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Posted by blackfox: Thu Jan 17th, 2019 12:43 1st Post
time for a new section

one from today a wild red squirrel from the isle of anglesey

the perfect day by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr



Posted by Robert: Thu Jan 17th, 2019 13:58 2nd Post
Wow, what tufted ears!

No doubt celebrating the cancellation of the nuclear power station.

Keep e'm coming.

Cluny House Gardens in the Tay valley, not sure if it's actually Glen Tay.

https://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/cluny_house_garden

They have a large population of red Squirrels, apparently they leap from tree to tree, visiting photographers have been seen lying on the drive in the hope of seeing them leap between the trees. Some spectacular images have resulted.



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Posted by blackfox: Thu Jan 17th, 2019 14:26 3rd Post
this ones virtually motorway A55 high speed dual carriageway bar a mile either end from my house



Posted by blackfox: Thu Jan 17th, 2019 16:49 4th Post
and another from today birds will follow over the weekend

mr tufty guy by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr



Posted by Eric: Fri Jan 18th, 2019 14:48 5th Post
No red squirrels on my last trip, but.....

Attachment: 7DB89DA3-3E25-4136-AA77-2E2C2C37DE08.jpeg (Downloaded 62 times)



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Posted by blackfox: Fri Jan 18th, 2019 16:20 6th Post
Cool shot



Posted by Iain: Sat Jan 19th, 2019 10:10 7th Post
A old pic but something you don't see often.

Attachment: Mole.jpg (Downloaded 60 times)



Posted by Robert: Sat Jan 19th, 2019 13:12 8th Post
Mr (or Mrs) Mole?

Like you say, a rare sighting.

There is a Badger set within a mile of here, I have access to the land but I have never yet seen a Badger. I can see where they have been trails in the wood but the actual Badgers seem to be invisible. Is there a 'better' time to visit the vicinity of the set? Like late at night, or early in the morning? I have seen deer browsing nearby but only briefly.



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Posted by Iain: Sat Jan 19th, 2019 16:49 9th Post
Robert wrote:
Mr (or Mrs) Mole?

Like you say, a rare sighting.

There is a Badger set within a mile of here, I have access to the land but I have never yet seen a Badger. I can see where they have been trails in the wood but the actual Badgers seem to be invisible. Is there a 'better' time to visit the vicinity of the set? Like late at night, or early in the morning? I have seen deer browsing nearby but only briefly.

Try going a bit before twilight Robert and take some peanuts with you. If you know where the set is put them close to the set and sit and wait.

Good luck.



Posted by Robert: Sat Jan 19th, 2019 17:24 10th Post
Thanks Iain, salted or plain? LOL

Are they likely to be bothered if they see me? I have seen Badgers in the lanes, they amble along and don't seem too stressed, just get out of the way once there is room to go through a gate or up a side road.

See way too many of them on the side of the main road, hit by cars.



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Posted by blackfox: Sun Jan 20th, 2019 05:08 11th Post
another red squirrel shot from the other day

the inspector general by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr



Posted by Robert: Sun Jan 20th, 2019 06:19 12th Post
I like that, it's doing something, nice pose.

Does the shutter noise bother them?



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Posted by blackfox: Sun Jan 20th, 2019 09:29 13th Post
nope not in the least rob, I know a few spots for these now but this is the best so far as its in a steep valley the food/bait is put out on logs /feeders a few feet up so when they come down your literally at eye level with them as here :-)



Posted by Iain: Wed Jan 23rd, 2019 16:30 14th Post
Robert wrote:
Mr (or Mrs) Mole?

Like you say, a rare sighting.

There is a Badger set within a mile of here, I have access to the land but I have never yet seen a Badger. I can see where they have been trails in the wood but the actual Badgers seem to be invisible. Is there a 'better' time to visit the vicinity of the set? Like late at night, or early in the morning? I have seen deer browsing nearby but only briefly.

Sorry Robert just got back to this. Just peanuts you put out for the birds.

There eyesight is not too good, bit like mine, but keep down wind of them as they will smell you long before they see you if you don't.



Posted by Robert: Wed Jan 23rd, 2019 18:11 15th Post
Thanks Iain, just joking really, I went up to the set this afternoon, there are muddy paths around the set so there must be some activity.

The set is very close to an un-made lane (rough and muddy!) I can park within 30 feet of the set, don't know if that's up or down wind, I will have to get a weather vane, like a bit of string hung on a branch, that should tell me.

Hmmm time, where DOES it go. I have no ideas how I found time to go to work! LOL



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Posted by blackfox: Sun Jan 27th, 2019 13:21 16th Post
another red squirrel shot from anglesey ,

this is nutty by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr



Posted by Eric: Sun Jan 27th, 2019 15:27 17th Post
Saw this one a little further south than the Norfolk coast.:lol:

Attachment: AE83E961-5621-43AE-8B9F-7E0BAC9C6CC9.jpeg (Downloaded 40 times)



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Posted by Eric: Sun Jan 27th, 2019 15:27 18th Post
I think it's a Suffolk red squirrel.:lol:



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Posted by jk: Sun Jan 27th, 2019 16:06 19th Post
Long necked Suffolk squirrel.
I saw one near my granddad's farm at Beccles.
:lol:



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Posted by Eric: Sun Jan 27th, 2019 16:07 20th Post
jk wrote:
Long necked Suffolk squirrel.
I saw one near my granddad's farm at Beccles.
:lol:


Did you ever see the Suffolk Ostrich?

Attachment: 3ACDA956-A238-4AB4-AE6C-FFD31B376E3A.jpeg (Downloaded 37 times)



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Posted by jk: Sun Jan 27th, 2019 16:19 21st Post
That is Theresa May. I recognise those print kitten heels from TV.



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Posted by Robert: Sun Jan 27th, 2019 16:40 22nd Post
:lol::lol::lol:



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Posted by blackfox: Sun Feb 3rd, 2019 05:57 23rd Post
return to the red squirrels yesterday

on a mission by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

cache hunting by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

PEEP O' by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr



Posted by Robert: Sun Feb 3rd, 2019 06:05 24th Post
Nothing wrong with those Jeff, Love #3.

If I may say, a tad less saturation but I realise you like your red squirrels red, and why not! LOL

I'm going to have to visit Wales again soon... It's been too long.



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Posted by blackfox: Sun Feb 3rd, 2019 06:13 25th Post
Rob I have looked at the photos from the two canon users ( may I spit on the floor in disgust ) :lol: that were with me and theres are identical .. while there were a few darker ones there this is pretty close to there natural colour .. this small area of woodland seems to have a very good breeding stock .. yes you do need to get yer bum down here again m8



Posted by blackfox: Mon Feb 4th, 2019 04:59 26th Post
another squidgy shot , ooh the shame he's flashing his widgy

dingle ling a ding dong by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr



Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Feb 4th, 2019 18:19 27th Post
Great Eric and you got the colour balance right!



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 05:44 28th Post
Jeff you are a good photographer and take well seen, well composed and pin sharp images why keep spoiling them with very poor colour balance? Any serious wild life photographer would laugh at you and your super pixs are up here for the world to see.

Attachment: Red.jpg (Downloaded 34 times)



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Posted by jk: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 07:15 29th Post
Well I think we need to balance here.
I think Graham's picture is truer to reality but it looks a bit washed out compared with the red squirrels I have seen in Spain.

I will need to go dig out my massively inferior pictures and post one now!



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Posted by jk: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 07:35 30th Post
Spanish Red Squirrel.
D3S with only sharpening applied.

Attachment: D3S-1-1982.jpg (Downloaded 37 times)



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Posted by jk: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 07:38 31st Post
I would say that my picture was taken in lower light than Jeff's as it was in a pine wood.
I will say that the quality of light also makes a huge difference to colour rendering.

However that said the red squirrels I have seen in Scotland are redder than my spanish one!
Probably something to do with the Scottish ginger gene.
:lol:



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Posted by blackfox: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 08:12 32nd Post
I totally dis-agree with graham on this the squirrels in this spot are virtually the colour in my photo ,I might have enhanced it a bit but not by that much ,, we have two main colonies in this part of the world one at formby where they tend to be darker much along the lines of jonathons Spanish one .. where as the ones from anglesey are a real olde English ginger red as shown especially when you get them with sun on them ..
on Saturdays trip I did notice a couple of the darker ones there to and there was one that had grey sides but definitely a red .. but definitely none like grahams golden example o.O



Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 09:03 33rd Post
JK I would say you were in dull light and colour temp too high and blue. I have been naughty again and fixed colour. No doubt your one from Scotland is darker red colour than the Cumbrian ones.

