Swifty Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Was the Tortoise really small or that Snail shell (bottom right) bloody huge ?? Yes it was a young tortoise about 80 mm x 55mm but you do have to beware the deadly Spanish killer snails. The tortoises actually eat the snail shells to build up their calcium intake, about 8 weeks after these were taken they aestivate which is the summer hibernation as it is too hot and dry.They will come out if there is substantial rain but normally reappear around September.The tortoise needs UV to enable its metabolism to create calcium for bone development etc. Their diet is mainly weeds (which also contain calcium) not lettuce fruit tomatoes and cucumber,they do love eating flowers maybe because of the nectar. oops went off on one a bit there. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest MrC Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Here's one I spotted earlier, think it's a long legged red headed bedthrasher Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mal C Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 'bedthrasher' thats made me giggle that.. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 This is inside my boss' barn! Cuteness! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Harry Crosby Posted June 25, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 25, 2014 Went for my first days fishing yesterday morning. My first day back on my be-loved river Swale, in North Yorkshire. There`s a bridge over the river, where I always stop, to take a look at the river levels, before fishing. In the meadow next to the bridge in the early morning mist, was a Barn owl, working the meadow. I tried my best to get a picture, but he just wouldn`t stay still. Anyway a couple of pictures of North Yorkshire at Dawn, in all its glory. Can anybody identify the holes I found high up on the river bank? fished there before but never seen them, they were under a big chestnut tree, right on top of the river bank. Any way it was a glorious day, and I even caught a few fish, not that, that matters being in such beautiful surroundings is reward enough for getting up at 3am 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mal C Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 thats fabulous, I haven't been for years, prefer Spinning for Pike, long stints waiting on Carp is fine but if you no longer smoke it kinda takes the fun out of it.. The holes, far too big for Rabbit, Fox or Badger set I'd say.. Fox has a very distinct smell, you would know, and if they have had cubs you generally find all sorts of bits outside all chewed up.. Makes me want to get out there again... really nice pics Malcolm 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Harry Crosby Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 thats fabulous, I haven't been for years, prefer Spinning for Pike, long stints waiting on Carp is fine but if you no longer smoke it kinda takes the fun out of it.. The holes, far too big for Rabbit, Fox or Badger set I'd say.. Fox has a very distinct smell, you would know, and if they have had cubs you generally find all sorts of bits outside all chewed up.. Makes me want to get out there again... really nice pics Malcolm Cheers Malc, I`m a river fisherman, so never bother with the Carp, as they say life is too short for fishing for Carp As for Pike!! they frighten old Harry, theres some very big Pike on the River Swale. A couple of years ago I was happily pulling in a nice Chub around 3lb, and something resembling an Alligator, came up from the depths and took the Chub. Now that was a BIG PIKE.to take a 3lb Chub. I`m a lucky fella as my passion takes me to some lovely places 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mal C Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Ive seen it happen with the big ones, they dont mess about when it comes to lunch..... I used to fish at a gravel pit years back, One day I descended down a steep slope to get into a corner I'd only ever seen from across the lake, and I found beached a Jack Pike about a 30 cm long, with a perch rammed right inside its mouth, both fish still alive so I separated them and put them back. Luckiest day that Perch has ever had I reckon.. twice in the frying pan.. back in the river... No pictures though, long before camera Phones 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Harry Crosby Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Ive seen it happen with the big ones, they dont mess about when it comes to lunch..... I used to fish at a gravel pit years back, One day I descended down a steep slope to get into a corner I'd only ever seen from across the lake, and I found beached a Jack Pike about a 30 cm long, with a perch rammed right inside its mouth, both fish still alive so I separated them and put them back. Luckiest day that Perch has ever had I reckon.. twice in the frying pan.. back in the river... No pictures though, long before camera Phones My ex brother in law, caught a perch, whilst reeling a smaller perch in as Williams and Watson said......two for the price of one 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Winsford Soul Posted June 26, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 26, 2014 Reflections First ever Avocet chick that I have ever seen Steve 5 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Went for my first days fishing yesterday morning. My first day back on my be-loved river Swale, in North Yorkshire. There`s a bridge over the river, where I always stop, to take a