I recently spent a couple of days at a British wildlife sanctuary and got to see a host of wonderful creatures, from those I know well, to those like the stoat that I have never seen before, to those which have practically disappeared from our shores like the beautiful red squirrel.
I often think that if we had never seen a fox or a badger before, we would think it every bit as fantastical as the unicorn or the dragon, it is only that we forget so easily to appreciate that which is common and, therefore, no longer novel.
Foxes, as with many intelligent predators, have long been persecuted in this country and there is still the threat of a badger cull hanging over us, though the vast majority of evidence shows it will do no good at all in halting bovine TB. If this is a topic close to your heart you can find out more about the coalition to stop the cull and sign a petition here.
In the meantime I wanted to pay homage to the beauty of British wildlife by sharing some of my photos from the two days. In the animal world, just as with plants, there is no end to the variety and creativity of Mother Nature.
Last but not least, my very favourite of creatures, the much maligned, wonderfully intelligent, greatly social and all round fantastic Mister Fox.
beautiful breath-taking photographs of breath-taking creatures. Persecution such as the badger cull are heart-breaking … they are so quintessentially english …. and they have been scapegoated due to mass farming … something not of a human scale.
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Thank you so much Rose.
I know, even if it wasn’t a cruel and drastic measure it just isn’t common sense either.
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What a lovely day you must have had. I agree, and admire your wording for of your thoughts of these lovely creatures being considered common, and therefore often times ignored or overlooked. The red squirrel is indeed very red, how cute! What an itty bitty mousie 🙂 I tried to sign the petition, but they won’t allow anyone except UK citizens to do so..Majestic owls, sweet vole and deers, and of course my beloved otters, all so dear to my heart. I am so happy you got to see Mr. Fox. Isn’t he a gorgeous animal! Some of my brother Eric’s first words were “it’s a red fox” when I was able to introduce him to one when we were children growing up on the farm. We adore them. Thank you so much for sharing your pictures. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them xxx Susan Witting Albert has a marvelous series of books called the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. They are just wonderful and the animals all speak in them. I think you would enjoy them:) love always xxxx
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Thanks Leslie, I will certainly check those out, I’m in need of a good read at the moment.
That is lovely for your brother to have such a great experience of the foxes so young. We used to watch them come out after dark from our living window when we left scraps out in the garden.
Thank you for trying to sign the petition even if they wouldn’t allow it!
Lots of love xxx
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Sounds like you have seen the film Fantastic Mister Fox – isn’t it brilliant?!
Would you mind saying where the Wildlife Sanctuary is please?
Maggie x
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Yes I saw the film recently and read the book many years ago! Very joyful to see the fox get the upper hand. 🙂
This is the centre: http://www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk/
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Just gorgeous! I especially love the photo of the fox at the end, peering at you very foxily from behind the tree 🙂 And how right you are that we forget, through their normalcy, how fantastic our backyard wildlife really is! You must have been subconsciously influencing me as I have been very prone lately to taking photos of wildlife as well!!
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I suspect we were subtly influencing each other once again!
I’d love to see some of your pictures sometime.
I like that picture of the fox too, they have the best faces don’t they!
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Beautiful pics off these amazing animals, thanks for sharing Lucinda xxx
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Thanks Rita! x
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How in the world did you manage that photo of the mouse? I can’t believe it held still for you.
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Well it didn’t really hold still for long and the picture is actually ever so slightly blurry but I still like it. It was climbing along those stems for a while so I had a few tries at it!
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Hi Lucinda,
My most favourite too. I have a young dog fox hunting in the garden at night.
He is an amazing creature……long live the dog fox. Despite the fact hunting is banned, we all know in our hearts it still goes on. I watch them gather here at certain times of the year….they always tell me they do not kill the fox ?????
I had the most amazing experience at the weekend. Whilst cleaning out the bird boxes I was blessed to find the ornate hibernation nest of a Dormouse.
Made from honeysuckle and moss, I stood in wonder. Knowing it is illegal to interfere with these illusive creatures, I closed the box and hoped that I have not disturbed him. Planting my bareroot hazel saplings in the Spring will make the surroundings perfect for him.
This is a delightful and charming post and one very much close to my heart.
The looming badger cull has saddened me greatly…..I believe I must have signed every petition available and I am hoping that reason will prevail.
Surely the only way is to vaccinate the cattle !
I do so hope you are well and enjoying the most beautiful of seasons.
Despite the rainy weather I have been taking long walks with Nella and savouring this most gentle of seasons.
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I should have known you would love them too! 🙂
One of the worst things about living where we do is that they still hunt in the area. Sometimes they use a bird of prey to finish the fox off as then it is not considered ‘hunting with dogs’. I hate it.
What a blessing to find the dormouse! His nest sounds like a thing of beauty.
I think the only real solution with the bovine TB is to improve farming conditions but obviously they are most concerned with profits, not animal welfare. I hope they will take heed of all the petitions.
I hope you continue to enjoy all the many blessings of autumn. x
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Thanks for sharing. Such great photos of the wildlife. The mouse is so cute (well they all are – even if they wouldn’t want to be called cute!)
Michael
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I know they really are aren’t they! So small and perfectly formed. 🙂
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So lovely to see all those beautiful wild creatures. We are surrounded by all of them here (though our squirrels are the grey ones, I love those little red ones), we rarely see them during the daytime. Hunting (grrr.)…
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The red squirrels are lovely aren’t they. Sadly we mostly have grey ones now too as they have taken over the red ones habitat since being introduced. I still love the grey squirrels as it is certainly not their fault but that of humans. Many people here hate mink too because they are not indigenous and are killing off local wildlife but to me every creature is precious and it is we humans that should learn not to continually meddle in things!
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I grew up in the sixties when harsh chemicals were used and animals declined. You could walk around all day and not see any animals at all and that included birds! It was silent and eery and a time that should not be returned to under any circumstances. It is absolutely wonderful to see all the little and not so little creatures these days.
Wonderful photos, I love all the creatures and I remember seeing my first ever badger in Scotland many many years ago and being fascinated. We must strive to protect all the wildlife that had now returned to our countryside.
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Hi Jean,
Thanks for your comment. It is hard to imagine such a time, it must have been strange indeed.
Though some species are still in decline it is wonderful that many are making a comeback isn’t it. It reminds me that nature always has the power to regenerate!
All the best.
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