While New York and the American East Coast suffers we've been blessed with some beautiful autumn sunshine. It's patchy, but when the light is right this is probably my favourite season. I took this shot early today.
The birds were out and about. Sparrows, robins, and numerous mistle thrush.
It looks idyllic, but in the undergrowth other autumnal regulars are lurking. I love photographing them, but I suspect many other walkers are glad not to see them at all.
That's a young brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), but across the small patch of green an adult was also scurrying in and out of cover. 
I've spotted them around most of the fringe of the pond, dashing for cover, or scurrying in and out of fallen leaves looking for seeds. It's always a bit of a challenge to get pictures, but I'm moderately patient and occasionally rewarded.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
derWandersmann
31 Oct 2012Wonderful shots, Words … I always enjoy the pictures of the usually unseen.
serola
31 Oct 2012Funny rat shots 😀
SittingFox
31 Oct 2012More great shots of rats being rats 🙂
gdare
1 Nov 2012These are nice but that one with a rat diving…. :faint:
Words
2 Nov 2012dW, thanks. I have to admit to enjoying photographing the rats. It's a good rural setting for them and they pretty much hang to the edge of the water so aren't really a problem.
Words
2 Nov 2012Darko, yes the diving shot was quite special so here it is again 😉
Words
2 Nov 2012Adele, rats make very lively subjects, but it can be tricky to get close enough to them.
Words
2 Nov 2012Sami, thanks!
ICU109
8 Nov 2012lol!! ass up!!! I like the one peeking around the leaves. Long as they stay near ponds they have my blessings.
Words
9 Nov 2012Kathy, that's more or less how I feel. Fine in the right place.
ICU109
18 Dec 2012cute little faces, though.
Words
18 Dec 2012Yes, I agree!