my local patch and wildlife - Ian McDonald

[ian mcdonald]

Young hedgehog rescued from the street and put in my back garden.



Roe Deer hiding among trees.



Bridge in the hills.





Badgers latrine.

[Robert]

Hi Ian,

I enjoyed your set of photographs and your interesting discussion. Today, 20 September, I decided to look at the 12Z 500 mb map of Europe. Currently there is a huge high-pressure dome centered over Southern Sweden, 58 N – 14 E, that extends from Northern Scotland through Belarus to western Russia. Scotland is on the backside of this high-pressure system. Are you still having warm dry weather? Also, is it safe to pick up a hedgehog? Is rabies an issue? In general, I would never handle a wild or feral mammal due to the rabies issue here in the U.S.A. Maybe things are different in Europe? I just do not know.

[ian mcdonald]

Hello Robert, the warm, dry weather is still with us so far. I have not heard of a problem with rabies and wildlife here. Last night the moon was full, known at this time of year as a harvest moon.

[Vinny 123]

The only mammals in the UK that carry rabies are bats - and you need a license to handle them. People with a license have vaccinations, just in case.

The last case of rabies in any other wild animal was over 100 years ago.

Within continental Europe, rabies is rare or officially eradicated in most countries.

[Robert]

Ian,

Your photographs of the harvest moon are awesome! 



Here in Sacramento, the fruit of Cucumis sativus is ripening now. I thought the fruit of this variety is quite interesting, maybe not as dramatic as your harvest moon photographs, but interesting to me. Or maybe only a farmer would see beauty in a ripening seed crop?

Ian, thank you once again for sharing such dramatic photographs.   

[Jeffnz]

Hi Robert
What cucumber variety is it, most that i have grown are either green or white skinned or have I missed something?

[Robert]

Hi Jeff,

Pictured is the mature fruit of Miniature White cucumber. The cucumber fruit we eat is actually immature. The fruit pictured is part of a seed crop – in this case control hand pollenated plants consisting of many plants possessing the characteristics that I wish to maintain in this variety. I grow a number of different cucumber varieties each season, so controlled pollination, or isolation is needed to maintain seed purity.

[Jeffnz]

Thanks, our cucumbers never made it as a potential seed crop so of course the colors would be different.

[ian mcdonald]

A Roe Deer Buck and Doe seen this morning.



The under-wing of a Comma butterfly.



Most of the harvest is now complete, with just a few fields left.



Natures harvest is still with us.

[ian mcdonald]

Guelder Rose, Viburnum opulus.



Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa.



Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia.



Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna.



Wild Rose, Rosa sp.

[Robert]

Hi Ian,

I have been making it a habit to analyze the 12Z – 500 mb chart for Europe each day. With time I hope that I can get a better “feel” for current weather conditions in Europe. Today, 28 September, it appeared that a trough was passing through Western Europe, with high pressure over northwestern Africa and central Turkey. It appeared that Northern Scotland was on the backside of the trough and under a northwestern airflow. Here in California this would translate into clearing skies and cooler temperatures.

It appears the farmers have successfully cured their hay and will be able to get it under cover for the winter before the hay rots in the field. Here in our part of California record and near record-breaking heat continues. With our ornamental species, we are making the best of the situation. There are always survivors and we avoid genetic bottlenecks by maintaining genetically diverse seed lines. This strategy is working well for us. We also continually fine-tune our garden ecosystem to enhance its stability resiliency.

Currently, I am busy with autumn seeding out and planting. This will continue into October. I will start sowing our California native annuals in October, or as soon as the weather cools. Will it ever?    maybe  :'( 

As always, Jasmin and I enjoy and appreciate your photographs.

[Vinny 123]

Hay is made way early in the year.

Silage could even be made now, if anyone is desperate for winter feed.

[ian mcdonald]

It was sunny, for a change, when I got up this morning. By the time I had my breakfast it was mid-morning. I decided a walk by the river was needed after several days of being house-bound by the weather. In a sheltered spot I saw a Speckled Wood butterfly.



A little further on I saw two fishermen. I thought this was strange as the salmon fishing season ended last week. It turned out they were catching salmon to take to the hatchery.



A lone canoeist gave a wave as he passed by.



In an area where I have seen a pair of Roe Deer I noticed a movement. I saw the Buck and a Doe. Then another doe appeared, then another. It looks like he has a harem.



While watching the deer a Fox appeared and seemed to be looking for a meal.

[ian mcdonald]

The Autumn colours are starting to appear. Rose Bay Willow-herb is showy.



Among the birds seen along the river were a party of Long Tailed Tits.



I had an interesting time watching an Otter in the river. At first I thought it was a rock with the water washing over it. It kept leaping out of the water. I did not manage a good photo. of it leaping



The Otter managed to catch small fish and came out onto a rock to eat them.



A local hill has had a light covering of snow, the first of the season.

[Robert]

Hi Ian,

Is it common to see snow on the surrounding hills at this time of the year?

The weather here has turned cooler, about average for this time of year. Rain is forecasted tomorrow with a slight chance of snow at the highest elevations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is still very dry, about 15% of average for this time of year. This is not unusual, however the autumn precipitation generally begins about 15 October.

In our area the wildlife is transitioning to their autumn mode. Up at the farm I saw three bucks and a doe. The White-crowned sparrows have migrated down from the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is very pleasant working at the farm and listening to the songs of the White-crowned sparrows. Maybe I will get lucky and get a photograph of the sparrows and/or the bucks. Wild turkeys and California quail in the vicinity too.