Wildlife -Winter 2008

[Anthony Darby]

On a sad note, I came across a dead otter on the hard shoulder of the north bound carriage-way of the M9 approaching the exit at Pirnhall near Stirling. A big brute it was too.

[Maggi Young]

I came across a dead otter on the hard shoulder of the north bound carriage-way of the M9

Sad indeed, Anthony. Poor thing wouldn't stand much chance against motorway traffic 

[mark smyth]

I found a dog otter lying in a dual carriageway over here a few years ago. When I first drove past I thought it was a large black cat but curiosity got the better of me. About an hour later, out of my way, I went back. I lifted it and it's now in the Ulster Museum zoology department deep freeze

[mark smyth]

An atheist was walking through the woods.   
'What majestic trees'!, 'What powerful rivers'!, 'What beautiful animals'!
He said to himself.

As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him.
He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charging towards him
 
He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in on him.

He looked over his shoulder again and the bear was even closer. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was right on top of him reaching for him with his right paw to strike him.   

At that instant the Atheist cried out, 'Oh my God!'

Time Stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.

As a bright light shone upon the man a voice came out of the sky.   
'You deny my existence for all these years, teach others I don't exist and even credit creation to cosmic accident.'
'Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament?
'Am I to count you as a believer'? 
The atheist looked directly into the light,
'It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now but perhaps you could make the bear a Christian'?

'Very Well,' said the voice.

The light went out. The sounds of the forest resumed.
The bear lowered his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed his head & spoke:

'Lord bless this food which I am about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen.'
 

[Lesley Cox]

I once heard a (reasonably intelligent) man say, "I'm an aethiest, thank God."

[biodiversite]

Anthony is making puns with Greek Tortoises... which I suppose is better than making a casserole..... theory seems to be that the Turkish tortoise is, in fact, a species of the Greek Tortoise...Testudo graeca but, I expect, since it is in Turkey, then it may be a T. graeca anamurensis..... I think we  may need 'Biodiversite', a Forumist who specialises in these creatures, to give us a more considered opinion!

Hi everybody,
Tortoises of Turkey are Testudo ibera ssp., opposite from Testudo graeca ssp. which live in the Maghreb.
Testudo ibera anamurensis is only in the south of Turkey and has an elongate form, large behind : here I think it is the usual form from the main part of the land, named abusively Testudo ibera, but which the correct name could be Testudo racovitzai. Well, the best to remind is that it is the usual form 

[Maggi Young]

Thanks, Bio.

[Maggi Young]

I was just sent this photo by Mala Janes.....from her seemingly endless supply of interesting photos and funny emails..... a great encouragement to have at least one smile a day......

[ranunculus]

Beautiful landscape, Maggi ... you can see for smiles!

[mark smyth]

I'm thinking some trickery going on!?

[ranunculus]

They are probably laughing gulls, Mark!   

[Paddy Tobin]

Lovely shot.

I had a nice bird spot today. A Blackcap went into the garage, door always open for the dog,  and was on the windowsill from lunchtime until I came home around 4p.m. I have never seen a Blackcap in the garden previously and it was a delight to see one and especially so to see it close up, literally a bird in the hand as I released it into the garden again.

Paddy

[Armin]

Paddy,
interesting - shouldn't the Blackcaps have already left for wintering?
At least here they are all gone.

[Paddy Tobin]

Armin,

I'm not at all informed of their migration patterns. As I said, this was the first time I had seen one here at all.

Paddy

[Armin]

Mark, do you want to say a word?