Local Tundra wildlife spotting expedition.

Jonny69 · 02-12-2010, 16:02

When I'm not tending to my flock of tamed old cars and bikes, one of my other pass-times is running. I plotted out a 6km loop in the local tundra to snap some of the retro tat wildlife struggling in these snowy conditions. Much to my glee it had been breeding in the cold weather!

Starting off at base camp I set off in my khakis, armed with camera, rifle and protective yellow top. No idea what I might come across out there. My T chained up outside as normal, unable to escape or attack me from this safe distance:

I'm heading away from town so hopefully the snow will get a bit thicker as I go out into the wilderness and provide tough conditions for wild hiding retros:

Wow! This hill was a beast to run up. Slippery AND steep AND long. I had to avoid some territorial locals, clearly setting out a trap across the path to catch them some dinner. It was a close shave and I was almost attacked by the small girl in a pink coat. I could have got a nasty bite from that:

This young 4times4 obviously decided not to risk it. Stuck in the snow drift and of little risk to me or my expedition. It would be foolish of me to try and help it:

Doesn't look like any trains have been running along this route today. Just as well I didn't try to get to work, but this expedition is of much more importance today than pushing the boundaries of science and measurement:

Right. We're now venturing into territory where retros have been known to lurk, so pay attention. What's this? A cold looking Bug, fast asleep in the snow. Dark green so it's a young one, probably no more than 40 years old. It's decorative footwear is a sign that it's looking for a mate, which signals danger to me being this close:

I thought I saw it move so I jumped into a front garden and was confronted by this giant ugly beast WITH TEETH BARED:

AAAARGH! IT'S GETTING CLOSER!

That was a close shave. The stench was disgusting and my heart was pounding, but I made it. Lucky I had the camera with me to capture every second of that ordeal! Looking back at the pictures I can see it's a young one; no more than 5 or 6 years old. Imagine the size this foul animal will grow to!

I had spotted a Standard a few days ago that I'd never seen in tis area before. Perhaps a wandering male looking for a mate. I sat in wait in some bushes in case it was still nearby. To my amazement it had found a completely knackered old Riley to sidle up to and share warmth with. In the plains of Kent, these two are normally arch enemies and are often seen attacking each other in shows of prowess and territory:

What an amazing sight, they are almost touching:

This old chap doesn't have much fight in him today though. The cold has slowed him down and he's conserving energy. I get in close for a cracking shot of his face:

Further down the track I spot a female. The dark faded pink colouring on her sides tells me she's around 45 to 50 years old and the ravages of time have take their toll on her. Look at that missing hubcap, she must have let out an almighty clang when that happened:

A little further down the track and I can't believe my eyes. An American Trans Am lies asleep under a blanket of snow, its dark colouring and gold eagle-shaped camouflage on its bill providing little protection in these frozen urban conditions:

I wonder what brings such a beast to these parts? I can only imagine a shortage of food and water. I creep closer to get a better look:

I take a look at the sky and note that the weather is closing in. I'm already heading homeward and decided to call it a day. It's been an amazing trip and we've seen some amazing wildlife in places they would not normally visit. Back at base camp the T is still in place, the Immobiliser III chain and Stronghold lock doing its best to restrain this animal:

Until next time folks...

Feek · 02-12-2010, 16:13

Superb

Piggymon · 02-12-2010, 21:33

Brilliant, really enjoyed that

lostkat · 02-12-2010, 22:09

Fantastic

vix · 03-12-2010, 18:57

How do you have that many cool cars within walking distance? All the cool cars round here belong to us!!

Jonny69 · 03-12-2010, 19:32

I don't know. None of them were there a few weeks ago! I spotted the van a week or so ago and it gained a mate. The pink one and the Trans Am I've never seen there before so they were just bonus snapping fodder.

02-12-2010, 16:02	#1
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Local Tundra wildlife spotting expedition. When I'm not tending to my flock of tamed old cars and bikes, one of my other pass-times is running. I plotted out a 6km loop in the local tundra to snap some of the retro tat wildlife struggling in these snowy conditions. Much to my glee it had been breeding in the cold weather! Starting off at base camp I set off in my khakis, armed with camera, rifle and protective yellow top. No idea what I might come across out there. My T chained up outside as normal, unable to escape or attack me from this safe distance: I'm heading away from town so hopefully the snow will get a bit thicker as I go out into the wilderness and provide tough conditions for wild hiding retros: Wow! This hill was a beast to run up. Slippery AND steep AND long. I had to avoid some territorial locals, clearly setting out a trap across the path to catch them some dinner. It was a close shave and I was almost attacked by the small girl in a pink coat. I could have got a nasty bite from that: This young 4times4 obviously decided not to risk it. Stuck in the snow drift and of little risk to me or my expedition. It would be foolish of me to try and help it: Doesn't look like any trains have been running along this route today. Just as well I didn't try to get to work, but this expedition is of much more importance today than pushing the boundaries of science and measurement: Right. We're now venturing into territory where retros have been known to lurk, so pay attention. What's this? A cold looking Bug, fast asleep in the snow. Dark green so it's a young one, probably no more than 40 years old. It's decorative footwear is a sign that it's looking for a mate, which signals danger to me being this close: I thought I saw it move so I jumped into a front garden and was confronted by this giant ugly beast WITH TEETH BARED: AAAARGH! IT'S GETTING CLOSER! That was a close shave. The stench was disgusting and my heart was pounding, but I made it. Lucky I had the camera with me to capture every second of that ordeal! Looking back at the pictures I can see it's a young one; no more than 5 or 6 years old. Imagine the size this foul animal will grow to! I had spotted a Standard a few days ago that I'd never seen in tis area before. Perhaps a wandering male looking for a mate. I sat in wait in some bushes in case it was still nearby. To my amazement it had found a completely knackered old Riley to sidle up to and share warmth with. In the plains of Kent, these two are normally arch enemies and are often seen attacking each other in shows of prowess and territory: What an amazing sight, they are almost touching: This old chap doesn't have much fight in him today though. The cold has slowed him down and he's conserving energy. I get in close for a cracking shot of his face: Further down the track I spot a female. The dark faded pink colouring on her sides tells me she's around 45 to 50 years old and the ravages of time have take their toll on her. Look at that missing hubcap, she must have let out an almighty clang when that happened: A little further down the track and I can't believe my eyes. An American Trans Am lies asleep under a blanket of snow, its dark colouring and gold eagle-shaped camouflage on its bill providing little protection in these frozen urban conditions: I wonder what brings such a beast to these parts? I can only imagine a shortage of food and water. I creep closer to get a better look: I take a look at the sky and note that the weather is closing in. I'm already heading homeward and decided to call it a day. It's been an amazing trip and we've seen some amazing wildlife in places they would not normally visit. Back at base camp the T is still in place, the Immobiliser III chain and Stronghold lock doing its best to restrain this animal: Until next time folks... __________________

02-12-2010, 16:13	#2
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	Superb __________________

02-12-2010, 21:33	#3
Piggymon Lara Croft Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: PigmoPad - Braintree Essex Posts: 8,604	Brilliant, really enjoyed that __________________ BF% 28/08/08 - 21%

02-12-2010, 22:09	#4
lostkat Good Cat Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,550	Fantastic __________________ Oooooh Cecil, what have you done?

03-12-2010, 18:57	#5
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	How do you have that many cool cars within walking distance? All the cool cars round here belong to us!! __________________

03-12-2010, 19:32	#6
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	I don't know. None of them were there a few weeks ago! I spotted the van a week or so ago and it gained a mate. The pink one and the Trans Am I've never seen there before so they were just bonus snapping fodder. __________________