Brown Deer

Almost two years ago I showed you some white deer in a private zoo quite near my home. Yesterday when we drove by there was a new herd of deer, this time mostly brown.

Since I know as little about animals as I know about flowers and plants, I'll refrain from trying to guess what species of deer these are. But they sure are cute Camera Critters!

Manila, 2012

This last one, better viewed enlarged, is for the meme Mosaic Monday.

We're solidly in the wet season now, but you can see from the dried out vegetation that it's been a long dry summer in Manila.

Goats on a Tropical Beach

Ilocos, 2010

All I need to say about this is that right about now I'd rather be a goat on a sunny tropical beach. Just for a few minutes, okay?

Linking with Camera Critters.

Ugly Ducks Reflected

Even ugly is in the eyes of the beholder, but these two ducks sitting on an air pump on a fish pond in Kaiping sure won't win any awards for beauty from me!

Kaiping, 2012

Joining reflections seekers at Weekend Reflections and animal lovers at Camera Critters.

D is for Dove

Last month when my honey and I strolled in Hong Kong, I spied this pretty Chinese Spotted Dove having fun bathing in rain water.

 Hong Kong, 2011

The Spilopelia chinensis also called the Spotted Turtle Dove, Lace-Necked Dove or the Mountain Dove. This species is usually found in open woodland, farmlands and other natural habitats where it can find the seeds and grains it needs for nourishment. Makes me wonder why they are now appearing in urban centers; does anyone know?

Watching it play and noticing it was alone (as opposed to in a big flock one typically sees pigeons) got me asking what is the difference between doves and pigeons. I learned: not much! They are both species of the bird family Columbidae. The larger of the species are generally called pigeons, the smaller are called doves, yet there is no taxonomic difference. 

So I ask the pigeon-haters, those who consider these rats with wings, how can you not adore this sweet looking critter?

Check out other fun and creative D posts at Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday. I'm also linking to Camera Critters, where people around the world share their animal shots and stories.

Marmot in Mongolia

For Camera Critters and Scenic Sunday, I am taking you back up into the vast alpine belt of the far western Mongolian province of Hovd. There in the desolate wilderness we did not see many wild animals. 

So when our driver Magsar spotted this furry ball, he stopped the van and went out for a closer look. 

 Mongolia, 2007

What his keen eye had seen is this little creature. 

It's a marmot, a Mongolian marmot, a rodent species closely related to the squirrel and groundhog. Marmots live in mountainous areas, eat mainly greens and hibernate in burrows through the long winters. This chubby little fella looks pretty well satiated to me, don't you agree?

A final piece of trivia: Marmots are hunted during a designated season - usually late summer or early fall when their furs are perfect - and are roasted on an open fire with hot stones in the cleaned belly to cook it inside and out. You can read about boodog, this Mongolian cooking style, in gory detail here.

Woodpeckers

This cute baby and its mama I spotted in Bucharest just a few weeks ago join Camera Critters and NatureFootstep Winged.

They are Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major), quite common in Europe and northern Asia.

Bucharest, 2011

Portrait of Man's Best Friend

Bucharest, 2011

Linking with Camera Critters and Weekend in Black and White.

Best Coffee. Life Is Good.

Vienna, Austria, 2011

Linked to Weekend in Black and White and Camera Critters.

Hu U Lookin' At?

Bucharest, 2011

This cat lounging in the spring sun today joins Camera Critters.

Hooded Crow

I don't think I've ever seen so many crows in a city as I have in Bucharest, although Kyoto may rank a close second.

 Bucharest, 2011

Romania is home to the Hooded Crow - an ashy gray bird with black head, throat, wings, tail and thigh feathers, as well as a black bill, eyes and feet. But its coloration is about all that sets it apart from the usual black crow; an omnivorous and opportunistic forager and feeder.

I've seen these crows in flight in very large groups, but unfortunately my camera did not capture them. These two loners join Misty's Camera Critters.

Black Family

Family of black pigs, that is. 

 Gansu, 2007

Have you ever seen black pigs or swine?

Linked with Photo Hunter where the theme is mostly black and with Camera Critters.

Long-tailed Macaque

The Philippine long-tailed macaque can be found living in most forested areas on the many islands of the country. With an average tail length between 50 and 60 cm (20-24 inches), about the same as their body sizes, these macaques have the longest tails of all monkeys. 

 Subic Bay, 2008

 

We saw these macaques hanging out on the side of the road on our drive through Subic Bay, a former US naval base turned into a light industrial zone and tourist destination. The tropical rain-forest there is a natural habitat for this sub-species of the crab-eating macaque.

Check out other Camera Critters!

Eagle

I'm not a trained nature photographer, so I must admit I was rather pleased with my capture of this eagle in Beautiful BC.

Tofino, 2006

Sharing this with Camera Critters where you'll find links to all kinds of "captured" animals... only with a camera, of course.

The Bird Feeder

 Osaka, 2009

At Camera Critters you'll find links to animals of all kinds.

No Pet of Mine

I am sometimes flabbergasted by the unique finds along our evening walking routes. Last month I posted the white deer I had spotted close to home, and not too long after that we walked by an empty lot with eight, yes, eight very large tortoises. I had not brought my camera, so some days later I went back and three of them were already gone; sold as pets, I presume.

I know as much, if not less, about turtles and tortoises than I know about flowers, so please, no hard questions; although if I provide misinformation, do tell. I can't even say for sure that these are not turtles, possibly a more generic category of the shelled reptile, but usually the term refers to those living in and around water. They definitely are tortoises, the land-dwelling chelonian cousin.

Manila, 2010

My cursory research tells me these may be spurred tortoises aka sulcata tortoises, originally from the grasslands and woody scrub lands at the edge of the Sahara Desert in Africa. They can grow up to 76 cm/30 in, weigh up to 50 kgs/110 lbs, and live up to 100 years or more. You can get a closer look at these amazing creatures by clicking on the montage, and then again.

Let's just say one of these will not become a pet of mine. 

But they were interesting to learn about and I am posting them for Camera Critters (albeit a bit late to that party), Mellow Yellow Monday and Mosaic Monday.

[SkyWatch] Horses in Hovd

 

Mongolia, 2007

This photo is worth embiggening, if I say so myself.

More links to magnificent skies around the world are found at SkyWatch Friday and animals of all kind at Camera Critters.

White Deer

Right across from the entrance to our residential village (subdivision) gate is a large parcel of undeveloped land. When I walk or drive past it, I can sometimes see or hear interesting fowl, either flying freely or in their cages. I'd really like to go in and see this private zoo, but that seems unlikely to happen; I am told, but cannot verify, that the owner of this land is somewhat eccentric and quite solitary, not interested in sharing his live little treasures.

A few days ago, I drove past and was delighted to spot a group of deer. Not only that, but after stopping the car, I saw that they were white and I couldn't recall ever seeing white deer before.  I can't be sure, of course, but a little internet research makes me think this is a rare breed of Seneca White Deer from Seneca County, NY, (although perhaps not purebreds) and I can only wonder how - or why - they ever got to the outskirts of Manila!

Postscript: Thank you to visitor Coy who probably correctly identified these animals as fallow deer (Dama dama). White is a real color variety, not albino.

 

Manila, 2010

For more Camera Critters around the world, click on the link.