Longleat Forest - Dangerous Wildlife!

[sporan]

We had to stay in our car... there were at least three wild butterflys ready to pounce !!!!

[RachyBoo]

Beautiful though

[sporan in reply to RachyBoo]

I know... You should have seen me when I was a crysalis

Thank you. Glad you like. I took about 4 or 5 years ago. I'm so lucky to live on the doorstep to such beautiful countryside.

[cat3]

How lucky are you, living near Longleat. I'd love to visit the Animal/Safari park ; maybe one day I'll make the journey. Bet the entrance fee is pretty steep though,which makes sense considering costs of caring for so many exotic animals.

Nice butterfly Geoff. xx

[sporan in reply to cat3]

Ah! Well! The bit where these dangerous butterfly's live is free access and roaming. We often take the dogs up there for a run (the dogs NOT me ;-)).

We just have to make sure that dogs are treated well for ticks and that we keep skin covered as there are a lot of deer which equals LOADS of ticks in the woods.

There's walking access through the woods to Shearwater Lake and the odd pony or horse trotting through the woods.

I have loads of pics of the woods in different seasons (one or two make it look like Narnia) and loads of flowers, seascapes and sunsets I've been told off for taking too many sunsets but they're my favourite.

Even the computers been moaning at me today, some screen shot saying it will take some time before I can edit the photo (reduce jpeg file size) to be able to post them. I think at last count there were about 10 thousand pics sat there collected since 2008/9. There's a lot that aren't so good but carry memories I don't want to delete but there are a lot that I'm quite proud of.

The running of the park is now by one of the big leisure groups now I think and the tickets are done in a way that they're valid for twelve month's repeat entry which is great if you live close enough to take advantage of it but they are expensive.

That's no Butterfly... it's a fern with a winged insect spoiling the picture

[StrawberryCream]

We are going to Longleat in the May/June school holiday - so there are other beasties I need to watch out for as well as the monkey vandals!

Beautiful photos. You are a talented photographer.

[sporan in reply to StrawberryCream]

Careful my head barely fits through the door now! Mind you there might be other reasons for that.... after all it's quite a small doorway!

I think the main park area and the wildlife enclosures are resonably OK its up and out the back in the open woodland that the are a lot of wild deer.... unless of course you're refering to that rare beastie 'the lesser spotted picture taker'

The house is also well worth a poke around inside as well as the animal enclosures. Lot's of interesting things inside including a few ghosts apparently.

If you bump into a portly, colourfuly clad hippy (Lord Bath), don't underestimate him. Despite his self portrayed dippy hippy image he is a very clever and astute business man!

I'm sure you will find the vist well worth it and very enjoyable. The gorrilas on the island are great if they're not watching emerdale on their telly, yes I kid you not they have their own telly.

[Matt2584 in reply to sporan]

The gorillas watch Emmerdale!

I can believe that. My Mum works for ASDA and she and her colleagues have spotted the local badger coming into the warehouse. With people around! This badger is not shy. And it eats chocolate bars in front of them. Toffee crisp is one of it's faves haha.

My friend told me about Longeet, sounds like your on safari. You can drive through the exhibits, right?

She mentioned the tiger/lions enclosure and another enclosure but said she would leave out the monkeys because they will vandalise your car!

[Matt2584]

Hi Geoff,

That's a nice picture, looks pretty proessional too... The butterfly does haha, kidding. I mean the picture in all looks pretty professional.

I like the focus as the butterfly itself and the leaf it's on stand out from the rest.

I did not think Butterflies could pounce, I thought that was the lions job. Or are you getting them mixed up :).

Take care

MJ

[Hidden]

That's a great pic. I love butterflies! Theyre supposed to be good to be around-forgot what their'meaning'is but its good

[Danslatete]

Spring has sprung!! Here's the very pretty proof.

Glad you escaped the lions and tigers and bears to take this wonderful picture😉

[Thandiwe]

Beautiful photograph - look forward to more!

[angelite]

Great photo Sporan,

Beware the Savage ( Cabbage ) Whites that terrorize our neighbourhood-their offspring will strip your brassicas in a few days : o We get Red Admirals and Peacocks plus various woodland varieties, even a few dragonflies : ) Not familiar with this particular one,do you know the species ?

[sporan in reply to angelite]

I'd better protect my brassicas then. Not sure what they are but having them stripped sound rather unpleasant

I'm afraid not. A friend of mine did tell me but I forget.

As I said to Cat about beautiful shrub, I know what I like but don't know what they are. I just enjoy the beauty that I see.

I will post some plant phot's at some point and see if you or Cat can identify them for me.

Thanks so much for the positive comment it's a real boost, especially at the moment.

Geoff xx

[muzzyden]

We went a few years ago before I had this head problem , loved it all we intend to go again before grandson gets too old he's only very nearly 3 years old at the moment and I'm only 2 years into recovery . So when I get I'm allowed to drive again , we'll be off . Its been on television recently a programme called Animal Park , well worth watching .

[sporan]

A freind of mines daughter used to work in animal corner with the parrots and otters. She loved it but the pay wasn't great, then she got married and moved to doing social care. Unfortunately I haven't seen my freind or his daughter in quite some while now so not sure what they are up to now.

You are right though it's a wonderful place although a litle over commercialised for my tastes these days but of course they ned to make money to cary out the work they do there.