Most of the characters in Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows enchant me, and the two main characters, Ratty and Mole, are no exception. However, while I find rats fascinating and think they deserve similar respect to more popular fluffy animals, I don't deny the harm they cause.
I photographed this Black rat (Rattus rattus) a couple of nights ago along the No. 1 Line track. You can read more on the new Pohanginapete post.
That eyeshine — from the headlamp, I think, rather than the flash — gives me the impression the rat's peering over its reading glasses ;-)
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Oh will you look at that! I love the droll expression on this little creature's face!
ReplyDeleteThough, of course, I know not to be enchanted by a rat - just a photograph of a rat!
ReplyDeleteLook at that outstretched hand - and that Tail - yikes!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa :-)
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I like the way you call it a hand rather than a paw ;-) That tail is certainly something, too.
I believe Rat in Wind in the Willows was actually a water-vole. Hope that makes you feel better?
ReplyDeleteRR, it might if I knew they wouldn't eat weta ;-) But then what would they eat? Something else they shouldn't, i suppose. I admit water voles are cute, but I'm glad they weren't introduced here, too.
ReplyDeleteThey are cute little herbivores who might have a go at invertebrates if very hungry. Trouble is, the weta might eat them.
ReplyDelete