Fallow Deer
Chaffinch (male)
Rob
Showing posts with label dama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dama. Show all posts
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Some Deer and a Chaffinch
I allowed myself an hour for lunch today and decided to take a short walk with a friend. Its surprising what you can see if you are quiet!
Fallow Deer
Chaffinch (male)
Fallow Deer
Chaffinch (male)
Friday, 29 January 2010
Fallow Doe
Tried my hardest to find some wild boar for you today folks, but the weather was against me and I failed.
Looking at it positively, a failure is one step closer to success, so it won't be long.
I did manage to spot a fallow doe before the skies turned grey and the sleet started to fall! I could see her grazing through some trees, she had the sun on her back.
Carefully and quietly I crept up as close as I could, until I was no more than 7 or 8 metres away.
There was a lot of bracken in the way and I was finding it hard to get a clear view. Then she spotted me!
As long as you are quiet and calm, fallow deer will stand and look at you for a while before running away, this is when you can get your shot.
Rob
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
An hour in the Forest of Dean
Popped out while there was still enough light to get some pics and was surprised at what I saw in just an hour!
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dunnock
Tree Creeper
The light levels were poor and I was struggling for shutter speed, so I decided to try and find some deer.
It wasn't long before I found some. I settled down and got the camera out. No good for images, but there was enough light to do some filming.
It was freezing and I couldn't feel my bum and feet from sitting in freezing, damp and cramped conditions. Just as I put the camera away, a sparrow hawk flew past and settled in a tree no more than 20 metres away.
I was like a fumbling idiot, trying to get the camera back out of the bag. Too late, I watched him glide away!
Next time, I'll av him!
Captured everything except the one, which I really wanted. A sparrow hawk!
It was pretty cold out, close to freezing so I made sure I had some food for the birds, as I always do.
Robin
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dunnock
Tree Creeper
The light levels were poor and I was struggling for shutter speed, so I decided to try and find some deer.
It wasn't long before I found some. I settled down and got the camera out. No good for images, but there was enough light to do some filming.
It was freezing and I couldn't feel my bum and feet from sitting in freezing, damp and cramped conditions. Just as I put the camera away, a sparrow hawk flew past and settled in a tree no more than 20 metres away.
I was like a fumbling idiot, trying to get the camera back out of the bag. Too late, I watched him glide away!
Next time, I'll av him!
Rob
Friday, 8 January 2010
Forest of Dean Snow - 8th Jan 2010
The roads were clear enough to enable me to get out with my camera(s) today. It was hard work carrying my kit in the snow for approx 4 miles, but it was worth it.
The wildlife was a bit scarce, although I did manage to film a couple of fallow doe's passing through.
I have chosen a track to accompany my video, I chose it for its thought provoking lyrics. Hope you like it? If not, turn the volume down.
Last two verses....
Now this is the world we live in
And these are the hands were given
Use them and lets start trying
To make it a place worth fighting for
This is the world we live in
And these are the names were given
Stand up and lets start showing
Just where are lives are going to
The wildlife was a bit scarce, although I did manage to film a couple of fallow doe's passing through.
I have chosen a track to accompany my video, I chose it for its thought provoking lyrics. Hope you like it? If not, turn the volume down.
Last two verses....
Now this is the world we live in
And these are the hands were given
Use them and lets start trying
To make it a place worth fighting for
This is the world we live in
And these are the names were given
Stand up and lets start showing
Just where are lives are going to
Rob
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Wild Boar Letter
Firstly, I would like to say "Happy New Year" to you.
Secondly, I recieved an e-mail from a person that read an article regarding the "wild boar" on my blog, but could not post their reply as they are not signed up to blogger.
I have pasted the message below, with my response under it, please add your comments if you wish.
_______________________________________
Hi Rob
Apologies for the I admit rather lecturing tone of the following but I came across your blog about "taking out the boar" and got a bit passionate about it and then started thinking more widely about the problems with conservation in this country and the proliferation of dogs and cats, species reintroduction etc etc. I wanted to put my thoughts up on the site but then realised I needed to subscribe to something so I am emailing it to you. Love the photographs by the way. The piece is in no way aimed at you, I don't know your views or knowledge, it's just me getting ranty about my own opinions! He he!