look at the river levels, before fishing. In the meadow next to the bridge in the early morning mist, was a Barn owl, working the meadow. I tried my best to get a picture, but he just wouldn`t stay still. Anyway a couple of pictures of North Yorkshire at Dawn, in all its glory. Can anybody identify the holes I found high up on the river bank? fished there before but never seen them, they were under a big chestnut tree, right on top of the river bank. Any way it was a glorious day, and I even caught a few fish, not that, that matters being in such beautiful surroundings is reward enough for getting up at 3am DSCN0120.JPGDSCN0121.JPGDSCN0124.JPGDSCN0126.JPG Harry. Hope your well my friend. Bet your made up the river season is finally upon us. Looks like a badger sett to me . love the pictures Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Black headed gull chick begging for food Steve 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Harry Crosby Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Harry. Hope your well my friend. Bet your made up the river season is finally upon us. Looks like a badger sett to me . love the pictures Steve Hi Steve, yes I`m well my friend, hope I find you the same. To say its only closed for 3 months, it`s like a lifetime to me I love fishing the Rivers, we all like catching a few fish if possible, but at my age, I`m beginning to appreciate the surroundings I`m in more and more. You don`t see things like that sat in front of your xbox as I keep reminding my 13 year old son Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Hi Steve, yes I`m well my friend, hope I find you the same. To say its only closed for 3 months, it`s like a lifetime to me I love fishing the Rivers, we all like catching a few fish if possible, but at my age, I`m beginning to appreciate the surroundings I`m in more and more. You don`t see things like that sat in front of your xbox as I keep reminding my 13 year old son Harry. good thanks note to ones self must get on the rivers this season. not fished a river since god knows when. I,m fed up with puddle chucking. I,m lucky in that my son Thomas who,s now 21 loves going fishing with me. Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Winsford Soul Posted June 26, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 26, 2014 Couple of pictures of swallows taken recently on my hols nr Tenby Steve 5 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I can have a sleep if my dad is Steve 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post billb Posted June 26, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 26, 2014 Went to Norfolk for a week, saw an owl and a heron. Also saw a Marsh Harrier but didn't get a picture. 5 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Went to Norfolk for a week, saw an owl and a heron. Also saw a Marsh Harrier but didn't get a picture. Bill. Marsh harriers are one of my favourite birds, shame you didn't get a picture. They look like two different owls the first one a tawny and in the second picture looks like a barn owl. Which if it is I'm jealous because I haven't seen a barn owl for about three years. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
billb Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Bill. Marsh harriers are one of my favourite birds, shame you didn't get a picture. They look like two different owls the first one a tawny and in the second picture looks like a barn owl. Which if it is I'm jealous because I haven't seen a barn owl for about three years. Steve Steve, They were definitely the same owl. Me and the Mrs watched it flying over a field on the other side of the river in Coltishall, Norfolk. Not great pics I know but it was quite a way off and very fast. I've found another of it. Saw this duck as well off the north coast of Norfolk, Is it a merganser? 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) Steve, They were definitely the same owl. Me and the Mrs watched it flying over a field on the other side of the river in Coltishall, Norfolk. Not great pics I know but it was quite a way off and very fast. I've found another of it. Saw this duck as well off the north coast of Norfolk, Is it a merganser? Bill. its defo a barn owl now ive had a proper look on my laptop as opposed to looking on my kindle. the other bird, it looks like a female merganser with the white double wing patch and the crest. Steve Edited June 28, 2014 by Winsford Soul 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Orotava Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 thats fabulous, I haven't been for years, prefer Spinning for Pike, long stints waiting on Carp is fine but if you no longer smoke it kinda takes the fun out of it.. The holes, far too big for Rabbit, Fox or Badger set I'd say.. Fox has a very distinct smell, you would know, and if they have had cubs you generally find all sorts of bits outside all chewed up.. Makes me want to get out there again... really nice pics Malcolm Yep, I`ll vouch for that - always have to take at least 20 cigs when I go carping!!! