All shots taken early this morning at Falmer Pond. The skies were blue (a rare occurrence, but welcome) and among the usual suspects was a small group of cormorants.
The cormorants did not, however, pause for a swim. The title comes from a quite different (and much rarer) sighting.
Yes, it's a rat!
It dives as well!
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
12 Comments
I say! At first, I thought "muskrat", but this appears to be Man's old companion, rattus rattus! Swimming, was he? Interesting.
Seems to be an excellent swimmer that rat :up:
Yes … rather surprising, isn't it?
I suppose that's how all those South Pacific islands got their infestations of rats; after all, there were no docks, and they seldom had to beach the ships, and it seems unlikely that the sailors would have let them hitch a ride in the longboats.
Rats are real survivors :up:
dW, these are our common brown rats. They're great swimmers, but I was surprised at all the diving under it was doing.
Sami, it certainly could move quickly through the water. It disappeared into the undergrowth when it reached the bank.
dW, yes, rats and ships. They are incredibly adaptive, and intelligent.
What was that rat doing, fish hunting? :left: It must have been a harbour seal in a previous life 😛
Originally posted by gdare:
LOL! But actually all it was doing was 'getting to the other side'. I think it must have been out on the island in the middle of the pond. It was swimming in a direct line to the bank.
Originally posted by derWandersmann:
Rattus norvegicus. Ship rats Rattus rattus are extremely rare in mainland Britain.
Remarkable sighting, though. The ultimate survivor, and even endures our current weather!
Adele, this is generally a good time of year for seeing rats as they forage among fallen leaves, though I've had little luck apart from this one sighting so far. They are fantastically good in the water.
Thank you, Adele … I didn't know that.