Posted by Major Gilbert on August 17, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Doing the rounds on my airfield site I came across this little chap bobbing about on the runway looking totally lost.
It is of course a Field Vole or Short-tailed Vole a favourite of Mr Barn Owl.
He nicely fitted in the palm of my hand and my hands are not so big so it gives you some idea of his diminutive size.
Took a few shots and placed him in the field where he headed for cover.
D2X + 90mm Tamron.
Hand Held.
Major.
Posted by Paul Gibbs on August 17, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Looks like a young one, not seen one this small out in the open.
a nice shot of an animal not often seen out in the open.
Matt
Posted by Major Gilbert on August 18, 2008 at 8:29 AM
Thanks for that Matt this really is why I posted it.
You dont get to see them oftens and I am sure ther are a lot of people who have never even had chance to do so. Perhaps there is a lack of enthusiasm unless its common place.
Very cute, but not the brightest cookies on the planet...guess that's why they're at the top of the food list for so many predators .
It's nice to see the shot Major - we've a load of voles live in the stone walls around the garden and I've only seen youngsters this young a couple of times in more than 10 years - and even then it was a fleeting glimpse as mum carried them along a gravel path between her nests (they where younger than this one). It does look rather young - probably a 1st amble on it's own! Probably fortunate not to be it's last!! Any bits of corrugated tin lying around - there might have been a nest underneath?
Posted by John Robinson on August 18, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Nice one Major, although it looks a bit fed up to me !" Not easy to photograph unless you do them captive.
I,ve got 10 roof sheets around the outside of the garden and I just checked them this afternoon. There were 4 grass snakes, 14 slow worms and I counted 5 field voles with one nest with young. The sheets here are really for the reptile suvey, but lots of things use them.
I found a weasel nest two years back.
Cheers
JohnR
Posted by Magnus Hird on August 18, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Thanks for posting Major. Its looking pretty tired to me! Think the shot works really well too
Discussion
6 repliesIt is of course a Field Vole or Short-tailed Vole a favourite of Mr Barn Owl.
He nicely fitted in the palm of my hand and my hands are not so big so it gives you some idea of his diminutive size.
Took a few shots and placed him in the field where he headed for cover.
D2X + 90mm Tamron.
Hand Held.
Major.
Matt
You dont get to see them oftens and I am sure ther are a lot of people who have never even had chance to do so. Perhaps there is a lack of enthusiasm unless its common place.
Major.
It's nice to see the shot Major - we've a load of voles live in the stone walls around the garden and I've only seen youngsters this young a couple of times in more than 10 years - and even then it was a fleeting glimpse as mum carried them along a gravel path between her nests (they where younger than this one). It does look rather young - probably a 1st amble on it's own! Probably fortunate not to be it's last!! Any bits of corrugated tin lying around - there might have been a nest underneath?
Nice one Major, although it looks a bit fed up to me !" Not easy to photograph unless you do them captive.
I,ve got 10 roof sheets around the outside of the garden and I just checked them this afternoon. There were 4 grass snakes, 14 slow worms and I counted 5 field voles with one nest with young. The sheets here are really for the reptile suvey, but lots of things use them.
I found a weasel nest two years back.
Cheers
JohnR