Whilst I completely agree with what you imply about the relative rights of wild and domestic animals in your blog about boar, you do rather contradict yourself when you say in one feed that: "I love all animals and this includes dogs, but I never discriminate. I stick up for wild boar and snakes as well as domestic animals" And then, in the next feed you say: "I mean it’s not like they are bears, tigers or crocodile's!" (apologies for being picky Rob, I'm just trying to make a wider point here)
Bears have a place in our forests too, although a lot of work would need to be done to restore them first. In most European countries bears, (as well as wolves and lynx), are being either reintroduced or, encouraged to re-colonise their former territories. In fact, Britain has also signed up to the Bern conventions that requires us to investigate re-introducing extant species. That means bears, wolves, lynx and, (if they hadn't managed it themselves), wild boar. Studies, (particularly in Yellowstone Park US), have clearly shown that apex predators are essential to the long term health of local ecosystems and, that human management of wilderness areas without these natural predators leads to long term, decline and further and continued extinctions until little remains.
It seems to me that in most cases, our British countryside's establishment is more interested in conserving it's own way of life than restoring the land they "manage" back to health. In fact, we are so used to our degraded wilderness environments that most people aren't even aware of how degraded they are. Places like the Forest of Dean, the New Forest and many others look healthy enough but could they sustain the bears that once roamed there? The answer is no. This means these environments, although beautiful , (don't get me wrong here I am thankful and appreciative although a little angry about what we have got), are significantly degraded and that, long term, that trend is likely continue as long as people remain blind, ignorant or prejudiced to the way natural systems operate.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/resources_geo.html The above link goes to an article about how wolf activity has been proven to restore the flora and fauna generally while it is the environment's ability to sustain the omnivorous bears that is the real litmus test of it's health and sustainability. The objections to large animal reintroductions are entirely predictable. being always the same fears about danger to humans and livestock and now it seems, pets!!. The truth is the risk to humans is miniscule while the threat to livestock always has to be managed. But, (and here's the connection back to dogs), it remains a fact that domestic dogs maim and kill considerably more people every year than any wild animal ever does, even where wild boar, bears and wolves roam wild. (Spain has 2500 wolves and there has not been one case of attack on humans in living memory). http://www.iberianature.com/material/wolf.html
Dogs are the real problem here. Likewise with livestock attacks, the vast majority of these are done by, you guessed it, dogs! In this country domesticated animals are treated as having more rights than wild animals and that needs to change. Don't get me started on cats! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2937760.stm Can you imagine the uproar if someone's dog was actually killed by a wild boar? The fact that dogs kill people on a regular basis wouldn't even get a mention I suspect. In my view we have to reassess our whole approach to the natural world we steward and to the animals in it. Old fashioned, myopic ideas about conservation need to give way to macro thinking and ecological restoration based on the latest scientific observations about how natural systems operate. Think outside of the box for a moment! Imagine a British Isles whose wilderness areas are restored to a level of beauty and biodiversity that can sustain bears. (If you want to see the most breathtakingly beautiful areas left in Europe go to where there are bears). Imagine learning to live with and enjoying wild predators as others do in many parts of western Europe, not to mention the world. We could reap the considerable benefits of doing so while easily managing the costs incurred.
My last point is this, we all expect villagers in India to live alongside tigers so that we can live in a world where tigers exist, many people in this country donate money to the conservation of animals abroad. But, if we ourselves are not prepared to manage living alongside the natural predators and large animals like boar that are native to our homeland, what right, what credibility and what moral authority do we have to talk about the conservation of lions and tigers and elephants abroad? None! If we were really serious about conservation we would be setting an example through our own actions at home. It's the usual double standards and racism I'm afraid.
