I saw one of the tadpolette's move today. They are still in embryonic form, but respond to light by flexing and curling. That's not the sort of thing you can capture with a still camera, so you'll have to take my word for it. But it was very distinctive. They also seem to be developing gills, as you can see in this shot.
On other fronts, I got my 100-400 lens back today. I'd been without it for the past couple of weeks while it was being repaired. The zoom grip had come loose which meant the lens slid around as I carried it. Not a disaster, but it needed fixing. I'm pleased to have it back,and somehow acquired a tripod while I was in the shop. :whistle: Now I just need some decent weather to give it a good workout. This blue tit gave me an opportunity for a quick test run with the lens.
As for the foxes, the last two nights has seen the nicked-ear vixen put in fleeting appearances. She's looking well, but I'm now confused about whether she's pregnant, or had her cubs, or whether the whole thing was in my imagination. I've not seen the other vixen, so it could be that 'nicked-ear' is a secondary vixen which would explain her relatively high activity.
On a quite different note, I was in London yesterday and ended up near the new British Library. I didn't have time to go in, but I was taken with the statue of 'Newton' (after William Blake) that adorns the entrance. It's by Eduardo Paolozzi.
Camera note: the photos of the spawn and vixen were taken with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro lens; the blue tit was with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS; and the statue with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM.
BitzyMe
16 Mar 2008All wonderful photos.
I'm guessing if the vixen was preganat, she has had her cubs.
Something about the way she looks.
SittingFox
16 Mar 2008I bet you're glad to have your lens back! :hat: I hated my time without my main lens last year.
More interesting shots of the frogspawn. As for the vixen, who knows. I'm getting confused about the status of my vixens too.
Words
16 Mar 2008Bitzy, thanks! The cubs should have been born by now. No doubt things will become clear over the next few weeks.
BitzyMe
16 Mar 2008I know what triggered my thought. After delivery (humans) the hormonal changes are simply chaotic. It effects the hair and tends to be far more oily than under normal circumstances. Women who get perms find they won't take for while just after post-partum.
Words
16 Mar 2008Adele, it's good to have the lens back but I'd forgotten how heavy it is! The 70-300 lens is fine but isn't quite as sharp at the long end.
I've just checked back through some of my photos from the past month, and it was the other vixen (the mis-named 'shy vixen') who was definitely showing signs of being pregnant. Nicked-ear was busy last night. After the few moments in the garden she was up over the fences moving away from where I presume their den is. She looked like she was in food gathering mode and I doubt she'd be ranging so far yet if she had cubs of her own.
Flying Red Fox Blog
17 Mar 2008Those Tadpolettes are sooo cute:P Its great you got your camera fixed, its annoying when they break especially if they cost a lot. Hope you had a nice time in London:D The Vixen looks a bit wet because of the weather i think.
Words
17 Mar 2008I never realized how much personality tadpoles have!
I have a feeling that detachable lenses need to get repaired every now and then, but they will more or less last a lifetime with care. At least I hope so! I didn't see much else in London other than the statue. The rest of it was in a meeting and I grabbed those shots at lunchtime.