Mammal ID

[whitezombie]

A picture taken last week in the Cotswolds, can any one id the animal. the actual size of said animal is approximatley 75mm nose to rump. it was crossing this step carrying the dead leaf that looks as if it is behind its head.



it only took a couple of attempts to get this picture as the animal continued back and forth for about 15 minutes.....

[mh68]

Water Shrew i`d say. Very nice find

Mark H

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by mh68

Water Shrew i`d say. Very nice find

Mark H

That's what I'd go for with that pointy nose.

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

That's what I'd go for with that pointy nose.

.. and me too. I've only ever seen a handful of these so a very nice sighting.

[whitezombie]

Even more lucky as the steps are in constant use as they lead from the front door to the lawn of a very popular holiday cotage. I was photographing Willow tits at the time and my dog was running up and down the steps all morning. i have been watching mammals for 28 years this is the first time i have seen a Water Shrew in the wild.

This cottage is set in a steep wooded valley. Roe deer, Rabbits, foxes come into the garden there is even a Badger sett within the garden. don't even start on the bird life, 26 species seen while having my morning cuppa just outside the front door!

[vole-woman]

I love the way the slight blur just emphasizes the full-pelt speed at which the animal's going!

[mh68]

Originally Posted by vole-woman

I love the way the slight blur just emphasizes the full-pelt speed at which the animal's going!

Yes, I thought that too.....the shot captures the flighty nature of these animals perfectly...

Mark H

[whitezombie]

I was very surprized when the picture came up on the screen as out of about six shots of an empty step the only shot that captured it actualy had it in perfect frame, this picure has not been cropped to centralize it.

i had worked out its route through the flower bed that gave me a glimps a few seconds before it crossed the step so i just had to keep snapping when i thought it would apear.

[mh68]

Originally Posted by whitezombie

I was very surprized when the picture came up on the screen as out of about six shots of an empty step the only shot that captured it actualy had it in perfect frame, this picure has not been cropped to centralize it.

i had worked out its route through the flower bed that gave me a glimps a few seconds before it crossed the step so i just had to keep snapping when i thought it would apear.

If youve worked out its usual route, try putting a few pieces of broken-up worm down - theres a chance it may pause to pick a piece up, giving you time for a shot or two

Mark H

[whitezombie]

Mark H,

I had tried to tempt it to stop, the small cilindrical shapes on the left of fram are small meaty morsels.

unfortunalty this was my holiday cottage last week so no more chances, til next year anyway.....

[mh68]

Originally Posted by whitezombie

Mark H,

I had tried to tempt it to stop, the small cilindrical shapes on the left of fram are small meaty morsels.

unfortunalty this was my holiday cottage last week so no more chances, til next year anyway.....

Ah, I see. There`s always next year anyway. it`s a privilege being able to watch these , youre very fortunate - there are many, many people who`ve never even seen one. I`ve only seen one myself, despite spending a lot of time around their natural habitats

Mark H

[mrs fish]

Lovely sighting and well done for getting a pic

[whitezombie]

Mark H,

slight change of subject but just checked out you pictures on flicker.

you have taken some absolutly superb pictures. do you use a hide for your deer shots? or like me relly on bush craft and camo clothing.

i have tracked and watched deer for many years and have only recently started photographing them. I have just invested around £300 on "Deerhunter" clothing in "Advantage Timber" patern after many years using surplus Nato paterns and the benifits are worth every penny. a pair of Roe almost tripped over me a few weeks back, I could have litteraly grabbed the Buck by his leg as he manouvered around me.

Kev.

[mh68]

Originally Posted by whitezombie

Mark H,

slight change of subject but just checked out you pictures on flicker.

you have taken some absolutly superb pictures. do you use a hide for your deer shots? or like me relly on bush craft and camo clothing.

i have tracked and watched deer for many years and have only recently started photographing them. I have just invested around £300 on "Deerhunter" clothing in "Advantage Timber" patern after many years using surplus Nato paterns and the benifits are worth every penny. a pair of Roe almost tripped over me a few weeks back, I could have litteraly grabbed the Buck by his leg as he manouvered around me.

Kev.

Hi Kev, thanks for the kind words Same as you mate, camo and fieldcraft 99% of the time. I`ve not tried the advantage camo. The main thing i`ve found with Deer is to cover your head with a hat or hood,(and sometimes face, with a net) as they seem very adept at picking out the human form. Had a similar experience a few weeks ago - had a Roe within 15ft, it knew something wasnt right, and continually sniffed the air and stamped its feet in disgust at not being able to find the source of the noise (my camera shutter)
Would love to see some of your Deer shots if you can upload some....

