The fox is winning

The fox was back last night (Sunday). We saw it through the window, lurking at the back of the garden. Once again a photo proved beyond me; but I have developed a plan, the first stage of which was to order one of these. It will let me set up the camera outside, and then trigger it from inside the house over a wireless frequency. That's the idea anyway, and I should be able to try it out later in the week. If it works, it could help me get some interesting shots 😀 Or not!

As for today, I had a bit of luck with the local raptors at lunchtime.
First a buzzard flew overhead

The buzzard didn't stay around and I had just spotted a small flock of long-tailed tits, when in the distance this caught my attention.
Kestrel in the distance

I headed over in its general direction, only for it to head across to the far corner of the field.
Kestrel alighting

And then back across to yet another tree-top perch.

And back to the point where I'd started out 10 minutes earlier. Well a brisk walk is good exercise!

Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

This entry was posted in Bird of Prey and tagged , .

25 Comments

  1. cakkleberrylane February 24, 2009 at 12:02 am #

    Amazing shots! Good luck with your wireless camera. I'm sure it will give you some great pictures!

  2. Words February 24, 2009 at 1:02 am #

    Thanks Lois. The wireless gizmo should also be good for getting close-up shots of garden birds at the feeder. Set it up, go inside (so the birds come back) and fire away 😉

  3. gdare February 24, 2009 at 5:02 am #

    Smart 😀

  4. studio41 February 24, 2009 at 5:02 am #

    This fifth pic is AMAZING! Oh my. Lovely!

  5. lokutus-prime February 24, 2009 at 2:02 pm #

    Great photos :yes: – and I love the yummy lens you used. That's a heck of a good lens. I'll take good care of it if it's too heavy for you 😀

  6. Flying Red Fox Blog February 24, 2009 at 4:02 pm #

    Cool you got a new camera! Iam going to take my Canon into the park when Spring is in full swing. 😀

    Hopefully you will catch the Fox soon, try early morning, go to bed early, around 8pm or 9pm (if Mrs Words lets you!) 😆 and then you will be up early to do Fox spotting.

    I think i know which time you would rather prefer though. 😛

  7. Words February 24, 2009 at 6:02 pm #

    Adele, I had a remote (IR) for the 400D which cost about a tenner, but they obviously want to rake in the bucks on the 40D. Wireless gives more flexibility (I can now stand behind the camera!) and this is a fraction of the cost of the Canon equivalent which is ouch-ly expensive. In theory I can retain autofocus as well, but I will probably set it up and leave on manual with a fairly wide lens.

  8. SittingFox February 24, 2009 at 6:02 pm #

    Cool, especially the buzzard :up: I had a wireless control for my 300D (it didn't like my later cameras). I only really used it for astrophotography, but I certainly valued it. I'm sure that you're going to have fun! 😀 I guess you're going to leave the camera on manual focussing?

  9. Words February 24, 2009 at 6:02 pm #

    Jill, thanks. It was nice to have the background off in the distance to give some depth to the shot.

  10. Words February 24, 2009 at 6:02 pm #

    LP, if you had just said 'Royal Mail' I might have been tempted….

  11. Words February 24, 2009 at 6:02 pm #

    Lokutus, thanks. The lens is on the heavy side, but it's good exercise so you can't have it! :p

  12. Words February 24, 2009 at 6:02 pm #

    Mark, I'm a late dweller but I reckon I'll manage to get a shot of the fox sooner or later. It's not actually a whole new camera, just something that fits on it, but it will be fun trying it out.

  13. lokutus-prime February 24, 2009 at 6:02 pm #

    :p .. I'm willing to sacrifice my energy.. you need a rest… mail it by FEDEX now :p

  14. Words February 24, 2009 at 6:02 pm #

    Darko, cheers!

  15. lokutus-prime February 24, 2009 at 11:02 pm #

    😆 rofl

  16. studio41 February 25, 2009 at 9:02 am #

    Yes, for sure – and I like the subtle colours, too. Something about it.

  17. anonymous February 25, 2009 at 6:02 pm #

    TBR writes:

    Gday Words!
    Just taking a stroll through your site again (I know you've been shooting your lovely Wagtails recently!)
    You'll have a blast with your wireless remote.
    I bought one for my Pannie FZ0 bridge a few months ago, and it has turned my photography around. You with your "proper" camera will start knocking our socks off with a remote (in case you weren't already!)
    One drawback to wireless remote shooting. NO BUZZ. No flutter of the veins and instant adrenaline rush when you are close to your subject.
    A price worth paying? Well…. I think so, very often.
    Heres another Jay portrait, taken remotely – whilst I was 100' away, behind a window, sipping coffee, and flicking through the paper, with one eye on the peanuts I'd left out at the end of the garden!
    http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/onblack.php?id=3294233741&size=large
    TBR

  18. Words February 26, 2009 at 12:02 am #

    Hi Doug, that's a cracking jay! :faint: I've been trying out the wireless tonight. Works fine. No foxes though. But it will happen. And don't worry, the first time I get anything with it, I'll get the buzz :wizard:

  19. studio41 February 26, 2009 at 12:02 am #

    OK, I am seeing rose in the bird and greens and pinks in the branches… perhaps my imagination. It is so pretty.

  20. Words February 26, 2009 at 12:02 am #

    Jill, oh I see. I was looking at the background. Yes the tree is colourful 🙂

  21. Words February 26, 2009 at 12:02 am #

    Jill, thanks. The light is 'interesting' at the moment. Not always dull, but no colour or warmth in it at all.

  22. annoushkiss February 26, 2009 at 6:02 pm #

    Great kestrel series :up: And I wish you best luck with your wireless equipment :hat: That fox will be yours 😀

  23. Words February 26, 2009 at 8:02 pm #

    Thanks Anna!

  24. Mickeyjoe-Irl March 12, 2009 at 9:03 pm #

    Neat little gadjet, and made in Bandon. :up:

  25. Words March 12, 2009 at 9:03 pm #

    It certainly is, but it's not got me many photos yet. I have another strategy which I'm testing right now 😉 Brilliant service by the company though. I emailed them a question about it (before purchase) on a Sundy night and had an email reply by Monday lunchtime.