valiant escape attempts that tore her wing.
After some initial hydration & care, I left her to rest. Once I knew she would eat mealworms on her own, I didn't handle. I just let her rest & recover.
Serotine
#bat
Friends, I'm delighted to tell you that I found
#Batrick
this morning. In a short leaf furl I could actually reach! It's a bit open so don't know if he'll use tomorrow. The others aren't ready.
It's been a while & I really needed to see him. I hope seeing him brings you joy!๐ฆ
BATRICK SAYS HI!!!!
HE'S BACK!!!!!
I'm so happy to find him again! I didn't see him when I let the dogs out before 7am. Found him at 4pm and did the happy dance.
Banana
#bat
Afronycteris nana
@bonkers_bee
American here, went to school in VA. I wanted to take geography in hs but guidance counselor told me it was for "slower kids"๐ had to take WHistory instead.
Took Geog in undergrad w/ edmajors @ night. They didn't know the capital of their state (NC). I was shocked.
Friends, I found
#Batrick
! I could just cry! ๐ญ I was getting worried & I've had a really tough week.
Please let everyone know he's still here!!๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
Needed to find him โฅ๏ธ
Friends, I've been watching this 1 leaf this week...waiting patiently. Today we have been honored with a sighting.
#Batrick
says HAPPY WEEKEND!!!!
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
I made a
#bat
, y'all. ๐๐ฆโฅ๏ธ
This pattern is by Oyla Samoseienko, from Ukraine.
Olya uses a 2mm hook which is literally sorcery to me.๐ So this one is used with my big ol' 3.5mm hook.
GUESS WHO'S BACK!
BACK AGAIN!
BATRICK'S BACK!
TELL A FRIEND!
๐ฅณ๐ฆ๐ฅณ๐ฆ๐ฅณ๐ฆ๐ฅณ๐ฆ๐ฅณ
@HonkIfUrHoary
Please don't unfollow me๐ I'm so excited!
Cold front coming through today. This leaf furl is structurally perfect so I hope it keeps him warm thru the next few days!๐ฅถ
I'm sorry if anyone is tired of
#bat
photos. I get really excited when I find them in my garden.
This morning's banana bat (Afronycteris nana) in a young leaf tube. I wasn't sure this tube met criteria but apparently it did.๐ฆ
@HonkIfUrHoary
Friends, our beloved
#Batrick
makes an appearance today, in time for
#BatWeek
!๐ฆ
He squeezed himself into this furl. I'll try for more pics this afternoon & hope for a sighting 2morrow ahead of more rain.๐ค
Pls share as we celebrate bats!
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
Husband is gardening on this public holiday. Found this cutie - spotted bush
#snake
(Philothamnus semivariegatus). We get these here but not in the same numbers as we do Eastern Natal greens (Philothamnus natalensis).
So very excited to find this banana
#bat
(Neoromicia nana) in one of the young leaves in my garden this morning! So tiny!! We think there might be another one behind it but didn't want to disturb. How cute?!?!
Our snake season slows a lot during winter but we do get a few delightful surprises. We were called to a farm as this one was found when sorting bananas for packing. Needless to say, packing stopped until we got there. 1/
This afternoon...
Friends...meet
#Batrick
(if you haven't met already). He's the most amazing banana
#bat
that lives in our garden. I look for him whenever possible. ๐ฆ
and...
Putting the photos side by side so you can see the healing.
1st is from end if Nov
2nd, January
3rd, beginning of March
4th, 2 nights ago
Reuniting with her colony tomorrow. ๐ฆโค๏ธ
Found another cutie this morning. Pic not as good as the last time as I didn't want to disturb. Also realized there's a taxonomic name change & my latest book now needs PostIt notes๐คฆโโ๏ธ
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
Yesterday, I was called about 3 (2 pictured) young genets found out in the open during the day in a rural area. The family kept them safe while I worked w Thula Thula abt logistics. I went to collect & TT Rehab came to get from me. Happy to report all doing well.
