It’s a long while since I’ve been able to post a new photo of a fox, but persistence pays off and tonight I was lucky. Only three frames, and all taken from a distance. The fox was reasonably relaxed and did sit and watch for a few minutes before wandering back out of sight.
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
These are a long way from being the best photos of goldfinches you’re likely to see, but they are a great illustration of the very sophisticated auto-focus settings on the 7D Mark II. The flock came in quickly, passed overhead and disappeared. Maybe 7 or 8 birds in total. It’s absolutely the kind of shot that I would have missed with the old camera.
I had the camera AF mode set on the ‘Case 6’ setting which is ‘for subjects that change speed and move erratically’. The AF area covered all 65 points, and the setting means that the camera will track movement and automatically select the correct focusing point from among the 65 available. Both these shots are heavily cropped.
I managed around a dozen shots in a burst, all with birds in focus. This bodes extremely well for the annual summer challenge of photographing swallows and swifts, and possibly even dragonfly.
Photographing ducks lazing on the water is altogether easier. It was nice light though, so I couldn’t resist this lady.
The last shot this evening is a fox. Finally. Just one frame, taken this evening in drizzle.
Camera note: bird photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. Fox photographed with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
As promised here are some more photos from last night. It’s been a while since I’ve spent much time outside watching for the nightly visitors to the garden, but it was mild yesterday and there was only a slight drizzle. A handful of peanuts on the ground and then quietly waiting. It was worth it when the unmistakeable shape of a badger came into view. I kept still. The badger started to tuck in to the peanuts.
The fox wasn’t far behind. He lingered at the back of the garden, more wary of the badger than of me. For several minutes he peered around the edge of the pergola, inching forward. The badger kept eating.
Thinking better of disturbing Brock, the fox quietly slipped across the pergola and retreated to a neighbouring garden. Wise fox.
The fox was gone, but the badger wasn’t convinced and went to take a closer look.
Satisfied that it wouldn’t be disturbed the badger returned to the serious business of eating.
All those peanuts build up a thirst: a refreshing drink of cool water…
Clearly I need to spend more time out there. It could turn out to be a good autumn.
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.
