Mammal of the day

[Rob T]

[i]As I mentioned in an earlier post, 5 roe deer have been visiting the garden together every day this week. It is usually early morning or evening and usually too dark even if I have a camera handy.

But, I managed to get these today. There were only 4 roe does. Dad was not around, but a little muntjac was also hanging round with them, which I did not manage to get a picture of.[/I]

Excellent jenny well worth waiting for ( I guess you took your camera to bed then).

Must be nice having them so close and so often, do they eat your flowers they're quite keen on roses, thats the flower not the chocolates.

Shame about the Muntjac would of been good to see the two side by side.

Regards

Rob

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by Rob T

[i][b]do they eat your flowers they're quite keen on roses, thats the flower not the chocolates.
Regards

Rob

Yes, they are very destructive and I cannot grow any of the usual pretty flowers. They will even come right up to the house to munch on flowers in pots right under the window (when I am not there, of course!) With over 20 years of trial and error I have mostly figured out what they eat what they don't. It makes me sad that I cannot grow all the usual pretty bedding plants, roses, etc but given a choice I suppose I prefer to watch the deer!

Jenny

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by jennyb

Yes, they are very destructive and I cannot grow any of the usual pretty flowers. They will even come right up to the house to munch on flowers in pots right under the window (when I am not there, of course!) With over 20 years of trial and error I have mostly figured out what they eat what they don't. It makes me sad that I cannot grow all the usual pretty bedding plants, roses, etc but given a choice I suppose I prefer to watch the deer!

Jenny

I love your garden it doesn't look too badly damaged. I think I would put up with deer as well...I wish

Lovely pics by the way.

[asheleaf]

These are absolutely beautiful. Might get my paintbrush out and try my luck. they are so cute

Ashe

Originally Posted by mh68

Kayleigh, next time youre out, if you can snap a couple of shots of the tracks I`m sure one of us can help ID them for you

Went back to the area where I photographed the Deer and Stoat/Rabbit on Monday but today was extremely quiet in comparison. Biting cold wind, very few birds around and no Deer or Mustelids to be seen anywhere.
This cheeky chappy below saved the day though, came across him on the way home. Unlike most Reds I come across this one didnt chatter angrily while scurrying to the top of the tree. Instead he just sat watching me at head height around 20ft away (if that). I snapped plenty of shots, while observing him at the same time before he decided to leave.He didnt bolt off though like most do, instead he crept round the other side of the trunk, and kept popping his head round to see if I was still there Amusing to watch,he kept this up for a few minutes before scurrying across the treetops out of sight. It was my first Red sighting in this area for a few weeks so aswell as getting some half decent pics, I was pleased to know a few Reds are still around and doing ok.

(click on second pic again to view at full size)







Mark H

[mh68]

Thanks for the kind comments on my squirrel pics. Didnt take a single shot today, despite being out at dawn. Had a brief glimpse of a Vixen (being chased through a private wood by a Labrador ) and stalked a group of 6 Roe Deer for half a mile along a woodland edge waiting for a good opportunity to take some pics. Just as they entered a clearing which would have given some lovely shots a stupid great dog lurched through the wood (again, private) and sent them running off, barking as they went
Nice to see 4 Red Squirrels, but the blizzard at the time meant no pics.There`s always next time though

Mark H

[tufftie]

Like the photos and glad to hear they're doing well on your reserve.

[Rob T]

Mark, I think I used up your Roe luck.

I to, was up early about 5 ish whilst walking from Pig Bush to Frame Incloure (Sika country) in the New Forest. I saw a Roe Deer in the middle of the heath walking towards me so I sat in a bush to fiddle with my lenses untill he eventually stopped about 200 yds. away.

I tried a tounge in cheek hand held shot (400mm +2TC)

These are my first Roe shots where the subjects not running off so naturally he's my Mammal of he day.

Although photos are not brilliant I will have a soft spot for them.


Oh and their cropped too much as well.








P.S. Sorry Mark forgot to mention your squirrel shots are superb.

Regards

Rob

[mh68]

Theyre not too bad Rob considering the distance and being taken at 800mm handheld Roe are spooky at the best of times so any shot is a result I think.Ta for the kind words about the squirrel pics - its not often they sit at close range for long enough to get a shot, so I was quite fortunate.

Mark H

[aeshna5]

Lovely shot Rob of Roebuck in velvet. Looks like you've composed your Xmas card for next year- really atmospheric!

[rlchew]

My mammal of the day (yesterday) was this Brown Rat ....



Yes, yes, I know .... Brown Rats do have an image problem but this guy was cute as he sat at the entrance to his burrow beside a brook.

Richard