I found
#Batrick
again 2day but in a leaf furl I thought wasn't ready for him. It didn't seem open enough. But here he is, as cozy as anything! It was hard to get my phone angled right & him still feel ok w me there.
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
This is her the other night, before launching to show off. She's going to another rehabber tomorrow since she's closer to where this sweetheart was found. C will release her back 2 her family. I'm a wee bit emotional but more so, I'm elated she gets to finally go home.
Serotine๐ฆ
Morning call out for this Eastern Natal green
#snake
(Philothamnus natalensis).
Easy catch w teamwork from apt resident. And the kids asked really good questions.
If only all callouts could be this awesome and special.๐โค๏ธ
Last week was not a good week for me. ๐ But this morning, I found
#Batrick
. I was surprised bc I thought a taller furl would be more suitable. I'll check it later anyway. But in the shortest one, I found him.๐ฆโค๏ธ
Banana
#bat
Afronycteris nana
Friends, Happy Friday!
8 days, y'all! 8 days of finding
#Batrick
!
He was there b4 7am too. Guess he needs rest as it's meant to be hot today & tomorrow...so maybe all those delicious nunus will be out!
I hope he makes you smile & gives you good vibes 4 the wknd!
Banana
#bat
I was called to catch this little cutie today. Poor baby was scared but managed pretty easily to get secured and released on the farm but away from houses.
Mozambique spitting
#cobra
(Naja mossambica)
#snake
Friends, Idk who needs a
#Batrick
sighting 2day, but I sure did.
He's still not rocking up b4 7am๐ but I checked at lunch & he was there. It's been a long day but seeing him made me smile. Photo taken at 4pm.
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
I hope seeing him brightens ur day
Friends, we've made it to Day 8 of
#BatNap
. Little dude has been chilling nicely here again. I missed the opp for a bat booty pic ๐คฆโโ๏ธ this morning.
Here's the leaf abode that I've been checking daily for our buddy. Will we see a Day 9?๐ค
Banana
#bat
๐ฆ
(Afronycteris nana)
Friends, I finally got a ladder & got pics of
#Batrick
this afternoon.
May he bring us all good luck & vibes as we head into this weekend. I have missed seeing him on the reg, though I was sure he was around. Short-girl problems.
Banana
#bat
Afronycteris nana
This weekend, we're doing a bat survey near to where I live. ๐ฅณ๐ฆ We start tonight. Are you up for
#bat
photos of what we find?
Not sure I've been this excited to stay up late in a long time! ๐คฃ
Oh, husband will be herping so if he finds any good ๐, I'll share too.
This week might be stressful for many of us (in SA & the US). So here's a cute banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana) I found this morning showing a big smile.๐
Hope you don't mind seeing the same species of ๐ฆ all the time. ๐ pics incoming later when I can.
I was finishing up a test (next round for an employment position)...as I was sending everything through, the Jr School phoned abt a snake in a rubbish bin. Thankfully nearly empty. Relocated this spotted bush snake (P. semivariegatus) to the forest nearby.
I took this photo at the beginning of March to show the veterans & get clearance to give her time in the "flight playpen" to stretch, exercise, and practice. She was a little plump but I gave her the night shift (putting my orphans back in their sleep box so she could have time).
Dec was a literal nightmare for us w/ baby season. Bc I could never catch her spreading her wings on her own, in Jan, I took a quick peak and could see that she was healing nicely. Still eating like a champ and chilling.
Friends!!!! Happy Flying Friday!
After a week hiatus,
#Batrick
made sure he squeezed all snuggly n2 this leaf furl (it's barely open, y'all!) 2 say hello & have an amazing weekend!!!
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
Please share all the good
#Batrick
vibes around the world!๐
It took way longer than it should hv as I couldn't work on this
#octopus
continuously.
232 individual suckers later & anxiety abt putting in these custom eyes from the UK...they're sinker eyes & my first time using a set...
