Expect the Unexpected

ByDawn

Had the day off work today, so of course I headed over to the Fen, hoping to try photographing the Redwing again. Unfortunately it looks like they have moved on. Lots of birds around today though, all quite vocal in the mild temperature especially the Great tits. Saw a Shelduck at the far end, and large numbers of gulls. Then I saw a strange looking goose, I think this is a hybrid bird, presumably Canada X Greylag goose given the markings. It was associating with the Canada geese, and looks like it was paired with one of them. Took a record shot just for interest…

Interesting article here: http://www.gobirding.eu/Photos/HybridGeese.php on hybrid geese. I’ve never heard of a ‘Swoose’ before!

Walking back up through the woodland, I saw a movement near the edge of the path. A Roe deer, just the other side of the fence, just a few meters away! She hadn’t heard me, so I froze and watched her. She was picking at the vegetation, tiptoeing though the bracken and grass, so lovely to see. I noticed a couple walking up ahead on the path, as they got closer, the deer lifted her head and stared at them, she heard them long before I could. She waited until they were pretty close before prancing away. She didn’t go too far though, and then relaxed again. I walked up quietly to a clearer spot, and waited for her to emerge. She spotted me, but didn’t seem alarmed.

She grazed a little while longer, and then slowly made her way to the woodland. I came across her again, further up the path. I crouched down and kept still and she came closer – seemingly as curious about me as I was about her, we watched each other for several minutes. Suddenly there was a slight breeze and she caught my scent, she pranced away, the spell broken. I heard her barking further away in the woodland. Just magic watching such a beautiful animal.

Decided to head back, but on the way I came across what I feared was a dead animal at the base of a tree. Just a pile of greyish fuzz. The greyish fuzz blinked. I realised it was definitely alive, and was a large bird…

It’s a Rhea, more commonly found in South America! See, the wildlife comes from far and wide to enjoy the benefit and beauty of the Fen!! I assume this is an escapee, I hope it gets home safely! The warden seemed as astonished as I was!

What will I see next time….?!

(Click images to view larger…)

Similar Posts

  • The Littlest Dragon

    ByDawn

    Ok, I admit it. Lizards. My favourite species to photograph. Don’t get me wrong, I love the hares and the barn owls too, but lizards, so full of character, so fascinating in their little macro world. It absorbs me, my attention, I could spend hours watching, yet to me feels like barely a few minutes….

  • Snow Buntings

    ByDawn

    Had a day off yesterday, so decided to head up to the coast. Saw my first ever Snow Buntings! Brilliant! We saw the Snow Buntings as soon as we arrived, but they were quite flighty and disappeared for a while as there were a few dogs around. There were already some other photographers around, so…

  • Conservation Pony

    ByDawn

    Had a day off today, so was determined to go out somewhere, despite the dull conditions. Decided to visit Redgrave and Lopham Fen, which is probably my nearest nature reserve. Didn’t see too much, a couple of Muntjac deer, and some Reed Buntings. The hardy Konik ponies are used to graze the fen, helping to…

  • Bee Kind

    ByDawn

    Usual Sunday morning chores interrupted today when I noticed a queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee sitting on the kitchen windowsill, she must have got stuck indoors the previous evening. She dived into the offered teaspoon of honey, allowing me a photo opportunity. Many people regard bees rather warily, but they are fascinating and important creatures. Bumblebee’s are…

  • Fen

    ByDawn

    Went to visit the ponies at Redgrave and Lopham Fen again yesterday, although they were so intent on grazing that they didn’t lift their heads to be photographed unfortunately.  I managed a couple of shots of them though. Both of the following shots are slightly cropped from the top, as at the time I included…

  • Spot the bird

    ByDawn

    Wildlife photographers have a habit of showing only their very best work, which is of course understandable. It does leave aspiring wildlife photographers a little disillusioned or disappointed with their own efforts, because it’s a fact that for every amazing photo taken, there’s ten, twenty, or a hundred (or more!) ‘misses’. After all, we’re dealing…

3 Comments

  1. Wow!!! You are certainly seeing some unexpected creatures and you have a really good way with words; perhaps photography needs to be your second string. I just had to check it wasn’t April 1st!
    We have had a good day out today round and about Thetford; although we did get lost when we went to see the Hawfinches at Lynford paddock, I don’t know where we wen t wrong perhaps Drew could give us a ring?
    Did see Brambling, Reed Buntings & Tree Sparrows though.
    Where did the Rhea come from?

  2. Come to think of it, I think Jan or Drew & I saw something similar at Thetford Garden Centre (the field next to the cafe because I remember it caused us some confusion as to identifying it.

    1. Thanks Rob, 🙂

      The warden suggested it may have come from Banham Zoo! Although, I have heard of people keeping these birds – not sure whether for food or as pets. Perhaps someone nearby keeps them.

      I believe the land next to Thetford Garden Centre used to be an animal park of some sort. Mum says she remembers it.

      Always nice to see Brambling and Tree Sparrows – don’t get them on the Fen!!

      I’ll ask Drew to give you a ring.

      See you soon,

      Dawn.

Leave a Reply