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Yep, I`ll vouch for that - always have to take at least 20 cigs when I go carping!!! Thought when I packed in smoking, fishing would be the major stumbling block but no managed it ok and its now three and a half years since I smoked Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Tattoodave Posted June 28, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 28, 2014 Hummingbird Hawkmoth that stayed around long enough for me to photograph 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Peter99 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Been catching up and just reminded myself what a fantastic thread this is. Apologies but I couldn't help but post this. http://youtu.be/E2VCwBzGdPM Well done everyone. Peter 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 DSC09334.JPGDSC09335.JPGDSC09336.JPGDSC09333.JPG Hummingbird Hawkmoth that stayed around long enough for me to photograph Dave seen one a couple weeks ago over on the burton mere rspb reserve on the Wirral, didn't get chance of a picture though. think they,re quite rare up here in the north west of England Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Dave seen one a couple weeks ago over on the burton mere rspb reserve on the Wirral, didn't get chance of a picture though. think they,re quite rare up here in the north west of England Steve I can honestly say I've only ever seen them in the south of England Steve, they are very common here though, a daily sight in fact, especially where there's Compositae (daisy type) flowers Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Blue Winged Grasshopper Enormous wood ants on Cardoon A Bumblebee enjoying his day on a Cardoon flower 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Harry Crosby Posted June 28, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted June 28, 2014 Heres on I took a long time ago, caught him in my torch whilst nightfishing, he was only about 15 yards from me. A sleeping Kingfisher 5 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 It's amazing what peanut butter can bring down out of the trees. 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Been away for a few days again. Missed some good pictures being posted. Think i might have a few to post once I've had a look and downloaded them. Possibly dolphins. Rock pipit, and a few sunsets. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Orotava Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 It's amazing what peanut butter can bring down out of the trees._1050941 - Copy.JPG_1050942 - Copy.JPG Is that a red one Dave - haven`t seen one for a long, long time?? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Is that a red one Dave - haven`t seen one for a long, long time??Yes, a lovely tufted ear red squirrel, loved peanut butter, about the only way it would stay on the log 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sooty Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Hi folks!x I have shared my love of our wildlife and Countryside in here before. I was enjoying keeping up with this thread until January.....then got busy and leisure time such as it takes to read such delightful stuff.....dis-appeared!x I have tho' during my sabbatical witnessed many creatures out there! I have just clocked 55,000 miles scurrying around our Kingdoms as far as Inverness down to Portpatrick across to Berwick and the entire Coastline around England and Wales as well as every driveable road across the Yorkshire Moors....The Dales and Lake District. It's the most 'intensive' coverage I have ever done of the UK. In the 80's/90's I was doing on average 1,000 a week on business. I used to spot number plates and lorries to pass the time! For the past 10+ years i've shuttled up to 8 folk when cruising the Countryside and haven't had my focus on erm...the road and my external surroundings really! But...back on 'it' this year and I was stumped after the first week! Reason being is you can't do the number plates like we used to be able....and i've found my eyesight ain't what it was 20 years ago to spot a colour scheme and name that lorry firm from a mile away!! So....I was bored....and kept driving.....and then began to realise how many badgers....were 'freshly' deaded around the Country!!!! It has become my 'tick' as I plough through 400 miles a day on average.....except today.....streeeetch!!! Luvly!x So...2nd week of January I started to make a mental note of how many badgers I see dead. I can only say it as i;ve seen it.....and the figure is on average....25 a day.....in a random 400 mile trip through the lanes/highlands and valleys of the UK! I know they are cleared....I had to go to Westbury near Bath 3 times over 2 weeks.....different badgers each time! Same can be said Natonwide i;ve noticed! I don't know what my 'survey' sez....but that seems pretty more a better 'cull' than anything the Govt has come up with where necessary....shirley??!x I am ignorant about the Badger debate but that's what i;ve found out....and shared it here where i thought it may be appreciated!x I look forward to catching up with the thread soon!x LUV SOOTY X This pic accompanied an article in which the British Forces were accused of releasing man eating Honey Badgers around Basra in 2003 as a security measure...!x @@ ~ Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Cheapsiderecords Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 No pics I am afraid but we have just got back from a few days travelling through the Carolinas. Whilst on the beach I was splashing in the surf and I was lucky enough to see a Dolphin pod go swimming by, maybe 50 feet in front of me! 