Mark H

[whitezombie]

Mark,

After seeing you shots i'm not sure my attempts at wildlife photography should see the light of day...i am that new to photograhy i am still using the presets on the camera.

I know what you mean about using a hat to disguise the human head, they pick up our shape instantly. even wearing full face and head camo most animals will spook if you make eyecontact with them.

Roe deer especialy seem to have a sixth sense. Like you said they seem to get so frustrated when they just know you are there but can't actualy make you out, all that sniffing, lip licking and foot stamping has to be seen to be believed. I once had a Muntjack stood about 10 yards from me stamping and barking at me for 20 minutes he eventualy gave up trying see me and walked off across the field.

I will try to find a few pics later to show my attempts so far.

[mh68]

Originally Posted by whitezombie

Mark,

After seeing you shots i'm not sure my attempts at wildlife photography should see the light of day...i am that new to photograhy i am still using the presets on the camera.

I know what you mean about using a hat to disguise the human head, they pick up our shape instantly. even wearing full face and head camo most animals will spook if you make eyecontact with them.

Roe deer especialy seem to have a sixth sense. Like you said they seem to get so frustrated when they just know you are there but can't actualy make you out, all that sniffing, lip licking and foot stamping has to be seen to be believed. I once had a Muntjack stood about 10 yards from me stamping and barking at me for 20 minutes he eventualy gave up trying see me and walked off across the field.

I will try to find a few pics later to show my attempts so far.

Gives you a great sense of satisfaction seeing their frustration at not being able to locate you though, doesnt it?
Look forward to the pics....

Mark H

[whitezombie]

Originally Posted by mh68

Gives you a great sense of satisfaction seeing their frustration at not being able to locate you though, doesnt it?
Look forward to the pics....

Mark H

Thats what has kept me doing it for the past 28 years rain or shine, the thrill of the hunt without need for the kill. Its my only adiction, long may I remain adicted

[deer boy]

Originally Posted by mh68

Would love to see some of your Deer shots if you can upload some....

Hi whitezombie i'd like to see them too

[whitezombie]

here you go, a few pics, remember i am very new to photograhy...








and just so you all know me if you see me



Kev

[mh68]

Originally Posted by whitezombie

here you go, a few pics, remember i am very new to photograhy...








and just so you all know me if you see me



Kev

Great stuff Kev, really like the first shot You`ll have to point yourself out in the last shot though - cant see you for all that camo

Mark H

[whitezombie]

I will have to get a shot of the same pose but with my new "Advatage Timber" camo, it should demonstrate a better match to the background.

Kev

[shirl]

Originally Posted by whitezombie

A picture taken last week in the Cotswolds, can any one id the animal. the actual size of said animal is approximatley 75mm nose to rump. it was crossing this step carrying the dead leaf that looks as if it is behind its head.



it only took a couple of attempts to get this picture as the animal continued back and forth for about 15 minutes.....

Hi there

Looks the right colour and size for a Water Shrew , they tend to be black on top and white underneath, usually the tail is shorter than head-body length. Was there any water near by? They are usually nocturnal (I have seen them in the daytime) and feed by diving through the water to the sediment and churning it up to find tasty snacks. They move very quickly and need to feed every few hours or they will die. They dash in and out of holes on the banks of the water course, sometimes using Water Vole entrances. The 100% positive id factors for it being a Water Shrew are it's black colour on top and the end of the tail which is keel shaped, did you manage to get a good look at that? Here is a pic of the keel shaped tail (not brilliant as it is under water and boy - did the Water Shrew move fast!).



And another pic of it heading back to the bank after foraging, it surfaced only briefly, when in the water they appear a silvery colour



Shirl

[deer boy]

Ahh just look how tiny that roe kid is nice shot

I've not been doing photography long myself & like u i can stalk them really close, but now i've got to learn to take better pics

[whitezombie]

Originally Posted by deer boy

Ahh just look how tiny that roe kid is nice shot

I've not been doing photography long myself & like u i can stalk them really close, but now i've got to learn to take better pics

if i was more of a photographer and took my camera every time i walked my dog, i could have had some better shots of them as i saw them regularly. at on stage the kid was trying to bend its neck to lick its back and completely lost its balence but eventualy mastered it on abouit the 5th attempt.

I actualy had my dog with me when i got this shot, he's learning to be quiete when i am in camo, and is prety good for a 20month old lab.