Weird and wonderful wildlife

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One of things keeping me at the ranch is the amount of wildlife that is freely wandering around the ranch, sitting by the lakes, and flying in the sky. I've managed to get a few photos, so this is really just a brief taster of what I'm surrounded by...

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Photos

Vizcacho
These chinchilla relations, the size of a large fat cat live under trees or in burrows, and are quite tame. They come out at dusk, and grunt in a very pig like fashion!

Rheas
I wrote about these in Patagonia as well, large flightless birds running around. Here they are much easier to get close to - these 3 are actually young birds, Dad looks after from when the eggs are laid!

Carpinchos
These are the largest rodents around, weighing upto 60kg. They are semi acquatic, but resemble a large guinea pig that can swim! Instead of a high pitched squeak, it is more of a dog like bark that they make in warning.

Toads
Usually only seen at night, these beasts sit in the middle of the path, just begging to be trodden on. This one had wedged himself into a pipe, and was desparately trying to prevent the water from pushing him back out!

Room mates
Not everyones first choice, but she's very quiet, leaves the fan on, doesn't leave the light on, gets rid of some of the flies, and only leaves cobwebs in the bathroom...

Stunning Sunsets
Almost every day the sky is turned red by the setting sun, but I rarely get a chance to catch it, as I'm watching the mares feeding, with trees blocking the view. This was on a day off, and the clouds make it even more amazing...

Comments

[Tansy]

Good Pics
Wow, good enough reason to stay for a while. So much goes on at that ranch I think they should film it for a soap opera. I bet you never thought there would be so much drama! X

[roper]

Great photos, Glad theres soem reason to stay starting to think that you'd gone a bit mental for staying there

[caroline]

you've been busy
have finally got round to checking my emails which i've not done since about jan!! i've just done 2 months of S america in 45 mins, impressed hey!! it's sounds amazing but im not sure about this ranch thing she sounds like she's taking the piss but anna if you fancy paying me i'll let you visit theddingworth for the remainder of your 3 months and you only have 1 stable and horse to look after!! No only kidding it sounds like a great experience but im not too sure how long i'd last with spiders like that! We're all good Jack's changed loads since you last saw him. I went to a horsey carboot sale on sat and bought him one of those saddles with a handle on it. Whats even funnier is that we've not got a pony for him yet but he likes riding Diesel (who's massive now) anyway take care mate and i'll probably next check my emails in about june!! adios baby (is that spanish??) love Caroline Jamie and Jack xx