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 This pic accompanied an article in which the British Forces were accused of releasing man eating Honey Badgers around Basra in 2003 as a security measure...!x @@ ~ Honey badgers are notoriously nasty beasts, I'd not want to meet one, they'd stand up to a Jackall Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 No pics I am afraid but we have just got back from a few days travelling through the Carolinas. Whilst on the beach I was splashing in the surf and I was lucky enough to see a Dolphin pod go swimming by, maybe 50 feet in front of me! Anyone wanting to swim with a wild pod of dolphins should head to Serifos, one of the smaller Cycladic islands, there's a bay called Psili Amos where they come every September, I swam with them for years 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Rock pipit 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Winsford Soul Posted July 4, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted July 4, 2014 These not very clear picture where taken from about 70metres above the sea and the dolphins where about 300 metres out from the cliffs Steve 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Swifty Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 No pics I am afraid but we have just got back from a few days travelling through the Carolinas. Whilst on the beach I was splashing in the surf and I was lucky enough to see a Dolphin pod go swimming by, maybe 50 feet in front of me! I'd have crapped myself , thinking they were Sharks 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 A couple of recent sunsets from me Steve 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Swifty Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 This pic accompanied an article in which the British Forces were accused of releasing man eating Honey Badgers around Basra in 2003 as a security measure...!x @@ ~ Honey badgers are notoriously nasty beasts, I'd not want to meet one, they'd stand up to a Jackall I thought Sooty was taking the P Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Cheapsiderecords Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I'd have crapped myself , thinking they were Sharks I have to be honest, I did a double take and a quick turn, heading back to the beach when I saw the first fin. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I thought Sooty was taking the P No Swifty, they are really nasty, They can lock their jaws like a terrier too. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I thought Sooty was taking the P I seen a program recently about the honey badgers they are so clever but so evil and will take on anything. a pair of them seen off a pack of hyenas and have even made lions back down Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Swifty Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I seen a program recently about the honey badgers they are so clever but so evil and will take on anything. a pair of them seen off a pack of hyenas and have even made lions back down Steve Well I thought I knew a bit about wildlife , know a bit more now , thanks 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 A few more sunsets from me Was so happy with these pictures until I saw the horizon in the first picture sloping from left to right. in fact I was that happy I was going to enter it into a few competitions Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sooty Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 I thought Sooty was taking the P .....it was a 'tester' as such Swifty!x Seeing as it has been received with the seriousness it deserves then I will add this......as a Journalist...I discovered Special Forces had indeed put 'sets' of Badgers around perimeters to deter and detect rogue elements in defence camps globally to include Iraq and currently Afghanistan. Better than a guard dog I hear with no maintenance requisites and they have a knack of discovering pipe bombs too!x @@ ~ LUV SOOTY X On a more local note....I have witnessed regularly a Starling feeding on the bread I chuck out on my patio....and then feeding a tubby Thrush the bread!! The Thrush just sits there next to the bread....the Starling gets a mouth full....goes to it and transfers it into the Thrush's mouth!! Been so interested in seeing it I ain't got round to photographing it yet!!x Lazy little bu**er the Thrush....sits right next to the bread and does nowt except wait for the Starling....what's that all about....I mean there is no mutual co-existence required like ants/aphids etc etc...is there?!x 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 I think would take some explaining from the likes of Packham and King, not witnessed anything like that myself, starlings are not usually generous. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Smudger Posted July 5, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2014 (edited) Hummingbird Hawkmoth that stayed around long enough for me to photograph Love watching these When i was a kid we had some poplar trees behind our house on some open land also had a small pond,used to love watching the poplar hawk and elephant hawk moths the caterpillars were huge ,also loads of frogs and newts.it's a housing estate now progress Pah! Photos for reference not taken by me Elephant Hawk Poplar Hawk Edited July 5, 2014 by smudger 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 I think would take some explaining from the likes of Packham and King, not witnessed anything like that myself, starlings are not usually generous. Dave. I will bet that the thrush is a fledgling and the starling will have just brooded its young, so for a short while there is a parental bond to feed chicks, any chicks that open there beaks will get a response from the adult. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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