The foxes have gone quiet for the moment, but there’s plenty else to see. I’ll come to the main feature in a moment but will start this shot of a blackbird, perched on an ornamental water pump at the edge of Falmer Pond.
Down at water level, the fish are jumping. I’ve yet to manage a shot of a carp emerging, but this one taunted me for about 10 minutes by continually waving its tail. It didn’t jump though.
One more stray shot before the raptors take over. It’s a juvenile magpie, displaying all the typical gawkiness of a young bird. Good flyer though.
The rest of the photos were taken this evening. I was outside, ever hopeful of seeing one of the foxes, when I noticed a couple of birds in the distance. Not gulls, and on closer inspection (courtesy of a 400mm lens) pinned them as sparrowhawks. Seeing two together is unusual (for me). They seemed to be jousting, though I doubt with any serious intent.
They parted after a minute or so, and one came flying in over the garden.
The final shot is a bit of silliness. It doesn’t really show much, but for any sky watchers out there, the ISS (International Space Station) is currently making some spectacular passes. It’s incredibly bright and very easy to see as it moves from west to east across the sky. UK viewing times are available at Meteorwatch. This is a 15 second exposure.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens, apart from teh ISS which was taken with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.
