My OperaA weekend round-up
Monday, January 28, 2008 12:10:05 AM
We seem to be getting solo visits at the moment. January has seen three foxes fairly consistently throughout. The vixen with the 'nicked-ear', the 'shy fox' and the old regular, the dog fox. On one occasion two foxes were in the garden, but the sighting lasted only a few seconds and it was a case of 'one after the other' rather than actually seeing two foxes. This weekend we had two visitors.
On Saturday, the old dog fox showed up late in the afternoon. He seems to be carrying a limp (again!) on his left rear leg. I doubt it's serious as he was quite comfortable putting weight on it when he was standing. Most likely a strain. Certainly there were no other signs of injury as he prowled the garden for several minutes
The old dog fox
Yesterday of course I witnessed the sparrowhawk in hunting mode. Today was the turn of a kestrel. It was a short distance off, but it was going through the hover/swoop routine.
Hover
Swoop
This evening I was able to add to the Wood Mouse files. The mouse was being quite bold, darting from the feeder up into the trees, and back again. I tried to get some shots of it in the trees, but it was either showing a rear view, or hiding behind branches. So here's one of it on the the feeder.
Feasting
While I was out with the mouse, a fox came over the fence at the rear of the garden. I caught a glimpse as it shot along the rear of the garden, and was delighted when it returned a couple of minutes later. I was even more surprised to see that it was the 'third' fox of the January trio. After tonight's visit it's going to be difficult to maintain the pretence that this one's shy. The visit lasted about 7 minutes.
Initial caution
Bold as brass
Camera note: The dog fox was photographed with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens; the kestrel with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS; and the wood mouse and 'shy' fox with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro lens.
On Saturday, the old dog fox showed up late in the afternoon. He seems to be carrying a limp (again!) on his left rear leg. I doubt it's serious as he was quite comfortable putting weight on it when he was standing. Most likely a strain. Certainly there were no other signs of injury as he prowled the garden for several minutes
The old dog foxYesterday of course I witnessed the sparrowhawk in hunting mode. Today was the turn of a kestrel. It was a short distance off, but it was going through the hover/swoop routine.
HoverSwoopThis evening I was able to add to the Wood Mouse files. The mouse was being quite bold, darting from the feeder up into the trees, and back again. I tried to get some shots of it in the trees, but it was either showing a rear view, or hiding behind branches. So here's one of it on the the feeder.
FeastingWhile I was out with the mouse, a fox came over the fence at the rear of the garden. I caught a glimpse as it shot along the rear of the garden, and was delighted when it returned a couple of minutes later. I was even more surprised to see that it was the 'third' fox of the January trio. After tonight's visit it's going to be difficult to maintain the pretence that this one's shy. The visit lasted about 7 minutes.
Initial cautionBold as brassCamera note: The dog fox was photographed with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens; the kestrel with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS; and the wood mouse and 'shy' fox with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro lens.
Mark JonesFlying Red Fox Blog # Monday, January 28, 2008 5:58:23 AM
The Kestrel one is nice too, i saw one when i was in the car to Worthing the other week but couldnt get a photo as we were going too fast and holding up the A259 just to get a pic wasnt possible and i would get told off lol:P
The mouse looks as hungry as ever!
Adele BrandSittingFox # Monday, January 28, 2008 8:47:39 AM
I'm sure I saw a new nick on One-Eye's muzzle the other night. The male foxes seem to be collecting wounds at present! I wouldn't like to guess how many sprains the average long-lived dogfox gets in his lifetime.
Vulpes vulpes # Monday, January 28, 2008 11:07:27 AM
Words # Monday, January 28, 2008 10:57:06 PM
I often see kestrels hovering when I'm driving, so it was a treat to be on foot when I spotted this one. It was a little too far off, but great to see. I'm sure the old fox will be fine. Hardly a month goes by when one or other of them isn't limping.
Words # Monday, January 28, 2008 11:04:28 PM
Of 331 foxes examined, 91 (27%) had at least one naturally healed bone fracture... whereas this figure rose to 70% in animals over five years old. That's quite staggering (literally, I guess), but it shows the amazing resilience of foxes.
Words # Monday, January 28, 2008 11:07:46 PM