She's finally done. I'm in love. Client is in love.
After a week, I noticed that she slimmed down and still eating well. Life got in the way so it took some time before I could try her in a larger space to fly...earlier this week, I tested her and our girl easily sustained flight along w/ quick turns.
#Batrick
says HELLO!!!!๐ฅณ๐ฆ Spring is just around the corner!
We found him this morning when checking that leaf furl...it's opened up enough for him to scooch on in there.
I'll check on him again this afternoon.
Banana
#bat
Afronycteris nana
@bonkers_bee
Also, I see my comments are getting likes. I just want to say that this has been my individual experience & not necessarily representative of the whole of the US. But yeah, education is a whole mess in the US imo.
5 days in a row this leaf furl has been deemed suitable by this banana bat. I've been lucky to say hi everyday & I guess he doesn't mind too much. It's always brief as I know he needs to sleep or get himself ready for a night of foraging.
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
In other delightful news...
#Batrick
squeezed himself into the lowest leaf furl to say hi!! It's a tight fit so I'm hopeful he will continue to use this one over the coming days as it seems to be unfurling slowly.
No
#Batrick
or
#Batricia
this morning. I'm sure they are in their super secure hiding spot as it's quite chilly today, rain has started, & expected to get worse as the day cont.
Pic from a past Batrick sighting.
However....husband notified me of something else quite special...
I caught this puff adder this morning on a farm in Ntumeni. Very hot today. Safely released nearby in appropriate habitat with plenty of food and a water source.
#snake
Puff adder
Bitis arietans arietans
Friends, it's Day 7 of
#Batrick
. How lucky are we?!?!
I fear by tomorrow this leaf furl won't be suitable for him but we shall see. Dude is partying bc he's definitely not there before 7am which is wild to me as it's getting light earlier and earlier.
Banana
#bat
Museum mgr called as his staff said there was green mamba in a store room. We both know GMs don't naturally occur here so assumption was Natal green or other Philothamnus species or boomslang.
Friends, here's the green mamba ๐
Brown house snake
(Boaedon capensis)
We still don't have water nor an update from leadership (how do you get these people to respond!?!)...but we have 2 days in a row of
#Batrick
. He makes things a little better.
Banana
#bat
Afronycteris nana
Friends, it's the end of the day. It's been a doozy๐ฅด
Anyway, Day 2 (we start again!) of
#BatNap
/
#BatWatch
I found Batrick toward the top part of the tattered leaf furl this morning. ๐ฅฐ๐ฆ
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
@HonkIfUrHoary
๐ฆ
Ystrdy, I finally finished this
#whaleshark
. It took longer than I expected but she's finally done. I'm so happy.
@Tamara0h
asked me to make for her little guy who came into the world last yr. She's made with cotton & I had to make crochet eyes so she's completely safe.
#BirdTwitter
if you know someone who loves
#kakapo
parrots, hit me up. This one is up for adoption & the pattern recently published. I had a great time making this rotund boi. He's just the cutest.
Friends!
#BatWatch
/
#BatNap
is back on! I repeat: We're back on!๐ฅณ๐ฆ
Look who I found just now when I let the dogs out for lunch!?!? Back in the SAME tattered leaf furl. Guess it's still working. So lovely to see him after a week!
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
We had to move our young banana trees for better growth. They finally took & 1 of the new furled leaves was perfect for a snooze. Really happy to see this one back tho it's probs annoyed by me checking it out.๐คฃ 2 days in a row now.
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
It wasn't the cleanest catch for me. Maybe I could have done better. I don't get many
#mamba
call outs but it seems like they are increasing.๐ฌ
Thanks to Dunlop for allowing us to raise the vehicle. Thanks to the staff & the 2 guys w the vehicle who helped pass tools calmly.
Hey friends. We now have 7 days in a row of finding this cutie in the same leaf furl in what I'm calling
#BatNap
. The leaf is still deemed suitable for roosting!๐ฅณ Pics taken about 45min ago.
