Welcome to 2013

It's a New Year, and so far it hasn't rained. Indeed, we even enjoyed a little sunshine and some blue skies. So things are already looking up. A dunnock was exploring the bird feeder in the garden. They've taken some time to find it, but it's now receiving a reasonable mount of attention.

It was one of those days when pottering around is in order, and this afternoon we ended up going no further than Falmer (via Rottingdean, where the parking was impossible). And guess what? I spotted a cormorant, but not before it had spotted me. 😉

Despite beating such a hasty retreat it did circle the pond a couple of times before disappearing over the Downs.

The one seasonal casualty appears to be the trail cam. It hasn't quite given up the ghost, but is recording only intermittently despite changing batteries, data cards, reformatting and resetting just about everything I can think of. This is one of the last recordings, taken in the early part of 27th December. We've not previously seen this fox, and have not seen it since. The mange looks quite advanced so I can only hope it's settled somewhere where it can be treated.

Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 11 Comments

  1. derWandersmann

    1 Jan 2013

    Too bad about the cam, Words, but I suppose the risk is always there. Have you thought of bringing indoors and opening it up? It might be damp, even wet, inside.
    I believe we've talked about the mangy fox before?
    Nice shots of the dunnock and the cormorant … I especially like the mad rush to take off.

  2. Words

    2 Jan 2013

    dW, this one has lasted a couple of years of near constant use. I haven't opened it up, but I have let it dry out. It may recover a bit in which case I'll have a spare of sorts).

    We occasionally see foxes with mange, and if they are part of the regular band it's possible to treat them. Over the years we've had success with quite a few. It's next to impossible with the more itinerant ones.

  3. gdare

    2 Jan 2013

    Nice one of flying cormorant, Words :yes:

  4. serola

    2 Jan 2013

    Originally posted by Words:

    A new trail camera is on order

    :hat: Usually new also means better :up:

    Happy New Year peeps :wizard:

  5. SittingFox

    2 Jan 2013

    Your trailcam has outlived many of mine. Sometimes they just malfunction for no apparent reason (they can be remarkably moody), but looking forward to seeing what you've upgraded to 😉

    And yes, the pause in the rain was nice. It didn't last here. I might change my commuting vehicle to a submarine before much longer :rolleyes:

  6. Words

    2 Jan 2013

    Adele, I'm getting the HD version of the Bushnell Trophy, so a fairly basic and minor upgrade. If it lasts as long as this one I'll be happy. I've currently got the old one set up outside in case it decides to resurrect itself.

    Today was wet, but I'm ever hopeful that things might improve.

  7. Words

    2 Jan 2013

    Darko, thanks!

  8. Words

    2 Jan 2013

    Sami, yes it will be slightly better AND slightly cheaper 😉

    Happy New Year!

  9. derWandersmann

    3 Jan 2013

    Originally posted by SittingFox:

    I might change my commuting vehicle to a submarine before much longer

    Pontoons, Adele … pontoons!

    Originally posted by Words:

    I'm ever hopeful that things might improve.

    Hope springs eternal, eh?

  10. SittingFox

    3 Jan 2013

    Looking forward to seeing some footage :up:

    Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    Pontoons

    I might just borrow a Newfoundland dog! 😉

  11. Words

    4 Jan 2013

    Originally posted by SittingFox:

    Looking forward to seeing some footage

    Just set the new cam up so should have something tomorrow. 😀

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