These are from yesterday (today was largely a washout). They were taken on the small road that surrounds Falmer Pond. The rat scampered out from the bushes and ran across the road in front of me. A few moments later it crossed back, and disappeared into the vegetation at the edge of the pond.
First one way (away from the pond)…
Then the other (back to the pond)…
… and to the safety of the bank.
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
I was back at Falmer Pond today, checking out how the little moorhen chicks are coming along. A second nest has appeared, but I can’t make my mind up whether this is for a new brood or simply that the original family has moved home. I’ve not seen any activity on the original nest, but that could simply be a matter of timing. The chicks are doing fine, and the adults are still busy making sure they get their vitamins.
Spending so much time skulking around the edge of the pond (me, that is) it’s impossible not to see the true skulkers (rats, that is) dashing in and out of the undergrowth. This is the cutest of the photos from today.
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
I’m going to risk the wrath of the weather gods and say that it really does look as though spring has arrived. Another bright sunny day at Falmer, a touch cool but it really is now beginning to look and feel like springtime. So to celebrate, some cute shots of a rat down by the water’s edge, with some nice reflections.
It did eventually scramble up the bank in search of the bread left out for the ducks.
Two other seasonal moments: first a chirpy little blackcap spotted at the edge of the Westlain Plantation at Falmer:
And to close, my favourite shot from today of the baby moorhens.
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