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
Will the leaf still b good this wknd?๐ค
Trying hard to find the positives in today. Didn't get the good news I wanted and hoped for. Lots of feelings to sort through.
Anyway, I met a nice young man who had this beautiful Natal green snake (Philothamnus natalensis) in his room. Safely released in the forest nearby.
Hey friends. It's the 6th day in a row my
#bat
buddy is in the same leaf furl. He's still digging it but I'm sure soon this leaf won't be suitable. I got this pic about an hour ago & I imagine he's left the leaf now for some chow.
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
@HonkIfUrHoary
Friends: I give you Day 6 of
#Batrick
!๐ฅณ๐ฆ
He was not in his leaf before 7am so I wasn't sure we would get to see him. I hope seeing him brings you happiness and good vibes.
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
#BatWatch
Day 4 of
#Batrick
The wind was really hectic today so it was tough to get a decent pic. And bc it was so hectic, he went way down into the leaf after this photo.
Let's hope for another sighting tomorrow ๐ค
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
#BatWatch
It took some time...bc life...but I redid the
#octopus
that was in the hijacked Courier Guy vehicle back in January. This girl will be shipped soon but w a friend as I made a surprise for my client for being awesome. I think i can share it here bc he's not on T.
#crochet
Also, I caught this little dude before my interview ๐ What is it w snakes & me before interviews? Now I'm slightly worried about next week. ๐
Vine/twig
#snake
Thelotornis capensis
Little one is younger than we realized from the pics. Once in hand, & weighed, realized s/he might not be weaned when separated from mom. Responding well to feedings & rehydration. We're getting to know each other.
Permitted rehabber
#bat
#epauletterfruitbat
Remember this sweet girl from last week? Well, after crappy weather, I'm so so happy to say this girl got to go home tonight!๐ฅนโค๏ธ๐ฆ
Yes, I cried some happy tears when I received the video from C.โค๏ธ๐ฆ๐ญ
#bat
#batrehab
#batrescue
#batrelease
End of Nov, this sweet girl came in to me after a very hot day & some valiant escape attempts that tore her wing.
After some initial hydration & care, I left her to rest. Once I knew she would eat mealworms on her own, I didn't handle. I just let her rest & recover.
Serotine
#bat
Little dude's last meal w me b4 I took him home on Friday. Juvi was found grounded. Spent 1.5wks w me to feed up & get strong.
I used the Echometer, saw bats. Got him out. Barely on my gloved hand b4 he flew off beautifully 2 his family. โฅ๏ธ๐ฆ
After a hard week, this was good.
I was hot & sweaty from getting turned around from a nonexistent detour as the one road I needed go get on was closed. But I got this girl home last night. Drove an hr to get her there. ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ
Yellow-bellied house bat
Can't remember if I shared here.
Natal tree frog (Leptopelis natalensis) in our garden. It's one of the few calls I can recognize. Lovely to have in our garden and hopeful more frog species follow.๐ค๐ธ
Friends, after much rain & noise,
#Batrick
made it to 2024! But as you can see, he's still not cool w 2023 so we also got
#BatBootyFriday
(yes I know I 4got to post ystrdy).
I did find him this morning & will try 4 a pic...I just need a ladder bc the furls are getting too tall๐ฆ
Husband found this beautiful & big Eastern Natal green
#snake
(Philothamnus natalensis) in the flower section of the nursery. Released at our place which is still on nursery property.
Happy Fri-YAY, friends! I know this is a terrible pic but
#Batrick
is back! The leaf furl is a bit tall for me but I'll get the step ladder out this afternoon for a better pic. Stay tuned! And please share the Batrick joy! I know I need it.
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
Friends, we have another
#Batrick
sighting today! This leaf furl is opening up fast but he's snuggled down near the bottom.
