Remembrance

Remembrance, originally uploaded by Ben909.

This was taken during the heavy snow in January, same time and place in the Forest of Dean as the previous snowy barn shot. I've no idea what the story is with the solitary grave/memorial.

Pregnant Melanistic Fallow Deer

Pregnant Melanistic Fallow Deer, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Taken in the Forest a couple of weeks ago. After spending an hour or so waiting patiently for the chance to capture some deer with no success, I moved on and crossed paths with this deer. I'm pretty sure she's pregnant. Focus isn't too great on this one unfortunately.

Wild Boar - 2 weeks old

Wild Boar - 2 weeks old, originally uploaded by Ben909.

This tiny female wild boar is just two weeks old, and is being hand reared in the Forest of Dean, apparently rejected by her mother in her first few days of life. She is about the size of my foot - something she took great pleasure in nudging and chewing today! The striped markings will eventually fade as she grows older and larger.
Click on the picture for an even closer view!

No stick is too big

No stick is too big, originally uploaded by Ben909.

Tip: If you ever find yourself looking down your lens at something like this hurtling towards you whilst crouched in the snow, be aware that a big branch in the back of the head hurts. I don't think either me or Grace considered how she was going to run past me with this, until it was too late. At least it was my head, and not the camera :)

Banks of the Wye

Banks of the Wye, originally uploaded by Ben909.

This was taken during the Christmas break on the banks of the River Wye.

Untitled

Untitled, originally uploaded by Ben909.

This was taken just after the heaviest of the recent snowfall. I think I'm most pleased with this one out of all the recent snow shots. The snow has now turned to rain, and the ground has turned to slush.

Badger (Meles Meles Meles)

Badger (Meles Meles Meles), originally uploaded by Ben909.

Seems a while since I've posted a badger photo, so um, here's a badger photo. Unfortunately it's not a recent one (note the lack of snow). There are prints around this small set in the Forest of Dean though, so hopefully they're all doing ok in this harsh winter.
Many species have repetition in their scientific name (e.g dama dama - fallow deer, vulpes vulpes - red fox). The western European badger is known as Meles Meles Meles meaning it's of the Meles genus (badger), and the Meles species epithet (european), and the Meles sub-species epithet (western european)... which loosely gives me the opportunity to link to the funniest and most confusing page I've found on Wikipedia, which has nothing at all to do with badgers. (Can you tell I've run out of things to say about badgers?)