This is a delayed post that I was going to put up yesterday. When the forecast is for grey/wet weather and the chances for photos are small I've taken to carrying the much smaller Panasonic FZ45, not least because it has a handy video function (and is much easier to cart around). And yesterday was dull. By lunchtime it was raining. Despite the weather I headed over to the park.
The pigeons and squirrels were trying to keep under cover, but one species was taking advantage of the lack of human activity to make themselves a little more visible. Numerous rats were running about in the undergrowth, and occasionally cutting across the footpaths. The light was such that stills photos were not likely to catch anything than a blur; but the video tends to cope better (to a degree) with poor light.
I got plenty of footage, of rats running, hiding, grooming and feeding. Not to everyone's taste, but I suspect a few here will enjoy.
(Sorry about all the wind noise on that!)
Back home yesterday evening, one of the young foxes was about. I posted one picture yesterday. Here are a couple more.
Nothing much to report from today. The snow is still on the ground. There was a heavy fall this afternoon which has frozen, and the forecast for tomorrow is for a good deal more.
Camera note: stills taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens. The video was shot with the Pansonic FZ45.
SittingFox
18 Dec 2010I think that might be the first natural history video on rats that has ever come within sight of me! :right: Excellent. They really do behave like squirrels with shaved tails :whistle:
I'm waiting to see if any foxes turn up here tonight. I'm not very hopeful. In spite of the Met Office's excitement, we haven't had any more snow since lunchtime, but there's still about 13cm on the ground. Well, we'll see :wait:
Dudley
18 Dec 2010The parks needs a few raptors to keep the population down.
Words
18 Dec 2010Erwin, thanks! They really suit video well.
Words
18 Dec 2010Adele, they're great to watch, but very shy most of the time. Exactly like shaved squirrels.
I've seen one fox trotting down the street this evening, but nothing yet in the garden. Hopefully the snow will stay away. I think the Met Office got a bit panicky today with all the dire warnings. A touch of hurricane fever, perhaps. The Beeb always emphasize the bad weather i their summaries (policy), but their visual map looks reasonably clear.
Words
19 Dec 2010Andy, I've seen a pair of peregrines overhead, and a sparrowhawk. Apparently there are owls too. I reckon they need some foxes as well. Rich pickings!
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012A Great video of my favorite animal:cry: 😉