Attachment: JK-1.jpg (Downloaded 95 times)



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Posted by jk: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 09:47 34th Post
Thanks for colour fixing, Graham.
I wanted to post an untouched image but if I had been showing it normally I would have added some Clarity as well as Vibrance and Saturation.
So my image would normally have been adjusted to be somewhere between yours and Jeff's but probably closer to Jeff's image if not quite as red!



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Posted by Robert: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 09:50 35th Post
How about a Martian version?

I better get back to my paving... :devil:

Attachment: 46255678984_7355597d43_b.jpg (Downloaded 34 times)



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Posted by jk: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 09:52 36th Post
Robert, I think that you have just breached UKGov regulations namely showing an intelligent being from another planet.
:lol:

Oh no regulations says showing beings more intelligent than an MP. That cant be so difficult these days.



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Posted by Iain: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 09:57 37th Post
I have to say that the ones we have up here in good sun light are close to the colour of Jeff's not quite as red but close.



Posted by Eric: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 11:28 38th Post
Robert wrote:
How about a Martian version?

I better get back to my paving... :devil:


:lol::lol: that's clearly a Cumbrian, north facing, squirrel



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Posted by jk: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 13:18 39th Post
Eric wrote:
Robert wrote:
How about a Martian version?

I better get back to my paving... :devil:


:lol::lol: that's clearly a Cumbrian, north facing, squirrel

Raised close to Sellafield. A be seen in the dark squirrel.



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Posted by Eric: Tue Feb 5th, 2019 16:39 40th Post
oh dear, it heard something in the bushes ...just as I clicked the shutter.:whip:




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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 09:09 41st Post
Hi - I'm new here, my interest is horses (I own one) and photography of horses - here is one of my girl - any tips for getting the best photos? I have a D90 - this pic was taken with an AFS Nikkor 55-200G with VR




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Posted by jk: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 09:43 42nd Post
Welcome chrisbet.
Image looks good to me. Maybe needs a little extra sharpening which can be done is any of the post processing softwares.
Be careful not to overdo it otherwise you get haloes around the highlight areas.



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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 10:05 43rd Post
Thank you - I use Gimp under Linux - sharpened 50% it looks like this - not sure what you mean by halos ? Would it be better to shoot in RAW mode?




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Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 10:37 44th Post
Welcome chrisbet.

Horses are such magnificent creatures and great to photograph. I am sure you know a lot about what not to do already (like never shooting from head with wide angle lens unless you want a horse with a tampered bum)

As Jonathan said your image isn't as sharp as it could be. Maybe that's shutter speed? Even with VR I always like to double the focal length and make that the shutter speed especially for moving subjects which VR can't help. Eg for a 200mm lens 2x200= 400 > 1/400th shutter speed.

I don't know if you photograph any jumping? For me, it's then that you can capture the power of the horse. Some years ago I did some eventing photography. It's all about timing in these situation but a long lens (I think I used 100-300mm) not only means you can stand back but you can also zoom in to detail head shots as well. The 70-300AFS is a good lens for this as it's an FX lens....so you get 105-450 on your DX D90.

As with all things you can get more performance from newer cameras. But that's down to how much you want to spend. There are now lots of newer DX bodies (preowned would keep cost down) that would improve on image quality and especially speed of focusing of the D90. You might want to consider that as an alternative to the 70-300mlm lens.

If you are doing jumping, crouch to enhance the dominance of the horse. Try to get at least 2 feet on the ground at once....or crop. It just give the horse more solidity when it's attached to the floor.

Here are some shots that demonstrate some of these points which hopefully might give you food for thought.









And not forgetting to be ready for the unusual.........











But they don't have to be jumping. Positioning yourself to get a different perspective works too.....







Good luck



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Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 11:02 45th Post
If you don't mind, I've added some contrast and exposure adjustments to your image and a bit of sharpening on the horse itself. Can't do much as it's a low res posted image rather than the hi res original.

I've also cropped off the electric pylon that was a bit distracting.

Shooting with a larger aperture might exclude (defocus out) some of the background and through more attention to the foreground subject. This alone can make the subject seem sharper.

Hope that helps.

Attachment: 3A547B7A-DBF9-4EBA-808B-0E211EBAB89B.jpeg (Downloaded 23 times)



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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 11:04 46th Post
Eric,
Thanks for the tips - great photos, good to be in the right place at the right time - I am a jump judge & timekeeper and I have seen photographers getting into some "interesting" positions!
The photo  was taken at f4.5, 1/4000sec, ISO 1600, Spot metering & 98 focal length.



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Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 11:10 47th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Eric,
Thanks for the tips - great photos, good to be in the right place at the right time - I am a jump judge & timekeeper and I have seen photographers getting into some "interesting" positions!
The photo  was taken at f4.5, 1/4000sec, ISO 1600, Spot metering & 98 focal length.


Ah ok then you know more about this sport than me. It's always difficult to judge people's knowledge and experrise first off.

If those were your setting then Iam surprised your image is as soft as it is. You may want to try shooting at different focal lengths to see if there's a soft spot. Zoom lenses are a compromise and often are sharper at different parts of the zoom. The 70-300 I mentioned is a very good lens...sharp throughout the range.

Another option is the focusing speed and accuracy of the D90. I am good at spending others money :lol: but later bodies were much faster at locking onto and holding focus on moving subject in AFC mode. Wotrth a thought.


Also ...worth editing your profile to say where you are (at least country) as it may have a bearing on future replies. For example I was going to say the picture 'Beijing Bound' was was William Fox Pitt preparing for Olympics. But you may not know who WFP was. I sent him that image and he asked if he could use it on his Christmas card. I said ok. The bugger didn't even send ME one of the cards. :needsahug:



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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 11:24 48th Post
But you may not know who WFP was. I sent him that image and he asked if he could use it on his Christmas card. I said ok. The bugger didn't even send ME one of the cards. Lol - meanie!
Yes, I wondered about the effectiveness of the autofocus but as the horse was traveling at right angles to me I thought it would have managed to grab it.
I will try different focal lengths when I am next out in Italy ( that's where I keep my horse) in March.
Don't worry about spending my money, I haven't got any - I own a horse!



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Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 11:33 49th Post
chrisbet wrote:
But you may not know who WFP was. I sent him that image and he asked if he could use it on his Christmas card. I said ok. The bugger didn't even send ME one of the cards. Lol - meanie!
Yes, I wondered about the effectiveness of the autofocus but as the horse was traveling at right angles to me I thought it would have managed to grab it.
I will try different focal lengths when I am next out in Italy ( that's where I keep my horse) in March.
Don't worry about spending my money, I haven't got any - I own a horse!
. I've heard that goes with the territory.

It may just be there was not enough contrast in the centre of the image (black horse) for the focus to be sure.

I would try stopping down to f8, shutter speed of 1/1000 should be good enough (VR doesn't work well at high shutter speeds anyway) and set it fo AFC continuous focusing....keeping shutter half depressed till you fully depress. Also if you were panning...it can take a bit of 'getting the eye in'. And remember to continue panning AFTER taking the shot....as the tendency is to brake our action too soon and in that moment the subject has moved.

:whip:



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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 12:13 50th Post
More good tips, thank you.
I generally use short bursts of continuous rather than single shots - horses move quickly!
Yes, I tend to pan with the horse before and after the bursts.
This one was taken at f4.5 1/640, 100 fl, ISO1600, spot metering and looks much better but in the shade rather than strong light.



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Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 12:40 51st Post
chrisbet wrote:
More good tips, thank you.
I generally use short bursts of continuous rather than single shots - horses move quickly!
Yes, I tend to pan with the horse before and after the bursts.
This one was taken at f4.5 1/640, 100 fl, ISO1600, spot metering and looks much better but in the shade rather than strong light.






Well you seem to be doing the right things and yes that's a lot better. A nice portraiture image as opposed to action shot.  But for me...not enough depth of field. f8 or even f11 would have got horse head and rider all sharp....assuming you wanted that. As it is, the point of max sharpness is the horses chest.

Edit: looking at it again it may just be the whole image needs sharpening.
There is a softness that MAY be the lens under performing at its max aperture. Stopping down to 8/11 for some shots should prove or disprove if the lens is letting you down a tad.



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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 12:55 52nd Post
Lol - I was trying to put the background out of focus to make the horse & rider stand out - so I am happy that the in focus part is the horse's chest - exactly what I was aiming for :-)



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Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 12:56 53rd Post
chrisbet wrote:
Lol - I was trying to put the background out of focus to make the horse & rider stand out - so I am happy that the in focus part is the horse's chest - exactly what I was aiming for :-)
I will get my hat. :lol:



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Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 13:17 54th Post
Whilst I understand your (correct) use of max aperture for dof effect I would still be concerned about the sharpness of the key areas.

