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

Sunday 10 May 2015

KILROY. (10/05/15)

Today is pretty much a write off, it won’t stop raining though having written this it has and the sun is out. It is still very windy so I’ll get this done and then settle down with a book.

Yesterday whilst trying to focus on the crane fly I spotted Kilroy._V0G8239 Here he is peeping out of a laurel bud he has an admiring audience.

This morning whilst returning from our walk I decided to check out a bit of hedge where I have noticed stoats. I haven’t got a decent picture yet as I want one doing it’s meercat impression. There was no sign of them but just as I was waiting for the kettle to boil I heard a rabbit squealing and rushed out to curse the dogs. It was a stoat. I had forgotten the dogs were in the van.

_MG_3521

_MG_3520   Not what I was hoping for but at least I saw one doing what they do best. They are beautiful creatures but for something so long and thin they can move like lightening.

Have a grand week.

32 comments:

  1. Kilroy is cute Adrian. Never heard of a stoat so had to Google to find out it is a weasel. Google tells me that stoats are native to Eurasia and North America. Does that make them pests on the British Isles?

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    1. Carol, no they are native but look very similar to a weasel. Weasels don't have a black tip to their tail. I like them.

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  2. Poor rabbit, I can't help thinking, even though I know it's the way of nature...

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    1. Monica, rabbits get close to plague numbers and do considerable damage. There is little or no demand for their meat so the cost of shooting them is higher than they are worth.

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  3. What a catch! (Both you and the stoat.)

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    1. I was lucky Frances the camera was on manual and I didn't have chance to change it.

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  4. It's not only the speed which is impressive but the weight they can carry, truly an impressive and fearless animal.

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    1. Douglas, I know to a few yards where they live but can't locate the nest. I think it's in a bit of old wall under the hedge. The camera was not set up at all so I was fortunate to get any shots of it. They are attractive little things

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  5. Adriaan what is this handsome z, z monster on speed, on large prey.

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    1. Bas, it is handsome but I'll have to watch for better pictures now.

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  6. So sorry to see that Sidney the Stoat has shuffled off with one of your trusty hounds in his gob. Was it Alf or Molly? Never mind, there's plenty more West Highland terriers in the sea.

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    1. YP, the dogs make short work of weasels. I'll have to watch Sidney's back.

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  7. I was tickled by your image showing Kilroy, Adrian. I'd forgotten all about Kilroy!

    It never ceases to amaze me how powerful such a small creature as the Stoat can be. They seem to be able to overpower and carry creatures more than twice their weight.

    I accidentally killed a Stoat and saved a Rabbit a couple of year ago, I just missed the Rabbit that sped across the road in front of me, but sadly I hit the Stoat that was chasing it.

    Best wishes - - - Richard

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    1. Richard, it made me smile. I never did find out what it is.
      They are amazing, the rabbit was dead in seconds, it carried it with ease.
      I'll sit out if the rain stops and try and get some more pictures that are sharp and exposed properly.

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  8. You did well to capture the action shots. The only time I have seen stoats and weasels is when they have darted across in front of the car. Don't see much in the way of Kilroy graffiti these days.

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    1. John, it was luck I'd just popped the camera down while I took my jacket off. It's a pity i hadn't been using it on our walk or it would have been set up and ready to go.
      The two eyes reminded me of Kilroy, whoever he was.

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  9. A kill is always an amazing thing to see. It's instant.

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  10. Stoats are pests here, so I have difficulty admiring yours. I think the ones here must be smaller, too. Can't imagine one carrying off a rabbit.

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  11. Pauline, they do steal eggs and raid birds nests but I find them attractive. It appeared to carry the rabbit with ease.

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  12. Hard luck for the rabbit but a great photo opportunity for an Adrian!

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    1. Graham, the rabbit wasn't very happy and the stoat could have given me a bit of warning.

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  13. poor bunny

    (I enjoyed your Killroy reference...I use it frequently when I have nothing to note)

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    1. R.Mac, the rabbits are becoming a real nuisance. I enjoy eating them but have no means of shooting one.
      It was a slow news day, not as slow as today.

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  14. oh you made a great capture with the second pic! really great Adrain

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  15. Mala suerte para el conejo...Pero hay que comer.
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Laura, no es un buen día para el conejo.

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  16. Nice hunter and poor rabbit but this is the rule of the nature.

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  17. Most excellent! Thankfully rabbits breed rather quickly:)

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    1. Chris, so do stoats but there are a lot more rabbits around than stoats.

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