I don't think we'll see him for about a week since we're forecasted to get rain the next 5 days. I'm sure he's got a good spot to shelter. ๐ฆ
Banana
#bat
Little dude was found this morning snuggled in a rug hanging. Thankfully found before put in the wash! So he spent the day snoozing at my place. Brought him back at dusk & he flew off as soon as he heard his roostmates! ๐ฅณ๐ฆ
#Capeserotine
#bat
@HonkIfUrHoary
for youโค๐ฆ
I checked on my buddy in the afternoon after we had a bit of rain. Showed me his teefs but then chilled out for pics. No good leaf tubes today but will have my eyes on others coming up.โค
May hasn't been the nicest month. The 16th marked a yr since my visa applications have been with DHA w zero updates. I can't get anyone to tell me their status. So, angry & sad, I did a little retail therapy & bought this
#bat
pattern by PineBaron.
I finished this gorgeous girl on Tuesday. Soon she'll be getting a ride to California to be with
@snakeymama
. No permits necessary ๐๐ And she's as calm as can be.
Handmade by me using a design and pattern by
@CraftyIntention
I finished this realistic
#octopus
today.
Pattern by the talented
@CraftyIntention
This is my first time with the pattern so please keep that in mind...1/
Made a
#snail
4 a client. I think she turned out quite lovely. It was a challenge 2 find the colors 2 go w the shell but I think we did well & I hope her friend will be happy w the gift.
Got inspiration for another snail incoming. Also wish I was faster.
#crochet
#HookandAdder
Found out this morning a friend of ours died suddenly. 39. He leaves behind a wife & 2 young boys. His death is hitting me in a way I can't describe...& all the things I hoped to check off my list 2day, I just need to throw out the window. I'm so heartbroken & just sad.๐ญ
#Batrick
says Happy December and Happy Festive Season!
He's graced us with his presence this morning in one of our cozy banana furls.
Happy Friday everyone & please share to brighten up others for this hectic month!
#Batrick
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
#Bat
Twitter: I've got a bat talk in a month. I was thinking about making a slide show that runs prior to the talk to show the diversity of bats around the world. If you are willing to share photos w me of your fav bats - pls drop me a DM. I really would love to show how...1/
Bonus
#Batrick
pic from yesterday! I'll check today but it is already so hot!
Happy Bonus Batsgiving! (Thank you
@starrylamp
๐๐๐)
Banana
#bat
(Afronycteris nana)
So excited to finally see an East Africa shovel-snout
#snake
! Fnd on a farm in Nkwalini, not far from where we hv another record from 2or3yrs ago (likely the southernmost rcd). Released into the same garden it was found. What a treat!
East Africa shovel-snout
Prosymna stuhlmanni
We had a market 2day. Went pretty well. While 1 lady told us we were underpriced, another, very rudely told me I was overpriced & shouldn't charge what I was. What a way to make me feel like shit.
What I did sell, no one complained about those prices. Other than that, it was ๐ฏ
Little girl found grounded in town. She's a bit cold but looks healthy otherwise. Rehydrating & will give a good feed tonight. Hopefully can release her tomorrow or Friday if all goes well. She's yelling at me so I'm quite confident this will be a short stay w me๐ฆ๐ซถ
#Bat
Nerds: I just realized it's Feb & I'm giving a bat talk at our local garden club's AGM at the end of the month.๐ฏ
Your best/fav bat facts related to gardens? Even farming. Love worldwide info but also Africa specific. I probably know some but more to be learned & shared! ๐ฆ
This gorgeous girl has finished her antibiotics & passed her flight test over the weekend! She's enjoying some good yums while we wait for weather to improve & organize her ride home to Melmoth for release. I love her so much & am so excited she can go home!๐ฅณ๐ฆโฅ๏ธ
Just arrived little girl showing off her wing stretches for me. Found behind a picture on the wall. Will feed up tonight and feel fairly confident we can release her where found this weekend.
Looking forward to hopefully getting release footage.๐ค