Adele

A Study in Sleeping

Tuesday, 2. June 2009, 18:59:13

I watch foxes playing, foraging, greeting, hunting, wandering, barking, sitting, running, stealing...

But sometimes, it just seems more rewarding to watch them rest

This fox was in no hurry in yesterday's warm evening. I spotted him several hundred yards away across the meadow, and to my surprise he got up and ambled straight towards me! I've started this video out wide to give an idea of the scale that I'm often working on when watching these meadow foxes. There is a 45x zoom on the camcorder

PS - are dandelions getting bigger, or are foxes getting smaller?

Just a Turn in the RoadMeadowland Nursery

Comments

Darko # 2. June 2009, 19:36

Resting fox looks cute but that dandelion is scary

Nicolas Borgsmidt # 2. June 2009, 20:08

He looks very furry. Must be very hot for him. Maybe that´s why he gets lazy

Adele # 2. June 2009, 20:33

@Darko - Dandelions are going to take over the world

I love this fox. He's cute, and he opts for short grass!

Adele # 2. June 2009, 20:34

@Nic - well, they do shed very heavily in spring so he has lost most of his thick winter fur. But they do seem to get hot, and I often see them panting at this time year. Not that it makes them go and rest in the shade though

Andy Wilson # 2. June 2009, 20:51

Certainly looks comfortable

Nicolas Borgsmidt # 2. June 2009, 20:53

I see. They must like the heat. Maybe they want to be dozed down

studio41 # 3. June 2009, 06:41

very nice to watch! lol about the dandelions... they are getting bigger I think

ERWIN # 3. June 2009, 07:35

Denis # 3. June 2009, 10:46

Perfect!
First "portrait" is the best, I think! Camcoder and photo camera in hands in the same time... difficult, really!
I use to ski and go hiking with such set of equipment - without special camera bag - no way!!!

Adele # 3. June 2009, 19:04

@Andy - certainly, he has a nice bed of hay

Adele # 3. June 2009, 19:05

@Nic - foxes and sunshine aren't easily parted

Adele # 3. June 2009, 19:05

@Jill - maybe it's a rogue strain of giant dandelions! (Perhaps we just need more rabbits...)

Thanks!

Adele # 3. June 2009, 19:05

@Erwin - thanks!

Adele # 3. June 2009, 19:07

@Denis - thanks!

I was pleased with that photo.

I went out with the camcorder because it was getting a bit dark for easy photography, but after I found this fox I rang home and asked my mother to drive out with my DSLR! I don't like hiking with both, especially when I have a dog as well! Skiing with a camera must be quite...interesting

Words # 3. June 2009, 20:18

The video is ultra impressive. I don't use video too often as I find it so fiddly to work with.
A couple of questions... Do you use a tripod? And does the cam have a viewfinder (or a screen)?

Adele # 3. June 2009, 21:03

Thanks, I enjoy playing with the camcorder, but it certainly takes longer to process and edit.

I'm using a Canon FS100, and you see what you're filming through a screen that opens from its side. Tripods...well, if possible, but in practice it doesn't usually work that way. I was leaning on a fencepost for the above clip (I often joke that I know every fencepost in the village!) The lactating vixen clip was handheld.

Words # 3. June 2009, 21:56

Double impressive then!

Denis # 4. June 2009, 08:12

3 years ago I started to use Sony HD camcoder (non professional). Results are Very good and picture appears nearly as good as photo. No way to put video in HD 1080i into Internet -files are too big..., but it keeps the impession of reality on reasonable LCD screen. Major problem - shooting fhrom hands... but in real situation You do not have a tripod or do not have time (or place) to install it...
PS I will try to put some video from "skiing with the camera" into my blog.

studio41 # 4. June 2009, 09:03

Perhaps we just need more rabbits...

NOOOOO!

Jenny Jones # 6. June 2009, 18:19

lol!! that's so cute. i love his portable pillow! ...i need one of those

Adele # 6. June 2009, 19:05

@Denis - hm, I used to have a Sony handycam but it didn't talk very readily to my computer, and it caused me a huge hassle. Eventually it just stopped working.

Particularly with wildlife, you do need a camcorder that a) you can handhold and b) comes on VERY quickly!

Adele # 6. June 2009, 19:08

@Jill - I don't know what rabbits are like in your part of the world, but their population in the UK is supposed to be about 40,000,000

What the dandelion population is, I don't think anyone would dare to guess!

Adele # 6. June 2009, 19:10

@Jenny - I think Neo would give you a weird look if you had a tail!

studio41 # 7. June 2009, 07:37

I'll second that:

Shaunak De # 11. June 2009, 20:44

On a scale of 1 to 10 the first photo is 11!
Brilliant stuff.

Adele # 11. June 2009, 20:51

Why, thankyou!

I was pleased with that photo. I don't often see foxes in the garden in daylight these days and it's unusual for me to get that close to a fox out in the meadows (like this one). And for once, he really seemed to want to help out - he even got up and walked closer to me!

Jenny Jones # 13. June 2009, 12:41

LOL!! i think so too

Denis # 15. June 2009, 09:26

I finally posted the example of "home made" HD. No tripod used.. Created with use of Pinnacle software.

daxonmacs # 12. September 2009, 09:31

The (colour of his) fur is amazing. And so comfortable over there, nothing can touch him.
Only thing I fear about foxes are the rabies they spread. They seem to be immune, unlike most of us.

Adele # 12. September 2009, 09:57

He is very handsome

There's no rabies in the UK or Australia, and none or very little in western continental Europe. Foxes aren't immune to it, but its spread has been very effectively managed by placing rabies vaccine in food baits. Most people who get rabies are bitten by stray dogs.

I had to have rabies jabs myself a couple of years ago after an incident with a supposedly rabid bat in Canada! Fortunately, the vaccine is very successful.

daxonmacs # 12. September 2009, 10:12

Learned something, I thought they were immune, spreading it to dogs and other animals.
Thanks, also for the correction of spelling

Adele # 12. September 2009, 11:55

LOL, no worries