Hard as it is to believe, we really do seem to have seen the back of the bad weather. It was mainly sunshine today, and the forecast is for a mini heatwave next week. Long overdue, but very welcome. The dry weather also meant that it was time to tidy up the garden (or at least cut the grass). Inevitably I kept a camera close by. The macro lens got the most use.
OK, a cat is not the typical macro subject, but this is the most regular of the local cats and often settles down in a corner of the garden. More typical and appropriate since I was cutting the grass (or should that be 'their grass') is this grasshopper. 
I've no idea what these tiny bugs are.
The next shot is a much easier identification. It's a slow worm which I found sleeping in a quiet corner.
These next two shots were more of a challenge, not least because when the moth landed on me I happened to have a 400mm lens attached to the camera body. There was no way I was going to get far enough away to use that lens (minimum focus distance around 10'), so I had to switch to the macro without disturbing the moth, which had settled just above my ankle. It's a magpie moth (Abraxus grossulariata).
That was the first shot. After various contortions I managed this.
The evening has once again been quiet. The foxes are about (the trailcam has the evidence), but their behaviour has undoubtedly changed over the past week or so. Adult foxes are more apparent at night, and the cubs less so (though occasionally showing up with one of the adults). It's a little too early in teh season for the adults to be evicting the young (dispersal usually takes place in autumn as old and young foxes start to compete for territory). The fact that we have a large other mammal making good use of the garden may have something to do with it. Foxes are wary of badgers, and while they are unlikely to be attacked they may be taking precautionary measures. This clip includes a brief appearance of one of the adult foxes.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens. Video from the Bushnell Trophy Cam.
derWandersmann
22 Jul 2012It's not likely the foxes would attack a badger, except at great need. Most animals give badgers a wide berth, and for good reason.
That cat is a charming fuzz-ball, and the colours are really interesting.
What is the name of that plant the beetles are on?
Wonderful shots of the moth, and the conditions were certainly a challenge!
Words
23 Jul 2012dW, the only time foxes would fight a badger is when there are very young ones about (of either species). generally they tolerate each other, but a pair of foxes working together will usually be able to see a badger off. One to one, there's no contest. The beetles (which may be 'flea beetles' are on a mallow. The moth just proved to me that I may need to take up yoga if I'm not to miss a shot. :right:
derWandersmann
24 Jul 2012Yes … the best I can find out is that they are some sort of flea beetles … did you happen to prod one? They can jump like crazy.
gdare
24 Jul 2012That cat is the real owner of the garden. You just don't know it yet :devil:
SittingFox
24 Jul 2012DW, there is some evidence that badgers are a major limiting factor of red fox numbers in the UK. Direct fighting isn't likely to play a big role in that but there might be some spatial competition mechanism involved.
Originally posted by gdare:
Of course.
gdare
25 Jul 2012Originally posted by SittingFox:
😀
Words
25 Jul 2012Darko, well she's certainly the dominant cat, but I don't see her competing with the badger. She is here a lot though. Generally hiding in a corner hoping we don't notice her.
Words
25 Jul 2012Adele, I guess the competition for food will have an effect, though I believe foxes will take up residence in disused setts so there's some level of social symbiosis going on.
Words
25 Jul 2012dW, no I didn't prod them though maybe I should have done just to see how they compare to the grasshoppers.