This could be the lens as many need stopping down a stop or two to max sharpness....whilst recognising that's contrary to your dof needs it may prove a point about the lens max sharpness potential in a test.

It would be my first check if I were trying to get the images sharper.

I don't know how much post capture software sharpening you HAVE applied. Maybe not enough. Most images (especially raw files) benefit from 20% extra kick up the rear. You Gimp treatment shows that.

I don't think you are doing anything wrong in the execution ...it may just be the equipment is on its limit or you are not doing enough post processing.



o.Oo.O



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 14:03 55th Post
Welcome to our forum Chrisbet, sound like you have had some good help so far. I like your pictures keep up the good work. I agree with Eric more DOF would have helped to get rider sharp as well on your last posted image. Also you cut off horses feet so would improve a lot with tighter crop showing rider and horses heads only or pull back a bit to show all!



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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 14:21 56th Post
Graham Whistler wrote: Welcome to our forum Chrisbet, sound like you have had some good help so far. I like your pictures keep up the good work. I agree with Eric more DOF would have helped to get rider sharp as well on your last posted image. Also you cut off horses feet so would improve a lot with tighter crop showing rider and horses heads only or pull back a bit to show all! Thanks - yes, a few things to think about, especially stopping down a little - or maybe swapping to my prime lens for shots like the last one - often though it is not possible to get close enough to frame the image and swapping lenses quickly enough is impossible.
It's a learning curve and your hints and suggestions are most welcome.



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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Feb 8th, 2019 14:23 57th Post
Eric wrote: I don't know how much post capture software sharpening you HAVE applied. Maybe not enough. Most images (especially raw files) benefit from 20% extra kick up the rear. You Gimp treatment shows that.
50% :-) - more than that and the power lines in the background started pixelating....



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Posted by Iain: Tue Feb 12th, 2019 09:10 58th Post
A mammal form today,

DSC_4339 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr



Posted by jk: Tue Feb 12th, 2019 12:12 59th Post
Three eyed deer.



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Posted by chrisbet: Tue Feb 12th, 2019 12:28 60th Post
Dear, deer..... four ears and one horn :lol:



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Posted by Eric: Tue Feb 12th, 2019 13:33 61st Post
Is that one playing Hide and Sika?


:lol:



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Posted by Iain: Fri Feb 15th, 2019 07:21 62nd Post
Eric wrote:
Is that one playing Hide and Sika?


:lol:

Your jokes don't get any better. :lol::lol:



Posted by jk: Fri Feb 15th, 2019 12:31 63rd Post
That is the problem when we retire, life becomes a huge joke but it certainly does help when we have joke Governments!



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Posted by blackfox: Sat Feb 23rd, 2019 05:17 64th Post
a couple of goat shots from yesterday on a day out with Robert and his son  chris 


things you dont notice .? by jeff and jan  cohen, on Flickr




you old goat by jeff and jan  cohen, on Flickr



Posted by jk: Sat Feb 23rd, 2019 06:24 65th Post
Capture the moment  :lol:
Nice ones Jeff.



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Posted by chrisbet: Sun Mar 3rd, 2019 04:35 66th Post
Just looking through some of my 1000s of images and thought I would share a couple :



That is Ivoire - one of the horses I ride in Italy - and to prove it:




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Posted by Eric: Sun Mar 3rd, 2019 05:50 67th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Just looking through some of my 1000s of images and thought I would share a couple :



That is Ivoire - one of the horses I ride in Italy - and to prove it:


Magnificent creature....I'm talking about the horse. :lol:

Is there a touch of Freisan with all that hair....again....talking about Ivoire. :lol:



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Posted by chrisbet: Sun Mar 3rd, 2019 11:10 68th Post
No - he is a Merens horse, they come from the Pyrenees so as tough as they come. He is generally pretty lazy and will get away with anything you let him, but he & I have a good understanding of each other and he works well for me :smilesmall:

Merens horses



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Posted by Eric: Sun Mar 3rd, 2019 11:27 69th Post
chrisbet wrote:
No - he is a Merens horse, they come from the Pyrenees so as tough as they come. He is generally pretty lazy and will get away with anything you let him, but he & I have a good understanding of each other and he works well for me :smilesmall:

Merens horses
Ah...never heard of the breed before. Very impressive. 

It it was the long mane and tail that made me wonder about the Freisian....

Attachment: F4F6BA5C-2A80-442F-9AD1-47A3B60D8C31.jpeg (Downloaded 217 times)



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Posted by chrisbet: Sun Mar 3rd, 2019 16:24 70th Post
Friesians are taller and very showy - not a breed for the amateur, rider or owner, they are highly strung and look at their best with their plumes pulling a glass sided hea**e!




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Posted by jk: Sun Mar 3rd, 2019 17:03 71st Post
Dont think I want to accompany them!
Stay away from the grim reaper.



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Posted by blackfox: Wed Apr 3rd, 2019 05:51 72nd Post
a bank vole from yesterday 



Posted by Robert: Wed Apr 3rd, 2019 09:08 73rd Post
Lovely Jeff.



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Posted by blackfox: Thu Apr 4th, 2019 16:02 74th Post
At that little nature reserve rob, I had it all to myself for about 3 hours



Posted by Robert: Thu Apr 4th, 2019 17:16 75th Post
It's a little haven there.  A friend of mine in the village, keen fisherman, he has offered to take me to a little tarn he fishes, he reckons the Foulshaw Ospreys hunt there in season, he had seen them lifting fish from the water.  It's not far from here, I would say it's a similar size to yours, more open and on a hillside with a small stream running in and out of the tarn.



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Posted by Robert: Sat Apr 6th, 2019 16:06 76th Post
Some horsey pictures. 












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Posted by Robert: Fri May 17th, 2019 04:12 77th Post
I somehow lost this post last night...

Re-creating it from new this morning.

Last week I visited Ben Moor botanic garden, hoping my quest for a nice red squirrel photo might succeed.  There is a hide and food placed, ropes for the squirrels to run along and perches for them to pose on.  Unfortunately the top hinged windows opened outwards and only opened about half way, providing un-interrupted of the ground but not the areas frequented by the squirrels.  The windows were filthy, I tried opening the windows fully and propped open with a stick, but this freaked the little creatures, who shot up the trees not to be seen again.  I closed the windows and retired, disappointed.

Spent the day photographing flowers and the gardens, reflections in pools etc.  As I wearily mad my way to the exit before I got locked in for the night, I spotted a little red head in the grass...

Of course I had my micro Nikkor 105mm f/4.0 mounted on the D800 and there was no way I was going to be able to hand hold at the distance with the 70-300 because the light was poor and under tree canopy.  Fortunately it was a patient little squirrel it waited until I mounted the 70-300 and put the camera on the tripod, using two legs for flexibility.  I managed several exposures but the first was best.

This is a very heavy crop, almost 100%.

Mmmm,  forum image wrecking software at work again, so de-saturated that almost looks like a grey squirrel!  Will try posting the image via. Flicker.

Attachment: Red Squirrel - Ben Moor.jpg (Downloaded 153 times)



____________________
Robert.



Posted by chrisbet: Fri May 17th, 2019 06:19 78th Post
The attachment option at the foot of the reply page is really only intended for text files and will degrade images as it compresses the files - use one of the three image insert options in the toolbar to retain image quality.



____________________
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Posted by Robert: Fri May 17th, 2019 06:46 79th Post
I did last night use the blue plus button, this morning I must have used the 'attachment' button.  My brain is somewhat addled (more than usually) by an infection.



____________________
Robert.



Posted by blackfox: Fri May 17th, 2019 07:44 80th Post
yep blue button works best rob ,good horsey shots though



Posted by amazing50: Mon May 20th, 2019 12:59 81st Post
Robert wrote:
Mr (or Mrs) Mole?

Like you say, a rare sighting.

There is a Badger set within a mile of here, I have access to the land but I have never yet seen a Badger. I can see where they have been trails in the wood but the actual Badgers seem to be invisible. Is there a 'better' time to visit the vicinity of the set? Like late at night, or early in the morning? I have seen deer browsing nearby but only briefly.

A Trail Camera could watch for you 24-7 and give the times the badger was active.



