Fighting Water Voles

June 21, 2015 by Words | 4 Comments

Just a short sequence of photos tonight, taken at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Arundel today. Several water voles were active at the edge of the site (by the entrance to the visitor centre), and their antics included a brief skirmish in the water. Not my best photos – but unusual enough to put up here.

And a water vole on the bank

A water vole on the bank

See the second water vole on the left of the frame.

See the second water vole on the left of the frame.

Now in the water, the skirmish begins

Now in the water, the skirmish begins

Nice yellow teeth!

Nice yellow teeth!

A flapping claw goes in

A flapping claw goes in

A short chase

A short chase

Water voles at Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

Water voles kicking and splashing

Escape to the bank

Escape to the bank

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.

Posted in water vole Tagged |

Moorhens Enjoy a Private Moment

June 18, 2015 by Words | 4 Comments

I feel in need of posting something and this short sequence of a pair of moorhens enjoying sharing a, shall we say, private moment fits the bill. They were under some overhanging branches at the edge of Falmer pond. I was watching out for house martins swooping down to the pond, but struggling to keep up with them. This pair were altogether easier to photograph.

moorhens mating

moorhens mating

moorhens mating

Moorhens mating at Falmer Pond

Moorhens are ‘rails’, as is the slightly larger coot. This one looks in need of a mate, but made a fine portrait.

coot

Coot at Falmer Pond

I’m keeping this brief but couldn’t not post this shot of a dog that was cooling down in the pond. Not that it should have been there; but it was hot from a car ride (so I was told) and was keeping clear of wildlife, so no harm done.

dog swimming

Dog swimming at Falmer Pond

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.

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Lots of Cuteness!

June 11, 2015 by Words | 2 Comments

Summer is here (storm clouds threatened for tomorrow, but I can live with that). Anyway, today I took some proper time to watch the local youngsters… house martins and herring gulls.

These are a couple of the young martins, snug in their nest. There are several of these under the eaves of the row of cottages at Falmer.

house martin chicks

House martin chicks

house martin chicks

house martin chicks

One of the adult house martins on a flint wall below the roof.

The real local characters though are the young herring gulls. There are small clutches all over the roofs at work, but these two are in my favourite spot (by the car park), and are just hitting that stage where they look faintly absurd!

herring gull chick

I do art impressions: The Scream

Herring gull chicks

Herring gull chicks

Herring gull chicks

And the adults always keep a watchful eye on them.

Herring gull chicks

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.

Posted in Birds, water birds Tagged , , |