ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Wednesday 25 February 2015

GUESS WHAT? (25/02/15)

It is a gorgeous day. There is little wind and the sun is shining. It was a fresh –4oC when we set out to get some pictures of wonderful birds and mammals._MG_2723   Guess what had been walking past the van.

_MG_2725      Loch Morlich was at it’s best and even better it was hosting……………………..

_MG_2727     Three Goldeneye. They swam away despite my creeping up and asking the dogs to sit and stay in the trees. Ungrateful ducks.

After a fruitless search for Woodpeckers and Tree Creepers I returned to the van but on the way back popped a handful of peanuts down and having tied the dogs to a bush settled down to get some definitive shots of the little footprint maker. As is the norm for me it was going well until the dogs escaped. The result of my labour is here……………………….

_MG_2733   A Red Squirrel, one of three. I was waiting for them to get closer but the dogs whizzed them into the tree tops. Not to worry it was fun watching them.

41 comments:

  1. Typical Goldeneye behaviour, one is even acting a bit snooty by putting his nose up at your efforts. Are you sure that's a real red squirrel and you haven't dressed Alf & Molly up?

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    1. Douglas, I am starting to think that maybe the dogs don't help. They don't bother with ducks but chasing squirrels is only second to deer in their book. I ought to have put them in the van.

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  2. Buenas huellas de tus mamíferos...La ardilla salió a saludarte ;))
    Buen miércoles.
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Laura, se habría acercado pero los perros malos persiguió

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  3. Alf and Mol, the great hunters of the north

    To a Floridian, anything under 60F is not a beautiful day ;O)

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    1. R.Mac, just deer and squirrels. They rarely bother with rabbits.

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  4. Adriaan you've enjoyed it so a man can have noiet everything

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    1. Bas, I always enjoy a walk. It would be good to get a picture now and again.

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  5. Guess what was walking past the van ~ looks like a koala to me. What do you reckon Skippy? ~ don't mind me Adrian ~ that will go right over your head unless you are familiar with the iconic kid's TV show called Skippy.

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    1. Ha Carol! I know who (what) Skippy is. I suppose that living in NZ helped but actually the link came via an actress for whom I had a secret admiration (well something anyway) when she played Phillipa Vale in Bergerac: Liza Goddard.

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    2. I have not the faintest idea what you two are talking about.

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  6. On the other hand, you made those dogs' day.

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    1. Joanne, the dogs tend to make their own entertainment. I am just there to provide food.

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  7. Picture one: a weasel. Definitely a weasel.

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    1. Frances, I thought it was a squirrel but you are no doubt correct.

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    2. On second thoughts, this Thing must have landed, and then taken off again, for there are no other prints.. So it was a flying Thing.or a jumping Thing, which weasels aren't. (actually, I wasn't that serious about the weasel. I just like the word).

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    3. Frances, it is one set of a series. I am pretty sure its Red Squirrel feet marks.

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  8. Cute little footprint maker, squirrels are real acrobats and fast, the dogs are no match but the chase is fun to watch.

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    1. Gillian, they fascinate the dogs but I can't work out why. My two spend their time in the woods gazing upwards and bumping into things.

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  9. You did well to get even that close to those Goldeneye Adrian.
    Now, I think you are going to have to give those dogs a little bit of colour awareness squirrel chasing training....When it's grey chase it away, when it's red stop and stay...that should do the trick?...[;o)

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    1. Trevor, I see them quite often in Scotland, mainly in summer. They are very wary.
      I'll have another go at the squirrels but I'll put the dogs in the van. I thought I'd tied them up properly.

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  10. The Red Squirrel takes the biscuit away, what a bounder, what.

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    1. Bob, there are lots of them here but they only come out on sunny days. One day I'll get close enough.

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  11. Whenever I try to get pictures of Golden Eye ducks, they turn their backs. I love to watch them and the Buffleheads we have in this part of the world..

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    1. Bill, they are the same here. they always swim or fly away.

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  12. Sounds like a perfect day. for you and your crew. You enjoyed watching and the dogs enjoyed chasing. I agree with Carol, my first thought when I saw the footprints was koala. Skippy the kangaroo would have known better.

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    1. Pauline, it's all good fun but if the rain stops I'll try and get some pictures this morning first thing the dogs can stop in the van.

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  13. Funny how the weather makes for a great change in mood. You're going to have to train those dogs to do something positive for you like find birds instead of chase them away.

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    1. Red, they don't chase birds but it's a different story with deer and squirrels.

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  14. I know that this is a longshot, but were the footprints made by a red squirrel perchance?

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    1. YP, I'm pretty sure they are. it may have been a weasel or stoat but as I have Mallard roosting by the van I would have expected a commotion from them if a predator had been around.

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  15. That squirrel is like a car -- with a flashy taillight. :)

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    1. John, they are wonderful when the sun catches them.

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  16. Such nice captures Adrian! Simply beautiful

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  17. Quina enveja tant sana que et tinc, Adrian, el lloc on vius tot i patir les incidències de temps, es un lloc precios.
    Una abraçada i bon cap de setmana.

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  18. Must be a squirrel - but where dit it go from there?! Jumped up again and vanished into thin air?! LOL

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    1. Monica, yes it is a squirrel. I just photographed one set of prints.

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  19. I envy your life my friend... Lol

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