In the end righting these wrongs is a matter of sensibly balancing rights and responsibilities. The pendulum has swung way too far in the direction of protecting the rights of domesticated animals, pets and livestock and the financial interests of industries like pheasant shooting . The trouble is most people here don't know what an intact European ecosystem looks like and are not aware that we don't really have one in this country. This imbalance needs to be redressed I feel if we are to restore the heart of our nation. It seems to me, the heart of any nation resides in the health of it's wilderness and countryside. After all it is learning to live with the uniqueness of natural environments that shapes and characterises all the localised traditions, customs and culture that have evolved into the identities that we share today even in the cities. Go to any community in the world that thrives alongside wild nature and you will find a strong and vibrant culture along with a heathy respect for the natural world we all depend on.
Bring back the wolves, bears and lynx I say!!
Warm regards
F S
_______________________
My response
Hi F,
In my blog, I said that I love all animals. This is true and just because I compared the wild boar to a crocodile and a bear, it doesn't mean that I do not care for the latter two any less. This is something that you have presumed.
I was addressing the public with this statement and it is just one of numerous newspaper articles, which I have written, defending our wildlife.
When I compared the wild boar to a crocodile and a bear, it was because a lot of local people have been over reacting towards the boar, calling for them to be exterminated before a child gets killed. By comparing them to an animal, which can kill a human being swiftly was my way of trying to show them how much they are over reacting. I mean I couldn't compare the wild boar to a car wreck could I? It had to be another animal.
In my latest newspaper article I have mentioned tigers, crocodiles, bears and sharks. I did this to highlight how people in other countries live alongside deadly animals on a daily basis, to try and show them that it is possible.
I also pointed out that the wild boar have more right to be in the Forest of Dean than our cute little fallow deer, as the wild boar are native, whereas the fallow deer are not.
Again this has nothing to do with me disliking fallow deer as I do not discriminate. I give the facts and I do not presume, as presumption is not based on fact!
Just because I have a passion for our so called dangerous and ugly creatures, such as the snake and wild boar, it doesn't mean that I care for the fish in our ponds and rivers or the birds in our skies any less!
It is easy to judge someone by reading an extract from one article they have written. I have learnt from this and will try not to come over as contradictory in the future, even if I am not being so.
Kind Regards
Robin Ward
Secondly, I recieved an e-mail from a person that read an article regarding the "wild boar" on my blog, but could not post their reply as they are not signed up to blogger.
I have pasted the message below, with my response under it, please add your comments if you wish.
_______________________________________
Hi Rob
Apologies for the I admit rather lecturing tone of the following but I came across your blog about "taking out the boar" and got a bit passionate about it and then started thinking more widely about the problems with conservation in this country and the proliferation of dogs and cats, species reintroduction etc etc. I wanted to put my thoughts up on the site but then realised I needed to subscribe to something so I am emailing it to you. Love the photographs by the way. The piece is in no way aimed at you, I don't know your views or knowledge, it's just me getting ranty about my own opinions! He he!
Whilst I completely agree with what you imply about the relative rights of wild and domestic animals in your blog about boar, you do rather contradict yourself when you say in one feed that: "I love all animals and this includes dogs, but I never discriminate. I stick up for wild boar and snakes as well as domestic animals" And then, in the next feed you say: "I mean it’s not like they are bears, tigers or crocodile's!" (apologies for being picky Rob, I'm just trying to make a wider point here)
Bears have a place in our forests too, although a lot of work would need to be done to restore them first. In most European countries bears, (as well as wolves and lynx), are being either reintroduced or, encouraged to re-colonise their former territories. In fact, Britain has also signed up to the Bern conventions that requires us to investigate re-introducing extant species. That means bears, wolves, lynx and, (if they hadn't managed it themselves), wild boar. Studies, (particularly in Yellowstone Park US), have clearly shown that apex predators are essential to the long term health of local ecosystems and, that human management of wilderness areas without these natural predators leads to long term, decline and further and continued extinctions until little remains.
