Category Archives: Foxes

A collection of foxes

Still Stuck at Nine and Half Metres

September 13, 2016 by Words | 4 Comments

That’s the limit (9.5m) of how close the dog fox will allow me to approach. We’ve been playing this game of distances for several weeks now and it seems to be remarkably fixed. Where he has become more tolerant is that he’ll let me get that close even when food isn’t in the immediate vicinity. I’m still some very long way from being able to pose him where I would like (I have managed that with other foxes), but I am now achieving photos other than ones of him tucking in. Here’s a selection from the past week.

fox

This is the standard shot… easy to get but not very interesting

fox

Ok, he is ‘tucking in’ in this one, but at least it’s a different position.

fox

This is becoming a favourite challenge….

fox

The fox hides behind a bush and teases with intermittent glances through the branches

fox

If I’m lucky…. he steps forward

fox

Walking in the open

fox

But most of the time this is all I can see…

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

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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.

Also posted in 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.

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