It's been raining all day. The camera didn't get taken out if its bag until this evening, when finally the last remnants of drizzle moved away to the south. It was about 9pm and I was watching for frogs in the pond and photographing pond nymphs for want of anything more interesting. They are bizarre looking creatures, but when they emerge into their adult form next spring they'll transform into elegant damselflies.
A noise caught my attention. I looked up. A cat was near the rear of the garden. We've had rather too many of them lately. It's not that I dislike cats, but they are voracious garden hunters and not the most welcome of visitors if you want to provide a wildlife haven. This one though wasn't hunting. It was staring intently. I followed its gaze. A familiar face was staring back.
The fox won this brief stand-off, and the cat retreated over the fence. This was first proper sighting of nicked-ear in a couple of weeks, and though wet through she looks as healthy as ever. It was good to see her.
She remained in the garden for about 7 minutes, which counts as a long visit at this time of year. She spent much of the time rooting around in the grass looking for bugs and worms.
There's still no sign of the other pair (the bold vixen and the old dog fox), but they may well be staying close to their home territory. I might hear them though. The familiar calls of the local fox population will soon be filling the night air as the seasons change and the foxes seek their mates. Winter is approaching.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro lens and Canon 430EX flash unit.
gdare
27 Oct 2008She really look nice and healthy :up:
Words
27 Oct 2008Darko, thanks. She seems to be in great shape.
Vulpes vulpes
27 Oct 2008Ah, nice to see her again – she's a real beauty!
SittingFox
27 Oct 2008Her brush looks marvellous! And the pond nymph is interesting, doing a good job of hiding what a beautiful creature that it will grow into!
dmfalmeida
27 Oct 2008Incredible how this animal is beautiful… Meaningful eyes.
Dan
Words
27 Oct 2008Vuklpes, thanks. It was good to see that she's still about.
Words
27 Oct 2008Adele, I have to hand it to her, she's had the most consistently bushy brush of all the foxes. I'm not entirely sure, but I htink the nymphs seem to be more active after rain. At least that's when I tend to see them. Of course it could be that I don't look quite so closely on dry days.
cakkleberrylane
27 Oct 2008Great shots. I've been away for awhile. I've missed your foxes!
Words
27 Oct 2008Dan, thanks. She's one of the prettiest foxes I've seen.
Words
27 Oct 2008Lois, thanks! It's been relatively quiet lately, but she seems to be around again 😀
UrbanExtension
30 Oct 2008I must go and check my pond. Great pics of the damselfly nymph. Hope to have some in mine… although only saw dragonflies around the pond this year. Live in hope! Jane
Words
30 Oct 2008Good luck looking for the nymphs! They're tiny things at the moment.