Can you see me said the mating Toad’s deep in the Forest? – Camouflage at its best.
Into the woods.
New Forest
Not a worm.
A New Forest Slow Worm – not a worm or a snake but a legless lizard.
The oldest specimen recorded in captivity lived for at least 54 years, so an adult in the wild may be more than 25 years of age.
Do not touch.
The adder is the UK’s only venomous snake. They are a shy and secretive reptile. They live in woodland, heathland and moorland habitats. Here are 2 that I photographed in the New Forest today.
Erosion.
An example of coastal erosion at Baton on Sea on the edge of the New Forest.
Stonechat.
Female Stonechat Stoney Cross New Forest.
Grey Heron.
Little Egret.
A Little Egret in the Mill Pond at Ashlett Mill on Southampton Water.
Woodland birds.
Picture Post. Blue Tit, Marsh Tit, Robin, Great Tit.
Through the trees.
On a deer walk in the New Forest again today. Most views through the trees but a few clear shots.
Fallow Deer “hinds”.
Fallow “Buck”.
Sika “Hind”.
Mandarin.
Another established non-native bird.
Mandarin Ducks were introduced from the Far East, They escaped, or were deliberately released, from captivity in the UK. A rather shy bird, often seen hiding beneath overhanging bushes, they form small flocks. The male bird has very elaborate and decorative plumage with distinctive orange feathers on the side of the face, a purple chest, and large orange feathers which look like small sails on its back. The female is not brightly coloured, with a grey head, white stripe behind the eye, brown back, and mottled lower sides. There was a flock of 10 birds today on the pond I visited today {the most I have seen there.}
These ducks nest in holes in trees, sometimes high up and a long way from the water. After the ducklings hatch, the female will coax the young to jump from the nest. Once they have left the tree make their way back to the water. The Drake will return to the family and help to protect the ducklings
Continued Reflections from my World. 