The fox was back last night (Sunday). We saw it through the window, lurking at the back of the garden. Once again a photo proved beyond me; but I have developed a plan, the first stage of which was to order one of these. It will let me set up the camera outside, and then trigger it from inside the house over a wireless frequency. That's the idea anyway, and I should be able to try it out later in the week. If it works, it could help me get some interesting shots 😀 Or not!
As for today, I had a bit of luck with the local raptors at lunchtime.
First a buzzard flew overhead
The buzzard didn't stay around and I had just spotted a small flock of long-tailed tits, when in the distance this caught my attention.
Kestrel in the distance
I headed over in its general direction, only for it to head across to the far corner of the field. 
Kestrel alighting
And then back across to yet another tree-top perch.
And back to the point where I'd started out 10 minutes earlier. Well a brisk walk is good exercise!
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
cakkleberrylane
24 Feb 2009Amazing shots! Good luck with your wireless camera. I'm sure it will give you some great pictures!
Words
24 Feb 2009Thanks Lois. The wireless gizmo should also be good for getting close-up shots of garden birds at the feeder. Set it up, go inside (so the birds come back) and fire away 😉
gdare
24 Feb 2009Smart 😀
studio41
24 Feb 2009This fifth pic is AMAZING! Oh my. Lovely!
lokutus-prime
24 Feb 2009Great photos :yes: – and I love the yummy lens you used. That's a heck of a good lens. I'll take good care of it if it's too heavy for you 😀
Flying Red Fox Blog
24 Feb 2009Cool you got a new camera! Iam going to take my Canon into the park when Spring is in full swing. 😀
Hopefully you will catch the Fox soon, try early morning, go to bed early, around 8pm or 9pm (if Mrs Words lets you!) 😆 and then you will be up early to do Fox spotting.
I think i know which time you would rather prefer though. 😛
Words
24 Feb 2009Adele, I had a remote (IR) for the 400D which cost about a tenner, but they obviously want to rake in the bucks on the 40D. Wireless gives more flexibility (I can now stand behind the camera!) and this is a fraction of the cost of the Canon equivalent which is ouch-ly expensive. In theory I can retain autofocus as well, but I will probably set it up and leave on manual with a fairly wide lens.
SittingFox
24 Feb 2009Cool, especially the buzzard :up: I had a wireless control for my 300D (it didn't like my later cameras). I only really used it for astrophotography, but I certainly valued it. I'm sure that you're going to have fun! 😀 I guess you're going to leave the camera on manual focussing?
Words
24 Feb 2009Jill, thanks. It was nice to have the background off in the distance to give some depth to the shot.
Words
24 Feb 2009LP, if you had just said 'Royal Mail' I might have been tempted….
Words
24 Feb 2009Lokutus, thanks. The lens is on the heavy side, but it's good exercise so you can't have it! :p
Words
24 Feb 2009Mark, I'm a late dweller but I reckon I'll manage to get a shot of the fox sooner or later. It's not actually a whole new camera, just something that fits on it, but it will be fun trying it out.
lokutus-prime
24 Feb 2009:p .. I'm willing to sacrifice my energy.. you need a rest… mail it by FEDEX now :p
Words
24 Feb 2009Darko, cheers!
lokutus-prime
24 Feb 2009😆 rofl
studio41
25 Feb 2009Yes, for sure – and I like the subtle colours, too. Something about it.
anonymous
25 Feb 2009TBR writes:
Gday Words!
Just taking a stroll through your site again (I know you've been shooting your lovely Wagtails recently!)
You'll have a blast with your wireless remote.
I bought one for my Pannie FZ0 bridge a few months ago, and it has turned my photography around. You with your "proper" camera will start knocking our socks off with a remote (in case you weren't already!)
One drawback to wireless remote shooting. NO BUZZ. No flutter of the veins and instant adrenaline rush when you are close to your subject.
A price worth paying? Well…. I think so, very often.
Heres another Jay portrait, taken remotely – whilst I was 100' away, behind a window, sipping coffee, and flicking through the paper, with one eye on the peanuts I'd left out at the end of the garden!
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/onblack.php?id=3294233741&size=large
TBR
Words
26 Feb 2009Hi Doug, that's a cracking jay! :faint: I've been trying out the wireless tonight. Works fine. No foxes though. But it will happen. And don't worry, the first time I get anything with it, I'll get the buzz :wizard:
studio41
26 Feb 2009OK, I am seeing rose in the bird and greens and pinks in the branches… perhaps my imagination. It is so pretty.
Words
26 Feb 2009Jill, oh I see. I was looking at the background. Yes the tree is colourful 🙂
Words
26 Feb 2009Jill, thanks. The light is 'interesting' at the moment. Not always dull, but no colour or warmth in it at all.
annoushkiss
26 Feb 2009Great kestrel series :up: And I wish you best luck with your wireless equipment :hat: That fox will be yours 😀
Words
26 Feb 2009Thanks Anna!
Mickeyjoe-Irl
12 Mar 2009Neat little gadjet, and made in Bandon. :up:
Words
12 Mar 2009It certainly is, but it's not got me many photos yet. I have another strategy which I'm testing right now 😉 Brilliant service by the company though. I emailed them a question about it (before purchase) on a Sundy night and had an email reply by Monday lunchtime.