Friday, June 4, 2010

bat love or not.....



For several months, our town Park has been invaded by fruit bats. I didn't realise how bad it was until we were in town one late afternoon and, no joke, there were gazillions of them flying around the park, it looked like something out of a vampire film, how i wish I'd had the camera then :(



The poor old park is quite infested and unfortunately its the main pathway for all the primary and secondary students to get into town. Its only a block from the main street.
I've heard the primary students wont even go out in the school yard to play because they are scared of them. They have destroyed two very old trees and there is scat everywhere..... Yuk..

It has quite divided the town and the council in its infinite wisdom came up with a plan to scare them off. They let off crackers and just succeeded in spreading them all over the Park, whereas at that stage they were contained to the fernery in the park.

Apparently this year and it happens every ten years or so, we have 3 types of trees in flower at once that they like to eat ...and you gotta go where the food is ! We are 6 kms out of town and they come out here at night and feed, breed and make a hell of racket. They stink to high heaven too.
They were supposed to go when the weather got colder but we are having frosts now and no signs of them leaving !



And....there was a big discussion in our house about how do bats poo when they hang upside down? This in turn led to a very interesting and funny discussion at craft and Di very knowledgeably set us straight!

* they regurgitate their poo.....even more YUK!!! [no poo hole!!!] Just thought you should all know ;)) *

EDITED!!! well after Melindas comment i thought maybe i'd better google how bats poo! guess what they do indeed poo normally , they hang by their wing claws and straghten up to poo!!

Wait till i see Di on Wednesday ;(

oh well it gave us a laugh!


I love how these four are hanging together...

and they do look rather lovely with the last of the sun on them...



10 comments:

Jenny said...

Great photos Jen, I love the four hanging together too...and I learned something new.... regurgitation!!! well didn't know that Jen...haven't been to the park for a while, might have to go and have a look...
Jenny

Diane said...

I am sitting here just amazed! No poo hole...Good grief! They are kind of cute but yet so gross at the same time. Can't even imagine the smell,,,nor do I want to!
Have a great weekend, Jen!
Hugs, Diane

Doreen G said...

Yike Jen--to the bat cave Robin.

Mizz Bee said...

Wow! Those are AMAZING photos!! I actually LOVE bats. The bats in the UK are all protected by law as there are so few of them. Thanks for sharing the photos - and, erm, the poo story!!!

Unknown said...

they are great photos but oh my heck, I hate bats.....blechhhhh.....are you sure they dont poop? I might have to research that one...lol
I am glad you like the tumbleweed and the boots by the bed..there is a song, "whose bed have your boots been under?' now it is stuck in my head....

JaN's ArTy JouRneY said...

Wow Jen, amazing pics!
Eurgh! TMI about no poo hole LOL!! They say you learn something new each day, and that is my newest bit of knowledge!! ;)

Jan x

~*~Patty S said...

OK, had to read your post to Mr Magpie too, this is so very interesting and what a lot of wonderful pics you got. And I always thought bats came out after the sun went down. Sorry they are such a nuisance, too bad you don't have any caves ... then they could all be in their BAT cave ;)
oxo
p.s. there are places here in Virginia where turkey vultures hang out in the trees and cause residents a good deal of bother ... ahh nature!

Nathalie Kalbach said...

woow- those are amazing pictures- that is so freaky- LOL.

margaret said...

Fascinating pics Jen, especially the four in a row, perhaps they're discussing who's gonna straighten up first!! Maragretx

Electra said...

Ewww, too much information! lol
this is incredible-great photos!!