It seems to me that in most cases, our British countryside's establishment is more interested in conserving it's own way of life than restoring the land they "manage" back to health. In fact, we are so used to our degraded wilderness environments that most people aren't even aware of how degraded they are. Places like the Forest of Dean, the New Forest and many others look healthy enough but could they sustain the bears that once roamed there? The answer is no. This means these environments, although beautiful , (don't get me wrong here I am thankful and appreciative although a little angry about what we have got), are significantly degraded and that, long term, that trend is likely continue as long as people remain blind, ignorant or prejudiced to the way natural systems operate.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/resources_geo.html The above link goes to an article about how wolf activity has been proven to restore the flora and fauna generally while it is the environment's ability to sustain the omnivorous bears that is the real litmus test of it's health and sustainability. The objections to large animal reintroductions are entirely predictable. being always the same fears about danger to humans and livestock and now it seems, pets!!. The truth is the risk to humans is miniscule while the threat to livestock always has to be managed. But, (and here's the connection back to dogs), it remains a fact that domestic dogs maim and kill considerably more people every year than any wild animal ever does, even where wild boar, bears and wolves roam wild. (Spain has 2500 wolves and there has not been one case of attack on humans in living memory). http://www.iberianature.com/material/wolf.html
Dogs are the real problem here. Likewise with livestock attacks, the vast majority of these are done by, you guessed it, dogs! In this country domesticated animals are treated as having more rights than wild animals and that needs to change. Don't get me started on cats! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2937760.stm Can you imagine the uproar if someone's dog was actually killed by a wild boar? The fact that dogs kill people on a regular basis wouldn't even get a mention I suspect. In my view we have to reassess our whole approach to the natural world we steward and to the animals in it. Old fashioned, myopic ideas about conservation need to give way to macro thinking and ecological restoration based on the latest scientific observations about how natural systems operate. Think outside of the box for a moment! Imagine a British Isles whose wilderness areas are restored to a level of beauty and biodiversity that can sustain bears. (If you want to see the most breathtakingly beautiful areas left in Europe go to where there are bears). Imagine learning to live with and enjoying wild predators as others do in many parts of western Europe, not to mention the world. We could reap the considerable benefits of doing so while easily managing the costs incurred.
My last point is this, we all expect villagers in India to live alongside tigers so that we can live in a world where tigers exist, many people in this country donate money to the conservation of animals abroad. But, if we ourselves are not prepared to manage living alongside the natural predators and large animals like boar that are native to our homeland, what right, what credibility and what moral authority do we have to talk about the conservation of lions and tigers and elephants abroad? None! If we were really serious about conservation we would be setting an example through our own actions at home. It's the usual double standards and racism I'm afraid.
In the end righting these wrongs is a matter of sensibly balancing rights and responsibilities. The pendulum has swung way too far in the direction of protecting the rights of domesticated animals, pets and livestock and the financial interests of industries like pheasant shooting . The trouble is most people here don't know what an intact European ecosystem looks like and are not aware that we don't really have one in this country. This imbalance needs to be redressed I feel if we are to restore the heart of our nation. It seems to me, the heart of any nation resides in the health of it's wilderness and countryside. After all it is learning to live with the uniqueness of natural environments that shapes and characterises all the localised traditions, customs and culture that have evolved into the identities that we share today even in the cities. Go to any community in the world that thrives alongside wild nature and you will find a strong and vibrant culture along with a heathy respect for the natural world we all depend on.
Bring back the wolves, bears and lynx I say!!
Warm regards
F S
_______________________
My response
Hi F,
In my blog, I said that I love all animals. This is true and just because I compared the wild boar to a crocodile and a bear, it doesn't mean that I do not care for the latter two any less. This is something that you have presumed.
I was addressing the public with this statement and it is just one of numerous newspaper articles, which I have written, defending our wildlife.
When I compared the wild boar to a crocodile and a bear, it was because a lot of local people have been over reacting towards the boar, calling for them to be exterminated before a child gets killed. By comparing them to an animal, which can kill a human being swiftly was my way of trying to show them how much they are over reacting. I mean I couldn't compare the wild boar to a car wreck could I? It had to be another animal.
