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.
17 Comments
And all this time I thought I was feeding Chipmunks! 😆
Just don`t bring them home as a pets 😆
Andy, LOL! But truly a lot of people are indeed feeding them by leaving grain down for the birds.
Darko, I promise I won't!
Erwin, 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.
wow, at least SOME things get along in this here world!
Kathy, 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.
the 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!
You 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.
Adele, 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.
don'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.
Kathy, I prefer co-habitants, but we can be very parasitic if we don't take care.
Makes me think twice about putting bird seed in the feeders!
Lois, 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?).
Oh 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:
Kelisha, 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.
Interesting to see them feed…..on dead meat…