It was a cool, overcast day. Terrible light but one pond-side creature was fairly active. Yes, the rats were making the most of the relative calm brought about by the cool weather and reduced human activity. 
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D EF and 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. ISO 1600 for all shots.
Dudley
22 Oct 2011And all this time I thought I was feeding Chipmunks! 😆
gdare
22 Oct 2011Just don`t bring them home as a pets 😆
Words
23 Oct 2011Andy, LOL! But truly a lot of people are indeed feeding them by leaving grain down for the birds.
Words
23 Oct 2011Darko, I promise I won't!
Words
23 Oct 2011Erwin, I'm glad you noticed that. The rat didn't actually eat anything. It ducked down behind the stone. I wonder if the remains were left by a raptor.
ICU109
23 Oct 2011wow, at least SOME things get along in this here world!
Words
23 Oct 2011Kathy, it's a moorhen (very blurred) in the foreground of the last shot. They seem to get on quite happily together from what I've seen.
ICU109
23 Oct 2011the pidgeon and rat don't seem to be taking note of each other in the last shot, but then, I don't see very well, need new glasses. looks like a pidgeon anyway!
SittingFox
24 Oct 2011You have to admire how they manage to survive anywhere and on anything. If Yellowstone ever erupts, there will be rats at least in the world that follows.
Words
24 Oct 2011Adele, what spooks me is the way they just appear sometimes, a little too close for comfort. But they are fascinating when they are active like that and now I know where to look I tend to see them.
ICU109
25 Oct 2011don't mind the smaller ones, it's the big buggers that creep me out! they'll survive alright, them and bacteria. makes me wonder if WE are simply viruses or parasites on this living planet.
Words
25 Oct 2011Kathy, I prefer co-habitants, but we can be very parasitic if we don't take care.
cakkleberrylane
25 Oct 2011Makes me think twice about putting bird seed in the feeders!
Words
25 Oct 2011Lois, actually that really is one of the biggest attractants of rodents to gardens. The recommendation is to sweep up at the end of every day (but really, does anybody do that?).
Kelisha
26 Oct 2011Oh I Just Love your wild Rattie pics Words!!
I don't mean to Sound too Critical but people can put Bird Seed out for the Birds by the Pond all they Like as long as you Shoot these Beautiful Rodents when You can, they would actually rather eat Seeds, Nuts & Fruit rather than Meat as there Typical Diet doesn't contain much Meat at all.
& it's Typical that their getting along with the Moorhen as Rats have a Very Kind Sweet Nature, my 2 Pet ones are actually Very Innocent & Childlike in every Way.:awww: :whistle: :eyes: :smurf: :angel:
Words
28 Oct 2011Kelisha, thanks! I don't mind people putting down bird seed, but I'm sure they'd be surprised at what actually eats it. The main reason that I get to see the rats is that they are after seed falling from trees. I took a lot of shots of rats in Regent's Park in London last year at around this time of year as well.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Interesting to see them feed…..on dead meat…