Calm before the Storm (Animals quiet/Gone In Houston)

[Houstonia]

My parents have 3 bird feeders and two hummingbird feeders in their backyard and are avid birdwatchers. My mother said no birds were in the feeders today at all. Usually there are literally hundreds. However, there were more hummingbirds then usual.

The yard is usually full of squirrels too - a couple just had babies recently. The squirrels were nowhere to be found.

Parents are in southwest Houston.

[zeeman66]

I evac'd NOLA and have been staying right on the beach in galveston up until 7pm tonite (Tues 9/20) and there was absolutely no shortage of any birds,especially pelicans,cousin even commented on how many of them there seemed to be all day.

[HurryKane]

Two days before Katrina beat the everloving crap out of my neighborhood/county, frogs and lizards began appearing *inside* my home. I don't remember about the birds.

The hummingbirds have come back like crazy though. Several pals report that they have more hummingbirds at their feeders than ever.

[crazy4disney]

I didn't even think about this until someone else posted something similar earlier today on another board. Then, as I was out running errands, I started paying more attention to what I had read. All the usual places I always see tons of birds hanging out ((and I'm one of those who saw The Birds too many times, and always notices when there are more than a few just hanging around staring at me LOL)) and I saw not one.

Then I read this thread, and went outside just a bit ago. Usually it is a symphony of frogs and crickets and whatnot, but it is dead silent out there.... SO creepy.

Almost no animals died in the horrible tsunami -- they had already fled inland. The lack of birds and critters scares me more than the forecast.

-gina-

[camilletider]

I'll second that previous question about surge. I have heard different figures. Has anyone came up with a good educated guess or even a reliable official measurement?

[secretforecaster]

I usually hear birds in the morning & this morning....SILENCE.

When I stop at the traffic lights in this area, I usually glance up to see birds gathering over the power lines & I saw one lonely bird that kept flying in circles.

That really made me nervous.

And last night, that clear sky & full moon got me thinking...

[Shoshana]

I'll second that previous question about surge. I have heard different figures. Has anyone came up with a good educated guess or even a reliable official measurement?

From reports I've heard from reliable people here and at other boards - in the 30-35 foot range. With waves over that.

[oneness]

If the pelicans are gone than you are in trouble. A couple of days before Katrina all the pelicans were gone from the Mississippi Gulf Coast......MGC

Actually, I viewed a video of NO during the peak winds and pelicans were visible floating around and taking shelter behind larger buildings.

[ETXHAMXYL]

Just wanted an update on this post. Has anyone noticed the animal activity changing? I often heard that rats can be seen jumping ships before they go down. Any one seen rats running from Galveston or Houston?

[HouTXmetro]

Just wanted an update on this post. Has anyone noticed the animal activity changing? I often heard that rats can be seen jumping ships before they go down. Any one seen rats running from Galveston or Houston?

LOL, no but my dog was barking at a rat in Tree in the backyard.

[m_ru]

Here in Huntsville (north of houston) I noticed several squirrels breaking twigs(with leaves) off of the hickory trees and running off with them...I dunno where they were going.

[CharleySurvivor]

Anyones cat boarded their litter box and food bowl like this guy in Florida.

Sorry, couldn't resist this one as I laughed so much reading this a few days ago.

[seaswing]

If the pelicans are gone than you are in trouble. A couple of days before Katrina all the pelicans were gone from the Mississippi Gulf Coast......MGC

I think they have more common sense than some people...

[O Town]

Almost no animals died in the horrible tsunami -- they had already fled inland. The lack of birds and critters scares me more than the forecast.

Yes that would scare me too!! I agree the animals have an instinct and a 6th sense that I believe we don't have. Follow the animals.

[O Town]

Double post, sorry.

[azsnowman]

There's a LOT to be said about our "Furry meterologists!" Being a avid outdoorsman ALL my life, hunter etc. I've watched wildlife, especially skunks, bears and when they hit the road, curl up in their nests etc, WATCH OUT Deer, elk, antelope will do the same thing....now SQURRIELS on the other hand how do you think they earned their name?

Dennis