____________________
There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept ;~) Mike Grace


Posted by Robert: Mon May 20th, 2019 15:42 82nd Post
Thanks Mike, that's a good idea! :thumbs:



____________________
Robert.



Posted by amazing50: Wed May 22nd, 2019 19:01 83rd Post
If you try it, let us know how it turns out.



____________________
There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept ;~) Mike Grace


Posted by blackfox: Wed Jun 5th, 2019 08:56 84th Post
3 from Sunday afternoon 







Posted by chrisbet: Tue Jun 11th, 2019 10:58 85th Post
One from deepest Tuscany




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Posted by Iain: Wed Sep 4th, 2019 11:01 86th Post
I'm watching you!!

DSC_8492 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr



Posted by Eric: Tue Apr 28th, 2020 08:54 87th Post
Close encounters takes on a new meaning as a slug creeeeeeps past a distracted hedgehog. (Well it does in the movie)

Which goes to show fresh isn't always the preferred choice even in nature. 😆 



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____________________
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Posted by Robert: Tue Apr 28th, 2020 09:13 88th Post
Eric wrote:
Close encounters takes on a new meaning as a slug creeeeeeps past a distracted hedgehog. (Well it does in the movie).
Let's see the movie, please!  What are all the little wormy things?  Do hedgehogs like slugs?  If so we need a hedgehog.



____________________
Robert.



Posted by Eric: Tue Apr 28th, 2020 11:30 89th Post
Robert wrote:
Let's see the movie, please!  What are all the little wormy things?  Do hedgehogs like slugs?  If so we need a hedgehog. Don't know how to post video on here....get error message using blue cross. Maybe file size?


They are dried mealworms and hedgehogs LOVE them. In fact we are not supposed to give them too many as they get too obese.  But since I wanted their prolonged attention and we have 5 that come ....I started with a big handful.

I thought slugs were one of the staple diets of hedgehogs?  I've seen one fall asleep with a frog (half eaten) in its mouth. They eat anything really. We had a laugh watching a hedge hog trying to tackle a fat ball on the lawn. It was like a dung beetle rolling it around. Didn't get that on film though. ☹️ 


She had a quick look at the slug but suspect it was checking the slug wasn't nicking her mealworms...



Of course these are frame grabs from video taken at night (patio lights only) so a bit grainy and soft.  

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____________________
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Posted by chrisbet: Tue Apr 28th, 2020 11:53 90th Post
Eric wrote:
Don't know how to post video on here....get error message using blue cross. Maybe file size?
Videos not allowed for direct upload - orders of the management! :lol:

Upload the video to Youtube or Vimeo etc and post the link using the link button -   



____________________
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Posted by Robert: Tue Apr 28th, 2020 11:59 91st Post
chrisbet wrote:
Videos not allowed for direct upload - orders of the management! :lol:

Upload the video to Youtube or Vimeo etc and post the link using the link button -   
I used Flicker, pasted the URL, although not completely painlessly, I don't like the links Flicker add to the URL so I delete them, it works OK with photographs but with movies it seems more complex...



____________________
Robert.



Posted by Robert: Tue Apr 28th, 2020 12:04 92nd Post
Eric wrote:
They are dried mealworms and hedgehogs LOVE them. In fact we are not supposed to give them too many as they get too obese.  But since I wanted their prolonged attention and we have 5 that come ....I started with a big handful.

I thought slugs were one of the staple diets of hedgehogs?  I've seen one fall asleep with a frog (half eaten) in its mouth. They eat anything really. We had a laugh watching a hedge hog trying to tackle a fat ball on the lawn. It was like a dung beetle rolling it around. Didn't get that on film though. ☹️ 


She had a quick look at the slug but suspect it was checking the slug wasn't nicking her mealworms...


Of course these are frame grabs from video taken at night (patio lights only) so a bit grainy and soft.

Very interesting, we don't seem to get many hedgehogs around here, shame, we get loads of slugs.

I thought the images were very good, esp. given the light.



____________________
Robert.



Posted by Eric: Wed Apr 29th, 2020 11:40 93rd Post
Robert wrote:
Very interesting, we don't seem to get many hedgehogs around here, shame, we get loads of slugs.

I thought the images were very good, esp. given the light.
Very difficult to choose freeze frame without blur given the rapid movement.



____________________
Eric


Posted by Eric: Mon May 4th, 2020 13:18 94th Post
Easier to freeze a squirrel....



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Posted by Iain: Tue May 5th, 2020 07:47 95th Post
It's always harder than you think to freeze wildlife, you need a faster shutter speed than you think.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed May 6th, 2020 13:53 96th Post
This tiny baby was eating on our bird table this afternoon I had time to get D850 and 500mm (no x1.4) and it is so tame this is almost full frame if I had moved any closer the lens would not focus: 1/2000sec f14 ISO 1600. I liked your one Eric. This one's mother came a bit later and was very nasty chased it away so she could eat, missed this as I was indoors with my cup of tea.

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Posted by Iain: Fri May 8th, 2020 09:12 97th Post
One of a very pregnant Roe Deer on my walk yesterday.

N72_7329 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr



Posted by Eric: Fri May 8th, 2020 16:51 98th Post
Iain wrote:
One of a very pregnant Roe Deer on my walk yesterday.

N72_7329 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
Great capture Iain. We have a muntjac that spends the day in the bushes in our front garden. The little b*gger occasionally gets into the back garden ....where it gets chased out PDQ...due to it munching my wife's price shrubs. 8-) 

The neighbour rang me yesterday to ask if I had heard the 'squealing'. Apparently a muntjac (maybe ours) got stuck in the school railings opposite. The head went through (at pace) but the bum didn't!  They had to bend the railings to free it.  It made me wonder if it was also a pregnant mum.....not realising its new midriff width?



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Eric


Posted by jk: Fri May 8th, 2020 18:41 99th Post
Good capture Iain.
I get roe deer in the woods behind my house but they dont come into my garden as it is a 6 ft wall in between my garden woods and the other woods and fields.   Havent managed to actually photograph them but I see them quite often.



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Posted by Iain: Sat May 9th, 2020 09:34 100th Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
This tiny baby was eating on our bird table this afternoon I had time to get D850 and 500mm (no x1.4) and it is so tame this is almost full frame if I had moved any closer the lens would not focus: 1/2000sec f14 ISO 1600. I liked your one Eric. This one's mother came a bit later and was very nasty chased it away so she could eat, missed this as I was indoors with my cup of tea.

Click here to comment on this image.
Nice clear shot.



Posted by Iain: Sat May 9th, 2020 09:37 101st Post
Eric wrote:
Great capture Iain. We have a muntjac that spends the day in the bushes in our front garden. The little b*gger occasionally gets into the back garden ....where it gets chased out PDQ...due to it munching my wife's price shrubs. 8-) 

The neighbour rang me yesterday to ask if I had heard the 'squealing'. Apparently a muntjac (maybe ours) got stuck in the school railings opposite. The head went through (at pace) but the bum didn't!  They had to bend the railings to free it.  It made me wonder if it was also a pregnant mum.....not realising its new midriff width?
I had a D7200 and a AF-P 70-300mm I got as a light walk around but it's a sharp little lens.



Posted by jk: Sat May 9th, 2020 11:23 102nd Post
Fine detail Graham.
That D850 has enough MP to crop and get great detail.

Did you manage to get a signature on the model release form?  :lol:



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Posted by Eric: Sun May 10th, 2020 13:57 103rd Post
What am I doing wrong, Graham?o.O




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Posted by jk: Sun May 10th, 2020 14:28 104th Post
Another furry bottom.  Tree bunny?



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Posted by jk: Sun May 10th, 2020 14:30 105th Post
Eric, you need to offer bribes to get them to turn around.  
They lurve Digestive biscuits ;-)



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Posted by Eric: Sun May 10th, 2020 16:24 106th Post
jk wrote:
Eric, you need to offer bribes to get them to turn around.  
They lurve Digestive biscuits ;-)
So do I, no chance. :lol:



____________________
Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Sun May 10th, 2020 19:11 107th Post
Hehe - have you tried them with butter on? The biscuits, not squirrels ... :lol:



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Posted by jk: Mon May 11th, 2020 04:54 108th Post
And strawberry jam and clotted cream!
:devil:



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Posted by Iain: Mon May 11th, 2020 06:10 109th Post
Eric, you made an a**e of that one.:lol::lol:



Posted by Eric: Mon May 11th, 2020 12:29 110th Post
Iain wrote:
Eric, you made an a**e of that one.:lol::lol: Yes...a classic case of heads you win, tails you lose. :lol:



____________________
Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 11th, 2020 12:35 111th Post
Is there no end to it!



