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

[Marshall Stax]

Nice picture Richard, the little guy has that ‘What you looking at’ thing going on, which is probably part of the cause of that image problem you mentioned.

David

[Rob T]

Nothing wrong with this bloke Richard he's worked hard at building his own house. It's the one's that stick their heads under my loft insulation and call it home I object to.
Regards
Rob

[shei111]

I definately wouldnt call him cute

[bgvi]

mine has to be the otter i seen at our local reserve ( siddick ponds )
i watched it for a good 5 minutes or so, swimming along the edge of the reeds spinning and playing, absolutely fantastic

[jennyb]

Sorry, I am still not sure if it is allowed to link to external video clips. If it is not allowed, then mods feel free to delete.

Here are my mammals of the day. These clips were taken earlier this evening and it is surprising what wanders around outside the house in the dark! Sorry about the quality. I am just learning about video and I seem to have an interference problem with the webcam - not sure what is causing it.

Video Clip

Jenny

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by jennyb

Sorry, I am still not sure if it is allowed to link to external video clips. If it is not allowed, then mods feel free to delete.

Here are my mammals of the day. These clips were taken earlier this evening and it is surprising what wanders around outside the house in the dark! Sorry about the quality. I am just learning about video and I seem to have an interference problem with the webcam - not sure what is causing it.

Video Clip

Jenny

Don't worry Jenny external video is allowed, at least until we get our own video sorted!

The quality doesn't matter, you can clearly make out your visitors. Excellent!

[vole-woman]

Great vid, jennyb.

Wish I could go somewhere local and watch an otter!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by jennyb

Sorry, I am still not sure if it is allowed to link to external video clips. If it is not allowed, then mods feel free to delete.

Here are my mammals of the day. These clips were taken earlier this evening and it is surprising what wanders around outside the house in the dark! Sorry about the quality. I am just learning about video and I seem to have an interference problem with the webcam - not sure what is causing it.

Video Clip

Jenny

Wow, badger and a fox..I like the way the fox runs off when he sees he's being watched..

How did you put the video from your pc on this site. I can only manage utube..

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Wow, badger and a fox..I like the way the fox runs off when he sees he's being watched..

How did you put the video from your pc on this site. I can only manage utube..

The badger is actually hunting round for the treats I usually put out for him, but I did not put anything out last night. I thought he might look up at the camera and mouth obscenities at me!

I uploaded the video to my web site and then linked to it. I am sure you can do the same when you upload to You Tube.

Jenny

[jennyb]

Great day today. The five musketeers were back at 5pm - just not light enough for decent photos. I had my camera set to ISO 1600.



One of the guys decided the grass round my house was extra tasty and came to within 10 feet of the house. I had the long lens on the camera which was too long, but no time to change it!

Here he is....






These were all taken through the window - not the best conditions, so they are not very sharp.

Interestingly, I recall last February a whole herd were hanging around here then as well. It would be interesting to keep a diary of their behaviour.

Jenny

[Words]

One of the fox has gone into the main Gallery tonight so isn't ready to post. Instead here are a couple from this evening of a very greedy wood mouse!

[vole-woman]

That a dog biscuit he's eating???

[Words]

It sure is!

[Rob T]

Jenny , what lovely photos, I think the Roe looks at its best this time of year with the velvet making their antlers look like some exotic vegetable rather than bone.
A diary would be good and an interesting addition to any photos especialy if you could post it here for us to read.
Do you have them all year round ?

Regards

Rob

[Ukwildlifeo]

these red deer sticking to the (green cross code) man and just crossing the road despite the cars - either that or there working for ken livingstone