nature notes

[bigyetiman]

One little Dormouse who ate so much he couldn't get out of the feeder.
Happily he was rescued and popped into a safe place to hibernate

 

[Marigold]

He must have been very thin when he got in. Those feeder holes aren’t very big!
I can imagine the birds saying to each other ‘Is it me, or does this bird seed taste of dormouse poo?”

 

[MrsBiscuit]

What an incredible photo op! Beautiful little creatures.

 

[dianefairhall]

That made me smile! Thank you.

 

[Margaid]

From a FB page, attribution Wisconsin Bird Watchers

 

[dianefairhall]

Another chuckle! Thank you.

 

[bigyetiman]

What a super picture. Thank You

 

[bigyetiman]

This little Saw-whet Owl was found wrapped up inside the Rockefeller Christmas tree. It had survived inside the wrapping for 3 days without food or water. He was taken to a rehab centre where he is doing just fine

 

[MrsBiscuit]

Get me out of this box now. I am a very annoyed owl.

He/she is absolutely the most lovely thing I have seen all day. I just adore owls.

 

[Hen-Gen]

Yes, MrsBiscuit, I like them too. I think just as with Giant Pandas because they have their eyes on the front of their faces (heads) as do we, we attribute human characteristics to them. In this country they are seen as wise. But I also know that both in Africa and among some Native American peoples they have very negative associations. I guess being nocturnal adds to that.
I was really sorry when that pair of Eagle Owls that tried to breed (was it a quarry in Yorkshire) got shot.
As you may know this island has a long and unique association with Snowy Owls. Magnificent birds being mostly white and we all hope that they will return here as a breeding species. Unfortunately the scarcity of rabbits due to both myxi and haemorrhagic fever makes this a bit unlikely. But we had one drop in last year for a week or two which was lovely to see.

 

[MrsBiscuit]

Today we saw a small/baby salamander at close quarters. We were clearing some land near a small river and there he/she was in the undergrowth. I haven't had the chance to examine them so close before and I have come to the conclusion they are really quite ugly! Spectacular markings but quite 'wet' and so off putting to me, although their feet are a bit like geckos' feet, which I really like.

 

[bigyetiman]

They do have lovely feet, gecko's and salamanders.
Now this little fella should bring a smile to you all

 

[dinosaw]

Even I think that is cute!.

Mrs Dinosaw took these this morning.

 

[Marigold]

Wonderful!
Here in Whitchurch, Hants, there have been many sightings of deer nearer to houses and in gardens this year, with everything being so much quieter.

 

[dinosaw]

We do get them clearing our stock fencing on occasion and coming in. The only reason I know is that we sometimes find the feed bins and compost bins knocked over, and they are the only thing big enough to do that round here, or at least I hope so....

 

[MrsBiscuit]

Lovely photos, that first one is so atmospheric. Your pictures often remind me of our old back garden. The deer used to leap the stock fencing there as well, but rather than knocking things over they would eat things. We sussed out how to get over this....our apple trees and veg beds were less well stocked than both our neighbours so they went there for more ample pickings!

 

[dianefairhall]

Great pics, thank you. We've never seen any but think we get deer in our garden occasionally judging by the size of the poo we sometimes see. Definitely too big for our neighbours' sheep who get in at times.

 

[Marigold]

Not sure if this is Nature Notes or Cheery Pics, but well done, that man!
https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/nov/23/puppy-rescued-from-jaws-of-alligator-in-florida-video

 

[Margaid]

The elephant rescue that follows is pretty amazing too. Just as well it was only a young alligator!

 

[dinosaw]

Brave man, that is clearly a well loved dog. Until I saw a documentary recently, I didn't realise anything actually preyed on alligators and crocodiles. Usual dead animal (or reptile) warning applies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu1by5-BpTA