It was sunny this morning, which makes it all the more perplexing that I also managed to get caught in a brief downpour (twice). English weather can sometimes be a little too indecisive! But the soaking was worth it. The kestrels were up and about (no doubt they have young mouths to feed), and the first one I spotted was carrying a vole. 
It was proving tricky to get close enough for some decent shots until shortly before I had to head off for work. The rain had stopped (again) and the kestrels reappeared. The good thing about the weather disruptions was that it forced me to the top of the valley, allowing me to photograph the kestrel with some solid background detail. This one also seems to have some prey.
More good news. I saw the fox cub this evening. Saw, but not photographed. It appeared at the back of the garden, paused… trotted forward… retreated… paused… and then made a moderate dash for the fence. What was more surprising that its escape dash took it towards me, and it passed within about 3 feet before disappearing through the hedge. That counts as the best direct sighting to date. This unexpectedly bold behaviour was, it seems, due to an adult fox lurking nearby. It turned out to be Shutterbug. He fancied a brief drink.
I'll close tonight with some trailcam footage from last night. It's the cub. Two different adult foxes feature… and there's a very startled (and lucky) pigeon at the end.
Camera note: all kestrel shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The fox was photographed with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens. The video is from a Bushnell Trophy Cam.
anonymous
10 Jun 2011Michael Morris writes:
Love the last kestrel one in particular: a sense of leisure to look about.
gdare
10 Jun 2011It is "stay-away-from-my-peanuts" fox cub again 😆
RobinL
10 Jun 2011Words, wonderful shots.
With all the Duckweed, looks like SB is getting a salad with his drink!
Words
10 Jun 2011Erwin, thanks!
Words
10 Jun 2011Michael, thanks! They're amazing birds to watch. Sheepcote Valley is a great site for seeing them.
Words
10 Jun 2011Darko, maybe I could sell the video to a peanut company 😉
Words
10 Jun 2011Robin, it's impossible to keep the weed down in that pond. I do clear it every now and then, but clogged as it is the wildlife seems to enjoy it.
SittingFox
14 Jun 2011That's one solid-looking cub! Nice shots of the kestrels too 🙂
Words
15 Jun 2011Adele, the cub seems to have little competition for food or attention. It was playing chase with two adult foxes last night!
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Wonderful