____________________
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Posted by Iain: Wed May 13th, 2020 09:54 112th Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Is there no end to it! It ends at the tail Graham.



Posted by chrisbet: Wed May 13th, 2020 10:54 113th Post
Youngsters at play -



____________________
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Posted by Eric: Mon May 18th, 2020 16:39 114th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Youngsters at play -

Great video.

Judging from those teats, we may be experiencing something similar soon. Not sure the wife's ornamental grasses will survive. :needsahug:






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Posted by Eric: Mon May 18th, 2020 16:46 115th Post
Don't mind these sort of youngsters hiding in the border...



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 18th, 2020 18:40 116th Post
Oh dear, interesting pixs!



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Posted by jk: Tue May 19th, 2020 04:48 117th Post
Clay fox?



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Posted by Eric: Tue May 19th, 2020 04:56 118th Post
jk wrote:
Clay fox? Plastic.



____________________
Eric


Posted by Eric: Wed May 20th, 2020 17:46 119th Post
Caught in the act ....




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Posted by Eric: Mon Jun 1st, 2020 19:11 120th Post
This years prickle...



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Sorry guys, not a Nikon. Taken on the wife's iPhone. o.O



____________________
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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Jun 5th, 2020 19:16 121st Post
Another phone pic - dozing doggy double -



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Posted by Eric: Sat Jun 6th, 2020 04:25 122nd Post
chrisbet wrote:
Another phone pic - dozing doggy double -



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What a lovely photo! Well captured and a clear message. Love it. 

I am beginning to think we should bin all these big expensive cameras and just use the phones.
No processing done on my hedgehog shot...straight off phone and it's sharp as a tack. Of course the dof is lacking because of the small fstop the phone used at close proximity....but still ok.



____________________
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Posted by chrisbet: Sat Jun 6th, 2020 05:09 123rd Post
Thanks Eric, I did a tiny amount of sharpening but otherwise as shot. I am surprised at the DOF!

Some of my very best photos were taken on a box brownie and a Kodak 44a - very simple cameras where the only control was cloudy / sunny :lol:



____________________
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Posted by Eric: Sat Jun 6th, 2020 09:53 124th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Thanks Eric, I did a tiny amount of sharpening but otherwise as shot. I am surprised at the DOF!

Some of my very best photos were taken on a box brownie and a Kodak 44a - very simple cameras where the only control was cloudy / sunny :lol:
The smaller the sensor- the greater the dof at any given fstop.  It was the same with film  ....big film - shallower dof. I often worked at f16 with medium format to get the same results as f8 on the Nikon slr (actually I was using Canon back then :sssshh:)

My wife has always preferred taking shots of plants (ie pseudo macro) with Compact cameras (now phones) because of their smaller sensors.



____________________
Eric


Posted by Iain: Sat Jun 6th, 2020 10:57 125th Post
Nice shot Chris. I used to have two GSDs but down to one now.



Posted by Eric: Tue Jun 9th, 2020 17:11 126th Post
We've had 3 young squirrels exploring the garden. They are crazy 😜. As Chris' video showed, they charge around trees, bushes and lawn.

Didn't get a video but here are a few images of their antics...



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A sibling charging at a lovely fury belly........



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Finally....one of the little so and sos's wanted to get at the feeders. I have put plant saucers on the top of the feeders to restrict their access down from the top.  This chap sat for a while sizing up the problem.....



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Realising he couldn't get down from the top, he decided the only option was to jump....



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Of course he didn't know a slippery tube was his landing point. Undaunted.......



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He soon discovered there was no grip and slithered and flailed about for a second...




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...before falling into the bush below. I didn't get that photo as I was laughing too much.

He was undaunted. But he waited till I was uploading the days photos before having another go. He fell in the bush again.

Will he have another go???



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Tue Jun 9th, 2020 18:48 127th Post
Iain wrote:
Nice shot Chris. I used to have two GSDs but down to one now. We have three! The girls hogged the spot in the sun, here is big boy -



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Posted by Iain: Wed Jun 10th, 2020 04:22 128th Post
I think it's easer with two as they exercise themselves by playing when out. Here's mine after a wash and blow dry.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Jun 10th, 2020 17:57 129th Post
Good set of squirrels Eric well caught. Great looking dog Ian.



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Posted by Eric: Sun Jun 21st, 2020 11:12 130th Post
A couple more squirrel shots and I must move on....



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Now the kits are off her hands mum has been trying to rebuild her figure. She has damaged her right paw, only using it when absolutely necessary.

I think it's just the outer claws, as the middle one seems ok. Or she may be getting tired of being photographed and is telling me something? :lol:



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Posted by Iain: Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 11:13 131st Post
One from yesterday, she was watching me closely as she had three young in the field.



DI5_3398-Edit-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr



Posted by jk: Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 11:46 132nd Post
Great portrait!



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 17:09 133rd Post
Spot on great shot Ian!



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Posted by Iain: Tue Jun 23rd, 2020 06:17 134th Post
Thank you both, I just liked the way she was peeping through the vegetation.



Posted by GeoffR: Tue Jun 23rd, 2020 10:17 135th Post
Spotted at Stowe yesterday.

Attachment: _DSC3849_M.jpg (Downloaded 161 times)



Posted by Eric: Wed Jun 24th, 2020 05:19 136th Post
Just seen this Iain...cracking image. :thumbs:



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Posted by Eric: Wed Jun 24th, 2020 05:23 137th Post
GeoffR wrote:
Spotted at Stowe yesterday. I was surprised to hear on Springwatch (so it must be true 😆) that Grass snakes spend more time in water than out.



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Posted by GeoffR: Wed Jun 24th, 2020 08:55 138th Post
Eric wrote:
I was surprised to hear on Springwatch (so it must be true 😆) that Grass snakes spend more time in water than out. I didn't know that either, thanks.



Posted by rmoser: Wed Jun 24th, 2020 19:24 139th Post
This is a friend of mine. Every time I go over to visit him he comes over to where I'm standing and chuffs at me. The first time it happened, the keeper was standing there. He said that the chuff is the way tigers greet each other. So him chuffing at me is a kind of a tiger "welcome, I'm happy to see you" expression. Apparently it doesn't mean "I'd be happy to eat you"; that's a different vocalization. For some reason, he seems to like me. Maybe he senses I love cats (normally a good deal smaller than him, of course).

Rob

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Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 25th, 2020 16:57 140th Post
My 'girlfriend' and I once had a conversation with a zoo head keeper called Carlos at a UK safari park.....he was previously head of Berlin zoo.
His body was riddled with scars including a gathered skin area across his throat done by a lion that burst through his passenger door window, while he was looking the other way, and dragged him half out of the window before other keepers came to his assistance. Despite this horrid experience he maintained that the big cats, although surely fatal if they get you, were his favourites characters. 

His main 'hatred' was reserved for chimpanzees, that were not only unpredictable but vicious and spiteful...just for the sake of it. Half his right calf muscle was missing...a chimp bite.


We had been talking outside a lion cage .....well it was a lion cubs cage. And he had heard Janice saying she would love to cuddle the lion cub. (Her and her mother had 6 cats at home!). After introducing himself and telling us the cubs name....Jasper.... he said “you really want to cuddle a lion? â€œYes' said my feline loving lady.

“Come on then“ Carlos said.......












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She took a shot of me with my hand in Jaspers mouth....but I don't want to show myself ... with 1970s long BROWN hair. :lol:

Whenever I see this image I always look at the little girl outside the cage...wishing she could have come in.  Although a playful cub, he was incredible powerful. Carlos told us not to turn our back on him this would let him sneak up on us from behind. Jan actually forgot once....and he Got behind her and grabbed her 'spare tyre' (it wasn't that big back in those days 😆) She stood up quickly and his teeth snapped shut. When we got home she revealed a 9” vertical bruise....and he was just play fighting. 8-)


Footnote: You see Graham...I was even using the wrong shutter speed back then. :lol::lol:



____________________
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Posted by jk: Thu Jun 25th, 2020 17:08 141st Post
GeoffR wrote:
Spotted at Stowe yesterday. Good capture Geoff.



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Posted by GeoffR: Fri Jun 26th, 2020 05:55 142nd Post
jk wrote:
Good capture Geoff. Thanks JK, would have been much better had I taken it when I first saw it just a few feet from the bank but I was surprised to see it and didn't react.



