I mentioned recently that the young male fox was carrying a limp. This is par for the course where foxes are concerned, and I can barely remember more than a couple of months when one fox or another wasn't limping. Sometimes it seems to be a sprain, other times more obvious wounds, and – I suspect – an occasional broken bone. The current injury is a cut. You can see it in this shot of the fox by the garden pond.
Here's a closer crop (from a different shot).
Foxes really don't seem to worry too much about these minor (and sometimes major) wounds; even breaks tend to heal naturally and they are adept at moving around on three legs. He's putting weight on it, so I fully expect it to heal over the next week or so.
The other garden news is that the hedgehogs (well one hedgehog) have emerged from winter hibernation. This little one was caught by the trail cam last night.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.
wellisteffi
21 Feb 2011Oh, the poor fox.
Can not do anything? :worried:
anonymous
21 Feb 2011Anonymous writes:
Have just visited the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, currently showing in Bristol. Have you ever considered submitting any of your pictures? This year's closing date is 18th March.
gdare
21 Feb 2011What he said. Maybe you should consider that :up:
Words
21 Feb 2011Steffi, I'll try to keep an eye on it, but he seems healthy apart from that. If it gets infected then we might have to intervene (but I think that's unlikely).
Words
21 Feb 2011Anon… considered, and then realized just how high the standard is! I may take a look again but the quality of images is usually unbelievably high… another league entirely.
Words
21 Feb 2011Darko, well I may take a look this year and see what the categories are.
wellisteffi
22 Feb 2011O.k. I'm a little more confidence,Words. :up:
cakkleberrylane
23 Feb 2011Sad about the fox, but they do seem to recover well. Hedgehogs are maybe a sign of springtine?
Words
23 Feb 2011Lois, the hedgehogs are getting more active all the time. The fox seems fine, so I'm sure he'll be ok.
SittingFox
23 Feb 2011That's an ugly-looking cut. But he'll probably be fine, as you say.
A hedgehog! :eyes:
Words
23 Feb 2011Adele, they are certainly tough little things!