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Following the recent report of a white squirrel on this thread, on today's run I encountered an albino pheasant. Since it was near an area where I have previously seen a pheasant shoot in progress, I assume that the pheasant breeders have genetically engineered some birds to make them easier for the more visually challenged shooters to see.
People back in the day used to blame things like that on Chernobyl.Quote:
Originally Posted by anthonykay
In other news the flies in the lanes of lower wharfedale are reaching pestilence levels. Today they invaded 60 percent of the open orifices in my body, or 75 percent of the easily accessible ones. If you're out tomorrow, Graham, wear a mosquito net. The wasps are reaping the benefits of the late freeze too, there are little workers buzzing about all over the place.
On this evening's run, sloshing back through the wet spike grass of the upper intake, in the dying twilight, after the sun had just dipped below the Crosswaite ridge to the south, ahead of me, half-moon riding high, in the neighbouring intake, was the most magnificent white Charolais bull, on his own, staring back at me. Kind of like, in the words of Adde Cutler 'Now I sees he, And he sees I'. It was one of those double-take moments when you wonder whether the Gods have sent you an omen. Not sure about what, but perhaps as England are playing the Saffas soon, so maybe....maybe! Or perhaps, that's just pure BS :)
Not a 'wildlife encounter' of the strictly literal kind, but it made me smile at least.
Having just frittered away month on a road trip around Spain we are back home to autumn in Otley. This has allowed me take my regular morning walk around Gallows Hill Nature Reserve. During the summer I don't bother putting out bird food, but started today. The first bird to come in to the feeder was a woodpecker. Nice!
A Stoat :)
I've only seen a stout!
3 large fat geese walking in single file on the pavement in Hebden Bridge today. Further along my route 2 sheep walking on the pavement just outside Whitworth. What do you think Global Warming?
Or Ukraine, or the cost of living crisis. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Alf
Saw my local Sparrowhawk today, on my garden fence, then it flew off and covered the almost 100 metres to the stables over the back in a matter of seconds.
On the homeward leg of this afternoon's run, a pair of short-earred owls, gracefully and silently, skimming the tops of the spike grass, unperturbed by my presence, it seemed. Wonderful images, in the setting sun and with their light plumage against the muted slopes of Crosswaite Fell beyond.
I did wonder if the saturated fell helps or hinders their hunt - thinking the voles and the like probably stay closer to the surface when it's water-logged.