Posted by Iain: Fri Jun 26th, 2020 11:18 143rd Post
Eric wrote:
My 'girlfriend' and I once had a conversation with a zoo head keeper called Carlos at a UK safari park.....he was previously head of Berlin zoo.
His body was riddled with scars including a gathered skin area across his throat done by a lion that burst through his passenger door window, while he was looking the other way, and dragged him half out of the window before other keepers came to his assistance. Despite this horrid experience he maintained that the big cats, although surely fatal if they get you, were his favourites characters. 

His main 'hatred' was reserved for chimpanzees, that were not only unpredictable but vicious and spiteful...just for the sake of it. Half his right calf muscle was missing...a chimp bite.



We had been talking outside a lion cage .....well it was a lion cubs cage. And he had heard Janice saying she would love to cuddle the lion cub. (Her and her mother had 6 cats at home!). After introducing himself and telling us the cubs name....Jasper.... he said “you really want to cuddle a lion? â€œYes' said my feline loving lady.

“Come on then“ Carlos said.......












Click here to comment on this image.

She took a shot of me with my hand in Jaspers mouth....but I don't want to show myself ... with 1970s long BROWN hair. :lol:

Whenever I see this image I always look at the little girl outside the cage...wishing she could have come in.  Although a playful cub, he was incredible powerful. Carlos told us not to turn our back on him this would let him sneak up on us from behind. Jan actually forgot once....and he Got behind her and grabbed her 'spare tyre' (it wasn't that big back in those days 😆) She stood up quickly and his teeth snapped shut. When we got home she revealed a 9” vertical bruise....and he was just play fighting. 8-)


Footnote: You see Graham...I was even using the wrong shutter speed back then. :lol::lol:
Its a good job you went to commercial photography and not wildlife/sport to make a living Eric. :lol:



Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 26th, 2020 11:55 144th Post
Iain wrote:
Its a good job you went to commercial photography and not wildlife/sport to make a living Eric. :lol: Cruel b*gger😆

I was only 17 and using Jan's Yashica manual exposure camera for the first :needsahug: 
Didn't know what an F stop was back then... if asked, I would have probably asked if it was anywhere near a G spot. :lol:



____________________
Eric


Posted by Iain: Sat Jun 27th, 2020 16:10 145th Post
:lol::lol:



Posted by chrisbet: Sun Jul 19th, 2020 08:31 146th Post
Just one from Tuscany - not much time for photography, too busy with the horses!



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Jul 19th, 2020 11:24 147th Post
Pleased to see you got out there OK? Enjoy the horses!



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Posted by Iain: Tue Jul 21st, 2020 10:59 148th Post
Put some food out for the birds and this Bank Vole showed up.


500_0267 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr



Posted by Eric: Fri Apr 23rd, 2021 08:29 149th Post
Mum's the word!



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Posted by chrisbet: Thu Jun 3rd, 2021 10:42 150th Post
Pretty wild at times but usually captive!




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Posted by Iain: Fri Jun 4th, 2021 04:21 151st Post
chrisbet wrote:
Pretty wild at times but usually captive!




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Sounds like mine.



Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 11th, 2021 05:43 152nd Post
HEADS?






TAILS?






or Easy Rider?





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Eric


Posted by Iain: Sat Jun 12th, 2021 09:04 153rd Post
Easy rider for me. :lol:



Posted by Eric: Sat Jun 12th, 2021 12:21 154th Post
Iain wrote:
Easy rider for me. :lol: Certainly got a look of Peter Fonda. :lol:



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Posted by Eric: Sun Sep 19th, 2021 14:19 155th Post
We've had lots of Woodmice living under and inside our outside storage cupboard over the years. (Probably why we get Tawny Owls every night!)

We keep the tubs of bird food in this cupboard and occasional get fleeting glimpses of the residents when we burst in on them unexpected.

Recently I found a dead mouse in one of the tubs** AND also .a live one moving about but very slowly. I scooped it out and let it walk slowly off behind the tubs over the earth pile it had excavated.

I don't know if that mouse survived but one of its offspring did.



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**
When the tub contents get depleted the gap is too large for the mice to jump back out. That's probably why the mouse died .trapped with plenty of dry food but no water.

So we now leave sticks and other paraphernalia in the tubs to assist their exit.

And they use them.




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Saved to forage for another day.




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Posted by Iain: Mon Sep 20th, 2021 10:11 156th Post
Where there's food there are mice. Many a time I have opened the food locker ata feeding station I look after and find mice.



Posted by Eric: Fri Sep 24th, 2021 06:38 157th Post
Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie!



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Fri Sep 24th, 2021 08:11 158th Post
A daimen icker in a thrave
'S a sma' request;
I'll get a blessin wi' the lave,
An' never miss't!



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Posted by Eric: Wed Aug 31st, 2022 18:31 159th Post
The walnuts are ripe for picking. :applause:

One young chap is clearly very excited at the news. :lol:




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Eric


Posted by Eric: Sun Aug 13th, 2023 12:07 160th Post
A little taste of Africa/India/China……in Norfolk.

We took family visitors around THIS local wildlife reserve last week. I was driving the buggy ‘trying’ to grab the occasional shot whilst avoiding potholes and other buggies. For better photos one would do better going on the specific photographers tours, where they get closer and have more time to compose the beasties…as opposed to grab them passing!



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Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Aug 13th, 2023 19:53 161st Post
Interesting shots Eric.



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Graham Whistler


Posted by Eric: Sun Aug 13th, 2023 20:26 162nd Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Interesting shots Eric. Like I said Graham, you cannot get the best out of the occasion when you are driving a buggy and in a ‘wagon train’ that’s stop start. I think we would go back and have the more exc£usive ‘photographers’ tour next time. But it’s a lot cheaper than going to Africa/India/China. ;-)

As we well know, you have to be very lucky to happen upon perfect wildlife photographic opportunities without sitting and waiting for them.



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 00:00 163rd Post
There's always a story on our outings! lol

Jan and I were traversing the Grossglockner ....along with the world and his wife. Halting at Bikers Point ( where all the motorbikes gather ) to take in the spectacular views of the highest road pass in Europe, I wandered off piste, so to speak, to get some snow scenes.

While a short distance away from Jan and a gathering of Japanese party overlooking my position I saw a Marmot chewing on some grass. I took the photo I wanted and turned to see if Jan had seen it. Trying not to disturb the creature I sort of snorted huskily but with increasing impatient volume....
....."jan, Jan JAN" "Marmot" pointing at said beast
"What?" she mouthed 
"MARMOT" again pointing at the furry diner
"WHAT?" she voiced just about audibly
"a F*&%$@ING MARMOT" I finally bellowed in exasperation.
As she turned her binoculars in the direction of the insulted creature....the Japanese party started pointing and repeating excitedly " F*&%$@ING MARMOT ".

I have just titled it plain Marmot but probably an Alpine Marmot in truth...and not a ...............




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Eric


Posted by Eric: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 00:35 164th Post
None of the animals were harmed by the use of AI in the making of these images.:lol:


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Actually....this is an as shot image for a change. lol



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 01:24 165th Post

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Eric


Posted by Eric: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 11:30 166th Post
Shortly after moving to this rural idyl in1972, we were driving along a back road, when as we rounded a bend a large beaver-like creature came waddling across in front of us. I braked and swerved around it. There then followed a lengthy discussion between us as to what it was. We sort of thought it was a Coypu, but never having seen one, and the fact that they had supposedly been eradicated in the UK some years earlier, we did wonder. They are now eradicated being a none endemic species for the UK that was causing damage (supposedly) 
It is at least commemorated in the fact we named that bend in the road …Coypu Corner…. from then on.

Roll forward 40+years and while caravanning in France we saw several Coypu in the open field next to our campsite. They emerged from a small stream/ waterway area each morning …..where the above ‘portrait’ was taken.



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 19:15 167th Post
Graham will know if this is a black or white ......





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Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 19:30 168th Post
Black Rhone it eats trees the White Rhino eats grass. Early Whistler in Rhodesia 1970s with White Rhinos, it took several long days to get that close as no long tele lenses for large format colour trans cameras.

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Graham Whistler


Posted by Eric: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 19:34 169th Post

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Eric


Posted by Eric: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 19:36 170th Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Black Rhone it eats trees the White Rhino eats grass. Early Whistler in Rhodesia 1970s with White Rhinos, it took several long days to get that close as no long tele lenses for large format colour trans cameras.

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You REALLY look the part there Graham!



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Eric


Posted by Iain: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 21:17 171st Post
Nice set of pictures and stories Eric.



Posted by Iain: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 21:18 172nd Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Black Rhone it eats trees the White Rhino eats grass. Early Whistler in Rhodesia 1970s with White Rhinos, it took several long days to get that close as no long tele lenses for large format colour trans cameras.

