Welcome to the RSPB Communities Christmas Advent calendar! Rather than chocolates (sorry), with each day that leads up to the big day, why not open a virtual Advent calendar window and reveal a teaser for you to ponder or post a picture. There is no right or wrong answer, the answers will simply be what you want to appear in that window. It’s Christmas, so let’s have some fun!Claire
I don't think you can beat that Limpy.
I had a close encounter with a wild boar once. We were in the middle of DIY & I heard the neighbours dogs barking, so with a metre long spirit level in my hand (I hadn't bothered to put it down) I went to investigate. I went out the door into the courtyard & rather angry wild boar was about 10m away staring at me. He took one look at me & turned & charged off into the neighbours fence & then down his garden. Phew!! Afterwards it was only his hoof prints that allowed us to show the neighbours what had been around. Apparantly they were hunting them that day & he was obviously terrified. Probably thought I had a gun!!
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France
Crikey, Limpy. No wonder you wear khaki in the army.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Thanks, Seaman, Noisette and TeeJay. Once in a lifetime is certainly right! I was young and foolish back then. Would I do the same thing now? Well, I'm now old and foolish.......!
I'll never top that for a wildlife experience - part of me would never want to but the other part of me recognises how special it was.
It is certainly just as well I was in khaki and not the ceremonial whites! I can still feel the cubs' claws now.
"Birds are, quite simply, little miracles - and as such they require care and consideration."
Magnus Ullman
My Flickr account is here
What a brilliant recount Limpy, I so enjoyed reading your experience with the Lion and cubs, Africa certainly had a lot of memorable moments for us too, and like you, we never forget those special moments albeit some very scary ones !!
All I can say is I am glad it wasn't a Hippo encounter LOL
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Regards, Hazel
Hazy, we really enjoyed your elephant encounter as well.
Day 12:Favourite plant for wildlife?
Think it has to be the mighty oak (Quercus robur), being as it supports such a fantastic variety of species! Plus it's a rather beautiful tree too! :-)
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Its an oldy, but a goody. Lavender. Despite getting a bit woody now and the fact that I am a rubbish gardener, the lavender in my garden is a magnet for bees and butterflies.
No surprises from me, ivy!!!
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
It’s really difficult to pick one, but I’d have to say Alliums as they are very popular with the bees and butterflies and are very easy to look after in the garden and are a great structural plant too. Having said that, the buddleias were alive with wildlife this summer, and again very easy to look after (you can see the sort of gardener I am)