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Has she gone yet?


Has she gone yet?
Photo Information
Copyright: Karan Little (hester) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1471 W: 18 N: 2981] (10944)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-07
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 350D / Digital Rebel XT, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Animals of the BWC [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-04-10 13:14
Viewed: 506
Points: 41
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Taken at the British Wildlife Centre. This is the first time I have seen one of the polecats. I have been to the BWC seversl times but the polecats have stayed firmly within their burrows with no sign of life. This was taken just as I was about to go home. Right at the end of the day I spotted this chap watching to see if the coast was clear. The sun was quite strong and there were heavy shadows but the details came out fairly clear.


The BWC are currently involved with a polecat rehabilitation project
---------------------------------------

Polecate Facts from the BBC:
Polecats

Polecats were common throughout much of Britain in 1800, but by 1915 they were hanging on for survival in their only remaining stronghold: mid Wales.


Heavy persecution by gamekeepers was responsible for this decline in polecat numbers, and continued until they were no longer perceived as a threat.

Polecats are now reclaiming their old territories in lowland Britain.

What to watch out for:
Polecats are a member of the weasel family, weighing between 600-2kg, and measuring up to 46cm for the larger males, or 40cm for the females.

They have long, slender bodies, which are covered with two layers of fur: a caramel-coloured under-fur, with a dark brown coat on top.

White markings on the muzzle, eyes and rounded ears lighten their otherwise dark, blunt faces.
They have short legs and a bushy tail.

Where to see:
Polecats are found all over Wales, including south of the M4 corridor and on Anglesey so have a ubiquitous range throughout Wales. Like otters, polecats are susceptible to traffic accidents, and there is a high density of roads in the area.

Polecats are primarily nocturnal, but when the young are born April/May time, the females hunting to feed young are more likely to be seen over the summer. Then newly independent young may be seen around September/October time.
fiyo, Necipp, PaulH, claudine, nglen, mogens-j, Hil, SkyF, Juyona, clnaef, Alex99, Debz, jeanpaul has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To CaptiveLight: Water Voleshester 2 04-14 02:56
To nglen: BWChester 2 04-13 16:51
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 924 W: 5 N: 2259] (8370)
  • [2007-04-10 13:20]

Excellent capture Karan,
Very good lighting, sharp and detailed image, very nice colours.TFS

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2007-04-10 13:24]

Hi Karan,
Splendid moment captured. The peek is so innocent and inquisitive. Perfect lighting and immaculate sharpness. Very nicely composed and presented. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hello Karan lucky for you such shy creatures you did well here nice sharpdetail too tfs rgds Necip.

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1033 W: 26 N: 2998] (10820)
  • [2007-04-10 14:00]

Hi Karen,

what a great expression on his face! Spot on timing and nice natural colours too.

Cheers,

Paul

Hi Karan, lovely composition with this nice polecat, wonderful light, excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

what a pitty for the focus but i like the head of this animal
great moment
aleks ;)

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1993 W: 5 N: 5571] (21050)
  • [2007-04-10 15:57]
  • [+]

Hi Karen. Worth the wait,Great detail and colour. He is looking at you.Thanks for the Notes, Where is the BWC you went to. TFS

Nick

Hello Karen,

well done with excllent compoisure well done

TFS Kyle

Hello Karan

What a cute littel fellow you present us this time - and you were lucky to get the picture just before you decided to go home. - We have a cousin to this fellow living wild in Denmark (Mustela putorius - Polecat in English). I really like the pose with him looking out from what I asume is his nest. Very good sharpness with nice details in the beautiful fur. Very natural colours too and as usual a nice educating note.

Well done
Mogens

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 744 W: 11 N: 1408] (4839)
  • [2007-04-10 17:58]

Hi Karan

Superb capture of the cheeky Polecat peeping out of its log, very nice composition with a great POV, I love the cute pose, really nice details and lovely natural colours.

TFS Hilary :o)

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2007-04-10 18:15]

Hi Karan,
they so cute, but don't get to close they can get vicious. Beautiful sunfilled shot, I like the warm colors and wonderful earthen tones.
POV, sharpness and details are great.
Sky

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2042 W: 6 N: 2025] (13277)
  • [2007-04-10 18:31]

Bonita captura,
excelente momento,
la luz es agradable,
parece un poco tímido...
saludos Karan.

Witaj Karan!

super sharpness
fantastic colours
funny frame, splendid

I congratulate and greet - Roma

Great capture Karan. You managed to keep a lot of detail despite the strong light. Cute title.

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-04-10 22:14]

Hello Karan

An absolutely adorable little fellow.We do not have polecats over here,but most members of the mustelid family are cute and personable.You have captured excellent detail in his face,and the markings are quite evident.Good use of lighting.The focus is razor sharp,the surroundings are so lifelike.A wonderful job,another wonderful mammal in your gallery.TFS

Rob

Bonjour,
Il a l'air bien curieux cet animal.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hello Karan,
A funny one and what a cute animal!
Great capture of the moment, wonderful expression and fine details!
Greetings,
Pablo -

BWC is fun, and I've been lucky there with the polecats before, now if only I can get the water vole to come out and perform!

Hello Karan,
What a mischievous face it has! I like the moment you captured with this nice exposure and POV. Details seems OK to me... I found your information very interesting. Thanks!
Claudine

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3043 W: 148 N: 4547] (14679)
  • [2007-04-11 8:47]

Hi Karan.
Stunning close-up shot. Amazing animal. You managed to reflect its state of mood simply perfectly. Great lighting and sharpness of the image. Wonderful bright colours. POV, cropping and composition are the best. Bravo and heart wishes.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 582 W: 0 N: 866] (3283)
  • [2007-04-12 10:06]

Hi Karen, a fab shot. What a lovely little chap (or female?). You caught him very well peeping out from in burrow! He is lovely and sharp and the light works well on the colours and shades on his fur. Its a lovely shot Karen. Great work.
tfs
debz

Bonjour Karan
Voilà un animal qui me paraît bien curieux avec ces beau grands yeux! La composition est tr`s belle.
Au revoir et bonne journée....JP

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