Wildlife Escaping the Violent Storms!
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Wildlife Escaping the Violent Storms!
Animal photo-shoot as Autumn storms pound LettsSafari parks.
Autumn's mid point beckons and we have already experienced a series of storms and extreme rain events across LettsSafari parks. Each time we are thankful for the wide ranging cover that is available throughout our parks - brush, wild shrub and tree canopy. As the animals head into cover, LettsSafari’s wildlife photographers head out.
Birds warn you of impending storms - soaring for cover even during the lull before. Yet the alpha Badger Face male is often the last to head into cover - making sure that the young and his females are safely in place fist. After all, it is the season!
The fallow deer are flighty at the best of times. This doe took a welcome breather in the depths of LettsSafari’s Dawlish Park - before heading to her ‘safe place’ right in the heart of the park where young trees, bracken, gorse and brush combine to create the perfect dense hiding space.
Some of the winds have been so strong that they have almost stripped bare some of the wild cherry trees - a little earlier than normal.
Dawlish Park is quite a sight as the storms roll over its steep, narrow valley. Dappled light reflects through the multi-layered canopy. In the centre a young Monterey Pine is sheltered by its older siblings and its parents as the dark clouds threaten. The young and old trees are most at risk from violent storms - the former due to shallow roots and the latter from disease and old age.
The female grazers are often the first to gather together under cover. As always, immensely practical in everything they do. Did you know that if there is a predator they will quickly form a tight circle as if ‘circling the wagons’?
The young go deep into the ancient forest for their safety and comfort…
Birds are the best weather forecast. This group seems to be planning its movements as the storm clouds gather. Seemingly a committee based decision.
In the midst of the storm there are always surprises awaiting our photographers. The darker the skies, the spookier it gets in the dense rainforest-like environment in Dawlish Park’s old woods.
It leaves you wondering what LettsSafari parks will look like when the snow arrives.
And how long before LettsSafari brings you up close and personal with this amazing sight?
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