I've been seeing more evidence of the hedgehogs on the trail cam but tonight was the first opportunity this year to photograph this regular garden visitor. It was raining, and misty, verging on fog. Not ideal, so this shot (and the ones that follow) have been fairly heavily processed to produce the image. They are far from perfect, but given the conditions I'm pleased to have managed anything at all.
Unfortunately I wasn't the only one to see the hedgehog. The young male fox, no longer limping by the way, made a bee-line for the spiny interloper. The hedgehog rapidly curled into a ball to sit it out. Given the persistence of the fox tonight, this may not be the best policy in the long run. This sequence was accompanied by loud hissing from the hedgehog.
The fox eventually gave up, and the hedgehog scurried away through the fence. Given the fox's parentage (Bold is his mother), I do fear for the 'hog.
And to give you an idea of the conditions out there tonight, this final shot of the fox retreating is more or less untreated.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.
wellisteffi
26 Feb 2011Great blog post and excellent pictures,
despite the filthy weather.
Since the fox must learn that one port
is not with hedgehogs.
I hope he has got no bloody nose.
I also hope it has found the hedgehog a quiet,
safe sleeping place. :up:
gdare
26 Feb 2011Long time ago I`ve seen on TV what foxes do to make hedgehog uncurl. They would simply pee on poor animal and for some reason it would make hedgehog open and try to escape. But that was the last it could do… :awww:
SittingFox
26 Feb 2011I wonder if some foxes start to specialise in hedgehogs. Have you considered putting some food in a more sheltered part of the garden for the hog?
It would be nice if we could go 24 hours without either fog or rain. This feels like the November that never ends! :right:
Words
26 Feb 2011Steffi, the fox is fine. They sometimes leap back while they are learning about hedgehogs, but they don't come to serious harm. The hedgehog was fine.
gdare
26 Feb 2011Originally posted by Words:
Yes, keep it quiet :whistle:
Words
26 Feb 2011Darko, interesting. I think I may have heard of that, but our foxes haven't learnt that trick yet. Let's hope they're not reading the blog :whistle:
Words
26 Feb 2011Adele, interesting thought. I guess they do start to develop ways of dealing with local prey. The 'attack' actually happened in a sheltered corner. It may make sense to put some peanuts down there to provide a bit more cover for the hedgehog but they tend to roam quite freely through the night. As it happens I caught some footage on the trail cam about 15 minutes after these shots. The fox is eating peanuts in the middle of the garden and the hedgehog is marching straight up to him!
Weather looks ok for Sunday.
Words
26 Feb 2011Erwin, thanks!
cakkleberrylane
27 Feb 2011Very interesting post. I do wish the hedgehog all the very best.
Words
27 Feb 2011Lois, the hedgehog was back later the same night, but yes it's a risky life for them as their territory crosses the same gardens as the foxes (and badgers). The adults tend to be reasonably good at defending themselves.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Lovely