Wildlife pictures

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The little owl, Athena noctua, (I learned it as Athena owl or Owl of Athena).

I am not very good on Tringa but I thought redshank has red legs in all dresses?
 
Yes, that's right - red shanks have red legs. It might not show well in this picture, but these were red shanks. The picture was a bit of a lob shot at the limit of focus, and it was also a bright sun causing strong shade and contrast, so it doesn't show too well. There were loads about. At one point a flock of about 50 or so immediately took off and came flying toward me. I fumbled for my camera because it would have made a fantastic image, but they were gone by the time I had the camera out.
A salutary lesson there - sometimes it's just best to enjoy that encounter with nature and be part of the moment rather than scramble to take a picture and relegate yourself to the role of observer.
 
First of all, i did'nt take this photo. It was taken by my brother.
I know what it is, but i wondered how many other folk on here would know.
Not that difficult, but get guessing :D

Spider.jpg
 
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It's what my Daughter would call 'A Hunky one'...
" Dad there's a spider in the bath"
"Well pick it up then"
" No I can't! It's a big hunky one "

I was going to say some type of Tarantula..but they are usually different shades of brown, are they not?
 
TBH it could be one of a number of spiders depending which continent it's from - the legs look too thin for a Australian Mouse Spider, it looks a bit big for a Black House Spider (Badumna insignis) - so I'll guess at a Trapdoor Spider but not sure which species.
 
Yep, it's a funnel web. My brothers retired now, but he was a zoologist. He worked for various zoo's and sanctuaries in Oz as well as a period at Chester zoo.
I don't think I would be keen to have a funnel web spider on the back of my hand!
 

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