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Jon Yenulonis

Jon Yenulonis

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I spent a couple hours out in this relatively balmy, high 30 degree, sun filled weather this afternoon, catching up on a few things. One of which, was digging out my ice fishing shanty for a quick trip tomorrow. After I got it out, i noticed a funny, high pitched squeaking noise, but for a few moments, I couldn't decipher where it was coming from. After I emptied my hands, I looked down on my brown coat to see a little brown bat clinging for his life to my Carhart work coat, just above my left pocket. I am not squeamish, or afraid of little creatures, bu I do admit it caught me off guard. I know I shrieked for a second. (Although it was one of those Curly, of The Three Stooges fame, type of shriek). I carefully grabbed my gloves and grabbed the terrified little fella behind the neck an placed him on a nearby pile of stuff to fend for himself. Unfortunately, my phone/camera was in the house. I didn't think, (especially after the last "bat in the house" episode), that my wife would appreciate me carrying him inside for a photo, so I took one later, after he was laid on his new home..View attachment 20190202_134850.jpg
 
Jon, I am very glad to hear you didnt kill the poor little bat. The bat populations where I live have just been decimated. Hopefully your bat can get back into hibernation and make it thru the rest of the winter.
 
I wouldn't think of hurting the little guy, or gal. I have one, (might be this one), that I see all summer long in there. I have a big, rough beam in the front, over the door. It's there, in the same exact spot, just about every day.

A few years ago, on a real warm day in the winter, I was out with the dog around 11. I was standing on the deck, where we have a large roof overhang. I just happen to turn to the right, when out if nowhere, this monster of a being, about the size of an F-16, and just as fast, with teeth the size of a Grizzly's' came screaming at me. Of course I ducked out of the way. This went on for thr next few minutes' with me trying to hold my ground, each pass, but to no avail. Not only did I duck like a scared child every time, I caught myself laughing out loud while attempting to do so. Well, jump ahead a few hours after bedtime. My wife and I wake about the same time' maybe 3 am. Not sure what woke us up until we hear this slight intermittent swish sound. I get up, turn on the light, and what the heck, this silly little bat is flying around in our bedroom. Of all the rooms in the house, why the bedroom?! I go out and get my landing net, raise it in a timely manner, and scoop the little creature clean out if mid air. I took a few pics, then out the door it went. We think it probably came in thru the fireplace. I can't help but think, this was the same animal, and it was coming back to play. What a memory!

Jon
 
Jon -

You handled the bat situation very well. Your a good man. All life is precious, and has it's place in nature.

They are indeed in steep decline, and need as much help as we can provide.


Years ago while fly fishing in the evenings. The air would be full of bats feeding on insects, and it was a sight to behold. More than once a bat would take a dry fly in mid cast, and catch and release took on a new meaning.

Those days are gone. Now if I see three or four in the evenings, it's something to celebrate.

Best regards
Vince
 
They are cool creatures, I used to see more as a kid 15 years ago than I do now.
Was a huge colony in the my church's parsonage last year. They were in between the roof and attic, think one night I counted 500 come out.

Got a guy to come out at night and seal the holes while the bats were out and about. I hope they all made it fine and found a place to stay.
 
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