Ratty

Anyone seen Moley?

At Charnwood Water

1/500 @ f6.3, ISO 1600, 400mm

On Reflection

A Moorhen reflecting on his environment.

1/500 @f6.3, ISO 200, 400mm

Lady Jane Grey - 6 October 2013

Bradgate House in the middle of the Bradgate deer park is the ancestral home of the Grey family, the daughter of which was made Queen of England in 1553 and reigned for nine days before Mary took the throne and had her beheaded.

Below are the ruins of their home. 

1/60 @ 6.3, iso 800, 100mm

It is said that Jane was the victim of politically ambitious parents and until they took her to London and crowned her, she had no pretensions in that direction. Nor did she know where she was being taken until they arrived at the Tower of London. 

1/250 @ 6.3, iso 800, 100mm

An apparent myth about this time is that the woodsmen of the Charnwood Forest, in which the Greys' home is situated, would cut the tops from all the Royal oaks if Jane was beheaded. This tale has grown from the odd shape of many of the older oaks. However, oaks were coppiced at the time of Lady Jane and used for building ships for the navy. The odd shape would have resulted from the time that coppicing ceased.

1/200 @ 6.3, iso 800, 100mm

Every old house should have a ghost story and Bradgate House is no different. It is said that, at midnight on mid-summer's night, Lady Jane's coach approaches along the road from the south, the Newtown Linford road, and stops outside the front door of the house.

1/100 @ 6.3, iso 800, 100mm

However, the main road to the house was from the East, the direction of Anstey, and over a small bridge over the Lin.

1/200 @ 6.3, iso 800, 100mm

We always thought it was just a myth, but some friends and I spent a mid-summer's night in a small old slate quarry nearby, with a clear view of the house.

1/200 @ 6.3, iso 800, 100mm

Midnight approached, and we'd been telling horror stories to keep a light mood. We all watched as the moon disappeared behind an erie cloud and a slight mist rose from the damp grass.

1/125 @ 6.3, iso 800, 100mm

The bells of a nearby church rang out at midnight and we held our collective breath, looking expectantly towards Newtown Linford.

1/1000 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

We waited in silence and .............. Nothing happened, she stood us up! Not the first woman to do that :o)

All taken on

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm

Charnwood Water - 22 May 2013

Before I start this post, my wife Maja met a tree surgeon outside the Beaumont Leys Library today (23/5/13) and gave her my card.
I would very much like to photograph the "orphans" you mentioned. If thats possible could you email me, the address is on the back of the card.

Yesterday we went to Charnwood Water in Loughborough. There were all the usual water birds, plus a few chicks.

1/200 @ f10, iso 400, 200 mm

A couple of Canada geese had just the one chick and were being very protective, but who can blame them, they usually manage to raise more than that.

1/1000 @ f10, iso 400, 400 mm

You can see the mother love here as she keeps a close eye on her baby.

1/800 @ f10, iso 400, 400 mm

But baby wanted to explore so she had to keep chasing after it.

1/160 @ f10, iso 400, 400 mm

 Close by a Mallard was trying to attract a female, but she was having none of it and kept flying across the corner of the peninsula I was sitting on. Eventually he stood up on the corner, spread his wings and flexed his muscles. Then another male raced in and started chasing her, so his effort was wasted.

1/500 @ f10, iso 800, 400 mm

1/500 @ f10, iso 800, 400 mm

These two Coots are a bit late building their nest, another pair on the other side of the lake already have three chicks.
They are at the stage when they are at their ugliest and only a mother could love them and love them she did. I was never able to get a clear shot of the young ones.

All taken on a

Canon EOS7d with an EF 100 - 400 L series Lens

Swithland Woods - 20 February 2013

There was a cold wind through the Swithland Woods and I think most of the small birds were hunkered down to keep warm.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/160 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Robins can usually be relied on to make an appearance and this one didn't disappoint. The light was dropping off so I had to up the iso and hope.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/200 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

A Nuthatch soon followed the Robin and enjoyed the feast

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/200 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

It wasn't long before a second Nuthatch joined in and helped his/her self. They are so fast. it's like a dart coming in from each side.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

They know what they like and are prepared to search for it.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/200 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Not for the squeamish - 8 Sept 2011

An occasional alternative place for us to visit, usually when we have something to do in Loughborough, is Charnwood Water which we visited yesterday. It is quite popular with some of the more common waterbirds, but as we sat in the car looking out towards the lake we saw some very rapid movements on the bank.

Warning!  Don't look if you're scared of rats.

TOO LATE!

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/200 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

The wild Brown rat (Rattus Norwegicus) the common rat in the UK. When you see him in the wild, you see a sleek, well groomed animal in his proper place.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

I stood quite close to this family of rats, watching them running back and forward along the lake side. As long as I didn't move too much they weren't at all bothered by my presence. There was a large male, a smaller female and three young. They all darted for cover when someone walked by with a dog, but soon came out again when they'd gone. The family were feeding on a variety of things, but their favourite seemed to be bread pieces that had gone astray when thrown to the ducks.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/640 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

We  were sitting in the car having our lunch when we noticed a squirrel on the roof of the public conveniences, it sat in the guttering for a while feeding on something we couldn't see. Then descended to the path. I took the camera out again but the squirrel seemed to have disappeared.

After a few minutes it reappeared from a bush and sat eating something, that's always a good photo opportunity. But then I noticed the teats were prominent and that combined with her size must mean she is soon to give birth. We'll be going back there in a few weeks to see if there are any young ones about.