The best time to see Muntjac deer is in the early morning when they are less likely to be disturbed. These two were in one of the extended gardens that stretch from St Amand Drive and Bailie Close towards the River Ock.
A heron was wading as I walked along the Ock Valley Walk. Its long sharp beak can spear through the water without warning.
Kingfishers can sometimes be seen flying fast and low along the River Ock. I was lucky to see this one perched halfway along the Ock Vally Walk. The blue body just showed in front of the green leaves. Like the heron, it has a long sharp beak, but in the case of the Kingfisher, that beak is half the length of its body and just as spear-like.
Robins can be heard throughout the winter at regular intervals along the Ock Valley Walk. They are singing a delightful song to humans. But to rival Robins, the territorial song says, something different.
Many grey squirrels live on the Ock Valley Walk. I remember seeing a grey squirrel in a park in Boston, North America. Grey squirrels originated in North America and were introduced to England in the late 19th century.
On the way back, the heron was swallowing a fish. The heron’s neck looks like a python. It swallows fish whole.
Fabulous pictures! I’ve often seen the kingfisher flash by but never been lucky enough to get a photo.
Well done on catching a shot of the kingfisher – my efforts all seem to turn rapidly into a small blue blur as they fly off
I saw one land on a bare stick a few days before but only had my mobile phone, and he was gone before I could lift my phone. This one landed and stayed for about a minute until a dog walker passed, and I had my camera with a zoom lens. I would probably have to pay much more for a bigger image.
The kingfisher is the true prize, but the heron puts on quite a show.