Author Archives: Words

Fox Update

September 2, 2016 by Words | 2 Comments

The dog (male) fox that visits the garden is becoming much more predictable in its habits, and we seem to have established something of a nightly routine. For much of the evening he is lurking nearby, in the shadows. If I go outside he may appear briefly on the steps at the far end of the garden, but he won’t stay there for long. He’s waiting for food.

If I approach to put out something for him (peanuts and maybe a few scraps), he retreats and won’t come back until I retreat at least 9 metres. 8.5 metres and he stays put. Seriously. He seems to have laser-accurate measuring instinct. At 9 metres he’s fine. I move forward… he retreats by the same distance. I retreat… he moves forward. Very occasionally I can inch closer… but if I’m spotted we’re back at square one. Anyway, he’s being very co-operative within those parameters and deserves a hefty blog of his own.

Here he comes...

Here he comes…

Is that 8.5 or 9 metres?

Is that 8.5 or 9 metres?

Ok, you're keeping your distance.

Ok, you’re keeping your distance.

I'll wait here until you move.

I’ll wait here until you move.

That's better!

That’s better!

Those were all taken on Thursday night. I have plenty more. This really is something of a return to the early heart of this blog. I’m enjoying it!

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.

Posted in Foxes, Wildlife Tagged |

Grey Squirrel in Red Light

August 30, 2016 by Words | 4 Comments

The grey squirrel is an example of a successful invasive species, having all but wiped out our native red squirrels (there are a few pockets of reds, but swathes of the country haven’t seen them for decades). So it is in the south. We have grey squirrels. Tonight one came out just as the sun was low in the sky, producing beautiful golden red light.

Grey squirrel in garden

Standing to attention

grey squirrel

On guard!

Grey squirrel in garden

Time to eat

Grey squirrel in garden

Ready, set, go….

And just to keep things ticking over, here’s the dog fox from a few minutes ago.

Fox at the rear of the garden

Fox at the rear of the garden

Camera note: all squirrel photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. I used the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens for the fox.

Posted in Foxes, squirrel Tagged , |

A Fairly Random Update

August 23, 2016 by Words | 6 Comments

I’ve been very neglectful of the blog lately, but I have been getting some decent photos. I’v also completely re-vamped my computer gear which was complaining loudly (literally the fans were screaming) at processing so many images. I now have a totally silent machine (no fans at all) from the excellent people at Quiet PC. Built to my specification, ordered on a Saturday and delivered on the following Friday. It is wonderfully quick and makes no noise at all. I love it! It’s taken a couple of days to set it up with all my idiosyncracies, but it’s now more or less as I like it.

Anyway, it will mean I can get on with the real business of sorting out photos, some of which are featured below.

Nicked ear vixen

This is the nicked-ear vixen, the bolder of the two regular foxes.

fox

This is the more cautious of the pair… the male fox sitting by a shrub

kestrel

This is a male kestrel at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

fox

The vixen again… very relaxed

foxes

A rare shot of the two foxes together (just about).

shrew

Ok, this one looks a little out of place. It was taken on a path at work. It’s an unfortunate shrew covered in greedy greenbottles.

badger

I can’t forget the badgers… they are still coming too.

The final shot in this batch is a sunset seen along the walkway at Brighton Marina.

Brighton Marina at Sunset

Brighton Marina at Sunset

Camera note: all fox and badger photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens. Kestrel and shrew were taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. The sunset was taken with the EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS.

Posted in Badger, Foxes, Kestrel, shrew, Wildlife Tagged , , , |