In my latest newspaper article I have mentioned tigers, crocodiles, bears and sharks. I did this to highlight how people in other countries live alongside deadly animals on a daily basis, to try and show them that it is possible.
I also pointed out that the wild boar have more right to be in the Forest of Dean than our cute little fallow deer, as the wild boar are native, whereas the fallow deer are not.
Again this has nothing to do with me disliking fallow deer as I do not discriminate. I give the facts and I do not presume, as presumption is not based on fact!
Just because I have a passion for our so called dangerous and ugly creatures, such as the snake and wild boar, it doesn't mean that I care for the fish in our ponds and rivers or the birds in our skies any less!
It is easy to judge someone by reading an extract from one article they have written. I have learnt from this and will try not to come over as contradictory in the future, even if I am not being so.
Kind Regards
Robin Ward
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
A Year Behind The Lens - 2009
This is my first year filming around the Forest of Dean. I have been photographing it for a long time, but I had never put a lot of time into filming, until this year.
As you can only upload 100MB of video to Blogger at one time, I had to be selective with my material and there is no music to my video as the sounds of the forest are far more superior to any music!
I hope you like what you see?
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Fallow Bucks
Here are a few pics from my latest batch of fallow bucks, taken today in the forest.
He then stood on the other side and looked out into the forest.
I have cropped this one. Common fallow buck.
(EDIT) I would just like to point out that I don't just walk into the forest and photograph deer like this. I sit, usually in very cramped, wet and cold places for up to 4hrs or more before I am rewarded with opportunities like these.
I am nursing a very sore back from my session today!
This melanistic fallow buck got a little frisky and jumped the fallen tree.
He then stood on the other side and looked out into the forest.
I have cropped this one. Common fallow buck.
Rob
Monday, 26 October 2009
Pics and Video From Today
Went walkabout earlier and found some more deer, although they didn't want to look at me today for some reason.
Must be my ninja skills?!
Can you see her? Click pic for larger view
I was tempted to jump on and hitch a ride!
My eldest daughter Alice was with me today, she is 14 years old and she sat in a cold, damp cramped environment for 3.5hrs and she was so quiet that these deer walked out no more than 20 feet in front of us.
Must be my ninja skills?!
Can you see her? Click pic for larger view
I was tempted to jump on and hitch a ride!
My eldest daughter Alice was with me today, she is 14 years old and she sat in a cold, damp cramped environment for 3.5hrs and she was so quiet that these deer walked out no more than 20 feet in front of us.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
New Deer Pics & Video from the Forest of Dean
Well, the fallow deer rut is around the corner and the doe's are already grouping. Counted 19 in two groups on Monday 21st September.
I managed to get some pics of the one group. Here they are...
Click on the images for larger size.
This image has been cropped to highlight the tick on top of her left ear!
Two young doe's having a bit of fun. The dark one is melanistic.
Spotted me! Oh well never mind!
OK, this is not a deer, nor is it in the Forest of Dean! It's a grey heron I photographed on the river Avon earlier this month.
I managed to get some pics of the one group. Here they are...
Click on the images for larger size.
This image has been cropped to highlight the tick on top of her left ear!
Two young doe's having a bit of fun. The dark one is melanistic.
Spotted me! Oh well never mind!
OK, this is not a deer, nor is it in the Forest of Dean! It's a grey heron I photographed on the river Avon earlier this month.
This is a rare treat! A pure white fallow buck, not a true albinistic fallow buck, but impressive none the less. I filmed him on Tuesday 22nd September.
I was quite a way off and I didn't want to scare him away by trying to get closer. 50x optical zoom pulled him in though.
Monday, 16 March 2009
New Fancy Deer
Here are some Fallow Deer I filmed on Friday 13.03.09, while looking down from New Fancy viewpoint towards the felled area below. Two of them are melanistic (or black) (no target on their bums).
This was taken with my Panasonic SDR H60 at 50x optical zoom.
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