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Armed and dangerous.



Posted by Eric: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 22:32 173rd Post
Thx Iain...I am having fun trawling through my archives for photos Ive not 'worked up' before. 




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Eric


Posted by Eric: Wed Jan 24th, 2024 22:52 174th Post
One more and I think that's enough.

Hope that's given people a few ideas and thoughts about making their photographs sing out a bit more.



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Thu Jan 25th, 2024 15:05 175th Post

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Eric


Posted by Eric: Thu Jan 25th, 2024 15:34 176th Post

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Eric


Posted by Eric: Tue Feb 6th, 2024 14:11 177th Post
Not sure a toad qualifies for entry on this animal thread. However, as there is no 'Amphibian, Reptilian' thread and as it's in hiding, I will put it here....




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Eric


Posted by Eric: Tue Feb 6th, 2024 15:25 178th Post

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Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Feb 7th, 2024 11:07 179th Post
Nikon D500 Lizards & Crock in Kenya

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Graham Whistler


Posted by Eric: Wed Feb 7th, 2024 16:02 180th Post
I like the way that 2nd Crane? Is lifting his leg …it’s like he is stepping over the sleeping croc.



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Eric


Posted by Iain: Wed Feb 7th, 2024 21:07 181st Post
Eric wrote:
Not sure a toad qualifies for entry on this animal thread. However, as there is no 'Amphibian, Reptilian' thread and as it's in hiding, I will put it here....




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I guess that’s a leaf toad.—————I’ll get my coat!



Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 8th, 2024 11:45 182nd Post
Iain wrote:
I guess that’s a leaf toad.—————I’ll get my coat! I suppose with AI I could replace the leaf with a flat cap. ;-)



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Thu Feb 8th, 2024 11:52 183rd Post
... or replace the toad with a princess????



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 8th, 2024 11:56 184th Post
chrisbet wrote:
... or replace the toad with a princess???? Not sure the flat had would suit her.o.O



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 8th, 2024 15:03 185th Post
Eric wrote:
Not sure the flat HAT would suit her.o.O I grabbed a photo of The Princess of Wales off the net and AI’d a flat peaked cap onto her.

I can’t post it on open forum for obvious reasons (although it is my own composition ) but I can tell you she looked absolutely gorgeous in it….then again she does in most things. :applause:



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 9th, 2024 22:13 186th Post

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Eric


Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 9th, 2024 22:14 187th Post

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Eric


Posted by Eric: Sun Feb 11th, 2024 13:32 188th Post
I photographed this group of Père David’s Deer at a local reserve but only just read up about this fascinating creature and its history….appropriate at the start of a New Chinese Year. ( although it’s the wooden dragon this year, not the deer)

It’s a Chinese water margin deer that was exclusively the property of the Emperor, back in the day. The herd was kept inside the Palace grounds until a storm broke down a wall and several escaped….only to be eaten by the starving peasants. The remainder were kept safe until German troops occupied the palace during the Boxer Rebellion….where upon they shot and ate the rest. Except western people ‘acquired’ some before the mass extinction and they ended up in zoos scattered around Europe.

That was until the 11th Duke of Bedford brought them ALL together from the zoos to make a small herd on the Woburn Estate. They prospered there, such that some years later Woburn was able to send quite a number back to China for them to repopulate the species that was sacred to them. “Why sacred”, I hear you ask?

Well in Chinese ancient history there is a story of 4 men who “changed” into 4 animals…a Horse, Donkey, Cow & Deer.
They subsequently morphed into one beast they called the Milu ( which I believe is Chinese for 4 in 1). It then did some negotiating with the gods and brought peace and prosperity to the country….thus it was thence regarded as sacred.

So you can understand the significance of having this venerated animal brought back from the dead. 

A statue of the 11th Duke of Bedford was erected …somewhere in China ….to honour his wisdom, actions and generosity.

[If our Chinese members want to correct me on this information …please speak up]


Hands up who knew that?


Well here it is in all its sacred glory with a horse’s head, donkey’s tail, cow’s feet and deer’s antlers.



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Sun Feb 11th, 2024 13:56 189th Post
…and for those who thought I should have photographed a wooden dragon to better mark the start of this year….




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Why do we have a wooden (and rope) dragon hanging from the light in the office?

Since I retired the room was repossessed by my wife for a Craft Room…and she collects dragons (all over the place):banghead:




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Eric


Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 15th, 2024 12:35 190th Post
NO AI....As shot...well almost.

Aries was a young Leopard at a wildlife park. We came across him being walked around the centre on a dog lead...a strong chain dog lead.

He instinctively left the path and sneaked into the shrubbery watching people with dogs on leads passby. We could imagine he was honing his hunting skills.

So it's a straight shot but there was a tiny part of the chain around his neck that I removed....partly to add a bit more natural realism but it also was a shining distraction to the composition.  



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Thu Apr 18th, 2024 20:50 191st Post

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Eric


Posted by Iain: Thu Apr 18th, 2024 21:25 192nd Post
Nice set Eric. We’re a bit short of them up here.



Posted by Eric: Fri Apr 19th, 2024 16:20 193rd Post
Iain wrote:
Nice set Eric. We’re a bit short of them up here. ERRRR......taken near Powburn.
 :lol:



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Wed Aug 28th, 2024 22:08 194th Post
New addition to the family today - replacing Mika who we lost to DM a couple of months ago.




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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Thu Aug 29th, 2024 09:28 195th Post
chrisbet wrote:
New addition to the family today - replacing Mika who we lost to DM a couple of months ago.




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Lovely boy/girl.

whats DM?



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Thu Aug 29th, 2024 10:40 196th Post
She is a girl.

Canine degenerative myelopathy is an inherited neurologic disease typically affecting dogs around eight years of age or older. It causes gradual muscle wasting and incoordination in the hind limbs, and then progresses to an inability to walk after six to twelve months.

In the end I was having to pick her up to move her and hold her over a bucket to wee - she was still bright and alert though - but it came to a point where it was starting to affect her breathing so the time came.



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Thu Aug 29th, 2024 21:15 197th Post
chrisbet wrote:
She is a girl.

Canine degenerative myelopathy is an inherited neurologic disease typically affecting dogs around eight years of age or older. It causes gradual muscle wasting and incoordination in the hind limbs, and then progresses to an inability to walk after six to twelve months.

In the end I was having to pick her up to move her and hold her over a bucket to wee - she was still bright and alert though - but it came to a point where it was starting to affect her breathing so the time came.
I suspect that’s what our Labrador had.
I had to lift him up and carry him about in the last year of his life. The vet had told me one day he wouldnt be able to stand and sure enough it happened. My boy used to bark whenever the door bell rang. On the day the vet came to the door he never barked. You sort of have to accept that if he had given up …it was time. Very sad.

Have to say we didn’t have another dog…couldn’t go through it all again.



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Eric


Posted by jk: Thu Sep 5th, 2024 14:19 198th Post
Sorry to hear about your previous dog.  Very distressing to see them deteriorate before you in such a short period.

Hope that the new dog gives you much joy.
May Mika have a long and heathy life.



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Posted by chrisbet: Thu Sep 5th, 2024 15:29 199th Post
Mika (previous dog) actually lasted a long time - she started showing signs of strange leg movement 2 years ago and the disease progressed slowly so it was only about 3 months ago that she became totally immobile without help. It is all part of owning and caring for animals that the decision to let them go is taken - usually they tell you they have had enough and that didn't happen, she was bright, alert and playful until the last day when she struggled to breathe easily.

I still miss her even though Nico has been with us a whole week now! She is settling in well, is good to walk and very willing to learn.



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Sat Nov 2nd, 2024 16:50 200th Post
Stayed at a horse/livery farm last week.  Oscar was recovering from surgery and isolated from the rest of the herd to avoid further aggravation to the injury.

No-one told Oscar to stay on terra firma and the grassed-over dung heap was too tempting.

The phrase "Get off your high horse" came to mind....... or maybe better "Get off, YOU high horse!"....but my favourite and more appropriate is Adrian's (farm owner) call to Oscar's owner.....Get your High Horse OFF!....or words to that effect.:lol:

 

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Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Nov 7th, 2024 13:08 201st Post
Still after several days very poor light today. Squirrel after some nuts in our feeding box. 

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Graham Whistler


Posted by Eric: Thu Nov 7th, 2024 14:39 202nd Post
Nice sharp image there in the dull light we are experiencing.
You are feeding them too much Graham. They have worn away all your lovely sage paintwork. ;-)

Always photogenic critters, even though they cause disruption to bird life.



