Weasel photographed flying on woodpecker's back

C

carguy

Senior Member
I'm skeptical of course, but you never know :)


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You have to see it to believe it.
A photograph, taken by Martin Le-May, shows a small weasel on a woodpecker's back in the air,according to iTV News.
The photo was taken in Hornchurch Country Park in the United Kingdom.
Le-May described the event to ITV News, saying: "Suddenly it was obvious it had a small mammal on its back and this was a struggle for life."
He goes on to say, "The woodpecker landed in front of us and I feared the worst. I guess, though, our presence, maybe 25 meters away, momentarily distracted the weasel. The woodpecker seized the opportunity and flew up and away into some bushes away to our left. Quickly the bird gathered its self respect and flew up into the trees and away from our sight."


Story: Weasel photographed flying on woodpecker's back

 

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J

J-see

Senior Member
I could be wrong but I doubt a bird of that size could still get airborne, let alone flap its wings when something is riding its back. It's not as if they evolved to carry a load while flying.

They look like toys if you ask me.
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
J-see said:
I could be wrong but I doubt a bird of that size could still get airborne, let alone flap its wings when something is riding its back. It's not as if they evolved to carry a load while flying.

They look like toys if you ask me.
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I wouldn't be placing any money on that, it seems pretty legit if you ask me. Rare but legit.
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
Scott Murray said:
I wouldn't be placing any money on that, it seems pretty legit if you ask me. Rare but legit.
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I've seen many a legit thing on the Internet that wasn't really. ;)

I still question it. A weasel and a Green woodpecker (what we call them) are about the same size and a weasel can be pretty heavy for such a small animal. It's hard to believe. Even taking the shot as he did is pretty fantastic. I'd certainly would like to see some EXIF data.
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
J-see said:
I've seen many a legit thing on the Internet that wasn't really. ;)

I still question it. A weasel and a Green woodpecker (what we call them) are about the same size and a weasel can be pretty heavy for such a small animal. It's hard to believe. Even taking the shot as he did is pretty fantastic. I'd certainly would like to see some EXIF data.
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The experts think it is real - Weasel Takes A Wild Ride On A Woodpecker’s Back | IFLScience

Although the event is incredible, it is not impossible. "A female weasel weighs less than a Mars Bar but is as ferocious as a lion,” said wildlife expert Lucy Cooke to BBC News. “This is why the woodpecker would have been able to take off with it on its back."
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J

J-see

Senior Member
Scott Murray said:
The experts think it is real - Weasel Takes A Wild Ride On A Woodpecker’s Back | IFLScience
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I don't know what kind of Mars Bars he's eating but ours here ain't that heavy. ;)

A female Least Weasel here, which is the smallest version, weighs 29 to 117 grams. Below 58 grams would be very young or very skinny.

Last week I've seen Cindy Crawford's real body proving all her shoots are heavily photoshopped. This week I've seen her real body once more proving her real "unphotoshopped" body was photoshopped.

After I've seen the EXIFs, I might change my opinion.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I think Mars bars should be the new standardized unit of weight...

"I love my new 89mm f/4, it only weighs 9 Mars bars."
"Today authorities in Florida seized a shipment of illegal drugs, including 500 Mars bars of high grade cocaine."
"I'm thinking of cutting back on the beer drinking... I'm starting to pack on the Mars bars."
....
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
J-see said:
I don't know what kind of Mars Bars he's eating but ours here ain't that heavy. ;)

A female Least Weasel here, which is the smallest version, weighs 29 to 117 grams. Below 58 grams would be very young or very skinny.

Last week I've seen Cindy Crawford's real body proving all her shoots are heavily photoshopped. This week I've seen her real body once more proving her real "unphotoshopped" body was photoshopped.

After I've seen the EXIFs, I might change my opinion.
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Least weasel - Males weigh 36 to 250 g (1.3 to 8.8 oz), while females weigh 29 to 117 g (1.0 to 4.1 oz).

The weight of a Mars bar has dropped from 58g to 51g.

So it is possible that it was a young Least weasel that was only around 29-80g. So it is possible for this to actually happen. I just find it funny that if it looks unreal then it 'Must' be photoshopped... Why do everyone say that things are photoshopped? Photoshop is a software program and any other programs can edit the same way eg like GIMP. But do we say oh that has been GIMPed or that has been Lightroomed, nope the term is Photoshopped and it is a term that annoys me as many a good photo is referred to as being photoshopped if people are unable to take that photo or just think it is too unreal to be an actual photo always wanting 'proof' that it was actually taken. If I took this photo and people asked for proof that it was legit I would tell them to go get stuffed. I am still one of the rare people that think you can capture a unusual/unreal photo with out the aid of editing software.


 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
I am somewhat skeptical. I did do some research on both animals and found out that they are more or less the same size when full grown, so that put a bit more doubt in my mind. I suppose it could be a "baby" weasel. Though the photo is interesting; what i found more interesting, was the way the internet/social media just ate it up. Just goes to show you that many people will not question what comes across their "social" feed. I'm on the fence with this one until someone comes out with irrefutable proof that this photo is real. No where have a read what kind of camera this guy used and as someone else stated, i would like to see the EXIF data and the original file. I'm not biting, sorry.
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
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