Glimpses of sunshine today (as well as numerous showers), but enough to bring out one of my favourite insects the hummingbird hawk moth. They seem to adore lavender and that's where I spotted this one during the middle of the morning. It only made one circuit before disappearing again, but on a good day they will make numerous repeat visits to the same plant.
The second aerial sighting was a sparrowhawk. It was quite a way off and the photo isn't too clear, but I've included it because I think it may be the first shot I've got of a sparrowhawk carrying what I presume to be prey. Having,however, engaged in some extensive pixel-peeking I am confident that I have absolutely no idea what!
Tonight has been dry. Yes, really! Dry enough to bring out three of the fox cubs, including the first visit for a while from Poppy.
Shy-Boy was there as well, exploring the garden (which may make more sense than getting into constant scraps with his larger siblings).
The dominant one of the pack is proving to be Rough-Ear. He is first to everything and is developing into a fine looking young fox. His ear is almost recovered, by the way.
Camera note: moth and sparrowhawk shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM. The foxes were photographed with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.
derWandersmann
9 Jul 2012He stops to smell the flowers, eh?
I think your sparrowhawk has a mouse. There is an unmistakably mammalian rear leg hanging down, and sparrowhawks aren't all that big, so I don't think it could be a rat or squirrel.
SittingFox
9 Jul 2012Great shot of the hawkmoth :up:
Words
9 Jul 2012Adele, oh for some sunshine so that I could spend more time on insects. There's been precious few opportunities this year.
Words
9 Jul 2012dW, I suspect they're looking for insects lurking among the petals, but you can never be sure with foxes. The sparrowhawk could well have a mouse, or a vole, or shrew. Very difficult to tell from that shot.
gdare
10 Jul 2012Last one is precious :up:
Words
10 Jul 2012Darko, thanks! I liked that shot too 😀