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Eric


Posted by Iain: Thu Nov 7th, 2024 15:56 203rd Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Still after several days very poor light today. Squirrel after some nuts in our feeding box. 

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A tree rat, nice and sharp though.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Nov 8th, 2024 11:14 204th Post
Tree rats I agree Ian.  Feeding them chestnuts keeps them off bird food theft. The chestnuts are free pick-ups from my dailey walk in our local park. On the other hand I love the Red Squirrel sorry I did not have a photo to hand so AI this in Photoshop.

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Graham Whistler


Posted by Eric: Fri Nov 8th, 2024 16:54 205th Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Tree rats I agree Ian.  Feeding them chestnuts keeps them off bird food theft. The chestnuts are free pick-ups from my dailey walk in our local park. On the other hand I love the Red Squirrel sorry I did not have a photo to hand so AI this in Photoshop.

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I’d never thought of scavenging for nuts while out walking to distract the pesky feeder robbers!

My thinking was more catching the squirrels and taking them for a country ride where the nuts are!
(Note:  I believe it’s illegal to release grey squirrels into the wild, which is what you are technically doing by relocating)

We have 3 now in our garden and they continually stop the birds from visiting the feeders. :whip:



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Fri Nov 8th, 2024 18:21 206th Post
I wonder if squirrels are affected by the ultrasonic rodent repellers?

Birds are not.



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Sat Nov 9th, 2024 09:39 207th Post
chrisbet wrote:
I wonder if squirrels are affected by the ultrasonic rodent repellers?

Birds are not.
Have ordered one that specifically states squirrel repellent. Money back guarantee it claims.
Will see if it works next week.:thumbs:



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Eric


Posted by Iain: Sat Nov 9th, 2024 20:51 208th Post
Eric wrote:
Have ordered one that specifically states squirrel repellent. Money back guarantee it claims.
Will see if it works next week.:thumbs:
That will be interesting.



Posted by chrisbet: Sat Nov 9th, 2024 22:19 209th Post
I have one in my garage to keep mice and rats away sucessfully - works on elephants too, never see them in the garage :lol:



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Iain: Fri Nov 15th, 2024 14:44 210th Post
I think this one will do.

A1103389 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr



Posted by Eric: Fri Nov 15th, 2024 17:34 211th Post
Iain …did you see my PM to you?



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Eric


Posted by Iain: Fri Nov 15th, 2024 21:48 212th Post
Eric wrote:
Iain …did you see my PM to you? Sorry Eric just seen it now and replied.



Posted by Eric: Mon Nov 18th, 2024 21:15 213th Post
Eric wrote:
Have ordered one that specifically states squirrel repellent. Money back guarantee it claims.
Will see if it works next week.:thumbs:
Plugged in two of these ultrasonic scarers …one only 1m from the feeders. Amazingly successful. Not!

Little b*****er even crept up and sniffed it, before carrying on feeding!

Photos winging their way to the supplier for a refund.



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Tue Nov 19th, 2024 08:25 214th Post
Maybe it is a deaf squirrel :lol:

Have you tried chilli pepper?



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Iain: Wed Nov 20th, 2024 21:19 215th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Maybe it is a deaf squirrel :lol:

Have you tried chilli pepper?
Someone else suggested that too me recently as well.



Posted by Eric: Wed Nov 20th, 2024 23:26 216th Post
Iain wrote:
Someone else suggested that too me recently as well. That doesn’t work either! Last year I coated all the seed with chilli spray. They still came and ate it…perhaps less fervently. Unfortunately the coated seeds gets sticky in moisture atmospheres and bridges in the feeders…makes a hell of a mess to clean as well.

I forgot and rubbed my eye at one stage. Eyes burning and streaming, me squealing like a stuck pig…….squirrel ran for cover for well over an hour. Probably the most success I had…but won’t repeat it.

Think I should get some of that 12v electrified stock control fencing and run a strip through the top hangers. 
That would make them move fast. :devil:

I bet you I would forget to switch it off when I topped up the feeders. 8-)



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Wed Nov 20th, 2024 23:27 217th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Maybe it is a deaf squirrel :lol:

Have you tried chilli pepper?
TWO deaf squirrels…


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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Thu Nov 21st, 2024 11:17 218th Post
12 bore??



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Iain: Thu Nov 21st, 2024 16:03 219th Post
chrisbet wrote:
12 bore?? that's what I was thinking. Might damage the feeders too much, a high power .22 air rife might be better.



Posted by jk: Thu Nov 21st, 2024 17:36 220th Post
Mexican spicy squirrels? 
 :lol:



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Posted by chrisbet: Thu Nov 21st, 2024 21:33 221st Post
There is a horrible device that lures them in with bait and stabs them in the neck with a CO2 powered device - supposed to be humane but not always a swift death ....



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Thu Nov 21st, 2024 23:37 222nd Post
I reckon if I get a 12v electric pulse generator, put the positive to the metal feeders hanger and a negative earth from a plate fixed on the end of the supporting branch, a squirrel will short circuit the system if it leaves its rear legs on the branch plate as it grabs the feeder top. 

The only risk is if Jan sees me doing it….she will reposition the device and connect the terminals to my …….8-)

It’s getting a bit annoying with upto 4 squirrels disturbing the feeding zone. For the first time this year I had a Great Spotted Woodpecker, greenfinchs , chaffinchs and goldfinches in numbers happily feeding together…then up come the tree rats and everyone left for a good hour or more. Time they can’t miss in this weather.  Rant over.



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Thu Nov 21st, 2024 23:46 223rd Post
How about moving the feeder onto a post and fitting a barrier round the post to stop the squirrels - I have heard that a "Slinky" works well as they zoom to the ground when they try to climb it....:lol:

Either that or a cone of some sort that they can't climb over?  or non climb paint?

I could lend you the pup - she likes chasing squirrels.



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Fri Nov 22nd, 2024 11:26 224th Post
chrisbet wrote:
How about moving the feeder onto a post and fitting a barrier round the post to stop the squirrels - I have heard that a "Slinky" works well as they zoom to the ground when they try to climb it....:lol:

Either that or a cone of some sort that they can't climb over?  or non climb paint?

I could lend you the pup - she likes chasing squirrels.
They jump vertically 2+m and bypass obstacles. I hung a feeder on a 3metre copper wire from a tree with the base 2metres off the ground. They did try to come down it but gave up. Instead they came on the ground and jumped up, grabbed the bottom of the feeders and and hung on. The are ingenious creatures and I don’t mind them in the garden but with 3 or 4, the monopolise the feeders that are there for the small birds….that need help.

I wouldn’t mind so much but the stripped out walnut tree of nuts and buried them everywhere. “Go and dig up a nut!”

I then have a myriad of walnut trees growing in the beds that need pulling up.  We’ve potted dozens and given them to friends. But most of them won’t be alive to see the trees producing nuts.



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Fri Nov 22nd, 2024 14:30 225th Post
How about fixing something like THIS to the bottom of the feeder ? Then hang it from the high branch with wire.

Could make a cone out of  wire - maybe coat hangers - like a garden rake - should give them nothing to cling onto.



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Fri Nov 22nd, 2024 15:15 226th Post
chrisbet wrote:
How about fixing something like THIS to the bottom of the feeder ? Then hang it from the high branch with wire.

Could make a cone out of  wire - maybe coat hangers - like a garden rake - should give them nothing to cling onto.
Thx. Will get one and give it a try. I did have a lash up using brown plastic garden saucers a couple of years back and it did deter them. But they looked naff and soon got split taking them on and off to refill. This design would be better. 
The main problem I guess is the siting of the feeders. We have a half dead Prunus and I use it’s dead branches to hang the feeders and take photos of birds on the branches rather than on the ugly feeders.
I may have to reposition them because the squirrels can jump from adjacent branches and bypass the domes.
We shall see.



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Fri Nov 22nd, 2024 15:22 227th Post
Another idea - use fishing line to suspend between tree / post and house / another tree / post - as long as the feeder is high enough  and far enough away from trees it should be squirrel proof  - the line will be too thin and wobbly for them - could also reel it in on pulleys to refil feeder from upstairs window????



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Sat Nov 23rd, 2024 18:23 228th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Another idea - use fishing line to suspend between tree / post and house / another tree / post - as long as the feeder is high enough  and far enough away from trees it should be squirrel proof  - the line will be too thin and wobbly for them - could also reel it in on pulleys to refil feeder from upstairs window???? Now this is probably why they pay you half a crown more than me.:thumbs:



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Sat Nov 23rd, 2024 21:15 229th Post
and I only get 3/6d



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